MetroLINK and HC Duke & Sons were among Quad Cities champions of inclusion who recently received Catalyst Awards from The Arc of the Quad Cities.
Individual inclusion leaders Connie Allen and Kathy Weiman also were honored at the 2023 Catalyst Award “Igniting a Passion for Inclusion” celebration on Friday, Aug. 4, at the Quad Cities Botanical Center in Rock Island.
The annual awards grew out of The Arc’s “passion for inclusion and we share that passion with honorees who have championed tirelessly for the dignity, independence, and full societal participation of all people with disabilities,” the organization said in a news release.
This year’s honorees join a roster of other local business, community and individual leaders who have received the honor since The Arc created the Catalyst Awards in 2015.
The 2023 Awards and those who received them were:
- HC Duke & Sons: Business Partner of the Year Award – The East Moline ice cream equipment supplier was recognized for supporting a positive workplace culture that includes people with disabilities, the organization said. Through a partnership with The Arc, the ElectroFreeze seller and manufacturer utilized the talents of people with disabilities.
- MetroLINK: Community Partner of the Year Award – The Rock Island County mass transit agency was honored for bringing people with disabilities into the workplace and for exhibiting outstanding corporate culture. MetroLINK also received the award for its strong working partnership with The Arc, which the agency said is paramount in the continuity of care for the people The Arc serves. MetroLINK provides reliable, dependable service but their dedicated, courteous drivers are what make this partnership standout, The Arc said.
- Connie Allen: Evelyn Colberg Memorial Award – Ms. Allen received the award for her long-time commitment to serve the needs of people with disabilities through her work with Scott County Special Olympics. She has dedicated her life to helping others and has opened many opportunities for people with disabilities, The Arc said. The Evelyn Colberg Memorial Award is named on behalf of a dedicated volunteer and founding member of The Arc of the Quad Cities Area.
- Kathy Weiman: Lifetime Service Award – A former employee of The Arc, she also is the retired executive director of Alternatives. The Arc said Ms. Weiman is a passionate nonprofit leader who has spent over 35 years fighting for the rights of many people including people with disabilities. The organization called her an inspiring leader who has been a catalyst for change via improving the entire human resources sector in the Quad Cities.
The 2023 Catalyst Awards and the event were made possible through the generosity of its sponsors. They included Title Sponsor Quad City Bank & Trust; Advocacy Sponsors SENB Bank and Modern Woodmen of America; Table Sponsors Quad Cities Investment Group, Eaton, Life Breads Gluten Free Bakery, Mutual of America and Northwest Bank & Trust Co.
