2010 AASC Awards of Excellence
2010 AASC Awards of Excellence Winners Awards were presented at the the 2010 National Service Coordinator Conferece in Anaheim, CA during the Awards Luncheon, Monday, August 30, 12:00-2:00 pm
President’s Award – Griselda Sanchez
Mid-Peninsula Housing Services Corporation, Watsonville, CA
The AASC President's Award is the highest honor bestowed on a service coordinator, given to someone who serves as the best example of diligence, drive and care that has come to define our profession. This year's award goes to resident service coordinator Griselda Sanchez for her outstanding ability to transcend the various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds of her residents and establish a trust and rapport with each individual. Through this work, Griselda has been able to empower her residents to take charge of their lives in numerous ways including working to increase their participation in the 2010 Census; mobilizing her residents to petition the local transportation board to restore the only bus service in front of the property; and, recruiting and training the youth living in her community to become youth leaders rather than follow in the path of local gangs. In the words of Griselda's property manager, Ben Arcangel, "Griselda's approach is not to "enable the abler" or "force feed" the residents with services being provided at the properties. Griselda's methodology is to empower the residents to create a better future for themselves."
Service Coordinator of the Year (Elderly and Disabled) – Tamara Whetstone
National Church Residences, Starkville, MS
The Service Coordinator of the Year (Elderly and Disabled) Award winner strives to improve the lives of elderly and disabled residents through leadership and devotion in providing quality education, program development, networking in the community and advocacy. This year's award goes to Tamara Whetstone who strives to provide community outreach and education to her senior residents through programming that goes beyond the normal lecture format and incorporates research to find ways to further impact the lives of the residents she serves. Through her service coordination program, Whetstone has been able to show the effectiveness of her programs by tracking a cost savings for her residents of over $783,000 in 2009 and over $167,000 in the first quarter of 2010. As one of Whetstone's residents said, "She is the one to whom we go to learn what we should do about easing our way into unavoidable changes as we age. Some problems are difficult, and some are simpler than we realize, until we receive direction and encouragement from Tamara."
Service Coordinator of the Year (Family/FSS) – Beverly Houston
Mid-Peninsula Housing Services Corporation, American Canyon, CA
The Service Coordinator of the Year (Family/FSS) Award winner strives to improve the lives of family residents through leadership and devotion in providing quality education, program development, advocacy and networking with service agencies, businesses, schools and others. This year's award goes to Beverly Houston who exemplifies a quality service coordinator in all aspects of the position. Houston provides her residents with the tools needed to take charge of their community through programming such as on-site Parent Education classes coordinated with local school districts to engage her residents to become more involved in their child's schooling; a Youth Vocational Readiness workshop series which addressed resume writing, interviewing skills and career assessment with the youth in her building; and an anti-crime event, the National Night Out, which attracted more than 700 people from the community to improve the safety of residents. As one of Houston's residents said, "Having lived in the community for many years, I was used to things starting and falling apart after a few meetings or activities. But with Beverly leading the way, this has not happened. She has inspired residents to want to be a part of the solution in their community and lives."
Best Overall Service Coordinator Program – Heather Bischoff
National Church Residences, Indianapolis, IN
The Best Overall Service Coordinator Program Award honors an achievement or program that not only demonstrates innovation and creativity in helping to meet the needs of a property's residents but also improves the relationship between the residents, staff and the community. This year's award goes to Heather Bischoff who has made a remarkable impact on the residents of her property as well as the surrounding community. Her programming includes a Resident Leadership Award, which provides residents the opportunity to honor those residents who go above and beyond to help in their property and community; a focus group consisting of residents, staff and the community who brainstorm on program ideas and solutions to needs within the community; and a computer center, the Knowledge Center, which is the first Neighborhood Network Center in the state of Indiana to receive the Model Center Classification, the highest level of standard and classification set by Neighborhood Networks. As Bischoff's property manager Carol Ragsdale said, "One of her goals is to enhance and improve the quality of life for her residents and her enthusiasm and energy are catching not only for me, but for the residents she serves and the partners with which she works daily."
Click here to view the 2009 award winners.
