FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kelsi.Gulig@lakeview-center.org
850-503-8164
Lakeview Center names Kim McQuaig Team Member of the Year
DeFuniak Springs, Fla. (March 11, 2025) – Kim McQuaig, family support technician, has been named Lakeview Center’s Team Member of the Year. With 18 years of experience, her passion for helping families navigate difficult circumstances shines through in every interaction.
McQuaig provides in-home services to families referred by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), working to prevent cases of child abuse and neglect so children can remain safely with their families. By helping families maintain stable housing, securing emergency aid and connecting them with essential resources, she plays a critical role in strengthening family stability and preventing crises.
“I work to make sure families have what they need to keep their children safe,” McQuaig explained. “If a parent faces an urgent issue—like losing power in winter—I help find a solution.”
Tia Guidry, administrator for Lakeview Center of Walton County, described McQuaig as someone who truly embodies the organization’s mission. “Kim works tirelessly to help families overcome barriers. Her goal every day is to make a difference.”
McQuaig’s exceptional efforts during the holiday season show her compassion for those served by Lakeview Center. She collaborated with churches, schools and government agencies to fulfill children’s Christmas wish lists, securing donations like toys, bicycles and clothing. “The holidays can be stressful for parents,” McQuaig said. “Helping ease that burden makes all the hard work worth it.”
Her efforts led to more than $16,000 in food and gift donations, supporting not just her own department but also Lakeview Center’s Women and Children’s Center and the Community Action Team. “Thanks to Kim, we exceeded our fundraising goal,” Guidry shared.
McQuaig’s impact extends beyond the families she serves; she is also a mentor and source of encouragement for her peers. Always leading by example, she selflessly volunteers her time to support both her coworkers and the community, spreading kindness and creating a ripple effect of positivity wherever she goes.
When she learned she had been chosen as Team Member of the Year, McQuaig was stunned. “I was shocked! So many amazing people could have been chosen.” For those who work alongside her, the recognition came as no surprise.
“Kim’s impact goes far beyond her job description,” Guidry said. “She truly embodies the heart of our mission.”
To support the work of compassionate Lakeview Center team members like Kim McQuaig, visit eLakeviewCenter.org/donate.
About Lakeview Center
Lakeview Center is Northwest Florida's most comprehensive behavioral health care provider, with more than 60 programs ranging from outpatient counseling and psychiatry to residential treatments for substance misuse, plus 24/7 crisis support. Specialized team members help adults and children with mental illnesses, drug and alcohol dependencies and intellectual disabilities, offering a continuum of care with solutions personalized for each person's needs. Faced with a rising need for mental health and substance misuse treatment, Lakeview Center is here to serve, growing with the community since 1954. Learn more at eLakeviewCenter.org.
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