July 12, 2024
The Training Fund’s mission is championed by a team of remarkable individuals who are dedicated not only to serving members, partners, stakeholders, and the community but also to supporting one another. On Friday, July 12th, we celebrated our peers with peer recognition awards and honored our longest-tenured employees, whose service spans from 5 to 26 years. We would like to acknowledge the recent recipients and nominees of peer recognition awards, as well as the dedicated individuals who have shaped the history of our Training Fund Team. A special thank you to Board Trustee Clarese Walker for administering the awards!
The event was filled with applause, laughter, tears, and a communal appreciation for one another. We are excited to share your accomplishments with everyone. It was an honor to celebrate you all!
Grand Peer Recognition Recipient
Lily Applebaum
Lily deserves recognition for her exceptional qualities as a teammate and mentor. She consistently offers her time and support to anyone in need, demonstrating a high level of empathy and sympathy towards both students and co-workers. Lily is always eager to assist and ensure tasks are completed efficiently. Her positive energy is contagious, uplifting everyone around her. Her dedication and positive attitude make her an invaluable asset to the team.
Lily always shows great leadership skills, is a team player, and always goes above and beyond the call of duty.
she is so professional and serious she knows her craft very well and knows how to interact with the students she is patient passionate kind warm-hearted and devoted she takes ti me to understand and help students and colleague. she is a genuine person with a great sense of humor and comprehension and a shoulder to lean on whenever you need some help
Lily is up for the challenge. She is a natural leader, an amazing teacher, mentor, and team member. Her passion for teaching is evident in her lively lessons, engaging classroom, and the clear admiration of her students and fellow teachers. Her bubbly personality brings joy to the office, and when challenges arise, she meets them with grace, vigor, and a smile.
Top Peer Recognition Recipients
L to R – Lily Applebaum, Den’Nisha DuBose, Stean Wilborn, Mike Boesz, Traci Kinsler, and Clarese Walker, Board Trustee
Mike Boesz
I have worked with Mike for several years and I have watched Mike not only step up to his role as ABE Program Coordinator but also grow in his management and people skills. Mike has always wanted to be the Program Coordinator for CCR and now his dream has come true. I must say, he’s rocking and rolling in his new role and I’m not only happy for him, but also happy that I am on his team!
Mike has been an incredible support for our team in so many ways. He helped everyone in every department and HTTI when packing to relocate within a month. Even with the leadership transition and extra duties on Michael W’s plate, Mike jumped in to help organize and support the whole move and setup of the new location. I don’t know how we would have completed all of that packing without him. We appreciate you, Mike!
Mike has really stepped up to take on the role of leader for the ABE program. He continues to show just how capable and committed he is to the success and longevity of the program. I admire his capacity to learn and grow with his team, while he also supports and leads.
Den’Nisha DuBose
Dennisha has shown leadership during the transition of previous leadership. She has shown teamwork, leadership skills and has diligently worked hard to help the program stay afloat. Dennisha has shown a positive attitude and has been pleasant to approach and help with problem solving.
Den’Nisha has been committed to keeping the EHS program afloat as the Primary enrollment person. She has introduced ideas and strategies to support staff in maintaining enrollment and became a fierce leader following the exit of our former Executive Director and taking on the role of “Liaison” between Staff, The Board and other leaders
She has worked very hard to support a program that isn’t as recognized as others in its vitality. She does a lot more than what is asked of her and her resilience should be noted.
Traci Kinsler
Traci is an exceptional individual whose qualities truly stand out. Among her many admirable traits, her dedication and teamwork are the first that come to mind. Traci consistently goes above and beyond to contribute to the team, making her efforts truly commendable.
Her ability to make a lasting impression on everyone she interacts with is remarkable. Traci is appreciated far more than she might realize, and I hope she knows that her hard work is both recognized and greatly valued. She certainly deserves special recognition for her unwavering commitment and dedication.
Traci’s willingness to assist in any way when asked is another testament to her character. A heartfelt thank you from your neighbor for always being ready to help whenever needed!
Stean Wilborn
Stean Wilborn deserves recognition for his unwavering dedication and exceptional team spirit. Known for his willingness to help anyone with a smile and a positive attitude, Stean embodies the definition of a team player. He has been working tirelessly to resurrect the BCO program and introduce new programs to the Fund. Stean is also committed to breaking down silos, connecting programs, teams, resources, and students, fostering a more integrated and collaborative environment. His efforts and positive approach make him an invaluable asset to the team.
Stean has been very helpful and has volunteered his services around the office from carrying water (with an injured leg) to help assist James. Stean has picked copies up from the printers and hand delivered them to the individuals they belong to. Stean always provides a smile while providing any of the services mentioned. Stean is pretty awesome to work with and I appreciate his willingness to be present and helpful.
Stean shows an example and dedication of what teamwork looks like. He is a hard worker and demonstrates initiative to reach out for help when needed, ask questions to assist in brainstorming how to connect with partnerships to make his apprenticeship grant be successful with positive outcomes. He also provides information to share that you may be able to refer students/members for services. He is a very humble, respectfully, professional gentleman. Anything you request of him and if it’s in his reach, he will do it. He is approachable and a go getter. He knows who to speak/communicate with people. “A people person”.
Roland Williams
Roland deserves special recognition for his exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment, and dedication. I am proud to nominate Roland for recognition in leadership.
Roland is a level-headed, consistent, and responsible individual who exemplifies what it means to be a great leader. His systematic approach to everything he undertakes ensures efficiency and reliability in all his endeavors.
Roland’s leadership, commitment, and dedication are greatly appreciated by all who have the privilege of working with him. His contributions are invaluable, and his recognition is well-deserved.
Special Recognition
The following have all been selected by your peers for special recognition. Thank you for your commitment and positive impact on our team! Your efforts have not gone unnoticed!
Bernadette Jackson
Geniya Merriweather
Haomin Tian
Helen Wilkes
James Thompson
Joann Miller
Joseph Russon
Kim Lucas
LaTrina Swinson
Lowreen Michelle Richardson
Michelle Alexander
Nafeesah Taylor
Nettie Minus
Nikia Brown
Rashidah Elahi
ShaRon Taylor
Stacey Campbell
Stacy Cooper-Taylor
Teresa Byrd
Youth GED To Careers Program Team
Service Award Recipients
L to R – Den’Nisha DuBose, Shona Murphy, Haomin Tian, Yattah Jones, Carol Bloom, Mike Boesz, James Thompson, and Clarese Walker, Board Trustee
5 Years of Service (5-9)
Den’Nisha DuBose – 5 Years of Service
James Thompson – 6 Years of Service
Shona Murphy – 6 Years of Service
Carol Bloom – 6 Years of Service
Yattah Jones – 6 Years of Service
Michael Boesz – 7 Years of Service
Haomin Tian – 8 Years of Service
Roland Williams – 8 Years of Service
L to R – Lowreen Richardson, Geoff Woodland, Teressa Byrd, and Clarese Walker, Board Trustee
10 Years of Service (10-19)
Lowreen Richardson – 11 Years of Service
Geoffrey Woodland – 12 Years of Service
Teressa Byrd – 15 Years of Service
L to R – Vince Robinson, Bernadette Jackson, Traci Kinsler, Stacey Campbell, Kahlil Mack, and Clarese Walker, Board Trustee
20 Years of Service (20+)
Stacy Campbell – 21 Years of Service
Traci Kinsler – 23 Years of Service
Bernadette Jackson – 23 Years of Service
Vincent Robinson – 24 Years of Service
Kahlil Mack – 26 Years of Service
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