Trisha Hutchison
Trisha Hutchison graduated from Warsaw High School. She is originally from North Webster, Indiana.  She began working with people with disabilities when she was in her early twenties which included group homes and day service providers for years. She eventually studied special education at IU South Bend.
In 2007 she received a job with Elkhart Community Schools as a special education paraprofessional. Mrs. Hutchison worked with exceptional learners at every grade level and ability level.
She has also raised two children with special needs of her own.  She realized with her second child how isolating having a high needs child can be so she started a facebook group for parents.  With this she created a space where they all share their knowledge and advice, and support each other through difficult times.
She needed a better way to show the community how valuable these individuals are as employees. She then went to the Director of Exceptional Learners and asked if she could just open their own business.  This is how Hart City Coffee Company in Elkhart was born.  The students have a small cafe inside the school and also a coffee company for ground and bagged specialty coffee for the public that started this semester.
Trisha is a hard working and kind person who was able to come to the Board Meeting and explain how the process works with her students.  They sold almost 15lbs of coffee before the board report was completed.
“Trish loves kids, loves to see students thrive and has a heart for getting the best out of others.  She is the perfect example of someone who is doing this work for the right reasons.  Trish works with employers in the community often advocating for students and employees with disabilities.  She is able to help educate employers and others about the amazing work these students can do. Trisha states, “I am living my Purpose.  I am not very good at telling people about myself, but I love to tell people about my students.  They inspire me every single day.  We all as humans want the same things in life.  We all want to love and be loved, and we all want to have purpose.  I want to help all of our exceptional learners find purpose, and to help their families navigate this wonderfully crazy journey.”
It is our honor to award the Outstanding Advocate of the Year to Trisha Hutchinson.