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Awards and Recognition

While we at Hattie Larlham have never measured our success by the amount of praise we get or the number of awards we win, we do like to share our good news. From time to time, the accomplishments our agency, projects and even individual employees are recognized by other organizations.

Nonprofit Board Executive Of The Year Award, 2009

Medical Mutual of Ohio and Smart Business selected Hattie Larlham Care Group Board President Mike Weinhardt as a winner of the Nonprofit Board Executive of the Year award. Mike will be officially honored at a banquet on Dec. 3, 2009, and will be featured in the December issue of Smart Business Cleveland and Smart Business Akron/Canton. As president of the Hattie Larlham Care Group Board, Mike and his fellow board members oversee the administrative support of Hattie Larlham. Mike took on his role as president at the beginning of 2009, but his tenure as a board member dates back to 2000. Hattie Larlham previously recognized Mike for his extraordinary contributions toward helping those with disabilities by selecting him as the 2005 Circle of Caring Honoree.

Green Chamber of Commerce Vision Award, 2009

The Green Chamber of Commerce selected Constant Companions and Hattie Larlham Doggie Day Care to receive its Vision Award for 2009. The award was presented on Oct. 27 by Green, Ohio Mayor Dick Norton, Chamber President Lori Howerton and Chamber Chairman Bob Keyes at Raintree Country Club. Hattie Larlham Doggie Day Care Northeast Ohio Regional Manager Rick Parson and Hattie Larlham Community Services Executive Director Sandy Neal accepted the award. The awards are given to recognize local organizations and professionals for their notable community accomplishments.

Goodwill Employee of Distinction Award, 2009

During a banquet in September, Goodwill officially honored Hattie Larlham Habilitation Liaison Peggy Seither for going beyond the call of duty to enrich the lives of those she serves at Hattie Larlham. Despite being diagnosed with two different types of cancer, Peggy did not take time off work, because she knew the people she served required her attention. Peggy's desire to help people with disabilities compelled her to keep working at Hattie Larlham despite her own personal struggles. She is an outstanding example of the compassion and caring that Hattie Larlham provides to its residents.

Cascade Capital Corporation Business Growth Award, 2009

Hattie’s Café & Gifts was honored as a “Best Overall Success Story” for its rapid growth in recent years. All Hattie’s Café & Gifts locations employ people with disabilities, providing empowerment and essential life skills to these employees. The first Hattie’s Café & Gifts opened in downtown Hudson in October 2006 with just a handful of employees. Only three years later, the Hattie’s Café franchise includes seven cafes and employs more than 30 people with disabilities. Hattie’s Café & Gifts benefits the economy by providing employment to a traditionally underserved population while at the same time operating a socially conscious and fundamentally sound business operation.

Community Solutions Most Treasured Volunteer, 2009

Diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder, Patricia put aside her difficulties with social interactions to become an irreplaceable member of the Hattie Larlham volunteer team. Each year, Patricia volunteers more than 100 hours to Hattie Larlham.

Crain’s Cleveland Business Health Care Heroes, 2009

In 2009, Hattie Larlham medical director Dr. Grossberg was honored with the prestigious Crain’s Cleveland Business Health Care Heroes Award. Dr. Grossberg entered a field of medical care in which there were no textbooks to prepare him. Often the first step in treatment is asking the question, “Where does it hurt?” Dr. Grossberg doesn’t have this luxury. To make a diagnosis, Dr. Grossberg must rely on subtle nonverbal cues from his patients and his years of working with people with disabilities.

Kent State University Outstanding Community Partner, 2009

Hattie Larlham was once again awarded the Outstanding Community Partner Award. Throughout the years, Hattie Larlham and Kent State have built an outstanding relationship, which has benefited both organizations. The university has partnered with Hattie Larlham for ongoing research and volunteer projects to help better the surrounding community.

Smart Business Magazine World Class Customer Service, 2009

For the second consecutive year, Hattie Larlham was honored with the World Class Customer Service Award. With new programs and the organization’s expansion of services, Hattie Larlham continues to pave the way for 21st century care for people with disabilities.

Exceptional Parent Magazine Maxwell J. Schleifer Distinguished Service Award, 2009

Hattie Larlham CEO Dennis Allen received the Distinguished Service Award for his tireless advocacy for people with developmental disabilities. Under Dennis’ leadership, Hattie Larlham launched innovative programs like Hattie’s Café & Gifts. Today, there are seven cafes throughout Northeast Ohio that employ more than 30 people with disabilities.

Summit County TBI Collaborative Award for Excellence, 2008

In Nov. 2008, the Summit County TBI Collaborative recognized Hattie Larlham CEO Dennis Allen for his involvement and vision in the area of traumatic brain injury. Under Allen’s leadership, the new Hattie Larlham program helps traumatic brain injury survivors lead full, active lives through new programs and services.

Akron Beacon Journal NEXT, 2008

The Akron Beacon Journal recognized the great social impact Hattie’s Café & Gifts has on people with disabilities and the surrounding communities—so much so that it created an entire new award category just for the cafe. In May 2008, the paper presented its NEXT Award for greatest social impact, the first of its kind, to Hattie Larlham and Hattie’s Cafe.

Akron Life and Leisure Best of Akron, 2008

The readers have spoken and Akron Life and Leisure listened. The local magazine had its readers vote for the best restaurants, coffee shops, among other local favorites. The July 2008 issue published the results, which included Hattie Larlham as the best local charity and Hattie’s Café received recognition, too, with its milkshakes being voted the second best in the area.

Cascade Capital Corporation Business Growth Awards, 2008

Cascade Capital Corporation awarded Hattie Larlham with its Overall Success achievement award for the contribution Hattie Larlham has made throughout community. It’s the second consecutive year Hattie Larlham was recognized for its achievement. For 14 years, Cascade Capital Corporation has recognized local organizations that increase sales by at least 100 percent or $5 million or by increasing employment by 50 percent or 25 employees.

Mandel Innovation Award, 2008

In 2008, Case Western Reserve University recognized Hattie Larlham’s innovative programs and services it provides to people with disabilities. The university award Hattie Larlham with its Mandel Innovation Award, an annual award honoring organizations that reshape services that have increased the organization's value and effectiveness to the community.

NorthCoast 99, 2008

In 2008, the Employer’s Resource Council (ERC) ranked Hattie Larlham among the 99 best places to work in Northeast Ohio. This distinction makes Hattie Larlham one of less than 300 companies to win this award. As a NorthCoast 99 organization, Hattie Larlham is in good company. Previous NorthCoast 99 winners include area companies recognized as Fortune 100 Best Places to Work and Working Mothers 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers.

Kent State University Outstanding Community Partner, 2008

Hattie Larlham received the Outstanding Community Partner Recognition, an annual award given by Kent State University. Throughout the past two years, Kent students have volunteered more than 1,000 hours at Hattie Larlham.

Ohio Health Worksite Award, 2008

Hattie Larlham received the 2008 Ohio Health Worksite Award for its efforts to keep employees healthy. The organization created a wellness initiative that included a voluntary walking program. A total of 36 teams signed up, and nearly 7 million steps were taken, which when measured, equals the distance between Ohio and California.

The Upside of Downs, 2008

The Upside of Downs of Greater Cleveland is a nonprofit organization that provides services for people with Down syndrome. In May 2008, the organization recognized Hattie Larlham and CEO Dennis Allen for helping better the lives of people with Down syndrome.

World Class Customer Service, 2008

On June 4, 2008, the Five Star World Class Customer Service Awards banquet, which recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional customer service, was held at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven. Hattie Larlham CEO Dennis Allen was at the event and accepted the award on behalf Hattie Larlham.

Cascade Capital Corporation Business Growth, 2007

This Program honors small businesses located in Summit, Medina, Portage, Wayne, Ashland and Holmes counties that have prominently increased sales or employment throughout the past five years. In 2007, Cascade Capital Corporation recognized Hattie Larlham as a local organization that exceeded the award’s requirements.

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist, 2007

Dennis Allen, CEO of Hattie Larlham, was announced as a finalist for the annual Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. In 18 years as the chief executive officer at Hattie Larlham, Allen has increased the number of people with disabilities who receive services from 180 to more than 1,400. During Allen's tenure as CEO, Hattie Larlham has grown to include the Hattie Larlham Research Institute; Hattie's Café and Constant Companions. Currently, he is overseeing the Hope At Work capital campaign, a $16 million construction and renovation project at the Hattie Larlham main facility in Mantua, Ohio.

Goodwill Employee of Distinction, 2007

In 2007, Summit County’s Goodwill Industries selected Angie Stricker, an 18-year Hattie Larlham employee, for its Employee of Distinction award. Angie won the award for her outstanding work ethic and motivation.

IDEA Awards, 2007

Hattie Larlham CEO Dennis Allen received an IDEA Award for his commitment to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Allen is responsible for creating new programs at Hattie Larlham like Hattie’s Café & Gifts and Constant Companions Doggie Day Care & Boarding. These programs create jobs and job training that were previously unobtainable to people with disabilities.

Leadership Ohio Award for Excellence in Health Care and Human Services, 2007

Hattie Larlham CEO Dennis Allen was recognized by Leadership Ohio for his leadership and entrepreneurship. Under Allen's direction, Hattie Larlham opened Hattie’s Café & Gifts and Constant Companions Doggie Day Care and Boarding, two new programs developed to create jobs for people with disabilities. Leadership Ohio is an educational organization developed for emerging leaders to learn about and discuss key issues impacting the future of Ohio.

Ohio Public Images Awards, 2007

Hattie Larlham won two Ohio Public Images awards for its Web site and annual report. The Ohio Public Images awards recognize organizations that advocate and create awareness for people with disabilities.

Plain Dealer Best Northeast Ohio Milkshakes, 2007

In the summer 2007, Joe Crea, a Plain Dealer food editor, sampled milkshakes from around Northeast Ohio in search of the area’s best. Crea rated the Hudson, Ohio, Hattie’s Café & Gifts chocolate-peanut butter shake as one of the best in Northeast Ohio. “I couldn’t (OK, wouldn’t) put it down,” Crea said of the shake.

Smart Business Visionary, 2007

Smart Business magazine announced Dennis Allen, Hattie Larlham CEO, an Innovation in Business award winner. Allen was selected as a 2007 visionary. The award celebrates innovative business leaders. Allen was selected for the award because of the development of programs like Hattie’s Café & Gifts and Constant Companions Doggie Day Care & Boarding, which provide real-world training and experience to people with disabilities.

MarCom, 2006

The MarCom Creative Awards named Hattie Larlham a 2006 Gold Award winner for its new website. The second generation Hattie Larlham replaced the original website in the early summer of 2006 as a way promote and celebrate the organization's 45 anniversary.

NorthCoast99, 2006

In 2006, the Employer’s Resource Council (ERC) ranked Hattie Larlham among the 99 best places to work in Northeast Ohio. This distinction makes Hattie Larlham one of less than 300 companies to win this award. As a NorthCoast 99 organization, Hattie Larlham is in good company. Previous NorthCoast 99 winners include area companies recognized as Fortune 100 Best Places to Work and Working Mothers 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers. The winners are also showcased in the September 2006 issue of Inside Business Magazine. Thanks to everyone who made this milestone possible.

Ohio Public Images, 2006

Hattie Larlham received five Ohio Public Images (OPI) awards in recognition of its work to promote awareness of developmental disabilities. Hattie Larlham was recognized for its marketing efforts, Web site design, public services announcements and its calendar that included art created by people with disabilities.

The OPIs were created in conjunction with Ohio Public Images, Inc. and the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council to show support for organizations that advocate and create awareness for people with disabilities. Read the story from the 2007 Ohio Public Images award luncheon.

Medicaid, 2006

Sometimes not being recognized is the best kind of recognition. In 2006, three Hattie Larlham community homes received no citations when Medicaid reviewed them. Given the rigorous standards that govern facilities like these, this is quite an accomplishment. As further testament to the dedication of the employees at these facilities, one of the three homes also received no Medicaid citations in 2005.

Graphic Design USA, 2005

Graphic Design USA named Hattie Larlham a 2005 American Graphic Design Award winner for the logo design and identification package for Constant Companions, a Hattie Larlham animal therapy program based in Cincinnati. The new Constant Companions identity package included a logo, tagline, letterhead, envelope, business card, banner display stand, brochure and publication materials.

Award winners were selected by a nationwide panel of judges from a variety of national magazines and design firms. Only 10 percent of the entries were honored.

Ohio Public Images, 2005

In 2005 Ohio Public Images, Inc. (OPI) and the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council awarded Hattie Larlham five Media and Awareness Awards for its effort to create a greater understanding of people with developmental disabilities . Hattie Larlham received two Awards of Excellence in the categories of Audio-Visual Production and Annual Report and won an Award of Merit in the Web site category.

The annual Media and Awareness Awards, sponsored by OPI and the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, are designed to honor individuals and organizations throughout Ohio who promote positive awareness of people with developmental disabilities. Judges consider entries for organization, technical quality, clarity, overall impact and the entry’s contribution to increasing the understanding of developmental disabilities.

MarCom, 2004

MarCom Creative Awards named Hattie Larlham a 2004 gold finalist for the marketing and promotional material related to the feature garden exhibit at the 2004 National City Cleveland Home and Garden Show. The feature garden played off the show theme, “There’s No Place Like Home!’ A Tribute to the Wizard of Oz.

To relate the work done for children and adults with developmental disabilities, Hattie Larlham’s feature garden focused on the film’s central theme of self-discovery by updating the journey of the four main characters—the Tin Man (heart), the Cowardly Lion (courage), the Scarecrow (mind) and Dorothy (home).

The MarCom Creative Awards is an international awards program that recognizes achievement by marketing and communications practitioners. In the 2004 competition, Hattie Larlham was among 3,344 entries from throughout the United States and several foreign countries.