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 Herb Hickey
PAL of the Year,
Greater Boston Region
Herb Hickey has been a Playspace Activity Leader (PAL) since 2006. He began as a PAL at St. Ambrose Family Shelter in Dorchester and spent three wonderful years there. As a PAL, he realized how important his role was to the children and families at the shelter. For a couple of years, he volunteered a second shift at our Community Children's Center in Jamaica Plain. He is currently volunteering there two hours each week, despite his already busy schedule as a student pursuing a Degree in Elementary Education. Herb has a special interest in promoting literacy and incorporates a love of reading into his shifts. He is dedicated, compassionate and supportive to young homeless children and their families.
 Carol Ward
PAL of the Year, Central Region
Carol Ward has been a dedicated PAL for over two years. She is currently volunteering at Willis House in Hudson. She is reliable, enthusiastic and always works with a very positive attitude, which makes her a magnetic force in the Playspace. In addition to her weekly commitment, she has spoken on PAL panels at multiple trainings and is an inspiration to new volunteers. Carol has been instrumental in creating a strong sense of community for all PALs at Willis House. For the past two years she has organized a Horizons for Homeless Children team to participate in the WALK for the Homeless in Worcester, which has not only helped raise much awareness about the Playspace Programs but also recruit several new volunteers.
 Karyn Gabrielli
PAL of the Year, Northeast Region
Karyn Gabrielli has been a PAL since January 2007 and is currently volunteering two shifts at Bridge House in Lynn and Housing Families in Malden. She is diligent, creative and loyal to the children and families she serves. Karyn recognizes the importance of play in the lives of homeless children and she is eager to ensure that all children living in shelter have access to PALs. Karyn goes above and beyond to recruit new members to the Playspace Programs and recently referred her daughter to the program.
 Anne Moniz
PAL of the Year, Southeast Region
Anne Moniz has volunteered with the Playspace Programs for two years and demonstrates exceptional qualities as a PAL in the Southeast Region. The children at HarbOur House in New Bedford look forward to her arrival each week and she spends her two hours there supporting them and introducing new activities each time she sees them. Not only has she dedicated herself to volunteering as a PAL, but she has also spoken on behalf of the program and early childhood development at HHC volunteer trainings. Anne has gone above and beyond in inducting new volunteers to the program and continues to be a wonderful support to her fellow PALs.
 Joe Scanlon
PAL of the Year, Western Region
Joe Scanlon became a PAL at Jessie's House in Amherst in July 2008 and has been a compassionate and dedicated volunteer ever since. His kind and humble nature is a nice fit for the children in the Playspace and his concerted effort to be a part of the community in the shelter is also something to be admired. In addition to his regular weekly shift, he is often the first to respond as a back-up PAL when needed at Playspaces, regardless of shelter location. Joe is not just a committed PAL, but he also participates as a PAL panelist at regional volunteer trainings. His experiences as a volunteer motivate and excite PALs to be involved.
 Congresswoman Niki Tsongas
Public Leadership Award
Congresswoman Niki Tsongas is currently serving her second term representing the Fifth Congressional District of Massachusetts as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congresswoman Tsongas has been a strong advocate for homeless children and families, and has played a leadership role in securing federal funding to support the work and mission of Horizons for Homeless Children. She has also advocated for using federal funds to help homeless families and individuals in Massachusetts secure housing, and to target homelessness prevention in the Commonwealth.
 Mary Richardson
Awareness Building Award
Long time Anchor and Reporter Mary Richardson just "signed off" after 30 years at WCVB-TV Channel 5. Most recently, Mary was co-anchor of WCVB-TV's Chronicle, the nation's longest running locally produced nightly newsmagazine. She came to New England in 1978 to become the first female in Boston to co-anchor an 11 o'clock newscast, on the former WNAC-TV. She quickly established herself as one of Boston's most popular local television personalities. Not only is Mary a dedicated, warm and compassionate PAL with Horizons for Homeless Children, she has been a significant advocate of our work and through the years has helped build much needed awareness of our mission.
 Kathy McCabe
Sue Heilman Award for Excellence, Community Member
Kathy McCabe has been the Program Director of the YWCA Teen Living Program in Lawrence for 4 ½ years. During that time she has implemented programmatic changes that have promoted the strength of the families residing there. She is very committed to the children living there, and can often be seen on the floor engaging with the toddlers and infants. Kathy is a great collaborator, and has often offered to speak at HHC volunteer trainings about the value of our program. She has also generously offered her facilities for several of our volunteer trainings and Shelter Advisory Board meetings over the years.
 Vilma Ortiz
Sue Heilman Award for Excellence, Staff Member
Vilma Ortiz was hired as a Pre-School Teacher when our Community Children's Center opened in Jamaica Plain in 2000. She was quickly promoted to Assistant Director and on two occasions, she served as Interim Center Director. During her tenure, she has attained her AA and BA degrees. Over the past 10 years she has supported the growth and development of more than 700 children and their families with a calm and compassionate leadership style. She helps with all aspects of running the Center; according to her nomination form, "Vilma has been a teacher, van driver, supporter and positive role model for everyone at the Center. She helps everyone no matter their race, religion or language background."
 Sheila Restrepo
Sue Heilman Award for Excellence, Staff Member
Sheila Restrepo has been the Lead Toddler Teacher at our Community Children's Center in Jamaica Plain since 2001. In that role, she manages the daily curriculum and activities of several 2 year olds with her fellow classroom teachers. During her time with HHC, she has also received her BA, all while raising a family. Sheila's colleagues commend her as a "strong leader who runs a productive and happy classroom, and who has an amazing commitment to working with homeless children both personally and professionally."
 Susan Whitehead
Horizons for Homeless
Children Award
Susan Whitehead has been on the Board of HHC since 1991, having officially served on almost every standing committee. As Board Chair, she has attended nearly all of the 28 Board and Committee meetings each year. During her tenure as Board Chair, she helped us complete the Champions for Homeless Children Campaign, which exceeded its goal. She chaired the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, which charted the course for HHC for the next 3-5 years. She has also been a dedicated and generous financial contributor to HHC, and has introduced us to hundreds of her friends and colleagues. She has been a primary and passionate spokesperson and has fit all this in while serving on many other Boards including MIT, the Whitehead Institute, and Berklee College of Music.
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