We are delighted to share the most recent winners of our Core Value Awards.
Celebrating Core Value Excellence: November Award Winners
At Everstand, our core values shape every action, interaction, and decision we make. This month, we are thrilled to celebrate four extraordinary teammates who embody the principles that guide us toward meaningful impact and community care. Join us in recognizing their outstanding commitment and the inspiration they bring to our organization.
Safety as a Mindset: Shawn Hunt
Shawn Hunt, IT Support Analyst for West Virginia, exemplifies the value of Safety through his unwavering dedication and calm in crisis. When a severe thunderstorm caused a major internet outage, Shawn tirelessly worked to restore operations. Even after sustaining an electrical shock, his priority remained the security and continuity of our services. His bravery and technical expertise ensured that staff and youth were supported without interruption. Shawn embodies what it means to honor life and safety with courage and heart.
Foster Relationships within Our Community: Zahra Ahmed
Zahra Ahmed, Therapist and Case Manager in Baltimore, has a gift for turning care into connection. When one of her youth, Amiyah, celebrated a birthday, Zahra went above and beyond to make the day magical. She donned a Hello Kitty costume, baked from scratch, arranged a special outing, and even invited the youth’s former foster family. Her thoughtful actions remind us of the power of inclusive relationships to heal and uplift. Zahra shows us how making someone feel seen and valued can transform their world.
Listen and Respond with Empathy: Josue Alvarez
In moments of emotional need, empathy is everything. Josue Alvarez, Awake Overnight Supervisor at Caminos West in Pennsylvania, demonstrated this when comforting a youth feeling disheartened about a delayed discharge. Josue took time to truly listen, validate their feelings, and offer compassionate presence. His response showed that empathy is not just about hearing someone, but creating space where they feel understood. Josue’s approach fosters trust and emotional safety, illustrating how empathy builds stronger programming and deeper human connection.
Impact Drives Lasting Change: Herb White
Herb White, Case Manager in Baltimore, turned a moment of fear into one of transformation for a young person named Andrew. During a campus outing to Guppy Gulch, Andrew faced his deep-seated fear of deep water. Herb’s steady encouragement and ability to hold space helped Andrew reclaim confidence and joy, swimming freely for the first time in years. Herb’s quiet leadership and intuitive care demonstrate how personal impact can bring lasting healing and empowerment.
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.