Recently, we honored four outstanding individuals and organizations with our annual community awards. Congratulations to this year’s recipients!

George Voinovich Award

The George Voinovich Award is named after a remarkable leader, George Voinovich, whose roles included Mayor of Cleveland and Governor of Ohio. A dedicated public servant, he left a lasting impact on our community and beyond. As a primary founder of Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Voinovich embodied the spirit of collaboration and innovation in addressing the needs of our youth.

This year, we recognize two outstanding leaders who continue that legacy — Nancy Mendez, President & CEO of Starting Point, and Ariane Kirkpatrick, President & CEO of the AKA Team. Both Nancy and Ariane have made significant contributions to youth and workforce development, facilitating efforts to create viable solutions for young people in our community.

Nancy has been instrumental in coordinating resources and services across dozens of neighborhoods in partnership with Y.O.U., focusing on workforce development for teens. Ariane has partnered with Y.O.U. for several years supporting efforts to train and prepare young adults ages 18-24 for the construction industry.

Huntington Community Catalyst Award

The Huntington Community Catalyst Award honors a community-based organization that makes a significant impact in the lives of youth ages 14-24. This award recognizes innovative methods to addressing systemic barriers and improving community outcomes.

This year, we are proud to celebrate Re:Source Cleveland for their outstanding contributions to our community. The organization is dedicated to empowering young people in the resettled community and fostering opportunities for success, perfectly aligning with the values embodied by this award.

Brenda Stark Award

The Brenda Stark Award honors a front-line youth development worker in the nonprofit sector. This award recognizes individuals who are dedicated to helping youth thrive by coordinating and providing essential services that support their academic, career, and personal development. This year, the award went to Y.O.U.’s own Nika Newsome.

Nika embodies the qualities of an outstanding youth development worker, demonstrating unwavering commitment and compassion for the young people she serves. Through her leadership in the Jobs for Ohio's Graduates program, she delivers a comprehensive workforce development curriculum and fosters lasting relationships that empower her students to thrive.