Six in other categories honored

Advocate

contest. The competition — which was open to volunteers in the Central Texas area — drew nominations for people selflessly working for a wide range of churches, nonprofits and neighborhood groups.

In addition to Volunteer of the Year, individuals were honored in six other categories, including youth, senior and social services.

Roa won the overall contest because of her devotion to housing issues, her work with the Ladies of Charity of Austin and her willingness to mentor young families. She also works with Austin Interfaith, a coalition of churches, schools, and local governments.

“I love this work,” Roa said. “I really and truly do.”

Technically, Roa is retired. The 62-year-old Austin woman left her job at Austin Energy 13 years ago. Since then, volunteering has become a fulltime profession.

Caring for people is something she says she comes by naturally. Her mother was a woman of “deep faith” who taught her to nurture relationships with people regardless of their religion, race or economic status, Roa said. Her grandmother worked tirelessly with her church, helped her neighbors and cared for local homeless people by giving them food or clothing.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, what color you are,” Roa said. “As my mom used to say, when you pinch someone, it hurts them just like it hurts you.”

Today, Roa is passionate about protecting low-income people from being exploited or mistreated. Roa may be of short stature — she’s 5 feet 1 inch tall — but those who know her say her unabashed bluntness and forcefulness can be imposing, Cloutman said.

“She’ll point that little finger right at you,” he said. “She will dress you down if you are not helping poor people.”