Riverside Celebrates Achievement And Recognizes Excellence with the 2024 CARE Awards

Monday’s CARE Awards celebration was a heartwarming testament to the resilience and dedication of the Riverside community. Over 250 attendees, including employees, people served, board members, and friends of Riverside, joined us at the Newton Marriot for an evening of hope, healing, and heart.

 

 

Riverside Honors Remarkable Growth and Tenacity

The 2024 CARE Awards recognized eleven exceptional individuals for their outstanding achievements. The ceremony celebrated both the remarkable progress of the people we serve and the extraordinary commitment of Riverside employees. Their stories and accomplishments serve as a powerful reminder of Riverside’s impact on people’s lives.

Inspiring Success Stories

The evening was filled with uplifting moments and inspiring speeches. Robert Bishop, who, along with his daughter Averee, has received Riverside’s support for many years, praised the many parenting insights he’s gained by working with Riverside. The importance of “not looking through the lens of a neighbor or a family member but looking through the lens of Averee” strongly resonated with Robert and the event attendees. When Robert said that his team “feels like family,” everyone could feel his genuine appreciation for Riverside’s services and the deep connections he’s formed.

CARE Award recipient Jason West, a hard-working individual supported by the Adult Community Clinical Services program, used his speech to express gratitude not just to his immediate team but to “everyone who contributes to the community.” This sentiment reflects the collaborative spirit that motivates Riverside and drives its success.

 

Employees Living Our Mission

The Riverside employees who received CARE Awards are true ambassadors of Riverside’s vision and the embodiment of organizational spirit. 

Michael Chesnulavich, who rose from peer specialist to director, described Riverside as “more than just a job… it’s a culture, and it’s incredible to be a part of it.” 

Tricia O’Brien, our benefits specialist, praised Riverside’s unique work environment, noting that the combination of dedication, determination, and kindness “makes coming to work easy every day.” 

Lisa Roth, a clinician courageously channeling her personal experience with postpartum psychosis into a program supporting expectant and new moms, beautifully captured the essence of our organization when she began her speech with the words, “Riverside is a magical place.”

A Night to Remember

Lisa’s remarks struck the perfect chord. The event showcased Riverside’s indomitable community and celebrated the hard work of a special group of people. Riverside is excited to continue supporting growth, fostering resilience, and building a brighter future for the people we serve and for each other. Next year’s CARE Awards promise to be another magical night- we can’t wait to see you there!