Honoring Rick Miller: Recipient of the 2025 Ivan G. Hileman Award
Rick, speaking at Bell’s Annual Celebration.
During Bell’s Annual Celebration, we were proud to present the Ivan G. Hileman Award to Rick Miller, Lead Drop-In Aide at our Liberty Drop-In Center, in recognition of his remarkable 27 years of service and dedication to fostering connection, compassion, and community.
As Averie Clark, Director of Community Engagement, shared: “Rick is someone who believes in offering people a place where they feel valued, accepted, safe, and where they can make a connection. He has spent the past 27 years doing just that. At the Drop-In, Rick meets people where they are, using shared experiences to build meaningful connections. He advocates for others and empowers them on their journey. It has been said that the Drop-In lives in Rick’s heart, and Rick’s heart lives at the Drop-In.”
Rick’s own words capture the power of purpose and recovery that defines Bell’s mission: “For anyone who thinks it doesn’t work, I’ve been a part of Bell for thirty years—27 of those years working at the Drop-In. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else. I love my job, and it creates an environment that helps me with my mental health. It gives me a sense of purpose to get up every morning and to get out of bed, which I couldn’t do when I first came to Bell. I’m a perfect example that it works.”
Rick’s care, consistency, and connection have helped shape the Liberty Drop-In Center into one of the most welcoming and well-loved programs within Bell’s Mental Health Services.
Congratulations, Rick, on receiving the Ivan G. Hileman Award! Your dedication and heart continue to inspire everyone around you.