Spirit of YoCo Awards 2022

Description

The Spirit of YoCo Awards, presented by RKL LLP and Buchart Horn, Inc.. honors volunteers, elected and appointed officials, and local organizations and individuals who leverage the collaboration, expertise and resources needed to create sustainable prosperity in YoCo! 


Join us in celebrating this year's winners! 

• Community Service Award, presented by Traditions Bank – York County Veterans Outreach
  York County Veterans Outreach offers support by identifying resources and programs aimed at helping our veterans, recognizes and addresses gaps in service that our veterans need, and acts as a point of contact between those willing to help and our veterans who deserve that help.

• Non-Profit Community Impact Award, presented by Pennsylvania American Water –
  Regina Mitchell, York Housing Authority
  The York Housing Authority aims to provide safe, decent, affordable housing opportunities to people who are eligible, in a manner that encourages self-sufficiency. The housing authority is working with a partner organization called Creating Opportunities in Neighborhood Environments, or CONE.

• Education/Workforce Development Advocate of the Year, presented by York Academy Regional Charter School –
  Donald E. and Lois J. Myers School of Nursing and Health Professions at York College of Pennsylvania
  The Dr. Donald E. and Lois J. Myers School of Nursing and Health Professions graduated the largest number of undergraduate nurses in 2022. By keeping their clinical program open during the pandemic, students were instrumental in supporting WellSpan. Additionally, the Stabler Department of Nursing graduated the first cohort of students in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program in May 2022, transitioned all Nurse Practitioner programs to a fully on-line platform, launched a fully on-line RN-BSN program in January 2020, which continues to grow in enrollment, and much more. In 2023 they’ll launch a Family Nurse Practitioner Program.

• Appointed Official of the Year, presented by Site Design Concepts – Neil Weaver, Acting Secretary, Department of Community and Economic Development
  In his current role as Acting Secretary at DCED, Secretary Weaver functions as the chief executive of an agency that is responsible for administering grants, loans and tax credits that spur economic growth, community revitalization, and job creation throughout the state by providing strategic technical assistance, training, and financial resources to help our communities and industries flourish.

• Elected Official of the Year, presented by Glatfelter Insurance Group – Judge Maria Musti Cook
  Maria Musti Cook currently serves as President Judge, the first woman to serve in this role in York County’s history. Judge Musti Cook also serves as supervising judge of the criminal section of the court and is a member of the York County Prison Board and Criminal Justice Advisory Board.Judge Musti Cook, serves as co-chair with President Commissioner Julie Wheeler, for the Stepping Up Initiative in York County, which was created to reduce/divert from the York County Prison and state prison system, the number of individuals who suffer from serious mental illness and whose involvement with the criminal justice system is largely driven by their untreated illness. She is an advocate for treatment courts in York County and has presided over the adult Mental Health Wellness Court and JUMP Court, which addresses juvenile offenders with mental health issues.  Judge Musti Cook initiated a truancy court in York County in 2012.  She also served as supervising judge of the family court from 2010-2013.

• Volunteer of the Year, presented by LOCALiQ – Margaret Eckles Ray
  Margaret Eckles-Ray is a Certified Drug & Alcohol Counselor and small business owner from Queens, New York. After a ten-year career in telecommunications, she embraced her passion and moved into the field of healthcare in 2012. Margaret has worked for the White Deer Run Treatment Network in various roles for the past ten years. In her current role, she serves as the Program Director of the York Assessment Center, providing access to treatment for individuals struggling with substance use and mental health disorder. As a strong community advocate, Margaret serves on numerous boards and collaborates with several local organizations, to give a voice to the voiceless. In October of 2021, Margaret followed her heart and started her own business, focusing on women’s empowerment, mentorship & life coaching. She has been active member of the WBCO Council and catalyst for growth of the program.

• Non-Profit or Government Employee of the Year, presented by M&T Bank – Mark Derr
  Mark Derr recently retired from a long-tenured career in government services. Serving York Township, North Codorus Township, City of York, and for the past seven years, the County of York, Mark’s leadership in fiscal stewardship is recognized widely across the County of York. During his time as Administrator and Chief Clerk with the County of York, he oversaw multiple projects, created the Open Space Preservation Fund, was a crucial member of the YoCo Strong Recovery Task Force and the Broadband Task Force, and stabilized finances during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery. Mark’s guidance led to the CARES Act and ARPA fund allocations to small businesses and non-profits in our community.

• Diversity Impact Award, presented by York County Community Foundation – York Revolution Community Ownership Concept
  The York Revolution Community Ownership Program has strengthened and solidified the Revolution’s place in the York Community. With almost 30 owners ranging in age, background, and ethnicity, the program has opened business ownership to a cross-section of the York community that might typically be excluded from such a role. The program is one component of the Rev’s drive to be “The Most Welcoming Place in York.”

The annual Spirit of YoCo Awards is hosted by the Economics Club.

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors:

      

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations for a full refund are accepted until seven days prior to an in-person event. Once the deadline is past, there is no refund for those who have registered for an in-person event and cancelled, and unpaid registrations will be billed for the function, whether they attend or not. Registrations may be transferred to another person upon notifying the York County Economic Alliance. No refunds are offered for cancellations of virtual event registrations, however a credit for a future virtual event can be applied for cancellations given within 48 hours of the event.