Lafreshia Chambliss has been employed and working hard for ten years with a little help and support from The Arc's supported employment staff, they have been able to watch her grow and learn so much through her own hard work and determination. Her first job was a part-time Unit Assistant at Friends Home West where he soon became a shining star. Loved by all her co-workers and residents and asked about even today after she has left. Next, she moved on to a full-time position at Moses Cone, which she obtained independently. Once a door opened at Wesley Long Cafeteria Sodexo she began a new journey. She is getting better each day but when the pandemic began she managed to make her long-term dream come true in May 2020 and became a homeowner and moved in to has brand new home! She had moved so many times throughout her life that settling down for good, finally came true for her. All this achieved independently simply by seeking information and working hard towards her goal. She continues to help and support her mother and any nieces and enjoys babysitting. She has natural skills in styling hair and does this as a side income. She is always neat and professional and keeps her work area organized and her guests enjoy her bubbly conversations and quick service. It is easy to see why Lafreshia is so deserving of the Consumer of the Year Award.

Sylvia Groce is well connected with the Arc's Community Navigator (CN) department as each of the CN staff share client with Sylvia as their behavior specialist. Sylvia is a caring, dedicated professional who works very hard to ensure her clients have the support they need. She is gifted at navigating situations when answers and options seem so hard to come by. For example, one staff shares a young man on their caseload with Sylvia who was not doing well in his day program and group home placement. Sylvia was able to help his guardian look at other providers for those services, and now he is doing very well i his current placements. This is only one example of how Sylvia genuinely cares for her clients. Sylvia knows very well how parents and guardians frequently struggle to help their loved ones find a voice in advocacy. She has extensive experience in her field and a true heart for people living with disabilities and their families. Sylvia tirelessly advocates for her clients, colleagues and friends and is deserving of the I/DD Professional of the Year Award.

Tammy Maddox is the instructor for Project SEARCH, a transitioning vocational training program for seniors with I/DD in high school wanting employment after graduation, and for the last 3 years it has certainly had its challenges, but non as much as the last year and a half due to the Pandemic. Tammy certainly rose to this meet these challenges. When she realized in March of 2020 what was about to happen, she sent laptops home with our interns. As she started teaching the interns how to use them several weeks prior, they were well prepared to start instruction on Zoom when we began remote classes. When we realized the next school year would also be virtual, Tammy worked diligently to give the interns the best possible year. Tammy is organized and extremely knowledgeable about technology. With those skills she was able to instruct and get all our classwork completed before the students returned to Moses Cone Hospital in January. She communicated effectively with parents and keeps everyone well informed. Tammy is one of the hardest workers out there and is very deserving of the Distinguished Educator of the Year.

Shelley Caryn Mason is the mother of a child with severe mental and physical disabilities from a disease called Hunter's syndrome. A condition so rare that many health professionals are only vaguely familiar with it. A disease that stunts growth, stops cerebral advancement as it attacks the body at the cellular level. Sometimes referred to as MPS (Mucopolysaccharidosis) in the severe form which her child, Khye, as experienced. He was diagnosed at the age of 2 and was not expected to live past 6 years of age. Yet, this nurse and mother, Shelley, guided by her medical background, love, faith and sheer determination nurtured her son to his current age of 24. They have spend many a day and night at UNC Hospital, where major research is being undertaken. Shelley has not allowed this young man to fall victim to his disabilities.

Through the Arc's Challenger Sports League and other sports program for children and adults with I/DD, Khye has played baseball, basketball, flag football, soccer and bowling. In many cases, Shelley, literally providing the hands and feet for the mobility of her child. Khye, when he could express joy, always relished the opportunity to be by the ocean. For 24 years Shelley has made the pilgrimage to the beach to allow Khye to see the waves, feel the sand, and hear the sounds of the ocean. While, Khye, hasn't talked for a very long time his mom moves at the behest of an unknown drummer that only she and he can hear.

Khye has been a part of every educational opportunity imaginable offered by the local state or federal program, dedicated to children with special needs. From moving through every grade level from kindergarten to high school graduation, where he with a little help from Shelley, walked across the stage to receive his high school diploma. Khye has been to numerous school programs, special gatherings, and two proms with real volunteer dates. From MPS conventions to a magical trip to Orlando and Disney World, compliments of Give Kids the World, to trips as far away as Clearwater Beach Florida, just to get to the ocean. Even as you see how they have made strides in improving Khye's life, he and Shelley have mourned the loss of so many of the youth that started their MPS journey with Khye.

A quick survey of Dr. Munzer, the chief research Physician for MPS at UNC Hospital to Dr. Jewett at Baptist Medical Center, to the special needs team at the major Children's Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. would give you a picture of how much this mother has fought to keep this child alive and against all odds the medical specialists find it astonishing, Khye still lives on to see another day, still receiving hugs and kisses from his, nurse, provider, friend and mother. This is truly a story and example of the triumph of love mixed with faith, supported by a will to just refuse to give up. While MPS stunted Khye's growth this is the story of a child that is now a man that is a towering example of the power of advocacy, love, caring and never giving up. Shelley Caryn Mason is overwhelmingly deserving of receiving Marina Wilder Award.

The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital wins for Employer of the Year Award. Project SEARCH, a transitioning vocational training program for seniors with I/DD in high school wanting employment after graduation, is so grateful for the opportunities given to us by The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital. Moses Cone provided the program with a beautiful new classroom, complete with staff offices this year. The timing was perfect as it was completed just before the program returned to work after almost a year of remote learning. Our new classrooms made us feel safe in these uncertain times. We are also appreciative of vaccines provided to staff and interns. All of this was made possible through the Director of Volunteer Services, Vivian Langley, who is always available for questions and concerns. She has truly made part of the Moses Cone Team. We would also like to extend our deepest appreciation for all the staff at Moses Cone Hospital who welcome us back and provided mentoring opportunities. They are special people who have made a difference in the development of our interns.

Chase Risdon is a member of the Arc Junior Connection. During his three years with the group he has been a dedicated and compassionate leader among his peers supporting The Arc of Greensboro. He regularly volunteers for Challenger basketball and basketball, provides gifts for Operation Santa Claus, Thanksgiving meals and the Arc's Awards Banquet. Chase Spear headed his own efforts for stocking The Arc pantry shelves and building an elaborate shelving system to contain non-perishable items at the Arc office. His commitment to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is to be admired and applauded. He is fiercely courageous, compassionate, conscientious and so deserving of The Volunteer of the Year Award!

Chris Roberts has served individuals with I/DD for over thirty years, in multiple capacities and in various settings. He was a teacher assistant in a contained classroom for elementary students with autism for over a decade. He was a direct support staff in RHA group homes, on a part-time basis, for at least 6 years. He was a habilitation technician with Guilford County Mental Health for a decade, working in respite programs for children on the week-ends and in the Adult Day Program for Adults with I/DD. He has been the backbone of direct support staff at Autism House for the last 12 years, working first as a Habilitation Technician and presently, as the Assistant Director. Chris has positively impacted hundreds of local individuals with I/DD. Chris embodies the phrase, "extraordinary commitment!

Chris began at Autism House a few months after it opened and has helped to fashion into the kind of home most people hope to find for their family members with I/DD. Chris radiates warmth, good humor, and everyday he comes to work with a smile on his face and a positive attitude!

He is loved by all, fellow support staff members, family members, and the clients...especially the clients, who literally miss him everyday he is off Aside from bringing joy through everyday activities, he has helped both clients and staff get through, and recover from, the illness an death of a housemate, the death of a fellow staff member, and the deaths of multiple clients' parents. His compassion towards his fellow man is evident in everything he does, including his work with people who find themselves homeless.

Chris encourages each client at Autism House to be as independent as they are able to be. He assists Sam, who has Autism, in integrating into a more social relationship with his housemates, and he is a positive supporter of Sam when that's just not what Sam wants or needs at that moment.

He channels Wesley's exuberant spirit when Wesley is "up", and supports him when he is "down".

He emboldens a shy Diane to stretch her independent wings with new tasks, giving her assistance and praise to ensure she has a positive outcome and will continue to grow.

He will encourage Kelli to retain her current level of independence, despite her rapidly diminishing vision by talking her though something as simple, yet challenging, as safely navigating the household.

Chris' loving spirit is like a warm hug that makes our clients feel safe and loved. He gives our parents and family members peace of mind. Not to mention he has brought group home dining to a new level, with his homemade mac n cheese, baked beans and banana pudding that are legendary. His everyday meals make mealtime something to look forward to.

This kind, gentle man has an abundance of talents and he chooses to share them specifically with people with I/DD. All of these examples and so many more easily explain why Chris Roberts is so undeniably deserving of recognition and the recipient of the Ruth Edwards, Direct Support Professional Award.

Bridget Watson, in addition to performing her job at an exemplary level, Bridget demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to The Arc of Greensboro, as well as to the individuals and families we serve.

Bridget takes it upon herself to provide exceptional support and service to all of the departments at The Arc of Greensboro, that she supervises, Supported Employment, Community Navigator, Project Search and arcBARKS. She ensures that all their needs are met, and moves efficiently to provide key information, recommendations, or direction as appropriate. During the past year and a half, while in this latest transition through the pandemic, Bridget has demonstrated exceptional leadership. For example, she has insured that our safety and health is a top priority by putting into place safety protocols and communicating with us on a daily basis regarding updates, needs, and any challenges we might be having, professionally and personally. As the interim Executive Director, she has gone above and beyond to not only perform her normal duties, but also to perform the duties of the interim Executive Director at the highest level.

Through many changes in leadership, Bridget has made a significant impact in our agency. Her skills, knowledge, willingness to help others, and dedication to the Arc and the special needs community makes her our Victor Hall Leadership Award recipient.

Gracie Lee Weaver has demonstrated over the years and proven to be her sister's biggest fan, cheerleader, and advocate. Not only does Gracie Lee look after Liz but also goes out of her way to ensure Liz's safety, in that she exercises her independence and enjoys life to the fullest. Liz is such a joy to be around and is also a hard worker. She is always ready to help her peers and is now working two jobs. Liz also loves playing sports like basketball and baseball and is very competitive. Liz was asked what she likes about her sister and her comments were, she hangs out with me, she makes my appointments, she also takes me places an cares about me. Gracie Lee sees her sister for whom she is and ensures that she experiences all opportunities at home and in her community. Her guidance, caring a loving dedication towards her sister earns her the Sibling of the Year Award.