It’s time to register your two person team for our Cornhole Classic! Get ready to take your best shot at our a-maize-ing event on Saturday, April 27^th at the Gorham Sports Center! Registration is $60 per team. Game play will be managed by Wicked Cornhole Events, registration opens at 12 pm and bean bags fly at 1 pm. Thank you to our sponsors Capozza Tile and Floor Covering Center, Clark Insurance, Healey & Associates, Locations Real Estate Group, Phoenix Welding, and Southern Maine Orthodontics! All proceeds will benefit consumers and families through Woodfords’ multiple emergency and supplemental funding programs. 

Last month, we hosted a week long staff appreciation celebration with different activities each day. We celebrated colleagues with Ace of Spade shout outs, pretzel day, and raffles galore! The celebrations continued at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland with Woodfords Night 2024 and the announcement of the agency’s annual employee award recipients.

Woodfords’ employee awards signify more than a decade of celebration and recognition of the employees who embody the agency’s mission, vision, and values and go above and beyond in their contributions to the organization. This year we received more than 252 nominations for 174 individual employees throughout the agency. Awards were given in five categories to a total of 20 recipients who joined a distinguished group of previous award winners. And the winners are…

Woodfords Wildcat Award: Historically, the Wildcats have been the agency’s Special Olympics and sports team, and when trying their best to accomplish a goal, or win gold, the Wildcats remind us how impactful teamwork can be. The Wildcat award goes to employees who have shown exemplary teamwork in helping Woodfords meet its mission.  

Ellie Burnham, Administrative Assistant, ECS/SPPS, Westbrook

Megan Doak, Assistant Coordinator, Expeditions

Kelli Palla, Administrative Assistant, TFC

Brianna Roy, Behavior Analyst, School-Based, Southern Maine

Ryan Tucker, Maintenance Technician, Maintenance

Visionary Award: Woodfords’ vision for all consumers is that they may: maximize their potential; be productive and appreciated contributors to their neighborhoods and communities; have positive and enriching relationships; lead lives that are safe and secure; and lead lives allowing for choice. This award goes to employees who, directly or indirectly, have contributed to a consumer achieving a specific goal related to this vision.

Marci Douglas, DSP, Residential

Dot Holmes-Picard, School Based BHP, School-Based, Central Maine

Emma Larvia, Assistant Lead Teacher, ECS/SPPS, Westbrook

Nicole Paré, School based BHP, School-Based, Central Maine

The Alan and Katrina Rich Excellence in Advocacy Award: Alan & Katrina Rich founded Woodfords Family Services in 1967. Their unrelenting advocacy for their son Jimmy formed the foundation of the agency’s mission. This award goes to employees who have engaged in effective advocacy for a consumer, a program or the agency.

Jeffrey Carpenter, Workforce Recruitment Specialist, Training

Jessica Smith, Care Coordinator, BHH

Hannah Watson, Clinician, ECS/SPPS, Westbrook

Luminary Award: Woodfords is stronger because of the many dedicated employees who have made a long-term commitment to the agency. The Luminary award goes to employees who have worked at Woodfords for five years or more, do excellent work, and provide inspiration to their team.

Mark Eves, Executive Director

Todd Fiske, Helpdesk Manager

Dani-Rae Clegg, Field Supervisor, School-Based, Southern Maine

Demi Stevens, Assistant Lead Teacher, ECS/SPPS, Waterville

Rookie of the Year Award: This award goes to employees who have been at Woodfords less than two years but have already made a big impact on their team.

Markeisha Allison, DSP, Residential

Ashley Beaulieu, Assistant Lead Teacher, ECS/SPPS, Pineland

Ide McInerney, DSP, Residential

Sonya Saucier, Coordinator, Residential

Hans Volland, Helpdesk Technician

With the advocacy and support of both Maine Senator Collins and Senator King, Woodfords’ new Manchester facility has received a $2,000,000 allocation toward the building’s complete renovation. Once renovated, the 21,000 sq. foot Manchester-based community service hub will enable the agency to significantly expand the size and scope of its service delivery in the Central Maine region. Thank you to Senators Collins and King for supporting Woodfords' programming and advocating for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

March is recognized as Social Work Month and is a time to celebrate and appreciate the profession of social workers and the variety of impacts their work has on the communities they serve. Woodfords employs social workers in a number of capacities throughout its children’s and adult programs and services. This month we take a moment to thank these incredible employees and the many contributions they make toward achieving the agency’s mission. 

J.McLaughlin a boutique retailer in Wells, will be hosting a Sip & Shop again this year on April 6 where a portion of all sales made during the event will benefit Woodfords’ programs and services. Stay tuned on our Facebook page for more details!