At Riverside Home Care, care has never been limited to a checklist of services or the walls of someone’s home. True care is about people. It is about dignity. Protection. Compassion. And showing up for others when they need it most.

That belief starts with our founders.

For Michele Simmonds, community involvement has always been deeply personal. Whether advocating for seniors, supporting caregivers, or investing in organizations that protect vulnerable individuals, her heart for people reaches far beyond business.

One organization especially close to Michele’s heart is Freed People, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting human trafficking and helping recover exploited children.

Recently, Michele attended The One Gala, an event benefiting Freed People’s mission. The impact of that evening was extraordinary.

Together, supporters raised more than $920,000 to help recover trafficked children, secure safe exits, and support efforts to arrest traffickers. According to the organization, their work has already helped:

• Recover nearly 500 children

• Secure 153 safe exits

• Contribute to 167 trafficker arrests

Those numbers are powerful. But behind every statistic is a child, a family, and a future changed forever.

For Michele, supporting organizations like Freed People reflects the same values Riverside Home Care was built on: protecting dignity, standing beside vulnerable individuals, and believing every life matters.

“Care” can mean many things. Sometimes it looks like helping a senior safely age in place. Sometimes it means supporting a family caregiver who feels overwhelmed. And sometimes it means helping fight for children who need someone advocating for their freedom and safety.

At Riverside, we believe communities become stronger when people choose to care beyond themselves.

That is part of what makes Riverside different. Our leadership team does not just talk about compassion. They live it through action, generosity, and a genuine commitment to making a difference wherever they can.

We are incredibly proud of Michele and grateful for the example she continues to set, both within Riverside and throughout the communities we serve.

Because at the end of the day, caring for people is not just what we do.

It is who we are.