2017 Local Hero Award Ceremony
On Thursday, February 2, 2017, the Community School Local Hero Award Committee was delighted to honor our local heroes. This year, our honoree is LeeRay Costa, professor at Hollins University, for her tireless work with Girls Rock Roanoke, and devotion to social justice.
We had two winners this year, Diane Kelly and Frank House. Ms. Kelly recently retired from Mental Health American of the Roanoke Valley, where she was the executive director. In that position, she created many workshops and classes for teachers, clergy, social workers and more. More recently she has been an integral part of the plan to save the Catawba Mental Health Hospital. With her help, the hospital was able to remain open and to serve those in need. This past fall, Diane was awarded the DePaul's Women of Achievement Lifetime award. She has worked practically all her life to reduce the stigma of people with mental health problems. Diane Kelly is retiring after 29 years at Mental Health America, but plans to continue her support of the community.
Mr. House was honored for his work in creating and supporting the Roanoke Diversity Center. Over the past ten years he has volunteered for many organizations and nonprofits. His work has helped Roanoke’s LGBT+ community in many ways. The Roanoke Diversity Center has helped by providing a welcoming and safe place for LGBTQ+ people.In the future Mr. House hopes to see a more progressive and LGBT+ friendly Roanoke. He has said: “Much of our progress will continue to come from our community going forth, as groups facilitating educational events, but often one on one, with calm dialogue and conversations over coffee, sharing commonalities and ideas, breaking down the walls of ignorance, stereotypes, and misunderstandings.”
In addition to our three heroes, former winners Diane Elliot, Monique Ingram and JT Clark, joined us to celebrate!
We had two winners this year, Diane Kelly and Frank House. Ms. Kelly recently retired from Mental Health American of the Roanoke Valley, where she was the executive director. In that position, she created many workshops and classes for teachers, clergy, social workers and more. More recently she has been an integral part of the plan to save the Catawba Mental Health Hospital. With her help, the hospital was able to remain open and to serve those in need. This past fall, Diane was awarded the DePaul's Women of Achievement Lifetime award. She has worked practically all her life to reduce the stigma of people with mental health problems. Diane Kelly is retiring after 29 years at Mental Health America, but plans to continue her support of the community.
Mr. House was honored for his work in creating and supporting the Roanoke Diversity Center. Over the past ten years he has volunteered for many organizations and nonprofits. His work has helped Roanoke’s LGBT+ community in many ways. The Roanoke Diversity Center has helped by providing a welcoming and safe place for LGBTQ+ people.In the future Mr. House hopes to see a more progressive and LGBT+ friendly Roanoke. He has said: “Much of our progress will continue to come from our community going forth, as groups facilitating educational events, but often one on one, with calm dialogue and conversations over coffee, sharing commonalities and ideas, breaking down the walls of ignorance, stereotypes, and misunderstandings.”
In addition to our three heroes, former winners Diane Elliot, Monique Ingram and JT Clark, joined us to celebrate!