Submitted by Homes First
On October 22, three local community members were recognized by Homes First for the work they do to make our community a safe and healthy place for all of us to live. We recognize these people as the true unsung heroes of our community and wish to acknowledge their actions through the presentation of Real Community Hero Awards.
Since 2017, the Real Community Hero Awards have been given annually to honor individuals who have displayed a lasting commitment to making our community a safer, healthier, and more equitable place for everyone to live. Selected Heroes are awarded at a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion each year. In 2020, a virtual event was held to honor our recipients.
The previous year’s Heroes have the honor of selecting the next year’s recipients. It takes many people in many walks of life to make housing and our community affordable, especially for our lowest of income neighbors. We believe the people who are not traditionally recognized for their daily efforts in making our world better need to be raised up and to raise up others as they go.
2020 Awardees
Kathleen Bellefeuille-Rice. Kathleen is a community activist and supports many organizations, including Homes First, that work to make our community stronger, healthier, and a supportive place for everyone to live. Kathleen has been committed to serving the homeless not only through the soup kitchen, but also through actively engaging with those less fortunate. This outreach and caring goes beyond apparent religious goals to encompass gender equality, race, sexuality, acceptance of married priests, acceptance of same-sex marriage and many other contemporary challenges our communities face. Kathleen was presented her Award by 2019 recipient, Pete Sutch of WIN Home Inspections.
Amal Noor Joury. Born in Saudi Arabia and raised in London, England, Amal is a well-traveled citizen of the world who cares deeply about her community. In 2015, Amal moved to Washington State after spending a decade working as a securities attorney in Boston, Mass. While she was working locally for the Jay Goldstein law office, she joined the board of Homes First and immediately took on a leadership role.
In 2017, she began working in the state government and currently works as a Training and Compliance Analyst at the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises. Throughout her life, Amal has stayed true to her dedication to community and her passion for service to others. Amal was presented her Award by Chris Lester of Thurston County Title.
Kirsten York. Kirsten Tudor Tollefson York is the Director of Family Services at the Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties. She has held a variety of roles with the CAC over the past 12 years. The last four years have included dedication to affordable housing and homelessness issues in our community. She is passionate and driven by the desire to serve others and to create an organization that contributes to the community in which she lives.
An MPA graduate of the Evergreen State College, Kirsten has lived in Thurston County for the past 30 years, graduating from Timberline High School. Her favorite things are spending time with family and friends, enjoying good coffee, and finding ways to give back to others. Some of her volunteer activities include being a longtime supporter of the Little Red Schoolhouse Program and the youth programs at the United Churches of Olympia, her own community of faith. Kirsten was presented her award by Jaycie Osterberg from Quixote Communities.
In 2020, their 30th Anniversary year of creating and maintaining safe and healthy homes that are affordable for those who struggle most to find and retain a home, Homes First Board of Directors and staff are proud to be able to celebrate three amazing Sheroes who are making our community a better place to live every day.
Learn more about the work of Homes First visit the Homes First website or on the social media platform of your choice.
