OneStar: Strategies to Achieve Social Impact

OneStar Announces Winners of the 27th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards

September 23, 2010

"The winners of the 27th Governor's Volunteer Awards are dedicated, innovative and passionate about addressing Texas' toughest challenges, and I'm proud to recognize and thank this year's winners for their ongoing service and commitment," Gov. Rick Perry said. "I also commend the OneStar Foundation for its continued work to make Texas home to the country's strongest and most impactful nonprofit sector, which begins with selfless and committed volunteers."

The winners are:

  • Social Innovator Award: Joe Icet, The Last Organic Outpost. Mr. Icet founded The Last Organic Outpost, which is an inner-city urban farm project in Houston using regenerative agriculture to restore the fertility of unused land.
  • Corporate Community Impact Award: Citi. The economic empowerment of individuals and families, particularly those in need, so that they can improve their standard of living, is the driving force behind Citi's involvement in the community.
  • Community Collaborator Award: Knowbility, Inc. Knowbility introduced a new program named AccessWorks which assists veterans with an innovative job training and employment program.
  • Community Collaborator Award: Dallas Blueprint for Leadership - Center for Nonprofit Management. Since its first class, Dallas Blueprint for Leadership has trained and matched over 350 ethnic minorities with boards of nonprofits in Dallas and Collin counties.
  • Community Motivator Award: Ann Park. Ms. Park was instrumental in the development of the Family Promise of Bryan-College Station, which helps homeless families with children become self-sufficient by providing shelter and assisting with job readiness, networking and case management.
  • Community Motivator Award: buildingcommunityWORKSHOP. The bcWORKSHOP is a Dallas-based nonprofit architecture and community design/build center seeking to improve the livability and viability of communities through the practice of thoughtful design and making.
  • First Lady's Rising Star Award: Victoria Acker. At age 16, Ms. Acker has already made a tremendous positive impact on her community, including volunteering over 400 hours at several community nonprofits since 2007.
  • Governor's Lonestar Award: William Sinkin. Mr. Sinkin has dedicated his life to community activism and civic issues, as well as founding a nonprofit with the mission of creating community outreach and education on the importance of renewable and sustainable energy through the use of solar power.

"The individuals, organizations and corporations honored through the 27th Annual Governor's Volunteer Awards have truly gone above and beyond to help their fellow Texans in times of need," said Elizabeth M. Darling, President and CEO of OneStar Foundation. "They are stellar examples of the good that can be found in all of us when we become engaged in solutions to social challenges."

The winners will be honored at a ceremony on September 23, 2010, in Austin with their invited guests and attendees of the Texas Nonprofit Summit. Former Under Secretary of State and dedicated Texan, Ambassador Karen P. Hughes will serve as the evening keynote speaker. Each winner will receive two roundtrip tickets courtesy of Southwest Airlines.