An overflow crowd at Holland’s City Council chambers turned out Jan. 15 to celebrate the winners of the Holland Human Relations Commission’s (HRC) 2024 Social Justice Awards, which honored the individuals and organizations who are shaping Holland into a more equitable and inclusive community.
The annual awards, now in their 26th year, have become a hallmark of Holland’s commitment to social justice. Since the program’s inception, 121 individuals and organizations have been honored for their work promoting equal opportunity and access for all residents.
This year’s awards highlighted achievements in housing, education, employment, government relations, community relations, health services, and accessibility. The Youth Social Justice Award was presented and chosen by the Holland Youth Advisory Council.
“It takes all of us, working together, to build a community of belonging for everyone. The Human Relations Commission is proud to honor these individuals and organizations who inspire us and advance Holland toward greater equity and access for all residents,” says Jeff Minkus, chair of the Human Relations Commission.
Education
In the education category,
Mosaic Counseling was recognized for its groundbreaking work in providing free mental health services to 27 schools across Ottawa County, including the Holland Public Schools.
By bringing counseling directly into schools, Mosaic has removed barriers such as transportation, language, and insurance, making mental health support more accessible to students and families.
In addition to counseling, Mosaic has trained over 12,000 adults and teens in its QPR (Question. Persuade. Refer.) suicide prevention program, working with partners such as Holland Hospital. the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan’s be NICE-Ottawa County, Community Mental Health, and other mental health agencies.
“Mosaic had an idea 15 years ago to send our therapists into local schools to provide professional counseling that was free to students to remove the financial and transportation barriers that were keeping them from accessing mental health services,” says Sarah Lewakowski, of Mosaic Counseling. “Our outreach program has grown from one school to 27 schools in Ottawa County, with 15 of those currently in the districts of West Ottawa and Holland. This recognition brings awareness to Mosaic and to our mission to serve the mental health needs of our community.”
Government relations
In the category of government relations,
Ottawa County Community Action Agency (OCCAA) was honored for its innovative approach to empowering residents through food security, utility assistance, weatherization, and emergency home repair. The agency’s creativity includes using DoorDash to deliver food to seniors unable to visit distribution centers.
Jennifer Brozowski, OCCAA’s program director, thanked the organization’s advisory board, staff, community partners, and clients.
“We’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible people who share their stories, open their homes to us, and sometimes even share a slice of apple pie. We know asking for help isn’t easy, and it’s an honor to earn their trust,” Brozowski says.
She also thanked the HRC for its intentional timing in hosting the awards close to MLK Day.
“One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King is, ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.’ To everyone being honored tonight, thank you for being a source of light in our community every day,” she says.
Community relations
For the category of community relations,
3Sixty was honored for nearly 20 years of work in Holland’s Eastcore Neighborhood to promote equity and inclusion. From its tool-sharing library to the Tulip City Walls Mural Festival, which celebrates diversity through art, music, and food, 3Sixty’s work exemplifies grassroots community building.
“Every community faces challenges, but instead of focusing on what's wrong, 3Sixty starts with what's strong,” says Jake Norris, director of 3Sixty. “We leverage the gifts already present to make our neighborhoods more equitable and more meaningful places to live. And some of the most overlooked gifts are those of the individual neighbors living in Holland. We are honored to support them in making our neighborhoods better places for everyone living here.”
Housing
Brothers & Sisters Homes received the award in the housing category for going beyond providing basic shelter for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The nonprofit’s mission focuses on fostering meaningful community engagement, ensuring residents participate in work, volunteering, and church activities.
“This selection is recognition of the great work of the staff of Brothers and Sisters Homes and the board and supporters of the Holland Deacons’ Conference in providing homes for special individuals in our community,” says Jim Greydanus, executive director of the Holland Deacons’ Conference CRC. “This award sends the message, ‘We see you and value you in our community.’”
Health services
In the category of health services,
HEARTSafe Holland was recognized for its life-saving efforts to equip the community with CPR knowledge and technology to respond to cardiac emergencies.
The initiative includes apps like PulsePoint Respond and PulsePoint AED, which alert trained individuals and direct them to nearby defibrillators during emergencies. In 2023, HEARTSafe trained 4,300 residents, 15% of Holland’s population.
“Through this award, we hope to encourage more residents to take our hour-long CPR training so they can recognize and provide immediate treatment for sudden cardiac arrest,” says Steven Stegeman, of HEARTSafe Holland.
Accessibility
For the second year in a row, an award has been given for accessibility. This year’s award went to
Chase Magsig, a teacher in
Holland Public Schools. As a Deaf Language Model for the district, Magsig bridges the gap between the Deaf/Hard of Hearing and hearing communities.
Through his ASL classes and mentorship programs, Magsig fosters two-way communication and promotes understanding. His work extends to summer camps and online classes that engage the broader community.
“This whole movement is something bigger than myself,” says Magsig. “It’s going to take all of us to make it happen, and I truly believe Holland is a great place to start the new hub I’ve been dreaming of. Back in the 1800s, there was an island where the primary way people communicated was through sign language. There were many deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the community, and it’s my dream to bring that spirit back into today’s world. I believe Holland has the most potential to make that happen, with the diversity and the love we have for one another. Let’s keep it going.”
Youth Social Justice
Holland High School senior
Karinna Martinez received the Youth Social Justice Award for her dedication to advocacy and inclusivity. Martinez tutors bilingual students, assists immigrants with citizenship, and serves as a leader on the Holland Youth Advisory Council.
“For me, this award means that my peers recognize me as someone with a good heart who is working towards creating a better community,” says Martinez. “It gives me more of a platform to advocate for inclusivity, kindness, and celebrating all people in the community.”
Lifetime achievement
The evening concluded with the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to
Kay Walvoord for her 33 years of leadership at the
Holland Symphony Orchestra (HSO). Under her guidance, the HSO has launched initiatives like the Music Unites Us concerts and free symphony performances in Kollen Park.
“To me, this award shows that the HSO’s attempts at diversity are working and are having a positive effect on the community,” says Walvoord.
The HRC promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and access across Holland, striving to create a community of belonging for all residents. To learn more about its mission and programs, visit
humanrelations.cityofholland.com. A recording of the awards ceremony is available at
vimeo.com/1047496671.