Thelma Roberts, executive director of Homespace, has created a safe home and community living environment for our youngest single mothers that help them move toward a future of economic and personal growth. They complete their education or vocational training and become employed while in residence and over 80% ultimately move into permanent housing. It is her dedication to service and selflessness and her ability to tackle tough social problems which have helped create this effective, systemic solution we know as Homespace.
Diversity Award
Dr. Robert Perelli, CJM
Dr. Robert Perelli, CJM, founder of AIDS Family Services (1989) and The Center for Family Systems Theory (2004), has spent his life inviting others to transcend prejudice. Bob's preaching, teaching and counseling have encouraged countless people to respect others regardless of their race, creed, sexual orientation, gender, age or social standing. His leadership empowers people from all walks of life to understand and solve problems by accepting responsibility for their own future. Also known as "Fr. Bob", he serves as the weekend associate priest at St. Joseph University Church.
Inclusion Award
Max Donatelli
Max Donatelli, executive director of Parent Network of WNY and director of Care Management for Baker Victory Services, has devoted his life to ensuring the voice of the disabled is included in community discussions at all levels. His unique ability to promote and encourage open discussion has led to the balanced consideration of many perspectives as WNY works to ensure that children with disabilities thrive and have the ability to live independently and contribute to society in a meaningful manner.
Inclusion Award
Sr. Denise Roche, GNSH, PhD
Sr. Denise Roche, GSNSH, PhD, in her role as president of D'Youville College, has devoted over 25 years to creating an inclusive higher education learning environment that now has attracted a large number of minority, Canadian, and other international students to WNY. Her commitment to listening to the needs of the entire community resulted in several public schools being located on or near the campus thus providing exposure to college life to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
Openness to Change Award
Beverly Foit-Albert
Beverly Foit-Albert, principal of Foit-Albert Associates, has spent her life working in a male dominated profession, architecture. She has led the construction of new facilities, the transformation of an existing community and the preservation of historically significant work in places like Buffalo and Beijing, China. She defines her most important role as that of facilitator of change and has spent three decades teaching students in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University at Buffalo to prepare them for a creative and ever changing future in the profession.
