On October 10 at the Embassy Suites in San Rafael, Lifehouse hosted their Annual Awards Banquet to honor those loyal to the nonprofit, which supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A Full Life Lifehouse Award, Credit: Peter Merts
Mary-Jane Burke, Marin Superintendent of Schools Emerita, Credit: Peter Merts
(L-R): Tederos Gad (Supported by Lifehouse), Tara-Caprice Broadwater (Owner, Love2Dance Novato), Sallie Harrison (Supported by Lifehouse), Kwame Jackson-Ricks (Supported by Lifehouse), Amy Chun (Supported by Lifehouse), Credit: Peter Merts
Tanya Noske (Supported by Lifehouse), Megan Bagby (Direct Support Professional), Credit: Peter Merts
Mylan Perovich (Supported by Lifehouse), Credit: Peter Merts
Abby Crisostomo (Direct Support Professional), Katie Buster (Supported by Lifehouse), Credit: Brigid Flagerman
Lifethouse Awards Night, Credit: Brigid Flagerman
Mary Muller(Lifehouse Parent), Rebecca Muller (Supported by Lifehouse), Credit: Brigid Flagerman
Christopher Jennings (Supported by Lifehouse), Tim Evans, Credit: Brigid Flagerman
Benji White (Supported by Lifehouse), Credit: Brigid Flagerman
There were 425 guests in attendance, with a few especially notable attendees including: Nancy Dow Moody, President and CEO of Lifehouse; Assemblymember Damon Connolly; Yoshi Tome, owner Sushi Ran; Suzie Buchholz; Mary Jane Burke, previous Marin County Superintendent of Schools Emerita and host of the banquet; Tara-Caprice Broadwater, owner of Love2Dance Novato; and Susan Huffman.
“This event is one of our most meaningful traditions,” said Moody. “It’s a time to celebrate the people who embody our mission, our staff, the individuals we support and our community partners who make inclusion possible every day.”
Amy Chun (Supported by Lifehouse), Credit: Peter Merts
Assemblymember Damon Connolly, Susan Huffman, Credit: Peter Merts
Benji White (Supported by Lifehouse), Credit: Brigid Flagerman
Catherine Ramos (Direct Support Porfessional), Lily Ehmann (Supported by Lifehouse), Nancy Dow Moody (President & CEO), Cecilia Guevarra (Direct Support Professional), Credit: Brigid Flagerman
Felicia Romero (Associate Director of Programs), Cathy Pitzak (Supported by Lifehouse), Credit: Brigid Flagerman
Janet Held (Parent), Alex Held (Supported by Lifehouse), Archie Held (Parent), Credit: Brigid Flagerman
Malcolm Daniels (Human Resources Manager), Tiana Brown, Credit: Peter Merts
Stefania Rodriguez (Direct Support Professional), Michael McDonough (Supported by Lifehouse), Luis Rojas Erostico (Direct Support Professional), Credit: Brigid Flagerman
Yolanda Amos (Direct Support Professional), Maggie Sartor (Supported by Lifehouse), Credit: Brigid Flagerman
Frantzciyou Saint Fils (Direct Support Professional), Connor Richey (Supported by Lifehouse), Credit: Brigid Flagerman
The night was largely dedicated to awarding many deserving recipients. Some key awards included: the Open Arms Award, awarded to Broadwater of Love2Dance for her creativity and commitment to inclusion through dance; Winery of the Year, awarded to Jessica Link and Linked Vineyards for their steadfast partnership and support; Restaurant of the Year, awarded to Yoshi Tome and Sushi Ran for 23 years of culinary excellence and generosity; the Charles L. Martin Award, awarded to Erin Uesugi and Uesugi & Associates Architects for visionary design leadership and the renovation of the Lifehouse headquarters; and the Pat Kendall Spirit of Lifehouse Award, awarded to Joe and Mary Anne Cresalia and Cresalia Jewelers, honoring their decades of joyful generosity.
Assemblymember Damon Connolly, Nancy Dow Moody (President & CEO), Yoshi Tome (Sushi Ran), Suzie Buchholz, Credit: Peter Merts
Drew Johnson, Jessica Link (Linked Vineyards), Credit: Peter Merts
Lisa Rovang (Program Manager), Andrew Tomforde (Outstanding Staff), Credit: Peter Merts
Mario Newton (Manager of Programs & PCT Mentor), Randall Martin (Supported by Lifehouse), Credit: Peter Merts
Martina Leader (Director of Programs & Operations), Vanny Seang (Outstanding Staff ), Credit: Peter Merts
Nancy Dow Moody (President & CEO), Brooke Cresalia, Joe Cresalia, Mary Anne Cresalia, Joe Cresalia, Ann Elias (Chief Development Officer), Credit: Peter Merts
Nancy Dow Moody (President & CEO), Jessica Fitzhugh, Erin Uesugi, Robert Martin, Kathy Martin, Kristi Martin, Credit: Peter Merts
Nancy Dow Moody (President & CEO), Tara-Caprice Broadwater (Love2Dance Novato), Ann Elias (Chief Development Officer), Credit: Peter Merts
Nancy Dow Moody, President and CEO Erin Loftus-Sweetland, Office Manager Bob Karfiol, volunteer Ann Elias, Chief Development Officer, Credit: Peter Merts
Sallie Harrison (Supported by Lifehouse), Fernando Macias (Assistant Manager), Credit: Peter Merts
The evening’s celebration also featured a special film by Human Beings Media that shared the story of Lifehouse participant Teodros Gad, as well as a special performance of “Shine Your Light” with Lifehouse participants and led by Love2Dance. Guests also danced to songs mixed by DJ Mike Keating of Grand Slam Mobile DJs.
Lifehouse thanks their sponsors, including Inspiration Sponsors Doug Clough and Erin Uesugi, for their commitment to Lifehouse and for Uesugi’s design of the organization’s new headquarters. Community sponsors were: Marin Sanitary Service; Bank of Marin; John Morre and Jane Ferrante; and Love2Dance. Lastly, family sponsors included: Joshua and Yoshika Adler; Cheryl and Steve Caletti; Doug Carlston and Kathy Williams; Connie and Yves DeBalmann; Chrissy and Terry DeVoto; Glenn and Susan Dizon; Ann and Marc Elias; Archie and Janet Held; Casey and John Leones; Andrew and Kate Lesher; Vic and Mary Magnotti; the Robert Martin Family; the McKeever Family; Kathleen and Stephen Meeker; Nancy Dow Moody and Sam Kornhauser; Chuck and Ginny Quick; David Schanaker; Sally Spencer; Deidre and Martin Weil; Michael Weil and Janice Lee Baker; and Sid Sall and Michael Dooher of Equitable Advisors.
