2016 NSPN Awards 

Youth service professionals, dedicated volunteers, and community organizations constantly work diligently to strengthen youth and families in communities across the country. National Safe Place Network is honored to recognize those making a difference in the lives of youth and families.

NSPN is pleased to recognize the 2016 NSPN Award winners:

Community Involvement Award
The Boys and Girls Club of Fresno County is the recipient of the 2016 Community Involvement Award. The organization has partnered with Fresno EOC Sanctuary and Youth Services for the past 15 years, providing in-kind services estimated at more than $45,000, volunteers and event staff, and free event space. The Boys and Girls Club of Fresno County has been a reliable and strong Safe Place site partner and offer program support by educating young people about Safe Place and promoting the program during National Safe Place Week. To learn more about the Boys and Girls Club of Fresno County, please click here: http://bgclubfc.org/

Boys and Girls Club of Fresno County, 2016 Community Involvement Award

Executive Leadership Award
Arash Ghafoori, Executive Director of the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY), is the recipient of the 2016 Executive Leadership Award. Arash has been called "an outstanding professional, mentor, teacher, and colleague, but most of all, an excellent leader." NPHY was embroiled in controversy and on the brink of closing when Arash took over as Executive Director. He has since implemented national best practice, improved client-level data systems, and successfully managed the agency budget and provided meaningful service delivery. 

Arash Ghafoori, 2016 Executive Leadership Award

Lifetime Achievement Award
Shirley Caylor, CEO & Co-founder of the Crisis Center, Inc. in Gary, Indiana, is the recipient of the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award. Shirley has worked tirelessly for 45 years to provide needed services to youth and families in Northwest Indiana. She co-founded the Crisis Center, Inc. in 1971, serving as Associate Director for 15 years, Executive Director for 28 years, and has been the CEO for the last two years. Shirley has enhanced the lives of those in need by providing high quality programs for little or no cost to recipients. Learn more about Shirley Caylor at: http://www.crisiscenterysb.org/staff.htm

Shirley Caylor, 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award

Model Program Award
The Foundation for Youth is the recipient of the 2016 Model Program Award. Through long-established and new community partnerships, Foundation for Youth garnered the commitment of the local mental health agency to answer any Safe Place calls and meet with youth to determine necessary services, case management, and counseling. The organization recruited their Communities that Care business partners to serve as Safe Place sites throughout the community and formed new parterships with city and county govenment departments to support the program. To learn more about Foundation for Youth, please visit: http://www.foundationforyouth.com/

Foundation for Youth, 2016 Model Program Award

Together We Can Award
Angela Craig, Teen Services Coordinator for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library System, is the recipient of the 2016 Together We Can Award. Angela is an outstanding leader in providing services to teens in the Charlotte community. She creates opportunities with other agencies to connect with the library's teen area and is extremely collaborative with the community's efforts to provide services for the homeless population. Angela played a key role in bringing on all of the library branches as Safe Place partners with the Relatives Inc. 

Angela Craig, 2016 Together We Can Award

Safe Place Coordinator of the Year
Karen Sieve is the 2016 Safe Place Coordinator of the Year. Karen is the Regional Safe Place Program Manager for Youth in Need in St. Charles, Missouri, a role she has held for the past eight years. During her tenure, Karen has worked to quadruple the number of Safe Place sites in the area and has been instrumental in fundraising, student outreach, and media relations efforts. She also values advocacy and empowers youth and families to advocate for themselves. Learn more about Karen Sieve at: http://www.youthinneed.org/ABOUTUS/AgencyOverview/OurStaff.aspx

Karen Sieve, 2016 Safe Place Coordinator of the Year

Volunteer of the Year Award
Paul Hamaan, President & CEO of The Night Ministry, is the 2016 Volunteer of the Year. Paul has contributed greatly to his agency and the youth services field. During the past year, he donated his time, expertise, and experience to support NSPN's national conference. Hamaan presented workshops at both Focus 2014 and the 2015 National RHY Grantees Conference, volunteered to facilitate an inspiring keynote youth panel discussion at the conference, and was instrumental in the planning of a pre-conference institute on leadership development. Learn more about Paul Hamaan at: http://www.thenightministry.org/004_about/035_staff/002_bios/010_paul_hamann/

Paul Hamaan, 2016 NSPN Volunteer of the Year

HEROES for Youth Award
Cyndi Lauper, singer/songwriter and Co-founder of True Colors Fund, is the recipient of the 2016 HEROES for Youth Award. Cyndi has worked tirelessly to increase national awareness and advocate on behalf of homeless LGBT youth. She has dedicated time, energy, and resources to educate, advocate, inspire, and empower individuals and communities to support LGBT youth. Cyndi is an outspoken champion for change and NSPN commends her efforts to end LGBT homelessness in America. To learn more about Cyndi and her work with True Colors Fund, please visit: https://truecolorsfund.org/staff/cyndi-lauper/

Cyndi Lauper, 2016 HEROES for Youth Award