Fred Ortoli Photo
Pictured from left: Pamela Mautte (Valley Council Chair), Cathleen Kellet (Valley Parish Nurse Program), Mary Swansiger (Valley Parish Nurse Program), Maggie Sessa (Valley Parish Nurse Program), Kevin Hale (Chief of Police, Ansonia Police Department), James Queen (Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley), Donna Skurat (Valley Parish Nurse Program), Pat Lesiw (Valley Parish Nurse Program), Eleanor Kurdy (Valley Parish Nurse Program), Rev. Russell Lesiw (Valley Parish Nurse Program), Diane Stroman (Valley Council Vice-Chair).
DERBY - The Valley Council for Health & Human Services honored community service providers for their positive impact on the Valley at its Annual Meeting & Awards Presentation Dec. 3.
The event, sponsored by the Valley Community Foundation, was held at Grassy Hill Lodge.
Kevin Counihan, CEO of Access Health CT, the state’s healthcare exchange, gave a keynote presentation about Connecticut’s progress in implementing healthcare reform. This presentation was followed by the presentation of community service awards.
Pamela Mautte, Chair of the Valley Council and Director of
the Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council at BHCare, introduced the
three awardees.
The Lewis Savitsky Staff Excellence Award, named in honor of a long-time Valley United Way employee and community leader, recognizes outstanding achievement among nonprofit employees.
The 2013 award was given to James Queen, Director of Operations for the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
Queen first became involved with the Club at the age of nine. He began his career in 1983 as a part-time games room and front desk worker, rising quickly into leadership roles. As Mautte recounted in her introduction, “For over three decades, James has been a dependable, exceptional leader whose work has changed the lives of countless young people.”
The Lewis Savitsky Staff Excellence Award, named in honor of a long-time Valley United Way employee and community leader, recognizes outstanding achievement among nonprofit employees.
The 2013 award was given to James Queen, Director of Operations for the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
Queen first became involved with the Club at the age of nine. He began his career in 1983 as a part-time games room and front desk worker, rising quickly into leadership roles. As Mautte recounted in her introduction, “For over three decades, James has been a dependable, exceptional leader whose work has changed the lives of countless young people.”
The Agency/Program of the Year Award
recognizes a nonprofit agency or program that has made a lasting contribution
to the health and well-being of Lower Naugatuck Valley residents. This year’s award was presented to the
Valley Parish Nurse Program, based at Griffin Hospital.
The program, which has served the Valley community for 24
years, includes an extremely dedicated group of volunteer nurses and Health
Care Cabinet teams that work tirelessly for the well-being of local
parishioners.
Through their one-on-one services and group programs, parish nurses provide vital education, support, and service referrals that improve the health of Valley citizens of all ages. As one observer commented, “you can find parish nurses working everywhere, in libraries, shelters, schools, all over the Valley community.”
Through their one-on-one services and group programs, parish nurses provide vital education, support, and service referrals that improve the health of Valley citizens of all ages. As one observer commented, “you can find parish nurses working everywhere, in libraries, shelters, schools, all over the Valley community.”
The Richard O. Belden Community Service Award, named
in honor of late State representative Richard O. Belden, is given to an
individual or group whose efforts have made a significant contribution to improving
the quality of life of Valley residents.
Bertha Belden accompanied the Valley Council Chair, Pamela Mautte, and incoming Vice-Chair, Diane Stroman, in presenting the award honoring the legacy of community service of her late husband.
The Council presented the 2013 Belden award to the Ansonia Police Department and its Chief of Police, Kevin Hale, for their outstanding collaborative work to improve the safety and well-being of Valley residents.
Bertha Belden accompanied the Valley Council Chair, Pamela Mautte, and incoming Vice-Chair, Diane Stroman, in presenting the award honoring the legacy of community service of her late husband.
The Council presented the 2013 Belden award to the Ansonia Police Department and its Chief of Police, Kevin Hale, for their outstanding collaborative work to improve the safety and well-being of Valley residents.
In addition to the Police Department’s role in crime prevention and
emergency assistance, the award presentation highlighted the ways that Hale and his fellow officers have reached out to nonprofit agencies and schools
to create partnerships that improve citizen safety.
One example cited is when Hale proactively approached The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services to implement an innovative program to identify individuals who may be at high risk for domestic violence and refer them to safety planning services.
This program’s successful implementation has become a statewide model, with over 24 police departments now using the Lethality Assessment Program.
One example cited is when Hale proactively approached The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services to implement an innovative program to identify individuals who may be at high risk for domestic violence and refer them to safety planning services.
This program’s successful implementation has become a statewide model, with over 24 police departments now using the Lethality Assessment Program.
About the Valley Council
The Valley Council for Health and Human Services,
established in 1993, is a partnership network of over 35 non-profit community
health and human service organizations working to improve the quality of life
of residents in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
Through its monthly membership meetings, task forces, and committees, the Council acts as an important mechanism for fostering collaborative efforts among local service providers, thereby improving service delivery systems and strategic planning for the Valley region.
Through its monthly membership meetings, task forces, and committees, the Council acts as an important mechanism for fostering collaborative efforts among local service providers, thereby improving service delivery systems and strategic planning for the Valley region.
This post is taken from a press release from the Valley Council for Health and Human Services.
Congratulations to all of the award recipients!
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