Honoring Our 2025 Founder’s Core Value Award Recipients

At Jack’s, our values are not slogans. They are lived every day through the people who make this community what it is. People who show up for others, carry hard things with courage, and remind us that strength is often quiet, steady, and shared.

Each year, the Founder’s Core Values Awards recognize individuals who embody those values in meaningful ways. We are proud to celebrate our 2025 recipients and the impact they continue to make across the Jack’s community.

COMPASSION AWARD

Julie Niewald

 

We first met Julie at CaregiverCon a few years ago. She shared that she felt supported that day, and she has been returning the favor ever since.

 

Julie brings compassion grounded in lived experience. She offers wisdom, steady presence, and the kind of understanding that comes from walking through difficult seasons herself. She also helps fellow caregivers reframe hard moments honestly, without sugarcoating them.

 

Julie reminds us that compassion is showing up, understanding deeply, and helping others keep going.

COURAGE AWARD

Adam Kobler

 

Adam embodies the courage we honor at Jack’s. After the loss of his beloved wife, Kate, he has continued forward with strength, humility, and heart.

As a Sequel Maker and longtime member of the Jack’s community, Adam shows that courage is not doing it alone. It is accepting support, facing life as it comes, and moving forward with purpose.

Adam reminds us that bravery is often quiet, steady, and deeply human.

SEQUEL MAKER AWARD

Tom Albers

 

Tom’s story reflects the spirit of what it means to be a Sequel Maker. After the loss of his beloved Annie in 2023, he faced grief with honesty while remaining open to life’s next chapter.

That unexpected journey led to a new beginning. In January, Tom married Jean, embracing hope, love, and the courage to begin again.

Tom reminds us that moving forward does not mean leaving love behind. It means carrying it into what comes next.

RESILIENCE AWARD

Rob Rae

 

Rob embodies the resilience we honor at Jack’s. He understands grief, faces it honestly, and continues the hard work of moving forward with bravery and purpose.

Through heartache and challenge, Rob inspires others to keep going and seek meaning in everyday life. He reminds us that resilience is not the absence of pain, but the willingness to carry on through it.

Rob shows that even in difficult seasons, strength can still grow.

CAREGIVER AWARD

Maury Jensen

 

Maury brings so much to his fellow caregivers and to the Jack’s community. During Caregiver Klatches, he raises thoughtful questions and gives voice to important topics that might otherwise go unspoken.

He understands the sacrifice caregiving requires, and he also knows that receiving support is its own kind of strength. Maury meets the journey with courage, humility, and a steady pursuit of excellence.

Maury reminds us that great caregivers support others while continuing to grow themselves.

Thank You to Our 2025 Recipients

To Julie, Adam, Tom, Rob, and Maury: thank you for the way you live these values and strengthen this community. Your stories encourage others, your presence matters, and your example helps ensure that no one has to do this alone.

We are proud to celebrate each of you.