At the end of 2023, Pathfinder held nominations and awarded its second annual The Compass Awards. The Compass Awards recognize the efforts and continued support of community collaborators with Pathfinder’s mission to provide disability resource information and support to individuals and families in Tennessee.
The Compass Awards were presented by Pathfinder LIVE on Instagram on December 21, 2023. Here’s the breakdown of the awards and winners.
The Compass Contributors Award
The 2023 nominees for The Compass Contributors Award, each have gone above and beyond to provide content to Pathfinder’s newsletter and social media pages. The nominees for this award were chosen by Pathfinder’s Communications Manager and based on analytical data of engagement from The Compass readers.
The nominees:
- Carolyn Naifeh, Our Place Nashville
- Jolene Sharp & Emma Shouse, Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, and
- Jennifer Fisher, Family Engagment in Special Education Tennessee
The Pathfinder team voted and the winner of The Compass Contributors Award is Jennifer Fisher, Family Engagment in Special Education Tennessee (FESPEDTN).
Family Engagement in Special Education is a collaborative project of The Arc Tennessee and the Tennessee Department of Education. They help to empower parents and caregivers and increase family engagement in special education. To find out more about this program click the link above.
The Compass Information & Referral Awards (I & R Awards)
The Information & Referral Award & Information & Referral Multicultural Award goes to the individual or organization that assists Pathfinder through their outstanding collaboration in connecting people to Pathfinder and serving as a valuable provider for individuals needing services. The nominees for these awards were chosen by the Pathfinder team.
Nominees for the I & R Award:
- Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services – Vocational Rehabilitation
- Division of Rehabilitation Services, Tennessee Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired- Independent Living Services
The Pathfinder team voted and the winner of The Compass I & R Award is the Tennessee Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired – Independent Living Services
Tennessee Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired’s Independent Living Program enables individuals to care for themselves in their own homes and communities.
Nominees for the I & R Multicultural Award:
- Hispanic Family Foundation, Laura Da Fonte
- Vanderbilt Kid Talk, and
- TN Step, Dorca Rose & Patricia Valladares (Vayadares)
The Pathfinder team voted and the winner of The Compass I & R Multicultural Award is the Hispanic Family Foundation.
Hispanic Family Foundation (HFF) is an organization that utilize platforms of economic, social services, advocacy, and culture to educate and strengthen Nashville’s Hispanic and immigrant communities.
The award recipients for each award will receive:
- an official nomination letter,
- a printable Award Certificate,
- a Pathfinder Pack (filled with Pathfinder swag & a small gift),
- a write-up in our January 2023 newsletter,
- an announcement posted on our media page, and
- social media announcement.
We are forever grateful for all our community partners and their support.
For more information about The Compass Awards please visit our awards page.