2007 AASC Awards of Excellence

The AASC Awards of Excellence are a way to recognize members who go above and beyond the call of duty by utilizing extra time, effort, creativity and skill in their position as a service coordinator. This year's awards will be presented during the Awards Luncheon, held Monday, October 1 from 12:00 - 1:15 p.m. Congratulations to this year's winners and honorable mentions. You are all shining representations of the faculty of service coordination to truly make a difference.

President's Award - Jessica Johnson

Keystone Management Group, Mt. Pleasant, MI

The AASC President's Award is the highest honor bestowed on a service coordinator, given to someone who serves as the best example of the diligence, drive and care that has come to define our profession. Jessica Johnson is this year's winner because of her tireless efforts to deliver services for and improve the lives of her residents living in an impoverished and crime-ridden area of the Detroit community.

Family Services and Self-Sufficiency Award - Hilary Sohcot

Eden House Apartments/Mercy Housing, San Leandro, CA

The Family Services and Self-Sufficiency Award is given to a FSS service coordinator who most effectively demonstrates effective and innovative ways of helping low-income families obtain housing, find employment and/or work towards economic independence. This year, the award goes to Hilary Sohcot, who partnered with a multitude of local agencies, in addition to her own programs and efforts, to create positive youth activities and help families in her community become more self-sufficient.

Cultural Diversity Award - Paula Cornell

Detroit Baptist Manor, Farmington Hills, MI

Cultural Diversity Award winners have proven to have an uncanny ability to promote understanding between residents and communities of varying cultural backgrounds and work hard to create better relationships between these groups. Paula Cornell wins this year for her work to educate her residents and promote the broad range of cultures at her property by working with area ethnic organizations, hosting cultural exhibits and starting multicultural awareness programs.

Honorable Mention: Carolyn Bolton, Oak Center Towers, Oakland, CA

Resident Education Award - Nancy Belisle

Catholic Charities Senior Housing at Coursey Station, Lansdowne, MI

A Resident Education Award winner provides residents with a greater understanding of how service coordination can enrich and improve their lives through education about topics and issues of concern in their apartment or larger communities. This year's winner is Nancy Belisle, who enriches the lives of her residents by bringing in speakers to cover pertinent topics, encouraging residents to work together to solve common problems and educating them about available benefits and services.

Honorable Mention: Nancy Hiltibrand & Katie Luning, Panorama Apartments, Corington, KY

Resident Advocacy Award - Shannon Atchenson

Episcopal Place/SPM, Inc., Birmingham, AL

The Resident Advocacy Award is given to a service coordinator who overcomes obstacles and goes above and beyond the normal job description to provide residents with needed services. Shannon Atchenson, this year's winner, helped to organize a fundraiser for her property that raised more than $14,000 to help provide needed programs and services for her residents.

Honorable Mentions: Katie Wheatley, Gabrielle Apartments, Highland Park, MI; and Kathi Geisbert, Brunswick House Apartments, Brunswick, MD

Working with the Community At Large Award - LaVerne Laine

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Housing Authority, Lexington, KY

The Working with the Community At Large Award winner serves and strengthens relationships between the residents' community and the greater community. This year, the award goes to LaVerne Laine, who not only meets the needs of her residents as a service coordinator, but is also very involved with the social service needs of the greater Fayette County area.

Manager and Service Coordinator Team Effort Award - Dan Fagan

National Church Residences-Quality Caring, Columbus, OH

To win the Manager and Service Coordinator Team Effort Award, a manager and service coordinator must enhance resident satisfaction and quality of life through team management. This year's winner, Dan Fagan, provides training and motivation to hundreds of service coordinators, promoting team building and manager/service coordinator relationships to enhance resident satisfaction. Honorable Mention: Marcia Winkler & Sherri Benka, The Salvation Army/Booth Manor, Oak Creek, WI