Employee Profiles
Employee Appreciation Awards
The Beryl Wolney Award was named after a woman who worked at St. Ann's Residence for many years. The women there cherished her as a beloved friend; there was no one they respected more than Beryl. She was a role model to all of the staff and a very humble person--a kind and loving friend to everyone. Beryl lived a life of service to others and that is where she found her joy in life.
Beryl Wolney Award:
Lyly Dao, Harmony House Coordinator
Lyly Dao has been employed at Wingspan since 2020. She was originally hired as a direct support professional at Harmony and, within six months, was promoted to the house coordinator position. Lyly is extremely dedicated to every individual who comes through Harmony, and she demonstrates a high level of positive regard for the human condition. Harmony often faces challenging behaviors, and Lyly works compassionately with each person to provide positive support strategies and tools to help them progress toward no longer needing crisis services.
Lyly is dedicated to following both Wingspan’s and the Metro Crisis Coordination Program’s guidelines and expectations, and she is extremely competent in her job responsibilities. She has volunteered to assist the Harmony program director and others with her technology skills and has helped numerous Wingspan house coordinators and program directors complete demanding reports, including Positive Support Transition Plans, Functional Behavioral Assessments and Behavioral Incident Reporting Forms. Staff across Wingspan often go directly to Lyly with questions about technology and paperwork.
She has also provided training and scheduling assistance at many Moratorium Exception homes and ensures that all 245D licensing protocols are in place. She has done exceptionally well with AFC licensing each year. Lyly has a great deal of integrity, and she is highly valued at both Wingspan and the Metropolitan Crisis Coordination Program.
Employee of the Year Award:
Hue Tran, Clinton & Idaho Houses Direct Support Professional
Program Director Deb Hofbauer first met Hue nine years ago when she became House Coordinator at 16th Ave. Hue immediately stood out as a positive role model for staff and a strong advocate for the women living there. She helped Deb learn the residents’ preferences, offered insight into what had or hadn’t worked in the past, and remained open to new ideas—laying the foundation for a strong working relationship.
Although Wingspan was Hue’s second full-time job, she was always willing to pick up shifts or attend meetings outside her normal hours. She consistently prioritized the women’s needs, even adjusting her own schedule to make sure they could attend church or outings. Deb recalls visiting one Saturday morning to find each woman enjoying a different homemade breakfast. When Deb joked that it looked like a restaurant, Hue simply replied, “I just made them what they asked for.”
Hue’s kindness shone during a winter night when the furnace went out. While Deb worked on a solution, Hue offered to bring all the women to her own home so they would be safe and warm—an act of generosity that Deb has never forgotten. More recently, Hue offered to cross-train at other homes and has been a huge support at Idaho, especially caring for a client on hospice with one-on-one staffing needs.
Hue’s attention to detail, from monitoring household needs to spotting maintenance issues before they become problems. Program Director Deb Hofbauer feels honored to nominate Hue—along with co-worker Chrissy and Program Director Lori—for this award, recognizing her many years of dedicated service to Wingspan, the ladies at Clinton Ave, and the gentlemen at Idaho.
Employee of the Year Award:
Adolphus Dolo, Thomas House Coordinator
Program Director Julie Leiferman is honored to nominate Adolphus Dolo for the 2025 Employee of the Year Award. Adolphus has been a dedicated caregiver at Thomas House for 17 years, consistently demonstrating professionalism, compassion, and leadership.
He takes the time to understand each resident personally, learning their likes, dislikes, and interests, which allows him to provide highly personalized care. His friendly demeanor and respectful approach have fostered trust and comfort with both residents and families.
In addition to caregiving excellence, Adolphus builds strong relationships with families. His communication is thoughtful and reassuring, and his leadership ensures every resident receives consistent, high-quality care. Families have shared heartfelt testimonials about the difference he has made:
“Adolphus is a great leader at Thomas House. Everyone is well taken care of and all their needs are met. Lori is very happy at her Thomas House and knows Adolphus will help her with anything they need. He makes sure his staff takes great care of the girls. Lori and Tina have been enjoying going to Plato for the Dance night.” — Renee & Donna
“Adolphus has been a welcome addition to Thomas House. My sister Lori is comforted by his kindness and feels comfortable asking him for anything that she needs. We are grateful.” — Donna James
Adolphus’s unwavering dedication, compassionate care, and leadership make him an outstanding candidate for this honor.
Leadership Award:
Cache Calloway, Hope House Coordinator
It is with great pleasure that Program Director Julie Leiferman nominates Cache Calloway for the Leadership Award, recognizing individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the women of Hope House.
Cache’s positive attitude, patience, creativity, and commitment to teaching through role modeling have helped create an environment where both residents and staff thrive. Her strong work ethic, clear structure, firm boundaries, and professionalism leave a lasting impression on everyone she works with. Families and guardians consistently express their appreciation; one mother shared, “I used to come over to the house all the time, but now that Cache is there, I don’t have to stop in as often because I trust Cache!”
Cache ensures residents stay current on medical appointments and maintains ongoing communication with healthcare providers. She manages a complex schedule for twenty staff while organizing meaningful activities for the women—work she handles with clarity and dedication.
Cache’s commitment to continued learning and mentorship, which strengthens teamwork and supports a culture of growth across Hope House. Her impact is significant, and her dedication is felt deeply by the residents and staff of Hope House.
