September 2023
From coverage by Spectrum News:
Open Sky Community Services celebrated their 50th anniversary Wednesday at Polar Park in Worcester.
The nonprofit human services provider offers programs across central Massachusetts for people living with mental health challenges, developmental disabilities, brain injury and substance use disorders.
"We're hiring people with lived experience, and those folks are really on the front lines helping draw more people out into the community and providing those supports,” said president & CEO Ken Bates. “So, people with lived experience are one of the keys to success at Open Sky."
"Open Sky has been a foundation to human services for the central Mass. community,” said Kola Akindele, a member of the board of directors. “So, I'm glad that we're celebrating 50 years. And I’m hopeful that we continue to celebrate more years with Open Sky."
Many of the families Open Sky serves joined the celebration Wednesday alongside the nonprofit’s roughly 1,300 employees.
Awardees
Biggest Cheerleader Award -Tammy Stackpole
Barent W. Walsh Award for Clinical Excellence - William Nall
Dennis H. Rice Award for Community Membership - Family Support Center
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Award - Omolewa Fagboore
Open Sky Community Partner Award - Whitin Community Center
Open Sky Community Champion Award - Karen Andersen Walsh
Rookie of the Year Awards:
Bichtroan Chase
Andreina Concepcion
Fatima Cortez
Benjamin Doyen
Vanessa Rivera
Ryan Zenevitch
Leadership Awards:
Michelle Battista
Heidi Blackmar
Betty Bragdon
Tsitsi Kaneunyenye
Jasmine Vincent
Achievement Awards:
Casey Burgoyne
Dumas Family
Jennifer Galbraith
Ollie Hise
Steven "Scott" Manseau
Emma Mata
Maria Mattanza
Shandi Morris
Jennifer O'Connell
Samantha Robinson
Heidi Pulkkinen
Utsav Shrestha
Ruben Villa
Collaboration Awards:
ASD Outreach
Business Office
CAYAS Division
ACCS Peer Services
Shared Living
Open Sky Champion Awards:
Fred Battersby
Carol Tripp-Tebo
Ariel Family
Judge John McCann
Maria Thomas & Rick Roberts
Molly Hollibaugh
Scott Rossiter
J. Christopher Collins
Dennis Rice
Michael Seibold
Barent Walsh
2023 Program of the Year - Career Services Program
Erica Robert Award for Humanity - Donna Macleod-Prior