Community Resources for Justice this month presented our annual employee awards at our all-managers summit in Ashland. The awardees were nominated by other employees. President and CEO John Larivee gave out six awards recognizing employees who routinely go above and beyond in service to our clients.
Yemi Payne
Yemi Payne, the assistant director of Community Strategies-Massachusetts, received a CEO Award for his nearly 15 years of dedicated service, improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. Colleagues have described Yemi as a leader rather than a manager. His cluster managers feel supported and challenged. He sets the bar high for himself and seeks out new responsibilities to grow his skill set.
Hampshire House staff
Program Director Ernie Goodno and his staff at Hampshire House received the Team CEO Award. Hampshire House has a long record of top marks in reviews, both internal and from our partners at the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the American Correctional Association. The program has also served as a resource for our other reentry centers. Alumni of the Hampshire House staff include Matt LeFrancois, director of Coolidge House; Lisa Chute, assistant director of McGrath House; and Joe Jarvis, program administrator at Coolidge House.
Lisa Chute
Lisa Chute, assistant director at McGrath House, received the 2017 Integrity Award, which is presented to an employee who demonstrates the qualities of dependability, reliability, and honesty. Lisa has worked at CRJ for more than eight years, beginning at Hampshire House. She moved to McGrath in 2016. She’s always thinking of her team and Larivee noted her impressive work ethic and grace under pressure.
Christina Chabot
Christina Chabot, a nurse in the Community Strategies division, received the 2017 Excellence Award, which is presented to the employee who consistently delivers the highest standard of care, resulting in superior service and distinction for CRJ. Christina works tirelessly as an advocate for the best quality of live for the individuals we serve. She builds trust and uses that trust to employer our clients to achieve thing that they were unable to before.
Dottie Ellis
Dottie Ellis — or Miss Dottie, as she’s known to residents at Brooke House — received the 2017 Compassion Award, which is presented to the employee who demonstrates kindness and emptahy in a manner that honors our clients and promotes an environment that’s safe, just, and inclusive. When you walk in the door of Brooke House, whether you’re a resident, a staff member, or a public official, Miss Dottie welcomes you with a smile and a warm greeting. She’s there for residents when they need assistance or direction and she treats everyone with respect.
Ann Keyser, program manager of the Community Strategies group home in Stoughton, received the 2017 Creativity Award, which is presented to the employee who demonstrates imagination, resourcefulness, and innovation in overcoming problems and developing new models of care and support. Ann works every day to improve the lives of our clients. She is the reason that the transition of the Stoughton home to CRJ from another provider went smoothly and that parents and guardians are delighted with the new management.
Other employees who received nominations for special recognition are:
- Jeff Korsak, interim director of Houston House;
- Juan Carlos Rodriguez, Shared Living assistant at Community Strategies – Massachusetts;
- Chelsey Frazier, program manager at Community Strategies’ West Boylston residence;
- Gina Abbondandolo, administrative assistant for The Crime and Justice Institute; and
- Christian Schiavone, CRJ’s communications manager.