News

September 2010

CSI Announces the Recipient of the John Stein Employee of the Year Award for 2010

During Community Solution's recent Annual Program Director Meeting, Aileen O’Brien, Senior Area Director for CSI’s Adult Division  was surprised when her family along with Bob Pidgeon, CEO, interrupted the meeting to present her with CSI’s John Stein Employee ofthe Year Award.

In presenting the award to Aileen, Bob Pidgeon cited the many nominations and the numerous accolades received on her behalf from fellow employees.

 The purpose of the award is twofold: To recognize outstanding employee contributions towards achieving the mission of CommunitySolutions and to continue the memory of John Stein, a colleague whose service to CSI and friendship to all should not be forgotten. The selection process is based on the employee’s continual efforts to go beyond the daily work of the individual in service and job performance.

O’Brien, who joined CSI in 1990, is currently celebrating 20 years of service with the organization.

“I was stunned and quite humbled,” Aileen said, of winning the award.

 “I was very glad to receive it. It is quite an honor being recognized by so many people and especially by my own staff. They are a great group of people and I wouldn’t be here without them and everyone else I worked with over the years. I was truly overwhelmed by the whole experience.”

When asked for her most memorable moment at CSI, Aileen spoke of a client at Cheyney House who struggled with severe mental health and substance abuse issues and probably would have gone back if it were not for giving him a sense of purpose and focus by allowing him to exercise his artistic talents by painting murals and creating art from whatever he could find. This freedom allowed Mario to gain some self confidence and to go on to a successful life outside prison. Mario honored Aileen by presenting her with a Certificate of Appreciation he made himself out of found items. The certificate still hangs in Aileen’s office to remind her of her greatest success.

Aileen reports to Sherry Albert, Vice President of Adult Services, who said, “We all come into to this field hoping to change just one life, Aileen has changed hundreds if not thousands including her staff. We all count on her for her knowledge, honest feedback and her discretion.”