December 2, 2005 was SPIN’s lucky day as we were so very fortunate that you joined our team and immediately began sharing your heart and soul with everyone and everything that you do. 

Aristotle said “We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but rather we have those because we have acted rightly”. 

Mary, since coming to SPIN in 2007, you have lived the essence of this quote and more. 

Frank, from the day that you joined us at SPIN on November 1, 1998, we knew that we were more than fortunate. Quickly, you were recognized for your genuine care and concern, devotion to everyone and everything, high skills and competencies and a maturity well beyond your years. 

It has been quite some time since we have had an Employee of the Month nomination submitted by a powerful, collaborative team.  However, this month, SPIN selected a nomination for you not only by your proud supervisor, Chris Wasieczko, but also by your inspired colleagues, Cinquetta Howard and Taniola Jovin and a grateful Robert Becker.

Gbenah Lappia reminded me in your nomination letter that Martin Luther King, Jr. once said “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence”.  This quote highlights your passionate dedication and outcome achievement as you are deeply committed and invested in the individualized needs of the three women you support.

Dear January,

David Losinno said that SPIN was created 41 years ago by Ordinary people who did Extraordinary Things.  Fast forward to today and Mindy Lutts in her nomination letter said that “January has taught me that extraordinary people do extraordinary things that make SPIN an extraordinary agency”.    

James Kent said that "Nothing is so potent as the silent influence of a good example”.  In other words, the silent leader is a powerful resource to everyone.  Three years ago, you were working for EMAN and when you heard that SPIN was acquiring the organization, your skepticism got the best of you. 

Tracey Chapman, the American singer songwriter, said “I’ve seen and met angels wearing the disguise of ordinary people living ordinary lives”.  On August 22, 2011 one such angel emerged, without hesitation, here at SPIN and demonstrated extraordinary love and passionate dedication, never realizing his incredible act of heroism.  Hero, a word of only four letters is beyond powerful when uttered.  It is a word that should not be used lightly as its definition “a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities” requires a great deal of respect and admiration.  This hero was you and words cannot express our deep gratitude.

The Lion King's signature song, "The Circle of Life", proudly and strongly calls us all to action to find our place, standing up for ourselves and others while being a change agent.    When the call came that the Frankford Team was looking to pay tribute to a special young staff member who passed away last year, you quickly stepped forward to offer your wonderful gifts and talents to memorialize Terence in a spectacular way.  Of course, based upon Terence's love and commitment to the children in the Autistic Support classroom, the idea was presented to dedicate the Therapy room to him.

It is well known that first impressions last a lifetime.  However, how many of us have realized that it is through these first impressions that we can control our destiny in who we are and what we stand for. I remember the first time that I had the honor to meet you, as you had begun your employment at SPIN as an Employment Specialist and I walked away and thought calm, cool, collected, intelligent, talented, professional, caring and driven, all in about 30 seconds! Most importantly, I knew that you were Right Fit for SPIN.

"If you build it, they will come." Most would assume that this famous line pertains to the movie Field of Dreams. That may be true, but for those who helped to dream and create the Norcom Community Center, it defines the NCC completely! However, building the Center was only the beginning, developing it into the state of the art, gathering place for the whole community took a village!

Dear Elizabeth, 

Joe, Art and Fran are three very lucky gentlemen. You have been a constant support to them since they came together at Fulmer in 2005. Respect and compassion have been your trademarks and building "family" has been your passion. As the overnight support person, you have to work a little harder to build effective relationships because, of course, you have less awake time with the guys. But you make the most of your time; you pay attention to every detail of their dietary needs, their personal needs, the cleanliness of their home and wardrobe and you provide much of the harmony for the rest of the team. You always do what needs to be done; no questions asked; no thinking twice about it.

Dear Tyrone, 

I have a riddle for you.

What do Michael Fisher, Ben Mays and Justin Mays all have in common? A friend named Ty. A friend who cares about them; takes time to know and understand each one as an individual; empowers them to be their own person and mentors them to grow toward greater independence. 

Justin has so many aspirations and goals, it is hard to keep up with him…but you do, because he needs your support on his journey

Dear Elinore,

The author Anthony Robbins once said, "The way we communicate with others…ultimately determines the quality of our lives." 

For the past 17 years you have brought your considerable creativity and talent to the Norcom Community Center and have focused on communication issues for most of that time. Whether through language, alternate forms of communication or music, you are dedicated to supporting people to express themselves in whatever form they can and thus increase the quality of their lives.

Dear Tanya,

"Nurses are a special breed of people. They get up in the morning and go to work with one simple, yet profound purpose in mind: 'I will care for you'." 
-Anonymous

You truly care for each and every one of the ladies and gentlemen you support to have the best possible health. You visit them frequently, you call on nights and weekends to check on them, and you take a holistic interest in their lives. You make it your business to get to know their likes and dislikes; their dreams and desires; their fears and challenges. You spend hours on the phone with family members as well to listen and to address their concerns

Dear Nicole,

Jenn Fenton and Carla Higgins nominated you for the Employee of the Month award and used such a perfect analogy that I have to quote it here:

"Elton John wrote "Cast your pebble upon the water. Watch the ripples gently spreading." We all cast pebbles on the waters of change every day and don't always see how far reaching the impact of positive action is on others.

Dear Steve,

You are our December Employee of the Month, but due to a delay in engraving your plaque we are acknowledging you in January. What a wonderful "Mello" way to both end and start a year.

First, I have to quote from your nomination letter:

"How do you express in words the impact that one person makes on the entire agency with his daily efforts? Well, the word and the person for whom we give thanks is Mello, Steve Mello

Dear Christopher,

Your nomination letter was a joy to read! Every good quality one would hope for in an employee was attributed to you, and then some. As a Home Life Coordinator and Program Specialist, you are highly creative, innovative, passionate and determined when it comes to supporting Michael and Barney to have a rich and stimulating environment in which to live and grow. Painting murals, developing a sensory room, sharing your musical talents, seeking solutions and innovative approaches are just some of the ways that you have enhanced the men's lives and enriched their social capital.

It is a pleasure to honor you today as Employee of the Month for October. While Rashim Lancit, Director of the Frankford Children's Services Center officially nominated you, your classroom team and families you support, suggested to Rashim that you be honored in some way for the exemplary work that you do. That, in itself, is a special honor!

Cynthia, Marian and Lisa are certainly blessed to have had you in their lives for over ten years. Very few individuals supported in CLA's have had that good fortune. In those ten years you have helped each woman accomplish amazing things.
You have a close relationship with each as an individual; you educate them about their rights; you advocate for them and help them live the Everyday Life they choose

John Maxwell, a famous author and entrepreneur, states that "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way". This quote embodies the significant role of the Direct Support Professional and finding that right fit person is always our goal. 
Erika Womack defines that leader who believes that possibilities are endless and goes hand in hand with them, showing them how to be successful. When SPIN was planning to open the home on Hoffnagle Street for three new women, you volunteered to visit one young lady with Autism, Jinnell, at the agency she lived previously and began spending time with her. Jinnell would be moving from a restrictive setting into the community and she needed compassionate, loyal and expective support to achieve her personal outcomes. Quickly, it was apparent that you and Jinnel had an immediate special rapport and you committed to work hard to grow this into a trusting relationship

Dear Rachelle,

The Band Earth, Wind and Fire made the following lyrics famous:
Shining Star no matter who you are
Shining bright to see, what you can truly be

Luckily, Antonio Carrington shared in his July Employee of the Month nomination letter that SPIN has our own shining star, shining bright to see leading the team at Spring Avenue, our own Rachelle Parker.
Rachelle, you perform your job to the highest level of your ability as you extend yourself and consistently develop resources to find just the right activity to meet the unique needs of Tina, Norman and Daryl. You worked ever so closely with your co-workers, health services and hospice staff to develop an action plan to support Roy during his end of life challenges. With extreme care and dignity, you provided critical care to Roy and were a wonderful example to all of us.

One only has to look at the bleak job market picture over the past two years to know that being a Job Coach at this time is no picnic. Keeping people with a disability employed or finding them new jobs in tough economic times is a huge challenge. You have been successful for the past nine years no matter what the challenges are

I am pleased to tell you that your nomination letter was quite unique. It was written by many of your co-workers who obviously think you are great in your position but also that you are a great person. From their testimonials you are much loved by the individuals you support and your co-workers. You are a huge asset to the Norcom Community Center.
In their words: 

"Patrick's patience with the day program is admirable, his classes are interesting and enjoyed by all. We like that we can go to Patrick if we have a special request or a need to accommodate someone. He is very easy going and we like that!
-Albert Fabrizio

"Bound by paperwork, short on hands, sleep and energy… nurses are rarely short in caring."

Sharon Hurducek

We know for a fact that you are never short in caring! You have a very complex group of people to support medically and each of them have a team of people who also need to be supported and trained in everyday healthcare issues and in times of medical crisis. You care about each one as though they were the only one