Wow, what an incredible fall at Noah Homes! From PERCH Prom to training on the road to awards programs and more, we’ve harvested five fall highlights you want to hear about!
Sandra Rocco-Melville wins at the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Leadership Awards on October 9, 2026.
Our Executive Director Sandra was honored alongside five other winning women leaders, from medical and legal professionals to philanthropists and veterans, who are making a difference in San Diego County. Sandra received the award at Sycuan Casino Resort in front of a large audience, including many beaming Noah Homes team members!
Established in 2003, the first Women in Leadership Luncheon (WILL) began with the idea of honoring women who excel professionally and as community leaders. According to the East County Chamber, “The heart of WILL centers around each years' nominees: women who demonstrate exemplary character, integrity, and leadership.”
Congratulations to Sandra on earning this honor as she enters her 40th year with Noah Homes.
Staff Recognitions and Award Finalists
On the topic of awards and honors, Sandra was also named a Nonprofit Leaders Awards finalist by the San Diego Business Journal; Avery Arthur, Design & Project Management Specialist for Noah Homes, was named a San Diego Business Journal “Indispensables” finalist, and Casa Supervisor Mellissa Johnson was nominated for the 2026 Direct Support Professional Empowerment Awards (awarded by the California Disability Services Association/CDSA). Congrats to all!
Noah Homes is Influencing Compassionate Care for ~700 More People
Did you know that Noah Homes has a Training Institute of Excellence, through which it trains care professionals at Noah Homes and beyond? This month, the Training Institute crew hit the road to train approximately 100 care professionals who serve about 700 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in SoCal! Our Director of Program Development Kim Keane led the training, called Dementia & Disabilities Escape, which helps participants “step into the shoes” of those they care for so they can grow in empathy. Learn more about the Training Institute of Excellence.
Noah's PERCH Recently Hosted its Annual Prom!
PERCH members dressed to the nines while enjoying a masquerade-ball-themed evening at the Community Center. Look at some of the festivities on our Facebook page. Thank you so much to the SPRITES of East County for volunteering and making the night extra special. On October 28, PERCH will host a trunk-or-treat event. Learn more about joining Noah’s PERCH at NoahsPerch.org.
Young Adults with IDD Enter the Back-to-School Chat
When public schooling ends at age 22 for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a shrinking social circle and support system has families wondering what to do next. We sat down with parent Theresa McKenna to learn about her daughter Heather’s path to Noah Homes, which began with Noah’s PERCH, our social club for and by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Read on in the East County Californian.
High five for fall! For more community stories and highlights, watch for the Fall Noah Navigator issue arriving in mailboxes and on our website soon. Want the issue delivered straight to your inbox and receive other updates from Noah Homes? Join our mailing list today!