Recently, we recognized four very deserving people for the incredible work they do in our community. The 2023 APA Award Winners are:

Outstanding Leader, Elizabeth Bangel-Stehlin

Outstanding Service Provider, Suzanne Piper-Baird

Outstanding Project: Creative Connections in Collaboration with Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio, Kristin Cooley (Creative Connections); Angie Homoelle (Catholic Charities)

This is the first of a series of profiles to feature the winners. Read on to learn more about our Outstanding Project winners.

APA: What is your name and job title? Tell us a bit about your organization.

Kristin Cooley, Program Director – Giving Voice Foundation
We are a grassroots non-profit that offers creative opportunities for support and engagement for local individuals with a dementia diagnosis and their care partners. Creative Connections is our music & movement program that has a caregiver support group that occurs simultaneously. We also offer monthly floral arranging classes (Brains in Bloom), ballroom dancing classes (Dancing to Remember), guided caregiver writing workshops (Caring for the Caregiver). In addition, we offer free consultations with licensed social workers to access local resources, dementia education, and comprehensive care planning (Purposeful Planning Program).

Angie Homoelle, Caregiver Assistance Network Coordinator – Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio

We serve and empower people through God’s love in their times of vulnerability. We do this through a full range of local services that engage the community in building solidarity.

APA: How long have you lived in Cincinnati? Where else have you called home?Kristin: I’ve lived in Cincinnati since 2010. I am a born and bred Hoosier that ultimately jumped the state line…My hometown is Batesville, IN.

Angie: I was born and raised in Cincinnati. I know you’ll ask – so I went to McAuley High School. I’ve also lived in Nashville and Chicago. There are lots of wonderful places in this world, but Cincinnati is hard to beat!

APA: Thinking about your professional life, what are you most proud of?
Kristin: I’ve always been fueled by genuine connection with others, so I’m very proud of the community programs I’ve helped to create over the years.

Angie: I’m most proud of the growth of our caregiver support program. We’ve tripled the number of hours served per year since I started coordinating the program seven years ago. Creative Connections is a significant part of that!

APA:  If we were to ask your best friend about you, what would they say?
Kristin: I would hope they would say I’m loyal, loving and supportive. But I really think my besties would say “that girl is WEIRD!”

Angie: She cares for everyone she comes in contact with.