We are delighted to share the most recent winners of our Core Value Awards.
Celebrating Core Value Excellence: August Award Winners
At Everstand, our core values guide everything we do, from the choices we make to the way we treat one another. This month, we’re proud to honor four teammates who live those values every day and who help us make a real difference in our community. Join us in celebrating their dedication and the inspiration they bring to all of us.
Safety as a Mindset: Garry Kreiser
Garry did a fantastic work responding to the massive weather event that impacted the PA campus during the weekend of July 4th. He quickly responded and reacted to the needs of the campus, youth and employees.
Foster Relationships within Our Community: Josue Arrucha-Juarez
Josue Arrucha-Juarez embodies our commitment to Relationships through the way he genuinely connects with youth in Caminos West. Whether playing sports alongside them or taking on cooking projects like their famous concha pan dulce, Josue creates moments where youth feel seen, valued, and proud.
He treats young people as people—not case numbers—and brings compassion and joy to what can be a difficult chapter in their lives. Josue may not be able to change their circumstances, but he changes what it feels like to be there.
Listen and Respond with Empathy: Jacqueline Luna-Cruz
Jackie has played a crucial role in advocating for two youth impacted by a program closure. She has listened to the youths needs, the needs of the foster parents, and the concerns from the staff & proposed solutions that benefit everyone. Through challenging conversations, she has not been discouraged and has continued to offer her support to those impacted by the changes. Even when staff were preoccupied with the program changes, she ensured that staff impacted felt heard and that the children’s well-being was prioritized above all else.
Impact Drives Lasting Change: Herb White
Ryan Renaud received multiple nominations for the Core Value Impact Award, highlighting the lasting impact of his work across Everstand. Through his leadership in coordinating a June 10 hiring event, Ryan helped secure 16 employment offers, with 13 candidates accepting, including critical overnight positions that have faced ongoing staffing challenges. He has also strengthened our internship pipeline, helping place at least six interns in six months, including roles that had not existed or been filled in years. Ryan’s dedication and persistence are making a meaningful difference in our workforce, programs, and future talent pipeline—truly demonstrating that Impact Drives Lasting Change.
Teamwork Always:
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.