Awards and Recognition

2010 Four-Star Charity (Out of Four) by Charity Navigator
Sheltering Arms Senior Services received a four-star rating of "exceptional" from Charity Navigator, the nation's largest independent charity evaluator for 2010. The system evaluates two areas of the organization's financial health-organizational efficiency and organizational capacity. This rating indicated that Sheltering Arms Senior Services "exceeded industry standards and outperformed most charities."

2010 Highest Standards For Charity Accountability by the better business bureau
In it's June 2010 report on Sheltering Arms, a Better Business Bureau (BBB) Accredited charity, the BBB determined that we have met all 20 BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards for Charity Accountability. According to the BBB, "The standards seek to encourage fair and honest solicitation practices, to promote ethical conduct by charitable organizations and to advance support of philanthropy."

Practice Change Fellowship
In 2007, Jane Bavineau, vice president at Sheltering Arms Senior Services and executive director of Care for Elders, was named a Practice Change Fellow by the Atlantic Philanthropies. The program provides Bavineau with $90,000 to implement a new geriatric project in Sheltering Arms Case Management, Hospital to Home, that supports elderly heart patients in their transition home from a hospital stay.

2007 Direct Care Conference Hands That Care Award
Paula Williams, kitchen and nutrition specialist at the Sheltering Arms Day Center, was awarded a 2007 Hands That Care Award for her dedication to older adults. A Sheltering Arms employee since 1996, Williams volunteered to take on additional responsibilities and also serves as early morning receptionist, greeter, and field trip supervisor.

2006 Joseph C. Valley Community Advocate Award
The University of Texas School of Nursing-Houston honored Jane Bavineau, vice president at Sheltering Arms Senior Services and executive director for Care for Elders, with the 2006 Joseph C. Valley Community Advocate Award for her sustained commitment to the elderly. The award, supported by the Joseph C. Valley Memorial Trust Fund for Gerontological Nursing, was established to pay tribute to individuals who have dedicated their lives trying to improve the lives of older adults.

2005 Social Worker of the Year Award
The National Association of Social Workers - Houston named Jan Edwards, director of Sheltering Arms Case Management Services, Social Worker of the Year for 2005. The award honors a member of the organization who exemplifies the best of the profession's values and achievements through specific accomplishments. Jan was selected for her untiring dedication to advocating for clients, and embodying social works' core values of service, social justice, integrity, competence and the dignity and worth of each person.

2004 Social Worker of the Year Award
The National Association of Social Workers - Houston named Jane Bavineau, a Sheltering Arms vice president and executive director for Care For Elders, Social Worker of the Year for 2004. Jane was selected for her demonstrable contributions to social policy and social work practice, her outstanding leadership, and her hard work in achieving outstanding results for Houston's elderly and their caregivers.

2004 Direct Care Conference Hands That Care Award
Sheltering Arms Day Center activity assistant Ron Deyo won a 2004 Direct Care Conference Hands That Care Award for his excellence in providing care for the elderly.

2004 Outstanding Contributions to the Adult Protective Service Program Award
In 2004, Jan Edwards, Director of Case Management Services for Sheltering Arms, received a special recognition award from Adult Protective Services for Outstanding Contributions to the Adult Protective Service Program.

2004 Dedicated to Promoting Program Excellence Award
Sheltering Arms Senior Services and the Sheltering Arms Lifeline program won the 2004 Dedicated to Promoting Program Excellence award. The agency was honored for its excellence in providing quality service and its dedication in promoting the independence of elders.

2004 Mental Health Association's Outstanding Community Education Award
Esther Steinberg, project coordinator for the Healthy IDEAS program at Sheltering Arms, won the Mental Health Association's Outstanding Community Education Award for her untiring dedication as a volunteer. Her work for the association has included giving educational presentations, collecting data for a senior mental health needs assessment, and organizing professional seminars.