2024 Heart & Hope Gala Awards

Recipient Announcement

NewPath presented its fourth annual Heart & Hope Awards , third annual Spark Award, and second annual Torch Award at the 2024 Heart & Hope Gala! This event recognized the volunteers, donors, and employees who go above and beyond to care for the clients we serve.

NewPath Child & Family Solutions hosted the 2024 Heart & Hope Gala – Rising Change on Thursday, October 10. It was an evening full of fun, storytelling, and celebration of our 2024 Heart, Hope, Spark, and Torch Award recipients. These awards recognize the volunteers, donors, foster parents, and team members who go above and beyond to care for the children and families we support.

“NewPath creates rising change where hope leads to new horizons.”

2024 Heart Award – Dottie Bayless

The Heart Award is presented to a member of the “behind-the-scenes” staff. Many of the children and families we support may never interact with these individuals. However, their passion and administrative support are truly at the heart of our organization.

Dottie Bayless

Experiential Learning Program Manager

Dottie Bayless has worked at NewPath for 24 years and currently manages the Experiential Learning program. She began her career as a Therapeutic Art Group Leader with NewPath (then St. Joseph Orphanage). Dottie remained passionate about working with people, especially youth, through artistic and hands-on avenues. As Dottie grew in her career, she also began to work more internally by developing staff and programming from a more administrative role. Today, she works both internally with staff and externally with NewPath clients by inspiring them all to be the best and most successful versions of themselves.

“The most rewarding part of working at NewPath is seeing people grow and change. Healing and growth are a marathon, not a sprint. It takes a lot of time. And there comes a moment when you see that look in someone’s eye, and you know it’s happening.” – Dottie Bayless

2024 Hope Award – Robert Zama

The Hope Award is presented to a direct-care team member who truly ignites hope. By providing results from expert, specialized, and comprehensive trauma-informed care, these passionate individuals dedicate themselves to an industry that is challenging but meaningful.

Robert Zama

Staff Development Specialist

Robert Zama has worked with NewPath for a little over five years and currently works as the Staff Development Specialist. He is passionate about serving his community and especially helping youth. He came to NewPath because he believes in our Guiding Principles, most notably “Empowerment” and “Determination.” Robert instills these values in the youth he supports and in his daily life. He strives to continue enhancing the soft skills he already possesses and enjoys watching young men and women achieve their goals.

“The most rewarding part of working with NewPath is being able to support the youth throughout their journey and watching them become better every day.” – Robert Zama

2024 Spark Award – Dan Russell

NewPath’s mission is “Igniting Hope. Changing Futures.” But the hope we provide begins with a spark. That spark comes from your continuous investment, NewPath’s supporters. NewPath uses that spark to ignite hope in the hearts of children. One day, that spark will transform into a flame of change.

The Spark Award is presented to supporters who go above and beyond to invest in and grow NewPath’s mission. These dedicated volunteers, donors, and contributors truly help those that help others.

Dan Russell

NewPath Supporter

Dan Russell has partnered with NewPath for ten years. As a single father of two, Dan didn’t have much money for big family vacations, so he spent many summers at Kings Island with his daughters. One day at the amusement park, his youngest daughter mentioned how it “wasn’t fair that not all kids get to do this.” That thought stuck in Dan’s mind and later led him to NewPath. After working with Carpenter’s Local Union 2, the Plumbers-Pipe Fitters Union 392, and Advanced Caulking, Dan sent (then St. Joseph Orphanage) youth to Kings Island with extra spending money. He later learned his father’s adoption was through our organization, which cemented his passion for our mission even further.

“The most rewarding part of volunteering is seeing the pure joy on the kids faces. Giving them joy in their hard lives. Having a little girl give me a hug just because it was her first time ever going to a movie theater. It is a reward that is something that is hard to describe.” – Dan Russell

2024 Torch Award – Mary Freeman

NewPath provides new horizons for children, teens, and young adults through various service lines. One way is with our Foster Care and Foster-to-Adopt programs. Foster parents provide a nurturing, stable home for children who need placement outside of their original living conditions. They are gifted with the opportunity to watch foster youth grow, recover, and thrive, forever being a part of their healing journey. 

The Torch Award is presented to foster parents who exceed their calling and serve as a guiding beacon to illuminate a path for their peers to follow. 

Mary Freeman

NewPath Foster Parent

Mary Freeman and her late husband have worked with NewPath’s Foster Care for over 23 years. During this time, she has fostered approximately 93 youth. Mary cares deeply for those placed in her care and creates a personalized scrapbook that they get to keep. She is especially passionate about taking in sibling placements to ensure they get to stay together.

“The most rewarding part is when you have children and they become adults and you see the growth they all have made. Having their own families and doing great. Or you have helped the families so the kids could go home and knowing we were a part of them being able to go home. The people at NewPath know me and our story. They are always making sure my family is doing okay and I know if I need anything, they will be there to help me.” – Mary Freeman