Mayor’s Award winners make Dayton thrive
Mayor Nan Whaley announced six winners of the 2019 Dayton Mayor’s Award, celebrating people and organizations that make Dayton thrive.
Winners were nominated by the community, selected by a committee, and may designate a non-profit organization to receive a $1,000 donation. The award categories and honorees are:
Community Service
Families of Addicts and Melissa Rodriguez
Families of Addicts is a nationally recognized support organization that emerged from the opioid addiction crisis, providing information, referrals, resources, meetings, a community rally and more.
Melissa Rodriquez is an activist and volunteer who, in addition to supporting a number of causes and communities, responded with determination and compassion to the tornado, hate group rally and mass shooting event.
Giving Back to Neighborhoods
Gwen Buchanan and Twin Towers Neighborhood Association
As president of the Carillon Civic Council, Gwen Buchanan facilitated a productive dialogue among residents and OneFifteen, an addiction treatment campus now under construction, and is leading the creation of a longterm redevelopment plan for the Carillon-Edgemont area.
The Twin Towers Neighborhood Association, with the leadership of Leslie Sheward, has successfully tackled long-standing problems through plenty of hands-on work and collaboration with the City of Dayton and community groups.
Education Champion
Lisa Babb
As Miami Valley strategic director of 4C for Children, Lisa Babb leads a staff that works to help parents choose high-quality early childhood education and to help providers deliver high-quality learning programs.
Daytonian of the Year
You, me, us (citizens of Dayton) For 2019, a year of great challenge, Dayton’s citizens are recognized for their resilience, generosity and demonstrated commitment to helping others.
To view a video highlighting the Mayor’s Award winners, go to: daytonohio.gov/mayorsaward2019. The awards were presented at the Feb. 5 City Commission meeting.