On Monday, October 6, over 200 members of the Riverside community gathered at the Newton Marriott for our annual CARE (Celebrating Achievement & Recognizing Excellence) Awards celebration. The lively event honored the resilience of those we serve, the dedication of our staff, and the generosity of our supporters.
Moments That Moved Us
The evening was filled with uplifting moments and inspiring speeches from 12 remarkable teams and individuals. The celebration opened with recognition of Brianna Connell, whose journey at Riverside’s Hopedale House—a Group Living Environment for individuals with mental health conditions—exemplified both extraordinary compassion and remarkable personal growth. Her bright smile and genuine enthusiasm reflected her deep gratitude for Riverside’s services and the meaningful relationships she’d built there.
Kerri Irons, Riverside’s Senior Development Officer, accepted her award surrounded by her cheering children. “When I started at Riverside, I knew very quickly I had found a work home,” she said through tears of joy. “To be recognized for doing the work I love, alongside a team I adore, in an organization I admire, is such a privilege.”
Dave Hazerjian, a Dual Recovery Specialist at Riverside’s South County ACCS program, was profoundly grateful to receive a CARE Award for his work supporting adults with mental health challenges and substance use disorders. When he thanked his team members, they beamed and responded with warm applause. “Your dedication and hard work have kept me motivated through it all,” Dave told his team. “You aren’t just out there checking off the boxes, you’re out there believing that real recovery for mental health challenges and substance use is possible.”
The evening also featured a touching moment shared by Amber Chaplin and her young son as they accepted their award. Amber’s journey from parent to advocate exemplifies the transformative power of Early Intervention—she not only championed her son Lincoln’s care but also became a mentor to other families and is now pursuing work as an Early Intervention clinician and statewide parent representative. Fellow honoree Dr. Patrick McEnaney pledged to continue raising funds and awareness for Riverside through grueling ultramarathons “as long as his legs will let him.”
An Energized Community
Riverside’s Executive Vice President Paulo Fulton perfectly encapsulated the CARE Awards at the end of the night when he noted that “everyone was leaving energized.”
The 2025 CARE Awards were a heartfelt reminder of what brings the Riverside community together—compassion, perseverance, and connection. Through the personal stories shared and the genuine appreciation expressed throughout the evening, guests left with a deeper sense of gratitude for the work being done and the people behind it. As the night came to a close, the room carried a shared sense of purpose, hope, and encouragement to keep supporting one another and the communities we serve.
