Unsung Heroes of the Year
Each year, the Unsung Hero of the Year awards recognize individuals at partner organizations whose dedication goes far beyond expectations. From frontline staff and nonprofit leaders to volunteers and advocates, these honorees give their time, heart, and expertise to ensure people experiencing or at risk of homelessness receive critical support when they need it most.
Together, they are helping build an Orange County where everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home, and we are deeply grateful for their extraordinary contributions.
Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center (AASCSC)
Joyce Lee
Celebrating Life Community Health Center
Kimberly Tobon
City of Anaheim
Nadia Martinez
Community Action Partnership of Orange County
Kazandra Maldonado-Ramirez
Encompass Housing
Ariana Soto
Garden Grove Housing Authority
Vy Ho
The Cambodian Family
Chantheary Ly
American Family Housing
Charles Lozano
Homeless Intervention Services of Orange County (HIS-OC)
Madeline Domingo
Laura’s House
Jim Murray
Public Law Center
Hannah Poploskie
School on Wheels
Phat Nguyen
Pathways of Hope
Adan Reyes
City of Santa Ana
Brenda Cortez
Families Forward
Lisa Perez
Covenant House California
Tanesha Tigner
Mercy House
Magdalena Martinez
Orangewood Foundation
Crystal Ford
Human Options
Dayana Lucero
City Net
TD Nguyen
Lutheran Social Services of Southern California
Salman Mogaddedi
Project Hope Alliance
Angela Garcia
Welcoming Neighbors Home
Ann Owens
Moving Forward Psychological Institute, Inc.
Grant A. Murray
South County Outreach
Daniela Nieto
Friendship Shelter
Angel de la Fuente
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County
Micheal Oliver
Share Ourselves
Michael McGlinn
Jamboree Housing Corporation
Ashley Cornejo
Long Beach VA Medical Center
Betty Tamtomo
Illumination Health + Home
Ann Marie Hamilton
Housing Navigator,
Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center (AASCSC)
Joyce Lee
Joyce is a passionate and persistent advocate for older adults experiencing housing instability in Orange County. Through the Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program (HHIP) at the Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center (AASCSC), where she also serves as project lead, she builds trust with participants, assesses their needs, and helps identify barriers to housing, health care, and supportive services.
As the program expanded its outreach, Joyce played a key role in strengthening partner relationships, following up consistently, and making the most of every opportunity to connect with older adults where they were. Her leadership and determination helped the team engage more than 100 older adults and ensure they were assessed and connected with support.
Joyce understands that housing stability is closely connected to a person’s health and well-being. Her compassion, organization, and follow-through have strengthened AASCSC’s ability to serve older adults facing housing challenges, while her warmth and positive energy help foster trust, encouragement, and connection among participants, colleagues, and community partners. Her ability to pair meaningful results with genuine care for each person is what makes Joyce an Unsung Hero.
Licensed Vocational Nurse,
Celebrating Life Community Health Center
Kimberly Tobon
Kimberly provides every patient at Celebrating Life Community Health Center with compassion, dignity, and genuine care. She meets people where they are and takes time to understand needs that may extend beyond medical treatment, helping patients feel seen, respected, and valued regardless of their circumstances.
Kimberly takes a whole-person approach to care, and her support often continues after an appointment ends. She coordinates with case management, providers, and other members of the care team to help patients navigate treatment plans, medications, follow-up appointments, and barriers that could prevent them from receiving the care they need. Her dedication, teamwork, and consistent advocacy reflect her commitment to supporting each patient’s overall well-being.
By placing each patient’s needs first and ensuring they are treated with humanity and respect, Kimberly exemplifies the compassionate service of an Unsung Hero.
Staff Analyst,
City of Anaheim
Nadia Martinez
After a senior who had spent 30 years without stable housing lost an emergency housing voucher, an existing policy prevented them from being considered for another housing opportunity. Nadia reviewed the case, saw that the senior was actively participating in case management and making progress toward greater stability, and advocated directly with Housing Authority staff for the decision to be reconsidered. Because of her persistence and knowledge of program guidelines, the senior regained access to a voucher and moved back into stable housing.
Nadia’s willingness to look beyond an initial administrative decision and pursue every available option is one reason she is recognized as an Unsung Hero. In her broader work with the City of Anaheim, she navigates complex housing systems, advocates for greater access to vouchers, and helps develop grants and programs that direct millions of dollars toward housing resources and supportive services.
She also makes herself available to people seeking assistance, responding promptly, and helping ensure important details do not slip through the cracks. Nadia’s empathy, expertise, and collaborative leadership make her an important bridge between housing policy, service providers, property partners, and people working to secure a stable place to call home.
Youth Services Coordinator,
Community Action Partnership of Orange County
Kazandra Maldonado-Ramirez
Kazandra’s commitment to young people and families extends far beyond the responsibilities of her role at Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC). In addition to leading the youth program at the Southwest Community Center, she regularly supports the center’s hot meals program and uses her personal time to help youth in the community connect with resources.
That dedication has been especially meaningful for a family of six living in their vehicle. Kazandra has helped connect the family with housing navigation, supported the oldest sibling, a young adult, in obtaining documents needed to seek employment, and worked to ensure they have consistent access to food and other support. Through her patience and steady presence, the siblings have begun to feel safer, engage more fully in the program, and imagine new possibilities for their futures.
Kazandra is an Unsung Hero whose compassion, positivity, and tenacity are reflected in the trust she builds and the hope she helps youth reclaim. Whether she is at work or in the community, she continues to show up as a dependable advocate and a source of encouragement.
Housing Navigator,
Encompass Housing
Ariana Soto
Ariana approaches every housing challenge with compassion, creativity, and a determination to find a path forward. As a Housing Navigator with Encompass Housing, she builds trusting relationships with clients and community partners while helping individuals and families access resources and stable housing opportunities. Her persistence and willingness to remain alongside people throughout the process reflect the dedication of an Unsung Hero.
That commitment is evident in her work with a client in a recuperative care program who hopes to live independently. As he navigates ongoing health challenges, Ariana continues to advocate for his goals and explore creative solutions that can help him move toward greater stability.
Ariana is also quick to step in wherever support is needed, bringing reliability, encouragement, and a positive spirit to her work. Through her advocacy and follow-through, dozens of adults and children have gained the safety and stability of a place to call home.
Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator,
Garden Grove Housing Authority
Vy Ho
Vy understands that progress deserves to be recognized. In her work with the Garden Grove Housing Authority, she supports individuals and families as they pursue education, employment, career growth, and greater financial stability.
To help participants stay encouraged along the way, Vy created Milestone Matters, an initiative that celebrates individual achievements with gift card incentives. Her thoughtful approach helps people see the value of each step forward and build confidence as they continue working toward their goals.
Vy’s patience, empathy, and resourcefulness shape every interaction. She takes time to understand each participant’s circumstances, recognizes accomplishments that might otherwise go unnoticed, and helps people believe in what they can achieve. That steady encouragement and creative support make her an Unsung Hero to the families she serves.
Housing Systems Advocate,
The Cambodian Family
Chantheary Ly
Chantheary is a steadfast advocate who approaches every housing challenge with respect, compassion, and a determination to keep moving forward. She does not walk away when circumstances become difficult. Instead, she looks for practical solutions, connects families with available resources, and helps them remain supported throughout an often-complicated journey toward stable housing.
A recent example of her commitment involved a couple facing multiple barriers, including limited income, language and accessibility needs, and very few housing options. Chantheary helped connect them with public benefits and other available resources while finding solutions for immediate needs such as transportation and hygiene supplies. Although their housing search remained challenging, her advocacy and consistent support helped the family continue moving forward with greater stability and hope.
Chantheary also stands out for the initiative and positive energy she brings to The Cambodian Family. She readily steps in to help colleagues, takes action when complex problems arise, and proudly celebrates the organization’s successes with the broader community. Together, these qualities reflect why Chantheary is recognized as an Unsung Hero.
Program Manager,
American Family Housing
Charles Lozano
Charles is recognized as an Unsung Hero for the way he leads alongside his team rather than from the sidelines. He supports staff, assists members directly, and never asks others to take on something he would not be willing to do himself. That hands-on approach has earned trust across American Family Housing and reflects the accountability, teamwork, and integrity he brings to his role.
During a critical program transition, Charles worked directly with 27 members to help them pursue new housing opportunities. Serving as a central point of contact, he coordinates with members, housing providers, service partners, and others involved in the process. At the same time, he has taken on the operation of a new permanent supportive housing site, approaching both responsibilities with reliability, transparency, and a consistently positive attitude.
Charles continues to strengthen his leadership by actively seeking feedback, asking thoughtful questions, and looking for better ways to support his staff. His willingness to grow, share the workload, and remain fully committed during a demanding period has helped create stronger outcomes for both the team and the members they serve.
CalAIM Intake Coordinator,
Homeless Intervention Services of Orange County (HIS-OC)
Madeline Domingo
Madeline brings patience, precision, and genuine care to each step of the intake process at HIS-OC. She helps ensure that individuals and families are not left waiting unnecessarily for support, while guiding staff through referrals, eligibility requirements, enrollments, and other CalAIM processes.
When referrals and enrollments increased significantly, Madeline responded with calm focus and dependable follow-through. She carefully reviewed information, resolved issues, answered questions, and helped prevent delays that could have interrupted someone’s connection to services. Her ability to manage a demanding workload without losing sight of the people behind each referral has made a meaningful difference for both clients and colleagues.
Much of Madeline’s work takes place before services ever begin, yet it helps make those services possible. Her consistency, compassion, and commitment to getting each detail right exemplify the often-unseen impact of an Unsung Hero.
Board Member,
Laura’s House
Jim Murray
Jim’s commitment to Laura’s House can be seen throughout the organization, from the spaces he helped improve to the people and programs he continues to support. Whenever a need arises, he is quick to offer his time, professional expertise, resources, and personal encouragement without seeking recognition in return.
His contributions have included transporting furniture and materials, supporting maintenance and restoration projects, and helping create safer, more functional environments for clients and staff. Jim personally funded and completed a full remodel of the organization’s Domestic Violence Advocacy site in Garden Grove and donated roofing services and repairs across several Laura’s House locations. By helping preserve these facilities, he has allowed more resources to remain focused on services for individuals and families.
This generous, hands-on service is at the heart of Jim’s recognition as an Unsung Hero. He also recruits donors and sponsors, provides leadership for the annual H.O.P.E. Golf Tournament and key committees, and offers guidance to colleagues and community members. Despite the reach of his contributions, Jim remains humble, dependable, and deeply invested in helping others succeed.
Staff Attorney,
Public Law Center
Hannah Poploskie
Hannah is drawn to housing cases that demand patience, creativity, and a deep understanding of complex laws and regulations. She has developed expertise in cases involving housing vouchers and subsidies, where the loss of assistance can place individuals and families at immediate risk of losing their homes. Even when a case takes months to resolve, she remains committed through every step.
That persistence recently helped a survivor of domestic violence and her child remain safely housed. After their voucher was terminated, Hannah worked to pause an eviction, work with the housing authority to have the decision reconsidered, transfer the voucher to the survivor, and secure payment of the outstanding rent. Her ability to navigate several legal and administrative obstacles while keeping the family’s safety and housing stability at the center of the case reflects the determined advocacy of an Unsung Hero.
Hannah also brings a collaborative spirit to her work at Public Law Center, building relationships across organizations and agencies to find solutions for her clients. Her knowledge has made her a trusted advocate for complex voucher and housing subsidy cases, while her service on the board of Radiant Health Centers extends her commitment to compassionate care and support for underserved Orange County residents.
Volunteer,
School on Wheels
Phat Nguyen
“Look, Phat is back!” was one student’s excited reaction when he saw Phat return to lead a group tutoring session. That moment reflected the trust and connection Phat had built through years of showing up consistently for students experiencing housing instability.
Week after week, Phat offers more than academic support. He brings patience, encouragement, and genuine interest to each student, helping them grow in their education while serving as a dependable mentor. His ability to form meaningful relationships and remain committed over time is what makes him an Unsung Hero to the students and families he supports.
Phat’s dedication also extends beyond his volunteer work with School on Wheels. He gives his time to other organizations and shelters throughout Orange County, guided by a deep commitment to serving families and strengthening his community.
Emergency Shelter Case Manager,
Pathways of Hope
Adan Reyes
Adan helps individuals and families see their own strengths, especially when the path toward housing feels overwhelming. At Pathways of Hope, he listens closely to each person’s goals, offers steady encouragement through setbacks, and helps them take practical steps toward employment, housing, and other services that can support their progress.
That consistency was especially meaningful for a family navigating both a difficult housing search and challenges during their shelter stay. Adan continued to communicate with kindness and dignity while helping the family understand program expectations and remain focused on their housing goals. His advocacy ultimately helped them secure a permanent housing opportunity, along with the furnishings needed to make the new space feel like home. His ability to balance accountability with compassion is one reason Adan is recognized as an Unsung Hero.
Adan brings humility, patience, and thoughtful leadership to every interaction, helping people build the confidence to take on new challenges knowing they have someone in their corner. He maintains that commitment while working full-time and pursuing a Master of Social Work degree, reflecting the resilience and determination he brings to both his profession and his continued growth.
Housing Specialist II,
City of Santa Ana
Brenda Cortez
Brenda is recognized as an Unsung Hero for pairing deep housing expertise with genuine compassion for the families and colleagues she supports. At the Santa Ana Housing Authority, she is known as a knowledgeable, dependable team member who leads with purpose and consistently keeps people at the center of the work.
She has taken a lead role in selecting families from the waiting list and coordinating group orientations for applicants facing housing instability. From managing logistics to helping families understand what comes next, Brenda brings organization, clarity, and care to a process that can feel overwhelming.
Creative, determined, and always looking for ways to improve, Brenda carries significant responsibilities while working in a part-time capacity. Her leadership strengthens the team, improves the experience for program participants, and reflects her deep commitment to the Santa Ana community.
Service Navigation Manager,
Families Forward
Lisa Perez
Lisa exemplifies the steadfast leadership, humility, and deep commitment of an Unsung Hero. During a year marked by a significant increase in need, she guided her team through rising referrals while developing thoughtful strategies to ensure families facing housing instability received timely and coordinated support.
Her leadership was especially important when a high volume of families at risk of eviction needed assistance. In one urgent case, Lisa coordinated prevention resources and community partners to prioritize a family facing the imminent loss of their housing. Her ability to navigate a complex situation and move quickly helped ensure the family received assistance in time and remained housed.
Lisa also plays a key role in refining how families move through Families Forward’s Access Point and Prevention programs. Much of her impact happens behind the scenes, where she supports staff, strengthens program processes, and keeps a client-centered approach at the heart of decision-making. Her thoughtful leadership is foundational to the responsive services and timely support families receive.
Senior Residential Manager,
Covenant House California
Tanesha Tigner
Commitment to youth, compassion, and joy are values Tanesha brings to life through her leadership at Covenant House California. She is deeply dedicated to the young people and staff she supports, approaching demanding situations with humility, kindness, and a sense of humor that helps others keep moving forward.
Those qualities were especially evident when the shelter temporarily relocated during renovations. Tanesha helped coordinate the move of an entire household to a hotel while ensuring services continued, and both youth and staff felt supported throughout the disruption. Present at every step, she looked for creative ways to thank staff for their flexibility and worked to provide young people with as much consistency and stability as possible.
Tanesha balances this responsibility while raising her family and continuing her education, carrying each role with love, humor, and grace. Her adaptability, compassion, and heartfelt leadership make her a joyful example of what it means to be an Unsung Hero.
Housing Solutions Program Manager,
Mercy House
Magdalena Martinez
Magdalena is recognized as an Unsung Hero for the steady leadership, compassion, and initiative she brings to Mercy House. When her team needed greater stability and support, she stepped in wherever she could make a difference, helping manage caseloads, providing hands-on assistance, and filling gaps so services could continue without disruption.
She also introduced clearer workflows and communication practices that helped the team regain its footing. At the same time, Magdalena remained attentive to staff well-being by checking in regularly, offering guidance, and creating a supportive environment for supervisors and case managers.
Her willingness to roll up her sleeves strengthened trust, collaboration, and morale across the team. By caring for both the people and the processes behind the work, Magdalena helped ensure staff could continue providing dependable support to clients.
Housing Independent Living Program Supervisor,
Orangewood Foundation
Crystal Ford
Crystal leads with both heart and strategy. Under her leadership, Orangewood Foundation’s Housing Independent Living Program has grown from a developing initiative into a thriving standalone program serving approximately 200 young adults with Foster Youth to Independence housing vouchers. She has developed new processes, strengthened partnerships with housing authorities and community organizations, and built the infrastructure needed to support a team of eight staff members during a period of rapid growth.
Just as important as what Crystal has built is the way she guides her team. When a young adult misses an appointment, struggles to maintain housing, or experiences a setback, she coaches staff to respond with both accountability and empathy. She encourages them to understand the barriers involved, identify solutions, and help each person reengage with their goals without losing the opportunity to take ownership of their future.
This ability to balance high expectations with compassion distinguishes Crystal as an Unsung Hero. She inspires confidence, brings people together around shared goals, and helps her team provide young adults with stability, hope, and opportunities for growth. Even while leading one of Orangewood Foundation’s largest programs and pursuing her Master’s Degree, Crystal continues to show up with optimism, determination, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed.
Hotline Advocate,
Human Options
Dayana Lucero
Dayana brings compassion, clarity, and care to some of the most difficult moments a survivor of domestic violence may face. Each day, she listens closely to people calling the Human Options hotline, helps assess their needs, and connects them with critical resources and services. Her warm and reassuring presence helps survivors feel heard, supported, and cared for.
Since joining Human Options, Dayana has also become a trusted presence for colleagues and survivors participating in the organization’s programs. She communicates clearly, responds with professionalism, and readily steps in wherever support is needed. Her leadership and solution-oriented attitude help strengthen daily operations while ensuring people receive thoughtful and responsive assistance.
Whether supporting a survivor or diving into an urgent task, Dayana brings reliability, kindness, and positive energy to everything she does. Although many of her contributions happen quietly, their impact is felt throughout Human Options every day, and her willingness to serve wherever she is needed embodies the spirit of an Unsung Hero.
Community Support Navigator,
City Net
TD Nguyen
TD never seeks recognition for his work, even when his persistence changes the course of someone’s life. That humility, paired with his deep compassion for people facing significant barriers, is part of what makes him an Unsung Hero at City Net.
For one client navigating serious health and mobility challenges, securing housing required far more than completing applications and attending appointments. TD stayed closely involved, addressed obstacles as they arose, coordinated support, and made sure the client was treated with dignity throughout the process. His determination ultimately helped the individual move into a safe apartment of his own. The client passed away soon afterward, but he was able to spend his final days with the comfort, security, and dignity of having a place to call home.
That experience reflects how TD approaches his work every day. He is patient when progress is difficult, willing to step beyond the usual expectations of his role, and steadfast in reminding people that they matter and are not alone. For TD, helping someone secure housing is not simply about finding a unit. It is about ensuring each person is seen, respected, and supported along the way.
Regional Director of Community Services,
Lutheran Social Services of Southern California
Salman Mogaddedi
Salman brings calm, informed leadership to complex community work. He partners effectively with county leaders, community organizations, and colleagues across departments, contributing valuable insight while helping people stay aligned around shared goals. His thoughtful approach and consistent follow-through have earned the confidence of both his team and external partners.
That leadership has been especially important while overseeing a high-need service office during periods of limited resources. Salman has managed competing priorities, maintained continuity of operations, and helped his team remain focused on delivering meaningful support to the community. He has also played a key role in organizing large-scale hygiene kit distributions, bringing together resources and partnerships to respond to immediate needs.
Salman does not rely on visibility to make an impact. His expertise becomes evident through collaboration, problem-solving, and the results he helps others achieve. By strengthening relationships, motivating his team, and expanding the reach of community services, he demonstrates the steady, community-focused leadership of an Unsung Hero.
Case Manager,
Project Hope Alliance
Angela Garcia
Angela brings consistency, integrity, and empathy to every relationship she builds with youth and families at Project Hope Alliance. Her humility and compassion embody the values of an Unsung Hero, while her steady presence helps families feel supported as they navigate housing challenges and pursue the resources they need to thrive.
Earlier this year, a family experienced an unexpected housing crisis late on a Friday afternoon. Angela immediately began identifying housing resources, emergency funding, and other available support to help the family through the weekend. She remained alongside the family throughout the process, making sure they had clear next steps and were not left facing uncertainty alone.
Even during a year filled with crises and urgent needs, Angela has remained positive, creative, and ready to support both families and colleagues. She may not always call attention to her work, but the insight and knowledge she shares are thoughtful, intentional, and grounded in a deep commitment to the young people and families she serves.
Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator,
Welcoming Neighbors Home
Ann Owens
For six years, Ann has helped make the case for affordable housing across South Orange County. As a longtime volunteer and outreach coordinator with Welcoming Neighbors Home, she recruits and trains other community members, analyzes local housing plans, and speaks at city council and planning commission meetings on behalf of people in need of safe, affordable homes.
Her advocacy has led to meaningful local action. In Mission Viejo, Ann organized residents to follow the city’s housing plans and participate in the public process. Their efforts helped influence the adoption of an ordinance requiring new housing developments to include affordable homes.
Ann also turns advocacy into hands-on service by collecting food donations, contributing to monthly meals for people experiencing homelessness, and participating in National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week activities. A dependable volunteer, eloquent spokesperson, and gifted community organizer, Ann embodies an Unsung Hero by helping more people find their voice and take action for affordable housing.
Executive Assistant,
Moving Forward Psychological Institute, Inc.
Grant A. Murray
Compassion, acceptance, reassurance, and empowerment are more than organizational values to Grant. They shape how he responds to clients, colleagues, and community partners, particularly when circumstances are complex and someone needs patience, practical support, or simply a listening ear. His ability to meet people where they are and protect their access to services is why those around him regard him as an Unsung Hero.
Grant demonstrated the Community CARE Champion mindset, one of Moving Forward Psychological Institute’s guiding principles, while supporting an individual who had experienced repeated barriers to housing and difficulty building trust with service providers. His calm demeanor, accepting attitude, and consistent reassurance helped her remain engaged. He explored housing options with her, accompanied her to court for emotional support, and purchased a bus pass so she could attend a hearing. When progress became difficult, he continued to respond without judgment and made clear that she could return for support whenever she was ready.
Within Moving Forward Psychological Institute, Grant is also a steady presence during stressful situations. Staff and volunteers seek his guidance because he helps others feel reassured, focused, and grounded. His thoughtful instincts, humility, and willingness to take on challenging situations extend far beyond the expectations of his title and strengthen the care the organization provides.
Case Manager,
South County Outreach
Daniela Nieto
For Daniela, supporting a family through a housing crisis means staying with them through every step. When a sudden loss of income placed one family at risk of eviction, she helped them gather documentation, navigate available resources, and develop a plan to stabilize their situation. She maintained regular communication throughout the process, bringing patience and clarity to a moment when the family felt overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn.
That unwavering dedication is what makes Daniela an Unsung Hero at South County Outreach. She builds trust by treating each client with empathy and respect, while collaborating with colleagues, community partners, and service providers to help families overcome barriers and move toward greater stability.
Daniela brings that same determination to her own professional growth. While managing a full-time caseload, she is also pursuing her Master of Social Work degree, reflecting the perseverance and commitment she brings to both her education and the families she serves.
Access Point Coordinator,
Friendship Shelter
Angel de la Fuente
Angel is known for her attention to detail, genuine empathy, and commitment to making sure clients feel heard and supported. She brings a thoughtful, solutions-focused approach to her work at Friendship Shelter and is always looking for ways to improve how services are delivered.
One example is the partnership she developed with Saddleback College to provide space for meetings with Transitional Age Youth. Through persistence and strong relationship-building, Angel helped create a welcoming and convenient setting where young people can connect with support. Her initiative strengthened an important community partnership and expanded opportunities to better serve youth in the program.
Angel’s creativity, reliability, and willingness to collaborate make her a valued colleague and an Unsung Hero. Her educational background in criminal justice also contributes to the analytical skills and critical thinking she brings to complex situations, helping ensure important details are not overlooked.
Volunteer,
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County
Micheal Oliver
When Habitat for Humanity of Orange County needs someone to step forward, Micheal is often the volunteer who answers the call. She knocks on doors to share Habitat OC’s mission, serves as a lead volunteer ambassador on construction sites, supports events, and welcomes donors and community members during jobsite tours. Whatever the task, she brings enthusiasm, warmth, and an unwaveringly positive spirit.
During a recent tour with a longtime donor, Micheal brought Habitat OC’s impact to life through the stories she shared and the genuine passion behind them. Her ability to make visitors feel welcomed and personally connected to the mission helps strengthen relationships and inspire deeper involvement. She brings that same care to Habitat families, forming special connections with children as they imagine their bedrooms, yards, and futures in a new home.
Micheal’s service is rooted in gratitude, purpose, and a genuine desire to uplift others. Her energy, compassion, and willingness to help wherever she is needed have made her Habitat OC’s go-to volunteer and a powerful ambassador for its work. Through every interaction, she demonstrates exactly why she is recognized as an Unsung Hero.
Lead Care Manager,
Share Ourselves
Michael McGlinn
Michael understands that services alone are not always enough. As Lead Care Manager at Share Ourselves, he gives people his time, his presence, and a listening ear, helping them feel seen and valued while navigating complex health and housing challenges. He approaches every person with extraordinary patience, compassion, and respect, and he never turns someone away.
For one client who had experienced homelessness for more than 25 years, Michael’s persistence helped secure placement in permanent supportive housing. He continued supporting the client beyond the housing process, including delivering and organizing medications when severe vision loss made daily care more difficult. After the client later passed away without family nearby, Michael made sure his life was remembered and honored by those who had known him.
That depth of care is why Michael represents the mission of Share Ourselves in such a personal way. His perseverance, servant leadership, and genuine human connection embody what it means to be an Unsung Hero, leaving an impact that reaches far beyond any single service or housing placement.
Data Analyst,
Jamboree Housing Corporation
Ashley Cornejo
Ashley has a remarkable ability to turn complex data and technical processes into clear, useful information. At Jamboree Housing Corporation, she develops reporting tools that help managers monitor caseloads and outcomes, prepares critical reports, and ensures the team has the accurate information needed to carry the work forward. Her contributions may not always be visible, but they reach nearly every part of the organization.
During an intensive audit of CalAIM files and housing deposit records, Ashley worked one-on-one with case managers to gather documentation, upload materials correctly, and ensure each file was accurate and balanced. Her patience and step-by-step guidance transformed what could have been an overwhelming process into one that staff could navigate with confidence, helping multiple sites successfully complete their audits.
That willingness to bring others along is central to Ashley’s impact as an Unsung Hero. Curious, adaptable, and deeply attentive to her colleagues’ workloads, she readily takes on new projects and explains technical information in language people can understand and apply. Her precision keeps the organization accountable, while her empathy ensures no one feels left behind.
Community Resource & Referral Center Team Lead,
Long Beach VA Medical Center
Betty Tamtomo
Betty is a dedicated advocate for Veterans and a trusted leader at the Long Beach VA Medical Center’s Community Resource and Referral Center. She has strengthened connections between the VA and community partners across Orange County, helping Veterans better understand and access the services and resources available to them. She also supports colleagues through challenging situations, offering thoughtful guidance while ensuring the Veteran remains at the center of the response.
That dedication made a significant difference for a Vietnam War Veteran who was not registered to receive care through the Long Beach VA Medical Center. Betty helped him complete the registration process and, after learning more about his military history and health conditions, encouraged him to request a review of his VA disability rating. His rating was ultimately increased from 20% to 100%, opening access to additional programs at a critical time as his health declined, and he prepared to move into housing through the HUD-VASH program.
Betty embodies authentic leadership through the relationships she builds and the confidence she inspires in others. She encourages colleagues to grow into their full capabilities, continually strengthens community partnerships, and works to ensure Veterans receive the support they have earned. Her commitment to both Veterans and her team is what makes Betty an Unsung Hero.
Manager of Care Coordination and Case Management,
Illumination Health + Home
Ann Marie Hamilton
Ann Marie brings a “whatever it takes” attitude to serving people with complex health and housing needs. Over the past four years, she has advocated tirelessly for the people in her care, making sure they are heard and supported in pursuing the stability and opportunities they deserve.
That commitment was especially clear when a client’s time in recuperative care was ending, but ongoing health challenges made a return to a shelter unsafe. Ann Marie secured additional time for the client to remain in care while she searched for an appropriate placement. She ultimately found a skilled nursing facility that could continue supporting the client’s recovery, then personally accompanied them to help ensure the transition was completed safely.
Ann Marie now brings that same patience, creativity, and person-centered approach to leading her team at Illumination Health + Home. She mentors staff through emotionally demanding work, equips them to navigate difficult situations, and keeps the programs she oversees focused on the people they serve. Her dedication to both clients and colleagues demonstrates why she is recognized as an Unsung Hero.