On Friday, June 6, 2025, The Guidance Center (TGC) hosted its annual Employee Appreciation and Years of Service Recognition event at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s KOA dining hall. This celebration honored the organization’s dedicated staff and marked the one-year anniversary of TGC’s new mission statement, “Together, Guiding, Change.” The event truly showcased the collective effort and positive impact of the organization’s mission. All employees are invited to attend.
During the event, Dr. Denise Bean, PhD, Executive Director of The Guidance Center, 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 Years of Service Honorees.
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 game. Employees were also treated to a luncheon.
During the event, employees who reached significant years of service milestones were recognized. Honorees included:
- 25 years: Rose Mancuso, Bonnie Wilson, and Tania Giest
- 15 years: Ken Hansen
- 10 years: Meghan Hollenbeck and Jenn Douglass
- 5 years: Lorraine Smith, Sarah McCarty, Alexis Bishop, and Tina Cary
The celebration concluded with all employees receiving gifts from the organization.