2026 Golden Service Award

We are proud to announce Danielle Powers as this year’s Golden Service Award recipient!

Danielle has been part of our Nashua Center family since 2008. She began her journey in Day Services, providing respite support before becoming a dedicated staff member for an individual she worked closely with for many years. In 2011, she joined our LIFE-OP program at Nashua Community College before taking some time away to focus on her family. Danielle returned in 2018, and we have been fortunate to have her as part of our team ever since.

Today, Danielle plays an important role in LIFE-OP. From helping train new staff to creating and maintaining a welcoming and engaging classroom environment at Nashua Community College, she brings creativity, patience, and dedication to everything she does. She is always looking for new ways to make learning meaningful and enjoyable for the individuals we serve.

One of Danielle's greatest strengths is her ability to connect with people. She takes the time to get to know each individual, understand their interests, and recognize their unique abilities. She has a special way of making new participants feel comfortable, welcomed, and heard as they adjust to the program. She also builds strong, lasting relationships with families, guardians, and coworkers, earning their trust through her kindness, consistency, and genuine care.

Danielle believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to explore their interests, make their own choices, and work toward goals that are important to them. She is always thinking outside the box to help make those goals possible. Whether it's supporting someone in starting a pizza delivery business, creating a greeting card business, or writing a script for a television show, Danielle finds ways to turn an individual's ideas into opportunities to learn, grow, and build confidence.

Her approach truly reflects the importance of person-centered support. Danielle listens, encourages, and advocates for the individuals she works with, always respecting their preferences and independence. She recognizes that success looks different for everyone and takes pride in helping each person achieve their own milestones, big or small.

What also sets Danielle apart is her willingness to go above and beyond. She often spends her own time researching ideas, developing materials, and finding new resources to make each individual's experience more meaningful. She doesn't simply focus on what needs to get done. She thinks about what will make a difference in someone's day and how she can help them continue moving forward.

Danielle is also a valued member of our team. Her experience, knowledge, and willingness to help others make her someone her coworkers can turn to for guidance and support. She leads by example, sharing what she has learned over the years while always remaining open to new ideas and approaches.

Danielle represents so much of what Nashua Center is about: caring for others, recognizing individual abilities, encouraging independence, and helping people reach their full potential.

We are grateful for Danielle's many years of service, the relationships she has built, and the positive difference she continues to make in the lives of the individuals and families we serve.

Please join us in congratulating Danielle on receiving the Golden Service Award. This recognition is so well deserved, and we couldn't be happier to celebrate her!