On December 9, 2008, Kerri Schultheis—AWEE Project Director for the Paths to Living Free (PLF) and Choices for Changed Lives (CCL) programs—participated in "Models and Strategies Day: Proven Approaches for Investment in Frontline Nonprofits." The event was sponsored by The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

This was the latest in a series of regional conferences and targeted workshops designed to support the work of faith-based and community social service programs like PLF and CCL. Over the past 8 years, the White House has invested billions in strategies designed to harness the creativity and personal touch of small- and mid-sized nonprofits like AWEE to address the full spectrum of social challenges.

This was Schultheis's second appearance representing AWEE in Washington DC. In June 2008, she met President Bush and served as a panel member at The White House Faith-Based and Community Initiatives' Innovations in Effective Compassion Conference, where she was joined by 2007 Faces of Success Honoree Laura Hughes.