Celebrating Advocacy and Inclusion
The Arc Baltimore's Catalyst for Change Awards event was a heartfelt celebration of the incredible contributions made by community partners, staff, and the people we support who live and breathe The Arc’s mission.
The evening’s vibrant energy was amplified by emcee Jamie Costello, whose wit and warmth kept the audience engaged and entertained.
Highlights included honoring the Developmental Disabilities Coalition leaders for helping restore $1 billion in IDD funding this past legislative session, recognizing Senator Cory McCray for his steadfast support and partnership, and celebrating staff milestones, most notably Terri Spurrier, who received a standing ovation for 50 years of service.
The event was a powerful reminder of the collective impact of passionate advocacy and collaboration in creating a more inclusive community.
CONGRATULATIONS 2025 AWARDEES!
Staff
- Administrator of the Year Award – Barbara Freeman
- Career Excellence in Direct Support Award – Aubrenda Ervin
- Community Connection Award – Daniel Luckenbach
- Community Connection Award – Melissa Meyers
- Direct Support Professional of the Year Award – Saundra Clark-Newman
- Excellence in Direct Support Award – Brian Hodge
- Excellence in Management Award – Olumuyiwa Fatodu
- Stephen H. Morgan Career Excellence Award – Christian Ehrhardt
- Visionary Leadership Award – Swanisha Hinton
People We Support
- Advocate of the Year Award – Arthur Machesney
- Citizenship Award – Herbert "Buddy" Gibbs
- Employee of the Year Award – Dominick Marshall
Community Partners
- Advocacy Leadership Award - Rachel London
- Community Partner Award – Central Presbyterian Church
- Community Partner Award – Marine Solutions
- Employer of the Year Award – Levy Restaurants
- Excellence in Foster Care Award – Tarsha and Daryea Johnson
- Intern Service Award – Ciera Phillips
- Professional of the Year Award – PNC Bank
- Public Service Award – Senator Cory McCray, District 45
- School Inclusion Award – Dr. Bennie Berry
Employees Celebrating Milestones
50 Years - Terri Spurrier
40 Years - Donna Heller, Catherine Otterbein
35 Years - Diane Westgate
30 Years - Aubrenda Ervin, Gorina Moody
25 Years - Wanda Allen, Kevin Boardley, Christian Ehrhardt, Melissa Meyers, Raykiesha Nash
20 Years - Woebi Appah, Christopher Knoerlein, Michele Oguh, Olusola Owolabi, Lizzie Stokeling, Neil Wichner
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
The Catalyst For Change Awards Reception is a chance to recognize those who have gone the extra mile in their service to The Arc Baltimore. As we get ready to honor those who have given so much of themselves to The Arc's mission, we turn to you for nominations of community partners, volunteers, people supported by The Arc, staff, and other heroes of The Arc Baltimore.
STAY TUNED - WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY MONDAY, MARCH 24TH!
If you have questions regarding the reception or the nomination process, contact Lauren Seabolt at 410-296-2272 x5216.
Catalyst For Change Awards Reception
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Baltimore North - Pikesville
1726 Reisterstown Rd, Pikesville, MD 21208
Ticket information will be available soon.
CATALYST FOR CHANGE AWARD DESCRIPTIONS
FOR EMPLOYEES
For a direct support professional with a minimum of three years of employment who:
- develops and maintains positive relationships with the people they support and the people’s family members and friends
- practices collaborative communication with co-workers and abides by agency policies
- commits to continued learning and building skills in the disabilities field
- pursues opportunities for people they support to enjoy relationships and interests
For a management or admin staff with a minimum of three years of employment who:
- shows vision and leadership to meet organizational goals and follow best practices
- plans/implements programs and initiatives that help move the agency forward
- gives employees feedback, direction, and recognition to foster a culture of support
- seeks to master compliance technology and shares knowledge with their staff
- supports staff’s efforts to implement and advocate for person-centered planning
- commits to professional growth and continued learning in the field for self and staff
supports staff’s efforts to implement and advocate for person-centered planning
commits to professional growth and continued learning in the field for self and staff
For an employee with a minimum of one year of employment who:
- demonstrates exemplary performance in 2024
- masters new skills to benefit those they support and staff
- masters new skills to implement new agency systems and protocols
- initiates innovative systems or communications that promote agency teamwork
- develops/implement strategies to help someone direct their own life and decisions
For an employee with a minimum of one year of employment who:
- demonstrates exemplary performance in 2024
- masters new skills to benefit those they support and staff
- masters new skills to implement new agency systems and protocols
- initiates innovative systems or communications that promote agency teamwork
- develops/implement strategies to help someone direct their own life and decisions
For an employee with a minimum of one year of employment who:
- supports people to pursue and enjoy their favorite community interests or hobbies
- supports people in furthering relationships and community engagement
- facilitates opportunities for a person we support to be with their friends, family, faith community, or other gatherings where they include and engage the person
FOR PEOPLE WE SUPPORT
For a person with IDD who contributes meaningfully to their community through civic works, assisting neighbors or social service organizations, or other means to better the world.
For a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities who:
- demonstrates growth driven by their determination, interests, and aspirations
- aims to improve their life through education, work, or the pursuit of a passion/hobby and communicates to staff and family the necessary support to make it happen
- commits to advocating for disabilities communities locally, state-wide, and nationally
For a person with IDD in a competitive integrated job who:
- demonstrates excellence, has positive co-worker relationships, commits to the company’s goals, and contributes positively to the workplace
- increased their responsibilities in the past year or have grown in their position
FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
For a person/group who demonstrates dedication to the agency's mission through exemplary volunteer service and positively impacts our offered services
For a person/group who demonstrates dedication to the agency's mission through exemplary intern service and positively impacts our offered services
For a person/group who meaningfully assists The Arc and/or people with IDD by providing:
- opportunities for community activities and engagement
- neighborly outreach or assistance
- valuable resources for people with IDD or the organization
For a professional (educators, attorneys, health care providers, etc.) who:
- commits to improving the lives of people with disabilities through their profession via the offering of pro-bono support, needed services, or advocacy
For a person or group in the public eye (legislators, community leaders, media) who:
- aims to increase understanding of and improve services for people with IDD
For a school, teacher, administrator, support personnel, or another professional who:
- provides quality and inclusive educational opportunities for students with IDD in Baltimore
OTHER RECOGNITION – RECOMMENDATIONS ONLY (The following awards are not open for nomination, but you can make a recommendation by contacting Lauren Seabolt at lseabolt@thearcbaltimore.org or 410-296-2272 ext. 5216).
For an employee who deserves recognition for groundbreaking initiatives or new organizational directions that improve the lives of those we support and/or our staff.
For an employee with a minimum of 20 years of employment who has:
- spent all or most of their career At The Arc Baltimore
- a consistent record of professional growth and dedication to our mission
For a direct support professional with a minimum of 20 years of employment who has:
- remained in a direct support role with distinction for their entire career
- a consistent record of professional growth and dedication to our mission
For a foster family, licensed and supported by The Arc, who provides a home environment that meets the child's physical, emotional, and developmental needs
For a person whose work reflects a career defined by outstanding advocacy and leadership on behalf of persons with IDD and a commitment to developing new advocates
For a business that provides a supportive and inclusive work environment that helps their employees with IDD succeed and contribute to the company’s success.
Nomination Form
Awardees Honored at Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner
What a spectacular evening we had celebrating at our annual awards dinner which included board elections and recognition of community partners, staff, and people that we support. Many thanks to our friend Jamie Costello who emceed along with our Board President Erik Daly and CEO Kathleen Durkin.
We were truly inspired by the room filled with passionate changemakers! Our guests heard incredible stories about the amazing work our staff, board, people we support, and community partners are doing to create a more inclusive Baltimore.
We were especially honored to recognize those who have championed The Arc Baltimore's mission, to celebrate our incoming Board President, Tiana Wynn who received the gavel from our outgoing President, Erik Daly! Please help us continue to celebrate our awardees’ achievements.
Nominations Are Now Closed
The Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner is a chance to recognize those who have gone the extra mile in their service to The Arc Baltimore. Please plan to join us as we honor those who have given so much of themselves to The Arc's mission - community partners, volunteers, people supported by The Arc, staff, and other heroes of The Arc Baltimore. Tickets will be available soon. Stay tuned!
If you have any questions regarding the Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner, contact Lauren Seabolt, 410-296-2272 x5216.
Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Baltimore North - Pikesville
1726 Reisterstown Rd, Pikesville, MD 21208
NOMINEE’S QUALIFICATIONS IN 300 WORDS OR LESS (BULLETED OR PARAGRAPH) Nominations should include:
- specific reasons as to why you believe the individual or organization deserves the award
- examples of why the nominee meets the specific criteria described for the award
- how the nominee’s actions align with The Arc’s mission, vision, values, or guiding principles
- other references if needed for further information on the nominee
Awardees Honored at Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner
Our 2023 Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner included board elections and recognition of community partners, staff, and people that we support. Many thanks to our friend Jamie Costello who emceed along with our Board President Erik Daly and CEO Kathleen Durkin.
40th anniversary milestones were celebrated at The Arc Baltimore annual meeting with Linda Epps, Val Towson, Don Watts, and Sandy Shifflett beside CEO Kathleen Durkin.
Annual Meeting Voting
Awardee Descriptions
