Sally has been a resource Navigator with 211 for over a year and a half. Sally is quiet and reserved by nature but over time we have seen the deep level of commitment and passion Sally has for helping people. Early on Sally demonstrated the value of courage as this position pushed out of her comfort zone in relation to technology. 211 utilizes several databases and spreadsheets and though Sally was nervous when going through training she pushed through and conquered her fears and has become more than proficient in the use of 211’s technology. She also showed courage and growth when 211 started processing SNAP applications. Though Sally was worried about taking that on, she put 100% effort into learning the system and has not only personally grown in her confidence but has helped to significantly increase the number of SNAP applications that we process at the FRC. Sally completes about 50% of the SNAP applications for the FRC and has helped to significantly increase the number of Spanish-speaking SNAP applicants and Spanish-speaking calls to 211. Sally is passionate about assisting the Spanish-speaking population and demonstrates the values of relationships and inclusivity by always jumping at the chance to be involved whether it is attending an event, advocating for our services or providing interpretation services at the office. Sally is always willing to step up and help other programs in the FRC when Spanish interpretation is needed, such as helping Health Access with health insurance enrollments and helping with walk-ins at the FRC. Even when working with individuals outside of the  211 program, Sally brings the same compassion, grace and kindness as she does every day to our 211 callers. Sally radiates positivity and always greets you with a huge smile no matter what she is doing, even when she was the only 211 resource navigator for several months. Her consistency, strength, teamwork and passion has helped to move the 211 team forward and we are so very lucky to have her on our team and at Hilltop. 

Victoria has been a Hilltopper for two years and every single day, she is the biggest supporter of not only Hilltop but also our mission and values. As she brings on new employees, she is so kind, warm and welcoming. She walks every person through the Hilltop new hire experience while individualizing their experience as they need. She is passionate about providing a great experience to not only the new hires but also every supervisor and manager who has to recruit. She has touched so many of our lives and has done so in a kind, professional, and impactful way. Her positive attitude is infectious with everyone she encounters during her day. We couldn’t ask for a better representative to be one of the first people that new Hilltoppers get to know as they begin their journey.

During the two years she has worked alongside us, Victoria has embraced her personal growth by continuing to seek feedback, find new ways to learn, and take advantage of development opportunities. She lives our value of courage by never backing down from something out of her comfort zone and being vulnerable about this to others. This behavior encourages others to feel safe to also express their feelings in a productive and growth-oriented way. Her display of integrity is one for the books – she always takes full ownership of not only her successes but also where she could have done something differently.

Hilltop would not be the same without Victoria, and we are so thankful she chooses to put People First every day.

Tyler’s job in IT is behind the scenes, so it’s not always obvious to people outside of IT how much he contributes to the overall operation of Hilltop’s technology. He is instrumental to keeping our daily operations running smoothly, and, when trouble happens, he is always one to which we turn because of his expertise and the fact that he can be counted upon to go the extra mile. Curiosity and initiative are built into his DNA, and he is known for coming up with creative, yet practical, solutions’. He is a go-to resource for all of our IT team and we rely heavily on him to help with every major project. He continually challenges the entire IT team, especially IT leadership, to actively learn and leverage new technology to improve our systems. He’s simply brilliant!

Mickie always brings an upbeat willingness to help all Hilltoppers. She has been welcoming, encouraging, and a true team player. Mickie is always taking the extra time to help get everything everyone needs and doing it in a positive manner. She always has a smile and a kind word. The purchasing department would not be the same without her. Mickie, you are very appreciated and we am so happy to be working with you!

Relationship really is what binds all of our Hilltop Values together to support our ultimate mission of People First, and Blanca exemplifies relationship in every aspect of her roles within our organization. Blanca is deeply authentic in her engagement of the youth that she works with as a Youth Navigator, as well as with her coworkers and community partners. That skill of relationship has brought more youth through our programs and led to increased collaboration in our community around youth services. She is predictable and level headed even in very tough situations, and thus has been able to set healthy boundaries with the youth she works with, while also gaining their trust. She is truly changing lives. She is also a kind and unifying presence in our region, who is always bringing her coworkers together and helping to organize fun events. She seeks out folks that might feel left out, and makes them feel welcome and part of our team.

Blanca has also shown such courage and integrity throughout her internship process – she actively sought out feedback, was honest and humble when she did not know something, and showed (and continues to show) serious grit when she comes up against a problem. And through all of that, she has exemplified a commitment to growth through her internship and her willingness to take on new opportunities and ask questions. Through her excitement for growth opportunities, she has learned new systems and then had the courage to say “what if we did this?” and created new opportunities which have grown programs and the individuals participating in them.

Blanca is willing to have hard conversations about what is right and wrong, and does so in a kind way. She is committed to inclusivity and creates opportunities for youth and families in our community who historically might have been overlooked. She is honest and kind in all her interactions, and I think of Blanca as a role model, not only to our community’s youth, but to her coworkers, myself included.

Emilie exudes our mission and values every day. During her time with Hilltop, she has grown into new roles and skillsets asked of her with strength and courage. 

Emilie’s talent of helping make people feel comfortable in uncomfy situations is brilliant to watch. How many Hilltoppers have been on the other side of her photo/video lense and have been relaxed and comforted by her calming and comedic nature? We need those photos and videos to tell the Hilltop story and many people feel vulnerable in front of a camera. Emilie’s ability to hone in on relationships and get people to come out of their shells so their light can shine is unmatched.

Emilie is a champion for inclusivity. She educates and advocates with an unparalleled passion and is an integral part of the EDI committee helping inclusivity spread across our organization. If you have recently been on the educational site, that is all Emilie. She finds content, curates it, and designs the website so that it’s easily accessible to others.

As a timeliness factor, her work for Hilltop events is a huge part of why events shine. Her execution of ideas and the ability to take something from thought to tangible deliverable that resonates with an audience is amazing. The integrity, poise, and emotional maturity Emillie encompasses deserves to be highlighted. It’s wonderful to have an employee who demonstrates our values through the good times AND the hard times.

She might usually be behind the camera, but this is an employee that needs a moment in the spotlight and recognition for all she does both internally within Hilltop, and externally by how she represents Hilltop within our community.

Today, we proudly recognize Milinda Stumbaugh, a standout member whose unwavering commitment has not only embodied our values but also driven our mission forward. Milinda’s contributions to the Care Department at Hilltop have earned her multiple nominations for a well-deserved Mission Award.

Milinda has the extraordinary ability to form authentic connections with residents and colleagues. As one nomination noted, “Her genuine interest and sharp memory create a strong sense of community.” Milinda’s talent for fostering relationships has enriched our Hilltop community. Milinda’s journey at Hilltop began with a leap of courage as she embraced her role as Director of the Care Department. She quickly adapted, evaluating and improving department processes. Her dedication to integrity and accountability has been a driving force in her leadership.
Milinda’s leadership has been pivotal in the success of the Care Department. Her team’slongevity speaks volumes about her leadership abilities and commitment to growth.
Milinda champions inclusivity, demonstrating empathy and compassion in herinteractions with individuals in our care and their families. She actively addressesconcerns, ensuring everyone feels heard and valued.
Milinda’s vibrant personality and commitment to infusing fun into her work make her adelight to work with. Described as “intelligent, dedicated, consistent, creative, and fun,”Milinda’s enthusiasm creates a positive atmosphere that resonates throughout Hilltop.
Milinda’s journey at Hilltop is a testament to her embodiment of our values and mission.She exemplifies “People First” and has left a mark through her dedication, compassion,and commitment to growth. Milinda’s contributions underscore the importance of livingour values daily. We present her with the well-deserved Mission Award, thanking her forher outstanding service and for embodying what makes Hilltop exceptional.

Today, we proudly recognize Tristan Delahanty, a standout member whose unwavering commitment does not only embody our values but also drives our mission forward. Tristan was nominated by multiple employees for the Hilltop’s Mission Award who have personally witnessed his commitment to Hilltop and the Commons.

Tristan’s genuine and caring nature cultivates strong bonds with both staff and residents, fostering a sense of community within Hilltop. His willingness to support employees in all aspects, cover shifts and lead through working alongside others, reflects the People First mission of Hilltop. “Tristan goes above and beyond and always comes in when needed. He stays as long as necessary, consistently ensuring that the staff is taken care of. He greets everyone kindly and is well bonded with the residents. Tristan is a genuine person and someone to trust, a great asset to this company.”

Tristan’s approachability and readiness to assist in any situation demonstrate Hilltop’s purpose of creating connections and building community. His actions create an environment where everyone feels supported. “”Anyone can go to Tristan for any situation, and he will provide a response or direct them in the right direction. He consistently goes the extra mile for employees and residents alike, showcasing unparalleled dedication, hard work, and passion. Tristan’s commitment makes him an inspiration and a figure we all look up to.”

He shows a commitment to personal and professional growth, inspiring others to do the same. Despite challenges, Tristan maintains a positive attitude and a smile, infusing fun into the workplace, making it an enjoyable and supportive atmosphere.

Tristan’s dedication, hard work, passion, and overall excellence truly make him an inspiration at Hilltop. His unwavering commitment to our values and mission is evident in the words of his colleagues. It is with great pleasure that we present Tristan with the Mission Award, recognizing him for his outstanding contributions to Hilltop and for being a shining example of what it means to put “People First.”