Resilience Awards

The Individual Resilience Awards aim to honor individuals affiliated with STRONG ACC partner organizations who have demonstrated exceptional resilience, leading to positive impacts in their work environment. Three individual winners will be chosen, each receiving a check for $2,500 along with an engraved plaque.

The Organization Resilience Awards aim to honor STRONG ACC partner organizations that have demonstrated exceptional resilience in the face of various challenges and disruptions. Three organizations will be chosen, each receiving a check for $7,500 along with an engraved plaque.

2024 Resilience Award Nominations and Applications are now closed. The Resilience Award winners will be announced at the 2024 Regional Symposium on September 4th.

Resilience Awards Criteria

Individual Nominees must have demonstrated one or more of the following qualities:

  • Overcoming Adversity: The nominee faced significant challenges or obstacles in their professional capacity and showed resilience in navigating them effectively.
  • Adaptability: The nominee adapted to changing circumstances, whether a sudden shift in the industry, organizational changes, or unexpected setbacks.
  • Problem-Solving Skills: The nominee demonstrated innovative problem-solving skills, finding creative solutions to complex issues.
  • Perseverance: The nominee displayed perseverance and determination in their pursuit of goals, not letting setbacks discourage them from achieving success.
  • Learning from Failures: The nominee showed a willingness to learn from their failures and use them as opportunities for growth and improvement. In addition, nominations must demonstrate the individual’s impact on their organization and/or those it serves, and the achievements they have made despite adversity.

Organizations must have demonstrated one or more of the following:

  • Crisis Management: The organization effectively handled and managed crises, such as natural disasters, economic downturns, or unexpected events, without compromising its core values or operations.
  • Adaptability and Innovation: The organization demonstrated adaptability and innovation in response to changing market conditions, emerging technologies, or shifts in client/customer needs.
  • Employee Well-being: The organization prioritized and supported the well-being of its employees during challenging times, offering resources, mental health support, and work-life balance initiatives.
  • Client/Customer Focus: The organization remained committed to providing exceptional client/customer service, even during difficult periods, and actively sought feedback to improve its offerings.
  • Community Engagement: The organization supported and engaged with other organizations during challenging times, contributing to community well-being beyond its regular activities.
  • Learning and Growth: The organization learned from past experiences, both successes and failures, and used that knowledge to foster continuous improvement.

Resilience Awards will be presented at the 2024 Regional Symposium which takes places September 4-5 at Meadowview Convention Center!

2023 Individual Resilience Award Winners

Amy Barker Phillips

Girls Inc. of Bristol

Heather Watson

Hands On! Discovery Center

Elizabeth Gooslin

STRONG Families NETN

2023 Organization Resilience Award Winners

RISE Healthy For Life

Appalachian Opportunity Fund

SMILE Foster Closet

2022 Individual Resilience Award Winners
Martha Dixon, Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency
Nicole Cullop, Girls Inc. of Bristol
Glenda Bolinskey, Inman Village Community Nourishment Project

2022 Organization Resilience Award Winners
Carter County Drug Prevention
Greater Kingsport Family YMCA
YWCA of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia 

Resilience Awards Committee

The Resilience Awards Committee comprises one representative from each of the following organizations, which are key partners working together through the STRONG ACC Resilient Region Workgroup to build a trauma-informed, resilient region:

Strong BRAIN Institute
Ballad Health
NETN Resilience Network
Appalachian Promise Alliance
EO
SWVA Trauma Informed Community Network
Mount Rogers Community Services