At the end of every calendar year, we gather to celebrate what we accomplished and honour those among us who not only met but exceeded expectations. With so many deserving candidates its an incredible challenge for our Leadership team and Board to sift through all the nominations.
Here are those who were recognized in 2023.

Your 2023 Culture & Spirit Award Winner

The Culture and Spirit Award was created to recognize staff who embody and consistently demonstrate the culture and spirit of Lake Ridge Community Support Services in 3 ways. 

Reminding others of their strengths, being supportive and helpful to others

1. Perform above and beyond normal expectations to benefit the community at LRCSS

2. Creates, promotes and participates in activities that foster the LRCSS culture

3. Creates, promotes and participates in activities that foster the LRCSS culture

In 2023, we joyously celebrate Davida Trotta as our Culture and Spirit Award Winner. Within the Entry to School Program, Davida's boundless enthusiasm has been a cornerstone of positivity, elevating team morale and creating vibrant classrooms for our young learners. Beyond her daily duties, Davida's commitment shines through her mentorship, from training ABA newcomers to guiding placement students. Her ability to distill complex concepts into accessible knowledge fosters growth and confidence among peers, leading many to achieve their goals. Her leadership was underscored by unanimous acclaim from her team, reflecting her unparalleled impact on job satisfaction and a workplace culture that cherishes every member's strengths and playful spirit. Congratulations, Davida, for radiating such infectious zeal and dedication!

The First Ever Leadership Award Recipient

This year, the Leadership team created a new award called the Leadership Award. The intent of this award is to acknowledge and celebrate an employee's commitment to the mission, vision and values of Lake Ridge Community Support Services. This award recognizes a staff member who demonstrates a commitment to professional growth and teamwork and provides leadership to their team that is impactful, effective, and motivational. 

In 2023, we proudly recognize Cody Lamb as our inaugural Leadership Award recipient. Cody consistently upholds integrity in his services, embraces growth opportunities with vigor, and champions collaboration for collective success. His unwavering enthusiasm, adaptability, and insightful contributions to decisions, both big and small, make him an invaluable asset. While Cody often operates behind the scenes, his profound impact resonates agency-wide. Congratulations, Cody, for epitomizing exemplary leadership!

2023 Jim Reaume Award Recipient

Each year we recognize one outstanding employee at Lake Ridge Community Support Services by awarding the Jim Reaume Award of Excellence. This is what that award is all about and who was nominated in 2023.

The Jim Reaume Award of Excellence, also referred to as the Jim Reaume award was created in 2013 to honour Jim Reaume’s dedication, values and contributions.  This year’s award winner was Karen Chartier.

In 2023, we are elated to honour Karen Chartier with the Jim Reaume Award. Karen embarked on her journey at LRCSS as a clinician, specializing in communication within the CBT Program. Her profound expertise in Adult services, coupled with her unwavering commitment to the hard-to-serve, has reshaped our clinical landscape. A stalwart in fostering community partnerships in Durham, Karen's visionary approach has amplified our service offerings, evident from the myriad of grant successes she's spearheaded. Her leadership in numerous committees, combined with her global networking acumen, such as the renowned Stone Soup series, underscores her dedication to knowledge dissemination. A prolific researcher, Karen's contributions to behavioural science literature stand testament to her academic prowess. Throughout her 30 years of dedicated service, Karen has been a beacon for our team, guiding transitions and elevating our mission. As she prepares for retirement in 2024, her indelible mark on LRCSS is a legacy we deeply cherish and will forever resonate with gratitude.

Congratulations to all our winners and all our staff who work so hard every day in support of our wonderful clients and their families!