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The event held at the Centennial Golf Club also honored staff members and program participants for their commitment to PARC’s mission. More than 60 people attended, including members of PARC’s Board of Directors, executive leadership, families and PARC participants.
The meeting started with the board of director elections and swearing in of officers and directors.
Denise Grenier-Petersen of Carmel was sworn in as the new Vice President of the Board of Directors, while Tom Paradise and Heather Strickland, both of Mahopac, were sworn in as Treasurer and Secretary, respectively.
Three awards are given at the annual meeting: the President’s Award, the Nancy Baker Award, and the Paradise Family Award.
The Nancy Baker Award was established by Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith and his family in honor of his late sister and longtime PARC staff member Nancy Nicola Kaufman Baker. It's presented to an individual who epitomizes the dedication, overall service, leadership, compassion, kindness, and understanding that Baker demonstrated
The winner of the 2016 Nancy Baker Award was Lauren Smith. Smith started working for PARC in 2008, first as a direct support professional and then advancing throughout the agency from receptionist to executive administrative assistant and medical assistant. She is working to become a Certified Patient Care Technician that includes Phlebotomy and EKG certifications.
The President’s Award is presented to an employee who has demonstrated outstanding service and contributions to the PARC, their department or program and, above all, the people PARC supports.
The winner of the 2016 President’s Award was Scott DeAngelis. DeAngelis started working for PARC in 2012 as the Desktop Support Technician and was promoted to IT Coordination in 2014. In 2016, he was promoted to IT Manager for both PARC and the Arc of Dutchess. He has been available to staff to assist or provide training with the arrival of new products.
The Paradise Family Award, honoring the commitment of former Board President Tom Paradise and his family, recognized an individual receiving services at PARC who is a strong Self-Advocate as well as an advocate for their peers.
The winner of the 2016 Paradise Family Award was Adrienne Minella. Minella graduated from Brewster High School in 2012 and has received Supported Employment Services from PARC since 2014. She held a position at Burger King and recently became a receptionist at PARC Center. Adrienne stepped up recently to serve as the Vice President of the Free to Speak Self-Advocacy Group.
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