OCCD 2024 Members Awards and Scholarships

Ohio Conference of Community Development (OCCD), a statewide association of community and economic development practitioners, announced the winners of the 12th Annual OCCD Member Awards, the President’s Award for Innovative Practices, and this year’s Public Service Scholarships at the 2024 Summer Annual Meeting.

The 2024 honorees for the annual OCCD Member Awards include:

            Legacy Awards – In recognition of individuals who have advanced community development programs with particular ardor and creativity throughout their careers, and where long-term benefits are demonstrable and noteworthy.

2024 Recipient - Richard Hendershot

             The George Voinovich Distinguished Public Service Award – In recognition of individuals who have devoted much of their lives to the benefit of society through careers in community development in the public and/or private sectors.

      
   2024 Recipient - Amy Riegel                                                   2024 Recipient - Torey Hollingsworth

             Community Development Partner of the Year Award – In recognition of a non-profit or faith-based organization, individual, business, financial institution, foundation, intermediary, government agency, or other entity that has provided exceptional support to the community development industry.

2024 Recipient - The Conscious Connect, Inc.

            Community Development Professional of the Year – In recognition of community development professionals whose work on a project or program had a major impact on their community.         

2024 Recipient - Sarah Geist     

            Young Community Development Professional of the Year – In recognition of young community development professionals whose work on a project or program had a major impact on their community. This award recognizes community development professionals under the age of 35.

2024 Recipient - Jeremy Heater-Druhot

            Community Development Intern of the Year – In recognition for community development students who have performed exemplary work in and exhibited overwhelming commitment to their internship.

2024 Recipient - Jacob Bean

            Community Development Department of the Year – In recognition of a department whose programs collectively or one program singly has made a significant impact in their community. 

2024 Recipient - Buckeye Hills

In addition to the Member Awards, OCCD created the Public Service Scholarship Fund in 2012 to support students who are passionate about the field of community development.  The scholarship fund was established in honor of William Graves and Gary Locke, and in 2017 was expanded to include Karen Kerns Dresser, who committed their careers to community development and public service in Ohio.  Recipients of $2,000 scholarships included:  Averi Glick, a graduate student majoring in Public Administration at Bowling Green State University; and Najae Jackson, a graduate student majoring in Urban Planning at Cleveland State University.

Scholarship Recipients - Averi Glick and Najae Jackson

The winner of the 2024 OCCD President’s Award for Innovative Practices is the Domestic Violence Project, Inc.

Domestic Violence Project, Inc., founded over 45 years ago, promotes awareness and provides emergency and support services to all those impacted by domestic violence.  Along with shelters in Canton and Massillon, DVPI also provides transitional housing, legal advocacy, medical advocacy, and outreach services to domestic violence survivors. All services are free and confidential and available 24/7.

In January 2024, the first HUD CoC Rapid Rehousing program for domestic violence survivors was launched at DVPI. 

The programs offered at DVPI reflect outstanding accomplishments in addressing significant and immediate needs through their unique safety net service in Stark County, breaking down barriers to help survivors overcome and thrive.

2024 President's Award Recipient - Domestic Violence Project, Inc.