Every year on Youth Appreciation Day, graduating seniors and other children from the Masonic Children’s Home are honored with certificates and awards celebrating their achievements. This year, Michele Stanford, administrative assistant for children services, introduced a new award recognizing a staff member whose dedication and hard work made a meaningful impact on the lives of children.
“These achievements wouldn’t be possible without the staff,” Michele said. “I’ve seen firsthand the strong relationships they build with the children, and I wanted to create an opportunity for the kids to recognize someone who has worked so hard to help them succeed.”
The Impact Award recognizes staff members who take the time to uplift others, share their knowledge, offer encouragement and feedback and simply listen when it matters most. These individuals provide steady guidance, lead with compassion, communicate with heart, and inspire the very best in the children they serve.
The award recipient is selected by a graduating senior who feels that person made a meaningful difference during their time at the children’s home. Any employee is eligible to receive the honor, including house parents, tutors and administrative staff.
This year’s inaugural Impact Award was presented to full-time house parent Shawn Gomes, who has worked at the children’s home since 2012. Shawn primarily works in Longdon Cottage and spends one night a week at Weller Cottage. This has given him the opportunity to mentor some children from elementary school through graduation, including two of this year’s graduating seniors, Shedrack and Eriyah.
“Over the years, I’ve become an important figure in their lives,” Shawn said. “Their parents have gotten to know me, too. During Youth Appreciation Day, they hugged me and thanked me for everything I had done for their boys. That was incredibly special to me.”
Shawn has dedicated much of his life to working with underprivileged youth. Before joining the children’s home, he ran a mentoring program in central New Jersey and served with his wife, Utashni, as house parents at the Milton Hershey School for four years. The couple still work at the school part-time every other weekend.
Through a personal connection, Shawn learned about a position at the Masonic Children’s Home. Utashni now works at Harrisburg Community College, and the couple live in Palmyra with their four children.
For Shawn, being a house parent is deeply personal because he often sees parts of his own story in the children he serves. Raised in New York, he experienced a difficult upbringing after his father died in prison when Shawn was just 8 years old. He believes his own life experiences help him connect with the children on a deeper level.
“Once I started working with kids, it became more than just a job — it became a calling,” he said. “These children have the potential to overcome challenges like broken families or limited resources, even when it’s hard for them to see hope in their future. One of the most rewarding parts of this work is being there for them and watching them turn a corner and begin to see themselves in a different way.”
As one of 30 house parents at the children’s home — 15 full-time and 15 part-time — Shawn serves as a primary source of care and support for the children.
His responsibilities range from meal preparation to transportation, budgeting for clothing and food and ensuring the children stay focused on their studies and activities.
He also serves as a real-life example to the children of what is possible through perseverance — earning a college education, building a strong marriage and raising a family.
“I’m not just telling them what they should do,” he said. “I’m giving them an example of the kind of future they can aspire to.”
For graduating senior Shedrack, Shawn’s impact has been undeniable.
“He shares his knowledge of spirituality, and he’s always lifting kids up when they’re feeling down,” Shedrack said. “He also tells me when I’m doing something wrong. He guides with confidence and communicates with heart. He’s an amazing house parent and mentor.”
For Shawn, the Impact Award carries special meaning because it came directly from the children, rather than co-workers or supervisors.
“It’s extra special coming from the kids themselves, because they’re the reason you do this work,” he said. “To know they recognize what you’ve done for them means more to me than anything else.”
Shawn said one of the most rewarding parts of his role is realizing how much the children have given him in return.
“It’s easy to meet a child who has a tough exterior — especially after experiencing broken trust or failed relationships — and see them push people away,” he said. “But if you’re willing to move past that initial barrier, continue showing up for them and reassure them you’re not going anywhere, even the toughest kids will eventually let you in and surprise you. A lot of times, they’re just trying to find out if someone will truly be there for them.”
