The Guidance Center (TGC) hosted its annual Employee Appreciation and Years of Service Recognition event June 6 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s KOA dining hall.

This celebration honored the organization’s staff and marked the one-year anniversary of TGC’s new mission statement, “Together, Guiding, Change.” The event, to which all employees are invited to attend, showcased the collective effort and positive impact of the organization’s mission, representatives said.

During the event, Executive Director Dr. Denise Bean praised staff and expressed her gratitude for their collective efforts in working together to build positive change. She also highlighted TGC’s community partnerships in the past year, updates to programs, being recipients of the Exemplary Business Award and recent collaboration with the McKean County Department of Human Services to establish a new Crisis Walk-in Center in McKean County. This initiative aims to further expand essential behavioral health services and ensure a safe place for individuals in crisis to seek immediate support. Board President Shane Oschman also took time to address employees, thanking them for their hard work over the past year and congratulating those who were honored for milestone years of service.

Honorees included Rose Mancuso, Bonnie Wilson and Tania Giest for 25 years; Ken Hansen for 15 years; Meghan Hollenbeck and Jenn Douglass for 10 years; and Lorraine Smith, Sarah McCarty, Alexis Bishop and Tina Cary for five years.

A special moment during the program was dedicated to remembering TGC employees Christina Hansen and Dr. Widad Bazzoui, who passed away this past year. Dr. Bazzoui, who served as TGC’s medical director for many years, was known for his pivotal role in bringing essential behavioral health services to the region. His profound work has had a lasting impact on both the agency and the surrounding communities.

The event featured a lineup of fun activities, including entertainment by artist and caricature drawer Eric Jones, the presentation of TGC office awards, a photobooth and a coworker scavenger hunt. Employees were also treated to a luncheon.

For more information about The Guidance Center, visit guidancecenter.net or call (814) 362-6535.