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Volunteer Initiatives Program

Mayor's Volunteer Appreciation Awards


Volunteers help our city tackle big challenges and make life better for their neighbors.

The Volunteer Initiatives Program regularly partners with nonprofits, faith-based organizations, schools, and universities to promote volunteerism. With their help, we have provided services to residents, including free legal workshops and preparation of wills, assistance with citizenship applications, neighborhood cleanup and beautification projects, and youth service-learning activities. We are extremely grateful for the hard work and dedication of our community partners and volunteers.

About the Awards and our Partners:
Each year, the Mayor’s Office, Department of Neighborhoods’ Volunteer Initiatives Program, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston and United Way of Greater Houston recognize volunteers who continue to show up and give their time and energy to serve communities.

Volunteers are nominated for these awards by the organizations below based on their service record with these organization’s programs.



President's Volunteer Service Award  

The President’s Volunteer Service Award, presented by Points of Light recognizes volunteers who have met the requirements to receive a Presidential Volunteer Service Award within a 12 month period specified by the certifying organization.
     
VIP Logo   City of Houston Civic Engagement Awards are presented by City Departments to residents who volunteer with City of Houston programs.
  • Mayor’s Volunteer Appreciation Awards – recognizes individuals who are nominated by City of Houston departments for volunteering with City programs
  • Mayor’s Community Engagement Awards - recognizes organizations that are nominated by City of Houston departments for supporting City of Houston programs
  • Mayor’s Next Generation Award – Recognizes youth between the ages of 12-18 years old who are nominated by City of Houston departments for volunteering with City programs
     
Spotlight Volunteer Awards   The Spotlight Volunteer Awards, presented by Volunteer Houston recognizes outstanding volunteers who work with local nonprofits to meet the needs of vulnerable and underserved communities of the Texas Gulf Coast region.
     
Houston Association of Volunteer Administrators Logo   The Joan Waite Hanlon Memorial Award for Outstanding Professionalism in Volunteer Management, presented by Interfaith Ministries in partnership with the United Way of Greater Houston recognizes outstanding volunteer engagement professionals who educate, empower, and elevate each other.


2024 Award Recipients:

2024 Mayors Volunteer Appreciation Awards

  • Susan Barrow
  • Brian Carpani
  • Alex Chau
  • Debra Davis
  • Ron Delayne
  • Lilibeth Elizondo
  • Shirley Hightower
  • Greg & Abby Hudson
  • Sergio Infante
  • Rogerio Lara
  • Larry Myers
  • Jeleesa Payne
  • Louise & Shotgun Thorne

2024 Mayor’s Next Generation Volunteer Appreciation Award

  • Michael Hamad
  • Yuliana Perales

2024 Mayor’s Community Engagement Award

  • Boat People S.O.S
  • Career and Recovery Resources
  • H-E-B
  • Houston Community College – A Helping Hand
  • Houston Tool Bank
  • Waste Management

2024 Presidents Volunteer Service Award

  • Raghav Ahuja
  • Samuya Allauddin
  • Samir Becic
  • Elijah Chen
  • Aaron Faraias
  • Angel Fuentes
  • James Gonzalez
  • Zujun Guo
  • Michael Hamad
  • Atharva Jillhewar
  • Aaron Joseph
  • Mani Maram
  • Kevin Manrique
  • David Nguyen
  • Jonathan Reed
  • Alan Steinberg
  • Mihika Varma