The Tempe Human Relations Commission will honor Holly Herman (former SWC office staffer and writer of our weekly Jottings!) at the MLK Diversity Awards breakfast at 7:30 am on Monday, January 9 at The Buttes.
This year's awards honor people and organizations that make our community a more welcoming and inclusive place. Honorees are selected by the Tempe Human Relations Commission from nominations submitted by community members. Speakers include Dr. Lois Brown, Director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at Arizona State University, and Mayor Corey Woods.
Holly Herman leads the University Presbyterian Church’s efforts to help refugee families. Holly created teams of people, many with bilingual skills, to cook meals, gather clothing and supplies, provide showers and laundry needs, arrange transportation, and even take the time to be a welcoming friend. When two Iranian refugee families needed a temporary place to live, she helped transform Sunday school classrooms into private residences. With the addition of a third family, UPC, with Holly’s leadership, has committed time and resources to support the seven refugees as they navigate their legal situation, learn about the culture and study the language, and prepare for their future employment.
In 2021, through a partnership with Humane Borders and the Ajo Samaritans, she started supporting the Center for Hope, a refugee resource center in Sonoyta Sonora, Mexico. In addition to marshaling support from the University Presbyterian congregation and its Mission, Social Justice and Peacemaking Committee, she invited a new coalition of donors from other churches and individuals who heard about the needs. The East Valley Network expanded. University Presbyterian has collected thousands of dollars from its own members and many others. Every two weeks a load of clothes, shoes, underwear, towels, blankets, toilet paper, craft items, diapers, sanitary supplies, shampoo and other health items are driven to Ajo for delivery to Sonoyta.
Congratulations, Holly! Thank you for all you do to make a difference.