United Counseling Service (UCS) celebrates staff at its annual Staff Recognition Luncheon June 21

United Counseling Service (UCS) celebrated its staff of over 300 at its annual Staff Recognition Luncheon on June 21 at the Sacred Heart Saint Francis de Sales Parish House in Bennington, VT. Staff, board members, and community partners from all over Bennington County enjoyed a catered lunch from Mach’s Market in Pawlet, VT, at UCS’ most well-attended recognition luncheon to date.

“This year marks 65 years of United Counseling Service building a stronger community by providing comprehensive services to Bennington County,” says UCS Executive Director, Lorna Mattern. “Despite the challenges of the past several years, we continue to work together to serve more than 3,000 of your friends and neighbors annually and we are more than 320 employees strong.”

Several UCS team members received awards recognizing years of service starting at five years, as well as team and individual excellence. Community members were also recognized for their commitment to UCS’ mission.

UCS staff members who received awards at the 2023 luncheon included The Emergency Services and Family Emergency Services team recognized with the Team Excellence Award; Rebecca Bishop Ware and Nancy Lively recognized with the 25 Year Service Award; Jaci Brillon recognized with the Julie Held Award; and Erin Shulman and Eva Leonetti received the Gerrit Kouwenhoven Staff Development Award. Community awards include Jessica McCrae Massey who was recognized with the Cleveland E. and Phyllis B. Dodge Community Service Award; and Jennie Moon and the Early Intervention Team received the Harold C. “Archie” Warner Memorial Award.

United Counseling Service (UCS) is a private, non-profit community mental health center that has been an essential part of Bennington County’s integrated healthcare system since 1958. The organization has been designated as a Center of Excellence by Vermont Care Partners. UCS promotes healthy lifestyles through all its programs and offers care at 15 different facilities, including two primary outpatient facilities in Bennington and Manchester. UCS provides outpatient counseling and addiction services, emergency mental health services, extensive rehabilitation services, home and school-based services, employment services for people recovering from mental illness or with developmental disabilities, and early childhood services. For more information visit www.ucsvt.org.