Mainstream Living Celebrates Employees and Members

Mainstream Living, Inc. marked a milestone year with its annual Awards Celebration, an event that blended reflection on the organization's 50-year history with recognition of the staff and members who continue to carry its mission forward.

Board Chair Chris Nelson opened the program, followed by welcoming remarks from CEO Kris Eastman, who noted the organization's founding five decades ago by a group of families who believed their children deserved the very best in residential and community services. “We would not have made it this far without the passion, dedication, and innovation of our team,” Eastman told the gathering, thanking members, families, and guardians for their trust and partnership over the years.

Staff Tenure Milestones
In keeping with the organization's 50th anniversary, the celebration recognized dozens of employees reaching service milestones ranging from five to 40 years. Fourteen staff members were honored for five years of service, and twelve for ten years. Six-year employees at the 15-year mark, four at 20 years, and additional honorees at the 25-, 30-, and 35-year milestones were also recognized. Lynda McCalley was celebrated as the sole employee reaching 40 years with Mainstream Living, a testament to the stability and institutional knowledge long-tenured staff bring to the organization.

Employee Awards
Seven employee award categories recognized staff who went above and beyond in serving Mainstream Living's members. Brooklynn Hapes and Benjamin Weiss received the Community Inclusion Award for creating meaningful community experiences for members. The Winners in Wellness Award went to Jamie Callis and Robbie Venenga for their dedication to members' physical and mental health. Courtney Merz earned the Champion of Change Award for leading a home renovation that transformed the space into a warmer, more personalized environment.

Aric Mason and Stacy Glick received the Believe It, Achieve It Empowerment Award for their work supporting member self-advocacy, while Amy Adix was honored with the Joe Vaughn Resilience Award, named in memory of a former employee who lost his battle with cancer. Tameka Rawls and Bethany Henze received the Difference Maker of the Year Award, and Lily Jury and Will Mekemson were named recipients of the Rising Star Award for demonstrating strong future leadership potential.

The celebration also introduced a new honor: the Mainstream Living Hall of Fame Award. Its inaugural recipient, Rick Sharpe, has spent 47 of the organization's 50 years with Mainstream Living, beginning his career in direct care before transitioning into IT. “He doesn’t just fix computer problems, but is a daily reminder to each of us what it means to truly serve,” Eastman said in presenting the award, calling Sharpe the standard-bearer for long-term, meaningful contributions to the organization.

Member Awards
The program closed by celebrating the achievements of the individuals Mainstream Living serves. Elisabeth Taylor and Ryan Johnson received the Stepping Stone Award for major personal milestones, including learning to navigate public transit independently and transitioning to independent living. Laura Keller and Rose Eppenbaugh earned the Spirit Award for their self-advocacy and support of fellow members. Margaret Anderson and Jim Clark received the Perseverance in Progress Award for overcoming significant health and personal challenges over the past year.