Each year, Starbridge honors people and organizations creating positive change in the lives of individuals with disabilities in the Finger Lakes region.
Our annual awards recognize Community Champions who embody the values of advocacy, inclusion, innovation, and respect. Champions may be activists, advocates, educators, employers, human service professionals, or students.
Champions show leadership and courage in making a difference. Together we transform communities to include everyone – all abilities, races, ethnicities, gender identities, national origin, and other identity groups.
Congratulations to our 2022 Community Champions!

Top row (left to right):
Antwan Williams, Director of Youth System Services at RochesterWorks!
Elisa DeJesus, Director of Health Literacy & Language Services at Ibero-American Action League
Brennon Thompson, Analyst for Fair Housing Policy & Programs at the National Association of REALTORS®
Bottom row:
The team from The Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) at the University of Rochester
Historical Listing of Award Recipients
2021
Award |
Recipient |
Community Champion
|
Sheen & Shine |
Community Champion
|
Michaels - Greece Ridge
|
Community Champion
|
Rochester General Hospital's Volunteer and Guest Services Office
|
2020

Award |
Recipient |
Advocacy
|
Sara Walworth Mary Cariola Children's Center
|
Inclusion
|
Kateri Warren Director, Pupil Personnel Services Bloomfield Central School District
|
Rising Star
|
Ashley Todd Fairport Central School District |
Outstanding Community Partner
|
James Grossman
|
2019

Award |
Recipient |
Advocacy
|
Colleen Brind'Amour City of Rochester Project SEARCH®
|
Inclusion
|
Dr. Katrina Arndt St. John Fisher College
|
Rising Star
|
Jaymie Eden People, Inc. |
Outstanding Community Partner
|
Stephen G. Schwarz, Esq.
|
2018

Award |
Recipient |
Advocacy
|
Jeiri Flores Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities |
Advocacy
|
Navlette James Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Services Office |
Inclusion
|
Kathy Lee Mary Cariola Children's Center |
Rising Star
|
Ashley Donlon |
Outstanding Community Partner
|
David DeGraff & Sharon Pluta-DeGraff |
2017

Award |
Recipient |
Community Impact
|
Michael Doherty
|
Education
|
Gaie Sarley Goodness
|
Founders
|
Lawana Jones The Autism Concil
|
Outstanding Community Partner - Individual
|
George Gray
|
Outstanding Community Partner - Corporate
|
Wegmans Food Markets
|
Self Advocacy
|
Jensen Caraballo
|
Youth
|
Sapna Ramesh
|
2015
Award |
Recipient |
Community Impact
|
Sarah Jane Clifford Gymnastics Training Center of Rochester
|
Education
|
Stephanie Scism Monroe #1 BOCES
|
Founders
|
Patricia Muir |
Outstanding Community Partner
|
Adam Anolik
|
Self Advocacy
|
Julie Whittemore
|
Youth
|
Jack Milko
|
2014
Award |
Recipient |
Community Impact
|
Mariellen Cupini Stepping Stones Learning Center
|
Education
|
Michael Hohman Rush-Henrietta School District
|
Founders
|
Rich & Deb Vanderpool |
Outstanding Community Partner
|
Walter Parkes O'Connell Electric
|
Self Advocacy
|
James Britt
|
Youth
|
Curtis John "CJ" Clemont
|
2013
Award |
Recipient |
Community Impact
|
Joseph Barry Greece Central School District
|
Corporate Support
|
AT&T |
Education
|
Brandin C. Jones Rochester City School District
|
Founders
|
Wendy Watkins AIM Independent Living Center
|
Outstanding Community Partner
|
Don Alhart
|
Self Advocacy
|
Donald Chrisman
|
Youth
|
Sarah McLaen
|
2012
Award |
Recipient |
Barbara Bryson
|
Jeanne Ricigliano Monroe #1 BOCES
|
Community Impact
|
Seneca Park Zoo
|
Community Inclusion
|
Jan Whitaker Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana
|
Corporate Support
|
Beth Platt & Associates, Inc.
|
Education
|
Jackie Bartell Monroe #1 BOCES
|
Founders Award
|
Tricia Brown
|
Outstanding Community Partner |
William "Bill" Napier |
Self Advocacy
|
Brady Dean
|
Student
|
Kelsey O'Sullivan
|
2011
Award |
Recipient |
Barbara Bryson
|
Jutta Pearl Livingston-Wyoming ARC
|
Community Impact
|
Scott Sargeant, Manager Starbucks Coffee, Twelve Corners, Brighton
|
Community Inclusion
|
Diane Sturmer Heritage Christian Services
|
Corporate Support
|
Faraci Lange Attorneys |
Education
|
John Campolieto Roberts Wesleyan College
|
Jeanne Krautwurst Award for Family Advocacy
|
Laura Khederian
|
Outstanding Community Partner |
James "Kip" Hale |
Self Advocacy
|
Keith Perlet |
Student
|
Joshua Fidler |
2010
Award |
Recipient
|
Barbara Bryson
|
Carl Case |
Community Inclusion
|
Carolyn Salvatore
|
Corporate Support
|
KeyBank
|
Education
|
Marie Cianca
|
Jeanne Krautwurst Award for Family Advocacy
|
Ruth Whiting
|
Outstanding Community Partner
|
Helen Pluta |
Self Advocacy
|
Cheryl Vining
|
Student
|
Camille Enaharo
|
2009
Award |
Recipient |
Barbara Bryson
|
Cheryl Englert
|
Community Inclusion
|
Ashley Manchester
|
Corporate Support
|
MVP Health Care |
Education
|
Susan Doyle
|
Jeanne Krautwurst Award for Family Advocacy
|
Brenda Hanson
|
Self Advocacy
|
James Ciurca
|
Student
|
Emily Johncox
|
2008
Award |
Recipient |
Barbara Bryson
|
Julie Buick |
Community Inclusion
|
Janet Opila-Lehman |
Corporate Support
|
Wachovia Securities |
Education
|
Jeff Crane |
Jeanne Krautwurst Award for Family Advocacy
|
Stephanie Phelan-Davis |
Self Advocacy
|
Robert Terry |
Student
|
Brandon Vermeulen |
2007
Award
|
Recipient
|
Barbara Bryson
|
Joyce Simons
|
Community Impact
|
Anne Harvey
|
Corporate Inclusion
|
Wegmans Food Markets
|
Corporate Support
|
Fred & Floy Willmott Foundation
|
Education
|
Lisa Poinan
|
Self Advocacy
|
Maggie Arnold
|
Student
|
Jacob Kuebler
|