CARE Award Winners

We had winners this year in four different categories. Congratulations to the following recipients:

Self-Advocate Award – Mitch Berger

Hero with Heart Award – Molly Mallory

Direct Service Award – Krista Grove

Community Partner Award – Richland Public Health

Self-Advocate Award – Mitch Berger

Mitch is involved in a couple of self-advocacy groups in Richland County and is an active participant in each of them. He participates in People First and Project STIR. Mitch has been a member of People First for several years and has been on the board twice as Treasurer and President. He is currently serving on Council of Ohio Leaders board (COOL).  He also teaches Project STIR both locally and statewide. 

He said he enjoys teaching people how to stand up for themselves. "It truly makes me feel like I make a difference in the community."  

Mitch said he was completely honored to receive this award and was not expecting it!  

Hero with Heart Award – Molly Mallory

Molly is a Residential Manager for the ICF/MSY and Supported Living Programs at I Am Boundless. She first started working in the field while she was in college. "I had NO experience but needed a job and a place to live. Little did I know that I would find so much more!"

Molly enjoys watching the individuals she serves become independent, happy, and enjoy their lives. "I also enjoy watching our team grow and develop and work together."

Currently, she supports four individuals in supported living, four individuals in their Multiple System Youth program, and is adding additional homes to the area.

Direct Service Award – Krista Grove

Krista has been a resident of Richland County her whole life. She first started working in the Developmental Disabilities field in the summer of 2015 as a substitute and worked as a Job Coach with the Summer Youth Work Experience with school-age youth. Krista spent time working weekends with an individual served by RNI Inc.

"I grew to have a special relationship with this gentleman and his family. He was struggling with his job at the time. Spending each weekend with him really allowed me to watch him grow and become successful with his job." In 2018 Krista decided that she wanted to work full time as a Job Coach at RNI., Inc.  

Krista says what she likes best about her job is that every day is different and she gets to spend time with clients and watch them become successful in the community. She also likes that she gets to meet people. 

Community Partner Award – Richland Public Health

Richland Public Health was nominated for this award for their staff's work each day for our community's greater good. They are constantly behind-the-scenes heroes. 

Richland Public Health made the individuals enrolled in Richland Newhope's services and direct care staff a priority when the vaccinations rolled out. They kept in constant contact to make sure that everyone that wanted the vaccine had an opportunity to get it.  

Their efforts throughout the pandemic are appreciated, and we will always be grateful!