Celebrating CLA’s Everyday Heroes: 2026 Awards Ceremony
Every year, CLA has the opportunity to recognize people who have been part of our community for important milestones. This year, those milestones span an incredible 5 to 40 years.
On Friday, September 11, we’ll come together for the 2026 CLA Awards Ceremony, celebrating years of service, commitment, relationships, and connection to our community.
In keeping with this year’s fun First Responder theme, we’ll be recognizing some of CLA’s own everyday heroes—the people who have helped make our community what it is today.
Celebrating This Year’s Honorees
We are proud to recognize:
Kathleen P. — 40 Years
Paul T. — 35 Years
Debi Smith (Staff) — 25 Years
Brook Phifer (Board of Directors) — 20 Years
Teresa E. (Host Home Provider) — 20 Years
Theresa A. (Host Home Provider) —15 Years
Liliana P. — 10 Years
Sheri C. — 10 Years
Elizabeth L. — 10 Years
Ken Dwenger (Board of Directors/Volunteer) — 10 Years
Dave Yoder (Staff) — 10 Years
Ana S.(Host Home Provider) — 10 Years
Linda Watkins (Board of Directors) — 5 Years
More Than Milestones
Behind every number are years of experiences, relationships, accomplishments, challenges, growth, and memories.Whether someone has received services through CLA, provided support as a staff member or Host Home Provider, volunteered their time, or helped guide our organization as a member of the Board of Directors, each person has contributed to the CLA community in their own way.
We are especially excited to celebrate two remarkable milestones this year: Kathleen P.’s 40 years with CLA and Paul T.’s 35 years with CLA and CLASS. These milestones remind us that CLA is ultimately about people—and the relationships and connections built over time.
Thank You to Our Honorees
To each of this year’s award recipients: thank you for being part of CLA. We look forward to celebrating you and the many years of memories, contributions, and connections represented by these milestones.The CLA Awards Ceremony is a private celebration for award recipients and their invited guests.
We look forward to sharing photos and highlights with the rest of our CLA community following the celebration.
Congratulations to all of our 2026 honorees!
