The Power of Purpose: Kennedy Center Awards Dinner/Annual Meeting

The Power of Purpose will be the focus of The Kennedy Center’s 68th Annual Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 4 at the Bridgeport Holiday Inn. The social hour begins at 6 p.m., followed by the dinner, annual meeting, and awards at 7 p.m.

John D. Kemp, Esq. of Long Island, a renowned global advocate, will be the keynote speaker.

He is the President & CEO of The Viscardi Center in Albertson, NY, a non-profit organization providing a life span of services that educate, employ and empower people with disabilities. As a person with a disability who uses four prostheses, Kemp has more than 50 years of direct experience in the disability movement and has partnered with, worked for and served as board member and CEO of some of the leading disability and nonprofit organizations. Among his many achievements is co-founding the American Association of People with Disabilities with Paul G. Hearne in 1995.

Kemp has been widely recognized for his lifelong contributions to disability advocacy. In March 2006, Kemp received the Henry B. Betts Award, widely regarded as America’s highest honor for disability leadership and service. In December 2014, he received the Dole Leadership Prize at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas—the first disability leader to receive the distinction and be personally selected by former U.S. Senator Robert Dole. Kemp joined a prestigious group of international recipients including Nelson Mandela and former U.S. Presidents George H.W. Bush and William J. Clinton.

In addition to Kemp’s keynote address, The Kennedy Center Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting recognizes and pays tribute to those who have made outstanding personal achievements or significant contributions to people with disabilities. The evening acknowledges the accomplishments of persons with disabilities, area employers, volunteers, employees and support professionals.

Annual awards that will be announced that evening, include the accomplishments of the following area employers, volunteers, staff and persons with disabilities:

Congratulations to our 2019 Award Winners:

Community Partner Award – Shop Rite – Derby

Employer of the Year Award – Premier Graphics -Stratford

Employee of the Year Award – Everett Harkins - Bridgeport

The James Rebeta Individual Achievement Award – Monique Webb (will email once verified)

The DSP Empowerment Award – Tracy Ernst – Westbrook

The Employee Impact Award – Renee Lucas – Shelton

Bob Brown Volunteer of the Year Award – Reginias Davis – Stratford

Communications Service Award – Cara Mocarski - Shelton

The Kennedy Center will also be honoring Employees with 20-plus years of service.

Area residents serving on the Annual Meeting Committee include: Bridgeport residents Mary Brown, Co-Chair and Teri Brown; Trumbull residents Joe Dennin, Randye Kaye, and David Kmetz; Michele Macauda of Monroe, Pietro Andres, M.D. of Fairfield, Dottie Kellersman of Shelton, Jo Ann McMullan of Wilton; Dan Long of Cheshire; Debra Kane of Ansonia; and Rachelle Mitchell, Co-Chair of Milford.

Tickets for the Annual Awards Dinner are $50 per person. Register online at www.thekennedycenterinc.org or call 203-365-8522, ext. 2039. The Kennedy Center, founded in 1951, is an internationally accredited, non-profit, community-based rehabilitation organization that currently serves over 2,200 individuals annually. The agency actively responds to the needs of the community by offering innovative, comprehensive service options to persons with disabilities and special needs, from birth to senior years. The Kennedy Center operates 31 community experience programs,16 group homes, an industries program composed of five Social Enterprises, supported and competitive employment and job placement services, a family support and respite service, travel training, and a variety of children’s programs.