Five Youth Volunteer of the Year Awards were presented to: Hudson Blechman, 100+ Teens Who Care Bay Area, Candice Lucas, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Walt Novosardian, Youth Leadership Institute, Shea Sorcher, Marin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit, and Tess Belger, Project Awareness and Special Sports.

Hudson Blechman, 100+ Teens Who Care Bay Area

Hudson founded the Marin chapter of 100+ Teens Who Care, a teen-led organization that teaches high school students about charitable giving and supports local nonprofits. Under his leadership, the chapter grew to over 40 members in 2024, raising $2,200 through fundraising events and donating the funds to selected nonprofits through a collaborative decision-making process.

Candice Lucas, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

Candice is a youth leader with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, where she uses her Guatemalan heritage to explore the intersections of environmental justice, cultural identity, and equity. Through projects like a pupusa workshop, a food justice video, and co-produced podcasts, she educates peers on sustainable practices, highlights disparities in access to resources, and advocates for the representation of marginalized communities in environmental leadership.

Walt Novosardian, Youth Leadership Institute

Walt has been a dedicated advocate for equity and justice, serving on the Marin County Youth Commission since 2022, where he founded and chairs the Disability Justice subcommittee, leading presentations to over 2,500 peers and community members. He has worked on initiatives such as hosting Queer Prom, presenting a Pride Resolution to the Board of Supervisors, and supporting LGBTQIA+ communities through Positive Images and other local programs. Beyond his activism, Walt is deeply involved in school as president of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance, a pretrial attorney in Mock Trial, and a representative on the Novato School District Equity Committee, showcasing his lifelong commitment to creating positive change.

Shea Sorcher, Marin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit

Shea has dedicated 2,500 volunteer hours over three years as a member of the Marin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team, responding to 95 missions and achieving the rank of Advanced Team Leader—the only youth member at this level.

Tess Belger, Project Awareness and Special Sports

Tess expanded Project Awareness And Special Sports (PAASS) by creating Dance Without Boundaries, a program that provides adaptive dance classes for youth with special needs, including neurodivergent participants and those with physical disabilities. Since launching, she has taught 22 classes to over 30 students, fostering creativity, confidence, and self-expression in a supportive and inclusive environment

Sponsor: Redwood Credit Union

Caroline Peattie, Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California

The Excellence in Leadership Award was presented to Caroline Peattie, Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California.

Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California promotes equal housing opportunities and diversity through advocacy, education, and programs supporting marginalized communities. Under Caroline’s leadership, the organization has advanced legislative initiatives, uncovered discriminatory practices in housing, lending, and appraisals, and secured impactful settlements, including a high-profile case in Marin City. She also improved internal policies, expanded staff capacity, and secured multi-year contracts to enhance their services, while actively advocating for stronger fair housing policies at the national level.

Sponsor: Marin Community Foundation

Marin Child Care Council

The Achievement in Nonprofit Excellence Award was presented to Marin Child Care Council.

Marin Child Care Council (MC3) works to improve access to quality early childhood education and care for low-income families and the early-care workforce, addressing barriers like affordability and accessibility. In the past year, MC3 provided childcare vouchers for 1,000 children, case management for 700 parents, supported 30 new family childcare providers, and offered technical assistance for 50 programs to secure federal funding, expanding capacity and improving quality. Through advocacy initiatives like Marin Strong Start, MC3 continues to champion equitable access to essential services for children and families in Marin.

Sponsor: Comerica

Donna Garske and Bettie Hodges both received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Donna Garske

From organizing her classmates in 5th grade to confront bullying, to earning a degree in criminal justice, to working with prisoner re-entry programs and Marin’s first shelter for battered women, Donna has dedicated her life to supporting survivors and raising awareness about domestic violence. Her work includes years of service on a 24/7 hotline and relentless efforts to educate others about the realities of abuse. Donna has made a lasting impact by challenging societal norms and driving change both locally and nationally to end domestic violence.

Bettie Hodges

From earning degrees at UC Berkeley to completing a fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington, D.C., Bettie has dedicated her career to education, social justice, and civic responsibility. Her experience includes staffing the Employment and Housing Subcommittee of Government Operations under Congressman Barney Frank and serving as Program Officer for Housing and Community Development at MCF. Bettie has launched numerous programs and initiatives, creating opportunities, bridging education gaps, and empowering marginalized communities, with a focus on people of color. Her work spans education, community development, and family empowerment, emphasizing intersectionality and lasting impact.

Sponsor: Kaiser Permanente