Every year, Valley Youth House presents the prestigious Carole Ferretti and David Gilgoff awards to two team members who have demonstrated a commitment to Valley Youth House’s mission, vision and values that extends to all areas of their lives.
The Carole Ferretti Award is the highest direct service recognition bestowed upon staff at Valley Youth House, created to honor the memory and legacy of Carole Ferretti. A dedicated former teacher and active member of the Valley Youth House Board, she served as Chair of the Program Committee and Vice President of the Board. Carole was tragically killed by a drunk driver in April 1988 at the age of 40. Carole’s commitment to youth defined her life, career and service. This award, established in her honor, is reserved for direct service staff who exemplify her spirit, commitment, and excellence in their work.
Valley Youth House was honored to present Barb Vaupel, BA, CPSS, CPS, Youth & Young Adult Certified Peer Specialist Program Supervisor with the 2025 Carole Ferretti Award.
To many of her colleagues, Barb is the embodiment of quiet tenacity. She exemplifies the ability to persevere, innovate and overcome all while facing the adversity of everything from staffing challenges to pandemics. Barb has been a part of the Valley Youth House community since 2002, but in her current position, her focus has not just been only on the financial strength of the program, but on how to be creative in programming that serves youth and motivates staff. “The type of leadership Barb embodies isn’t always out loud,” said Lisa Weingartner, Valley Youth House’s Executive Vice President of Programs. “ It’s raw and consistent and shows her team she is willing to do anything she asks them to do.” There has been so much progress and such growing joy in both Barb and the Certified Peer Specialist team as she has continued to advocate for the program she developed and put so much hard work into.
The David Gilgoff Leadership Award, established in 2013 as a legacy award, honors non-direct service staff members who have demonstrated outstanding leadership within Valley Youth House. This prestigious award recognizes individuals whose actions, accomplishments and commitment exemplify exceptional leadership and dedication to the agency’s mission. Recipients of the David Gilgoff Award embody the highest standards of excellence and inspire others through their exemplary service and contributions.
Valley Youth House was honored to present Sarah Morrison, BS, LSSGB, Associate Director of Quality at VYH with the 2025 David Gilgoff Award.
Sarah has never hesitated to go above and beyond for direct service staff and supervisors who provide services to youth. To her colleagues, she has always had a “nothing to it but to do it” attitude and has done everything from hauling a couch across Philly streets for VYH’s #CouchesDontCount” initiative, to offering her own home to train staff on Housing Quality Standards Inspections. Sarah truly exemplifies the quiet and foundational leadership recognized by this award.
Sarah first joined Valley Youth House in 2007 as a Resident Advisor at the Bucks Shelter and moved to the role of Life Skills Counselor for the Philadelphia Supportive Housing program the next year. Sarah was the first Life Skills Counselor and Program Coordinator for the Pride Program, which began in 2009 and remained the sole housing program exclusively for LGBTQ+ youth in Philadelphia for several years. Under her program leadership, the program was highlighted by HUD as a model for rapid rehousing for youth. Sarah was also selected as the lead to help VYH coordinate the first Youth Count in Philadelphia, one of the first nationwide, and which continues today. In 2017, Sarah assumed the role of Housing Resource Developer for the Philadelphia Housing Programs.
Since her December 2022 promotion to Associate Director of Quality agency wide, Sarah has felt at home in a world of spreadsheets, project management, audits, compliance, and continuous quality improvement.
Sarah oversees the Specialized Settings Quality Program, where the team manages compliance, quality assurance, medication management, training, and general program support while collaborating with program staff to identify and address areas of concerns and offer recommendations for improvement.
As a member of the EHR Implementation Team, Sarah took an active role in designing user friendly forms and reports. Sarah thrives on helping colleagues to use data to make informed decisions and influence change, and celebrates opportunities to collaborate to create meaningful systems for more efficient workflows.
Sarah received a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the Pennsylvania State University and a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification from Drexel University. Sarah lives in Media, PA with her spouse and dog, Arrow. She enjoys hiking, traveling, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.
Congratulations, Barb and Sarah, on these remarkable achievements and for your continued dedication to making a difference in the lives of others!
