2025 Inform USA Award Recipients

Posted By: Sarah Pottelberg Inform USA Awards,

Congratulations to the individuals and organizations that won awards for their hard work, innovation, and achievements in information and referral!

Lifetime Achievement: Jamesena (Jaime) Moore

Jamie Moore’s lifelong dedication to service has transformed the landscape of community support in Nebraska and beyond. As Vice President for Volunteer and Community Services at United Way of the Midlands, she led the evolution of First Call for Help into the statewide 211 system, personally driving across Nebraska’s 93 counties to make it happen.

Her impact extends nationally through leadership roles with AIRS and Inform USA, where her compassion and determination continue to inspire. Even in retirement, Jamie remains deeply involved in numerous organizations. Her legacy is one of tireless advocacy, humble leadership, and unwavering commitment to others.


Person of the Year 

This award is given to I&R staff within our three core certification types that exemplify community resource specialist excellence!

Community Resource Specialist of the Year:
Joanna Whitehouse

Joanna has worked at Heart of Texas 211 for over 13 years. Her extensive knowledge and dedication make her a leader on her team. Joanna goes above and beyond to help anyone she can.

Community Resource Specialist - Aging/Disabilities of the Year: Bonnie Cardenaz

Bonnie is a source of inspiration for her peers at Senior Resource Alliance, who look up to her as a leader and strive to match the high standard of service she consistently provides. Bonnie handles the highest volume of I&R calls on the team but also maintains the highest quality observation scores.

Debbie Petty Memorial Community Resource Specialist - Database Curator of the Year:
Corinne Gallois

Sponsored and presented by Wellsky

Corinne is the principal taxonomy/Indexing expert who oversees both the English and French versions of the 211HSIS Taxonomy of Human Services for Canada. Her skills, knowledge, ability to collaborate, communicate, and support people in the use and understanding of the taxonomy are absolutely indispensable to the sector.  


Networker of the Year

Nichole Bonilla

Nichole is well known for her work with the 211HSIS. She serves on the Inform USA Database Curation Committee and actively engages with members daily, responding to questions and suggestions related to the 211HSIS. As a member of 10 groups on the Networker, she holds the top spot for the most comments and mentions.
Nichole is also an active participant in Inform USA programming, frequently attending webinars, roundtables, and other events.


Jamie Moore


Joanna Whithouse

Joanna Whitehouse

Bonnie Cardenaz

Corinne GalloisCorinne Gallois

Nichole Bonilla

Innovation Award Winners

Disaster Preparedness

211 LA

Several wildfires devastated large portions of Los Angeles County, displacing thousands of residents in January of this year. In response, 211 LA activated its disaster response protocol and worked closely with a variety of partners.  

211 LA partnered with Airbnb.org to provide displaced residents with free housing, which leveraged Airbnb’s network of hosts, offering accommodations at no charge, ensuring residents had immediate places to stay. 211 LA also worked with the American Red Cross to provide shelter placements and disaster case management. 

Cooperative Relationships

United Way of the Midlands

create the 211 Military and Family Helpline, which provides confidential, 24/7 support to service members, veterans, and their families, connecting them to essential resources like mental health care, financial assistance, and crisis intervention.

United Way of the Midlands partnered with Offutt Air Force Base to create this program after determining there was a need for military-connected individuals to have access to both government and community programs.