2025 Rising Star and ARRM Cares Award Finalists 

The Rising Star Award

• Alejandro Castro - Living Well Disability Services
• Bonnie Jenson - CCRI, Inc.
• Jeannie Hicks - TLC of Duluth
• Thomas Kelley - Dungarvin Minnesota, LLC

The ARRM Cares Award

• Alana Storch - The Lutheran Home: Hope Residence
• Allison Eider - Dungarvin
• Daniel Hymer - Companion Linc
• Dominic Haugen - DRCC
• Julie Hanson - CCRI, Inc.
• Kim Sirek - Mount Olivet Rolling Acres
• Marielle Clark - CCRI, Inc.
• Talasia Riley - Living Well Disability Services
• Tyler Michelizzi - Trillium Services
• Zockinna Bell - The Phoenix Residence, Inc.

Access our 2025 ARRM Cares Award Press Release Here.

An Opportunity to Recognize Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)

The ARRM Cares Award was established to recognize professionals from ARRM members who provide direct care and demonstrate a commitment to quality services. ARRM supports and encourages our members to acknowledge their employees’ dedication and service through this award process. All nominees are recognized by ARRM and their employers as the top our field has to offer, while six winners are selected each year who represent outstanding and extraordinary dedication, innovation and skill. Winners receive a $1,000 award and are celebrated in a special ceremony. 

Nominees must meet the criteria below to be considered. All nominations are printed for event attendees and may be shared publicly by ARRM. Please ensure that submissions are professionally written and do not include confidential information. Nominations are subject to editing by the selection committee for length, consistency, clarity, and grammar.

Employees eligible for nomination meet the following criteria:

• An agency must be an ARRM Member to submit a nomination
• Staff must do direct care for at least 75 percent of their total job
• One nominee per form – no group nominations (i.e., please don't nominate an entire program site)
• Two hundred (200) word limit for each of the submission categories – nominations over this limit will NOT be considered
• Additional details and tips are provided on the form