Honoring Kelly Strickland: 2025 Ron Kozlowski Advocacy Award Recipient
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- Jul 14
- 5 min read
We are thrilled to announce that Kelly Strickland, house manager at Our Lady of the Wayside, has been selected as the 2025 Ron Kozlowski Advocacy Award honoree, a recognition that celebrates her remarkable 25-year journey of service, unwavering commitment to individuals with developmental disabilities, and embodiment of the very spirit of advocacy and compassionate care that defines the best in developmental disability services. This honor reflects not only Kelly's professional excellence but also her profound impact on the lives of countless individuals and families who have been touched by her compassionate care, innovative communication methods, and steadfast advocacy throughout her career. Her story is one of dedication that goes far beyond job responsibilities, representing a calling that has transformed both her own life and the lives of those she serves with such purpose.
About the Ron Kozlowski Advocacy Award
The Ron Kozlowski Advocacy Award honors individuals outside of APSI who demonstrate lifetime achievement in advocacy for individuals with developmental disabilities. This award recognizes those who have maintained a long-term connection with advocacy efforts within the developmental disability service system, making lasting impacts that extend far beyond their daily responsibilities.
Kelly Strickland exemplifies everything this award represents: a lifetime of dedication, an unwavering commitment to advocacy, and a profound impact on the lives of those she serves.
A Calling Born from Love
For Kelly, working with individuals with developmental disabilities represents something transformative. "There is something truly special about being able to care for individuals with disabilities. It's not just what I do, it's who I am," she shares.
This philosophy permeates every aspect of Kelly's work. As house manager at Our Lady of the Wayside, she manages not only the logistics of daily operations, including handling paperwork, creating schedules for staff and clients, coordinating with families, and assisting with medical appointments, but also fosters an environment where meaningful connections flourish.
The Art of Communication Beyond Words
One of Kelly's gifts lies in her ability to connect with individuals who are unable to communicate verbally. Rather than seeing communication barriers, Kelly sees opportunities for creative connection. "Most of the individuals I work with are non-verbal, but that doesn't stop us from connecting. Over time, we've created our own ways of communicating… each one unique, each one meaningful. One might hug me because he wants an apple; another will come up and give me a gentle peck on the cheek."
These moments highlight Kelly's talent for truly understanding and warmly responding to each person's unique needs and preferences. Her patience and instinctive care help create a welcoming space where clients feel safe, appreciated, and truly valued.
A Nominator's Testimony
Barbara Madachik, who nominated Kelly for this honor, speaks as a grateful mother whose son has been touched by Kelly's exceptional care. Barbara's nomination reveals the depth of Kelly's impact: "Kelly is a professional employee who has exceptional working skills with the adult special needs population. She not only helps clients, but she helps families using her excellent communication abilities."
Barbara's personal connection to Kelly's work truly highlights her character: "My son loves to give Kelly hugs – that is a huge gesture as touch is hard for my son." Her statement highlights Kelly's skill in building trust and comfort with those hesitant about physical contact and social interaction.
Despite living far from the group home, Barbara credits Kelly with making it possible for their family to maintain regular connection. "She made it possible for us to get together regularly. Kelly also gave us specific help with our son's behavior. She never gave up on helping him to become the man he is today."
Even while pursuing her nursing degree, a testament to her commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, Kelly maintains her dedication to her current role. Her impressive ability to juggle several responsibilities without ever sacrificing the quality of care she offers is genuinely inspiring.
Meaningful Moments
Among the many stories that could be shared about Kelly's impact, one stands out as particularly meaningful to her. Kelly lovingly speaks of a young woman she calls "my little pumpkin," who came to Our Lady of the Wayside facing significant challenges.
"She came to us with severe behavioral challenges, health concerns, and difficulty adjusting to change. It wasn't easy at first, but with patience, teamwork, and love, we helped her make remarkable progress. Her eating habits changed, her health improved, and her behavior became more manageable."
The culmination of this journey came at a moment that Kelly treasures: "And the day I got to dress her for her graduation—seeing her beam with pride as a 21-year-old young woman—I felt overwhelmed with joy. We had accomplished something beautiful together. Being part of her journey reminded me that this is so much more than a job. It's a calling. It's passion. It's love."
This story truly showcases what makes Kelly so extraordinary: her incredible patience when faced with challenges, her warm and collaborative spirit in solving problems, her genuine joy in celebrating each person's successes, and her heartfelt understanding that her work is about much more than just a professional duty.
Everyday Advocacy
Perhaps most remarkably, Kelly approaches her extraordinary work with genuine humility. As Barbara observes, "Kelly never draws attention to herself," yet her impact is undeniable. This humility, combined with what Barbara describes as Kelly's "contagious smile," creates an atmosphere where others feel valued and inspired.
Kelly's perspective on her work reflects this humility: "These gestures remind me that just being present, just being me, is enough. And that is a wonderful, humbling feeling." In a world that often emphasizes grand gestures, Kelly finds meaning in simply being present and authentic with those she serves.
Barbara captures this beautifully: "Kelly is so positive and carries a compassionate spirit: she demonstrates her skills in a gentle way. All those around her are touched by her example and love." Kelly's influence creates a culture of compassion that elevates everyone involved.
Kelly understands the broader significance of her work and articulates it with clarity and passion: "This work matters deeply—not only to the individuals we care for but to their families and the entire community."
Her motivation is clear: "That's why I advocate, that's why I show up each day with joy and purpose—because I know I'm making a difference. And in return, the individuals I support have changed my life in ways I could never have imagined."
As we celebrate Kelly Strickland's recognition as the 2025 honoree of the Ron Kozlowski Advocacy Award, we also look forward to the continued impact of her work. Her example serves as an inspiration to current and future professionals in the field, demonstrating that exceptional care comes from the heart and that true advocacy is built on relationships, understanding, and unwavering commitment.
Kelly's story reminds us that some of the most important work in our society happens quietly, day by day, through individuals who see their work not as a job, but as a calling. Her dedication to "showing up each day with joy and purpose" creates immeasurable value in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
As Barbara so beautifully concluded in her nomination: "Thank you Kelly for your selfless hours of work, even though you don't look at it as work. Your smile is contagious!"