We are delighted to share the most recent winners of our Core Value Awards.

Radi L. — Safety  

Here is what his nomination said:

“Mr. Leo consistently prioritizes the safety of students and staff by strictly following protocols and building strong relationships. He ensures every student is accounted for within minutes of class starting and promptly alerts staff if someone is missing. He escorts students to class, monitors lunch transitions, and keeps an eye on those outside his classroom as well. His exceptional communication, attentiveness, and empathy make him a reliable and trusted presence on campus.

These are just a few reasons why Radi L. is a deserving recipient of the Core Value award for Safety.”

Kudos and a big thank you, Radi!

Mike S. — Relationships

 Here is what his nomination said:

“Meet Mike S., a standout team member who exemplifies the value of building relationships. At B Cottage on the PA campus, Mike goes above and beyond to ensure every youth feels heard, valued, and empowered. From teaching life skills to offering support, his impact is felt daily.

“He makes a difference every day — not just through his actions, but through the way he makes others feel.”

Thank you, Mike, for being a mentor, role model, and unwavering advocate for our youth.

Kim A. — Empathy  

Here is what her nomination said:

“Kim may be our Medical Coordinator, but her impact goes far beyond her title. When the residential program needed help, she stepped in without hesitation, quickly becoming a trusted support for the youth. One standout moment: when a young person felt too insecure to attend prom, Kim stepped up — helping her get ready and taking her around the city for beautiful photos, turning a missed moment into a treasured memory. “Kim doesn’t just show up — she shows up with heart.”

Thank you, Kim, for your empathy, teamwork, and dedication.

Kelly W. — Impact

Here is what her nomination said:

“In March, Medical Coordinator Kelly W. was one of five selected to join a focus group for launching the Medical Coordinator Community of Practice (MC CoP) across the UACB network, hosted by DHUC. Her selection highlights the strong impact of our team within ORR. Kelly’s insights on key challenges and strengths helped shape the initiative, which will support collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation among medical coordinators. Her contributions will benefit not only Caminos West, but children across the entire ORR network.”

Congratulations and thank you, Kelly!

Teamwork Always:

Here at Everstand, teamwork is a key driver of our organization’s success. For today’s “Teamwork Always” moment, we want to highlight the incredible efforts of our Training Department for the successful launch of the new New Hire Orientation program.

The team worked collaboratively to redesign the experience creating content that’s clear, welcoming, and aligned with our mission. Their efforts ensure that every new team member starts their Everstand journey feeling informed, supported, and part of something meaningful.

Thank you to the Training Department for your dedication to setting the tone, building confidence, and showing that when we work together, we build something stronger.

SAFETY as a mindset — We hold the well-being of life, spirit, and health as our highest priority. Through a trauma-responsive lens, we actively foster safe environments across our workplaces, programs, and services. We take personal responsibility for our own safety and share in the collective duty to protect the mental, emotional, and physical safety of our entire community.

Cultivate RELATIONSHIPS within our community — Strong relationships are rooted in openness and honesty with all stakeholders. We believe inclusive practices build the trust essential to thriving teams and impactful programs. We intentionally create space for conversations that promote transparency, clarity in our commitments, and deeper mutual understanding.

Lead with EMPATHY — Empathy is the foundation of our culture and programs. We strive to build an environment where every voice is heard and valued, where representation is equitable, and where curiosity about others leads to genuine connection. By leading with empathy, we become better equipped to provide meaningful support and care.

IMPACT inspires meaningful change — We are committed to making a measurable, lasting difference in the lives we touch. By offering inclusive, outcome-driven services, and by investing in the growth of our staff and board, we maximize our ability to effect positive change. We view feedback as a valuable tool for improvement, driving us to continuously evolve and strengthen our programs.

We are delighted to share the most recent winners of our Core Value Awards.

Jalissa G. — Safety  

Here is what her nomination said:

“Jalissa, an assistant program director in PA, demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication by stepping in to support the Hagerstown house while key leaders were out. Despite working in PA, she volunteered to check on youth and staff, handled grocery shopping, completed a unit inspection, and even filled an overnight shift vacancy. She also ensured the house was prepared for a state inspection and continued providing leadership presence even after the Unit Supervisor returned. Her commitment exemplifies safety as a mindset and a lasting impact on the team.”

Kudos and a heartfelt thanks, Jalissa!

Ryan R. — Relationships

 Here is what his nomination said:

“Ryan, campus supervisor at the PA campus, has stepped up amid staffing shortages, adjusting his schedule to support the team. His leadership, mentorship, and dedication have greatly contributed to a positive campus culture. Thank you, Ryan, for your incredible commitment!”

Fantastic job — thanks so much, Ryan!

Courtney P. — Empathy  

Here is what her nomination said:

“Courtney, the wraparound facilitator in WV, has supported a CSED family for a year, building a strong rapport with a mother facing serious medical challenges while caring for her four young boys. She has been flexible, compassionate, and consistently sought out for support. Her dedication and empathy make her a deserving nominee for the Empathy Core Value award.”

Way to go, Courtney — thank you!

Kiuris V-R. — Impact   

Here is what his nomination said:

“I’d like to recognize Kiuris, a Youth Care Professional at the PA Caminos West campus, for his outstanding support and dedication. He goes above and beyond, assisting with calls, preparing meals, supervising recreation, and expertly deescalating conflicts. His commitment to Everstand’s core values — safety, relationship-building, and empathy — creates a positive, secure environment for the youths and the team. Grateful to work alongside such a caring and dedicated individual!”

Congratulations and thank you, Kiuris!

Teamwork Always:

Here at Everstand, teamwork is a key driver of our organization’s success. For our “Teamwork Always” moment, we highlight the outstanding efforts of our Maintenance Teams for their dedication to safety and efficiency during the inclement weather.

Their commitment to Safety as a Mindset has been evident in the way they’ve worked tirelessly to clear pathways, ensure safe access to our facilities, and keep operations running smoothly despite the challenging weather. Their hard work does not go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate their efforts in keeping us all safe.

Thank you to our Maintenance Teams for embodying teamwork and safety every step of the way!

SAFETY as a mindset — We value life, spirit, and health above all else and take action to maintain the safety of our workplaces, programs, and services through a trauma-responsive lens. We are personally accountable for our own safety and collectively responsible for the mental, emotional, and physical safety of our community.

Foster RELATIONSHIPS within our community — Openness and honesty with all stakeholders make for both the best program outcomes and team culture. Inclusive practices are the building blocks for trust. We create space for conversations that grow transparency about our decisions, promises, and understanding of one another.

Listen and respond with EMPATHY — Empathy will guide our programming and culture at all levels. A supportive work and program environment means valuing the voices of all people, ensuring equitable representation, and growing a desire to know and understand others. We recognize that with empathy we will better understand what type of care and encouragement to provide.

IMPACT drives lasting change — We seek to make lasting change in the lives of those we work with by providing services that are inclusive, measurable, and durable. We maximize our impact by investing in staff and board development. Feedback presents opportunity for action, which enhances and strengthens our programs and their outcomes.