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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!

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

2020 Community Awards with names web

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

2019 Community Award Winners collage

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

2018 Community award winners

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

2017 Community Awards collage

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

CommunityAwards2015 

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