HOLDEN — HMEA, a private, notfor- profit agency that supports more than 4,500 children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families, announced in late October that Holden resident Kristen Cariglia has received the agency’s 2022 HMEA Mission Award.
The Mission Award is given to an HMEA employee who demonstrates a 100% commitment to the people the agency supports, who sees the best in every person and every situation, who gives unconditionally, and who is a positive role model.
Cariglia is in her first year of serving as director of HMEA’s Autism Resource Central, which provides resources and activities to families in Central Massachusetts with members on the autism spectrum.
In addition to supporting families through staffing and pandemic challenges, she also led the Autism Superhero 5K Walk at Polar Park in Worcester. This event was so successful that it raised more than $110,000 for the center.
“Cariglia is also a wonderful leader who supervised her staff to work together as a team and to support each other,” said an HMEA spokesperson via email.
Cariglia was nominated for the award by her colleague Stephanie Guitard. “Kris spent most of the last year understaffed, yet still ensuring quality of services were happening as well as spending time securing sponsorships and grants. While many people would be frazzled in this position, Kris continued with grace and professionalism,” said Guitard.
Cariglia received the award at HMEA’s 33rd Annual Awards Night.
For more information about HMEA, its programs and services, and the people it serves, visit www.hmea.org. http://www.hmea.org
