Aldecha, your patience, grace and Can Do attitude ensures that the needs of the women are the priority and you will do whatever it takes to get this done! You plan meaningful days for the ladies filled with fun.

Heather, you are a true example of someone who is living SPIN’s Pillars throughout your work activities.  Your people first approach in all interactions is wonderful to witness. You are a wonderful Ambassador to our Human Resource Department and to SPIN overall.

Aristotle said “Quality is not an act, it is a habit”.  And lucky for us that on August 5, 2000 the summer breeze brought you to SPIN and you have been providing intentional quality supports and services ever since! No wonder why the summer has always been my favorite time of the year!!

Over your 17 year career at SPIN, you have demonstrated steadfast leadership and Professionalism.  Your positive and thorough communication reflects SPIN’s culture of deep respect.  You have taught internal and external stakeholders that SPIN employees are exceptional and produce exceptional outcomes. 

Erika, in your role as a Paraprofessional, you have demonstrated incredible patience and flexibility by supporting big and little people to enhance their quality of life by having FUN!! You have smiled your way and created an energized atmosphere that is contagious!

Bernina, for the past six years, you have been sharing your gifts and talents in all that you do, all the while demonstrating SPIN’s Pillars in every giving action. Your care, compassion and strong trusting relationships with Helen and Marian together with your creative and goal oriented approach present you as an outstanding Direct Support Professional who is an example to us all.

Lucky for SPIN, Sametta Dahn began supporting the critical needs of people in April of 2006 when she walked through our doors and began sharing herself in her every giving action. Sametta, you are committed to enhancing lives and supporting people to achieve their outcomes with a solid people first approach.

The month of November is special for many reasons but especially because we have the opportunity to share the essence of the holiday of Thanksgiving and provide our deep appreciation to those who give of themselves to make a difference in people’s lives. This November is no different in fact today we extend special recognition to someone who defines People First support in every word and action.

Lucky for SPIN, in May of 2004 such a leader entered the doors of the home on Linden Avenue, then Ripley 2 and Theresa Cooper has been making a difference in the lives of people since that very first day!  Theresa, as an outstanding DSP, it is so easy to witness your clear demonstration of SPIN’s Pillars in all that you do and say. Your relationship and overall connection with Margie, Phyllis and Sue is a wonderful example of what partnership and synergy really look like and truly mean. 

On May 1, 2006, our Frankford community increased in talent, creativity, energy and shear positivism when you, Miss Gwen walked through our Frankford campus doors. And, our Head Start program was never the same!  How lucky we have been!  Your dedicated and enthusiastic efforts each day, every day, present an outstanding example to all big and little people who have the privilege and the honor of witnessing your high performance action. As the consummate Paraprofessional in one of our Head Start classrooms, you help organize and support children of such important pre-school ages learn and play in a healthy, fun, meaningful, and highly supportive learning environment.

From the day you walked into SPIN on November 9, 2009 you have smiled your way and created an energized atmosphere that is contagious! Everyone who enjoys the Norcom Community Center can witness your boundless energy and wealth of talents that support people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to achieve their personal outcomes.

There are some people who are so talented that they can make something out of nothing. Do you know someone like this? You know the kind of person who can make a masterpiece out of a paper bag!  Well, January 31, 2011 was SPIN’s lucky day because a bright eyed, energized, creative star named Amy Crichlow joined the SPIN family and has been making magic ever since!

It was 1997 and the top song was Elton John’s Candle in the Wind, the top movie was Titanic, the top TV show was E.R., but one of the most important happenings of 1997 was that I was teaching a Graduate class at Temple University and had the honor to teach two outstanding to be Therapeutic Recreation Specialists.

Mahatma Gandhi said “Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.”

Last Friday, I walked into the Norcom Community Center to introduce two new SPIN friends to the NCC experience.  It was a gloomy, rainy day outside but my day was immediately brightened when we walked into the gym and were greeted by the friendliest, roller skating floor hockey instructor who invited us to join in on their spirited hockey game. Our mood couldn’t help but be lifted by this enthusiastic, welcoming, NCC employee named Kris Benedict. I quickly shared with our new friends that we were in the presence of royalty as you were SPIN’s Employee of the Month and they felt honored themselves and were more than impressed that they were able to see you in clear action; so was I!

As the great philosopher Mary Poppins once said, “A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down in the most delightful way”. Lucky for SPIN, in November, 2012, our own Mary Poppins walked through the Colebrook door carrying her carpetbag filled with loving care, fun, great ideas, and a belief that all things are possible for everyone.

Since October 28, 2007 when you began with SPIN you have been sharing your gifts and talents in all that you do. Your caring and goal oriented approach coupled with your high integrity results present you as an outstanding Direct Support Professional who is an example to us all. Some people dream about doing things, Antoinette you not only dream but you “get to done” and that is what supports people to be truly relevant in their communities.

Maya Angelou said “The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them.” Sharing yourself in every giving action is not easy for most, but for you Betty, it seems it is a way of life.  In November, 2007, the Finance Department strengthened their expertly, talented, caring team when you joined the SPIN family.

November 11, 2012 was Veterans Day, a day when we stop to honor fallen soldiers, veterans and our nation's heroes. But luckily, we had a hero among us right here at SPIN, a Direct Support Professional Hero!

Trina Losinno, SPIN’s founding Executive Director implored us as SPIN employees to “Bring the Party Everyday”.  Every time I share this important bit of wisdom, I can’t help but see the smile and light within myself and others. Who doesn’t want to attend and share in all that a party entails and provides for one another?  And no doubt, you know how to party!

Aristotle said “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit”.  And Vanessa, lucky for SPIN that your habitual demonstration of excellence is what you not only understand but you exemplify through your everyday attitude and actions. 

One of the greatest bands of all time, Bread, created a song that will forever describe the importance of relationships, “If a picture paints a thousand words” and the value of these words still stands the test of time. Luckily, our own Steven Schultz has been illustrating people’s lives through his consistent, everyday demonstration of SPIN’s Pillars since his first day of SPIN employment on September 17, 2006. 

The very famous philosopher once said, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” Yes, The Little Engine That Could didn’t know how profound his/her words would be!   But seriously, every time I have the opportunity to read this treasured book of all time, I am reminded of the power of attitude and how much of life relies on our willingness to believe in the power of possibility.

Webster says that Courage is “the quality of mind and spirit that enables a person to face challenges with bravery”.  Right here at the Norcom Community Center we have and know a genuine example.  John Haughney.

Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit”. Habits are hard to break and luckily this quote is certainly well evidenced in the hard work and dedication of one of our own, a true man of excellence, Lamont Bates.