The 5th Annual Disability Awareness Awards, sponsored by Disability Awareness Work Group (DAWG), are in the Books!
A huge thanks to Julie Henrichs for serving as our passionate MC again this year and to the Benson, Baur, Young and Swope Trusts at First Financial Bank who provided a grant to cover the cost and make the celebration possible the last four years!
The event was held on March 7, at the First Financial Bank Conference Center.
The event was held on March 7, at the First Financial Bank Conference Center.
The Winners Are:
Nathan Schaumleffel. Indiana State University
Dr. Nathan A. Schaumleffel, has a long history of creating a positive impact on the lives of those with disabilities. As an Associate Professor at ISU and Campus/Executive Director of the nationally award winning ISU Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Certification Program, he has made a positive impact on the lives of those with disabilities as he inspires his students to follow in his footsteps. Dr. Schaumleffel has completed extensive work with Special Olympics Indiana, Happiness Bag, Inc., Autism Speaks, and most recently the Foundation for Autism Resources where he helped facilitate a strategic partnership between his Nonprofit Leadership students, the Foundation for Autism Resources, and several other ISU Departments to bring a best-selling author and co-founder of AutismWorks, to Terre Haute. His goal for this was to help parents and professionals understand children who fall on the Autism spectrum--a cause near and dear to his heart as he is a parent of a child with Autism. His list of accomplishments and recognitions is lengthy and impressive but all related to the same goal….make a positive impact in all the lives he can, not just those with disabilities. To quote his nominators: “Dr. Schaumleffel shares his passion with his students and consistently goes above and beyond to provide students with unique service-learning opportunities to give them real life experiences with several local nonprofits.”
Dr. Nathan A. Schaumleffel, has a long history of creating a positive impact on the lives of those with disabilities. As an Associate Professor at ISU and Campus/Executive Director of the nationally award winning ISU Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Certification Program, he has made a positive impact on the lives of those with disabilities as he inspires his students to follow in his footsteps. Dr. Schaumleffel has completed extensive work with Special Olympics Indiana, Happiness Bag, Inc., Autism Speaks, and most recently the Foundation for Autism Resources where he helped facilitate a strategic partnership between his Nonprofit Leadership students, the Foundation for Autism Resources, and several other ISU Departments to bring a best-selling author and co-founder of AutismWorks, to Terre Haute. His goal for this was to help parents and professionals understand children who fall on the Autism spectrum--a cause near and dear to his heart as he is a parent of a child with Autism. His list of accomplishments and recognitions is lengthy and impressive but all related to the same goal….make a positive impact in all the lives he can, not just those with disabilities. To quote his nominators: “Dr. Schaumleffel shares his passion with his students and consistently goes above and beyond to provide students with unique service-learning opportunities to give them real life experiences with several local nonprofits.”
Andy Stoelting and Tom Sebring, Infinity House
Tom and Andy are founding members of Infinity House Clubhouse – a new program in Terre Haute that serves as a psychosocial rehabilitation program for adults with a mental health diagnosis. Infinity House opened in July of 2017 and Tom and Andy have been the two most active members and have established pieces of the program that have been instrumental in securing 174 members. Tom leads a recovery group for members who have mental illness and addictions issues. Average attendance is 14 and he facilitates the group without staff to allow for more open discussion. He also has been instrumental in setting up the kitchen where members prepare two meals per day for other members. Andy was instrumental in establishing the library/computer lab at Infinity House by securing donations of books and computers for members to use for job search and educational needs. He started a GED tutoring program for members and secured plots at the ISU community Garden so members can grow vegetables that offset the costs associated with food services at the house. Last summer, members harvested over 500 pounds of fresh vegetables! Tom and Andy provide extensive outreach to prospective members encouraging them to join Infinity House as part of their therapy and rehabilitation. Their nominator states…”Together Andy and Tom have done as much as anyone in the community for their peers and to bring awareness to mental health issues.”
Tom and Andy are founding members of Infinity House Clubhouse – a new program in Terre Haute that serves as a psychosocial rehabilitation program for adults with a mental health diagnosis. Infinity House opened in July of 2017 and Tom and Andy have been the two most active members and have established pieces of the program that have been instrumental in securing 174 members. Tom leads a recovery group for members who have mental illness and addictions issues. Average attendance is 14 and he facilitates the group without staff to allow for more open discussion. He also has been instrumental in setting up the kitchen where members prepare two meals per day for other members. Andy was instrumental in establishing the library/computer lab at Infinity House by securing donations of books and computers for members to use for job search and educational needs. He started a GED tutoring program for members and secured plots at the ISU community Garden so members can grow vegetables that offset the costs associated with food services at the house. Last summer, members harvested over 500 pounds of fresh vegetables! Tom and Andy provide extensive outreach to prospective members encouraging them to join Infinity House as part of their therapy and rehabilitation. Their nominator states…”Together Andy and Tom have done as much as anyone in the community for their peers and to bring awareness to mental health issues.”
and the BLN – WV Winner was
Sodexo – ISU
ISU Sodexo has been a key piece in Vigo and surrounding counties for over 20 years. During Special Olympics, Sodexo feeds approximately 2300 people over a three day period. The local General Manager says, “Serving during the Special Olympics is our staff’s favorite week of the year. We value our community relationships and believe we bring a wealth of resources and knowledge to any circumstance.” Sodexo staffers Dana Babel and Kimberly Buell, are both tasked with keeping diversity and inclusion at the forefront of Sodexo’s administrative and frontline staff. In November, the ARC of Vigo County recognized ISU Sodexo as their employer of the year for exemplary efforts in providing sustainable employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. As a corporation, Sodexo provides Disabilities Awareness Training to its employees are aware of the proper way to address and serve persons with disabilities. The nominator states: “Sodexo values its community relationships and endeavors to bring a wealth of resources and
ISU Sodexo has been a key piece in Vigo and surrounding counties for over 20 years. During Special Olympics, Sodexo feeds approximately 2300 people over a three day period. The local General Manager says, “Serving during the Special Olympics is our staff’s favorite week of the year. We value our community relationships and believe we bring a wealth of resources and knowledge to any circumstance.” Sodexo staffers Dana Babel and Kimberly Buell, are both tasked with keeping diversity and inclusion at the forefront of Sodexo’s administrative and frontline staff. In November, the ARC of Vigo County recognized ISU Sodexo as their employer of the year for exemplary efforts in providing sustainable employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. As a corporation, Sodexo provides Disabilities Awareness Training to its employees are aware of the proper way to address and serve persons with disabilities. The nominator states: “Sodexo values its community relationships and endeavors to bring a wealth of resources and
We Would Like to Congratulate all the Other Award Nominees
Ryan Bailey, Kevin Burke, Caroly Couldry, Kelli Fuller, Jordan Krause, Marlene Lu, Marie Norris, Raye Rauckman, Sean Stewart, Danny Tanoos, Ashley Wadsworth, Nichelle Washington