PHOENIX — On December 4, 2024, Governor Katie Hobbs joined the Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family (GOYFF) on behalf of the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism at the 21st Annual Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards to recognize individuals and groups meeting critical needs across Arizona through service and volunteerism. Since 2003, the Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards have recognized individuals and groups that have dedicated their hearts, hands, and minds to strengthening their local communities and solving problems within Arizona.
“Congratulations to the recipients of the 21st Annual Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “These individuals are full of heart and dedication, and I'm grateful for their contributions to Arizona. Whether they are mentoring at-risk youth or providing mental health first aid, they are making our communities stronger, healthier, and more secure."
2024 Governor’s Volunteer Service Awardees
Inspired Youth Leadership
Yusuf Rakhimi, Swift Youth Foundation: Yusuf Rakhimi was born in the United States to immigrant parents from Tajikistan. After his parents divorced, he and his mother faced temporary homelessness and serious financial struggles, which made it easier for him to connect with the children at the Swift Youth Foundation. The Swift community includes at-risk children who often do not have the support and opportunities they need for a good childhood. Many of these children struggle with economic instability, limiting their chances for personal growth. Swift helps these children by offering mentorship, friendship, and activities they might not otherwise experience. Yusuf uses his own experiences to encourage them to keep going. Yusuf quickly became dedicated to Swift and has played an essential role in helping children and volunteers. He is a strong mentor for the kids and leads volunteers by example. Yusuf ensures that everyone—children, teens, and adults—feels welcome at Swift. His humor and friendly personality brighten everyone’s day. Swift offers many ways to volunteer, such as summer camps, fundraisers, and sorting donated clothing. Yusuf loves Swift and has taken part in every opportunity at least once. In his first year on the teen board, he dedicated over 250 service hours. As president of the Swift Club at his school, he increased volunteer participation by nearly 30%.
San Lucy District Youth Council, San Lucy District: The nominator described the San Lucy District Youth Council as the heart of their community. The Youth Council hosts events like family movie night and Bingo, encouraging the community to unite and being the first to volunteer to support community events and funerals whenever needed. The youth’s dedication, compassion, and commitment are profound. They are energetic, and everyone in the community loves to have them around.
Inspired Adult Leadership
Steve Engelhardt, Rehoboth CDC’s TIME Program: Steve plays a key role in the Rehoboth CDC’s Training Initiative to Mentor Entrepreneurs (TIME) Program, helping minority micro-entrepreneurs succeed by providing mentoring, training, and planning support that empowers aspiring business owners to develop and implement their ideas. He guides participants in business strategy and offers personalized mentorship that helps them overcome the challenges of building their micro-enterprises. Steve’s work improves the quality of life for these entrepreneurs by promoting economic independence while addressing ongoing issues like financial inequality and lack of resources for minority entrepreneurs in Arizona. Steve stands out because of his passion for helping others and ability to provide meaningful support that leads to real change. He offers each participant detailed business knowledge, strategic advice, and long-term one-on-one mentoring, ensuring they have what they need to succeed. In 2024, he dedicated 150 hours to assisting 60 business owners.
National Service
Lauren Delashaw, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona: Lauren Delashaw served as the Communications Coordinator for the AmeriCorps VISTA program at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA). In this role, she promoted CFSA’s initiatives and highlighted their positive impact on the community, mainly through the CFSA’s Center for Healthy Nonprofits. Using strategic communication, Lauren engaged the community and garnered support by developing a comprehensive communications strategy, building relationships with nonprofit organizations and guest speakers, and managing the Center’s online presence. Although CFSA is in Tucson, Lauren expanded the reach of the Center by organizing in-person workshops in rural areas, including Green Valley/Sahuarita, Sierra Vista, and Yuma. As a result of her efforts, the Center supported over 500 nonprofit professionals from more than 300 organizations, providing them access to expertise, knowledge sharing, networking opportunities, and capacity-building resources. Lauren significantly improved online engagement with nonprofit workers and volunteers, reached more organizations, and enhanced outreach to rural areas, ultimately strengthening Southern Arizona’s nonprofit sector.
Disaster Response
Large Animal Shelters & Emergency Response (LASER): Evacuations may be necessary due to various types of disasters, but wildfires pose the most significant and recurring threat to homes and properties in Yavapai County, and FEMA recognizes that most people will only evacuate with their animals. To address this, Large Animal Shelters & Emergency Response (LASER) works in partnership with Yavapai County Emergency Management in Prescott to provide safe shelter for barn animals during evacuations and to offer information on emergency preparedness. With a solid plan for their animals, residents will be more likely to evacuate when disaster strikes quickly. Upon County activation, LASER’s team of over 60 volunteers responds immediately. Their responsibilities include preparing the shelter site, documenting owner and animal information at intake, feeding, cleaning, conducting animal wellness checks, and staffing the shelter 24/7 until the lifting of the evacuation and animals returned to their owners. During the Grapevine Fire in 2023, LASER sheltered over 90 animals, including three pigs, two goats, and one chicken, for a resident of White Horse Ranch. As of September 30, 2024, LASER volunteers have dedicated 3,626 service hours and raised $37,600.
Volunteer Engagement
Service-Learning & Civic Engagement Program, Chandler-Gilbert Community College: The Service-Learning & Civic Engagement Program (SLCEP) at Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) allows students to participate in planned service projects three times a month. The program provides transportation for students to address transportation barriers that may discourage volunteering. The team actively recruits and promotes volunteer opportunities from nonprofit partners, ensuring all students can engage with their community. Additionally, SLCEP shares information and resources from nonprofit partners with the campus community to assist students facing basic needs and connect them with local organizations that can help. Furthermore, SLCEP has implemented a new model for hiring students to gain work experience at host nonprofit sites. This approach demonstrates the college’s commitment to its partnerships and highlights the valuable work being done by these organizations. In the last academic year, CGCC students contributed over 12,000 hours of community service.
Medical Reserve Corps, Maricopa County Department of Public Health: The Maricopa County Medical Reserve Corps (MCMRC) is a volunteer group comprising 10,000 medical and non-medical individuals dedicated to protecting the health and safety of communities in Maricopa County. In 2024, these volunteers completed over 700 hours of training in CPR, Basic Life Support, Mental Health First Aid, and Stop the Bleed courses, ensuring they are well-prepared to respond to emergencies. MCMRC volunteers also learned how to operate Points of Dispensing (POD) sites and manage Mass Casualty Incident Call Center procedures, directly supporting the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) work. Their commitment reflects their passion for enhancing the well-being and resilience of Maricopa County residents. Whether responding to emergencies or assisting with daily public health initiatives, MCMRC volunteers embody civic responsibility and public service. Through their dedication to training and community service, they play a crucial role in public health, contributing to a safer and more supportive Maricopa County. From January to October 2024, MCMRC volunteers completed 805 shifts, totaling 3,718 service hours.
Community Champion
Salt River Project (SRP): The Salt River Project (SRP) recognizes that local nonprofits rely heavily on the ongoing efforts of volunteers, which are often essential for them to fulfill their missions. With a workforce of 5,300 employees, SRP is committed to supporting the community where they live and work by promoting various volunteer opportunities. The impact of SRP employee service is both significant and diverse each year. Through their efforts, SRP employee volunteers provide essential resources and personal attention to those in need, directly enhancing their well-being. Whether through direct service delivery, mentorship, or leadership roles, the contributions of SRP employees help ensure that individuals and families receive the assistance they need to thrive. In 2023, 1,160 employees volunteered 22,600 hours across 2,091 community events in support of 190 nonprofits. This means that 22% of SRP’s workforce actively participated in local nonprofit initiatives through the SRP Volunteers program, which offers numerous ways for individuals to get involved. Opportunities include family-oriented initiatives, retiree involvement, skills-based volunteering, STEM activities, mentoring and tutoring, and team-building efforts. One example is the ‘We Care Wednesdays’ initiative, which encourages teams to dedicate working hours to positively impact the community. This initiative allows employees to contribute to local causes while having fun and strengthening team bonds in different settings. Another popular initiative within the SRP Volunteers program is the ‘Adopt an Angel/Adopt a Family’ program during the holidays. In 2023, SRP employees supported nearly 800 youth and older adult Angels with gifts and assisted 25 families, contributing more than 1,000 gifts to underserved community members.
Heber-Overgaard Community Resource Network: The Heber-Overgaard Community Resource Network (HOCRN) was established in 2022 by a former fire chief and a dedicated community volunteer who recognized the need for better resource coordination within Heber-Overgaard, an unincorporated community in the White Mountains. HOCRN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operated entirely by volunteers, focused on coordinating resources and providing assistance wherever needed. The organization collaborates with the local Fire and Sheriff’s Departments, eight churches, the American Legion, Eagles, Lions, the Senior Center, and approximately 40-45 other large and small organizations to support residents and visitors. A key funding source for HOCRN is the Thrift Store, which helps support the local food bank, Senior Center, and schools. HOCRN also assists individuals with fuel and propane costs and provides clothing and household items. Moreover, they partner with the Sheriff’s and Fire Departments to offer temporary housing options. HOCRN operates a 24/7 Help Line, a free shuttle service, and holiday gift programs. Their Senior Angel Tree program provides Christmas gifts to seniors in need, such as gifts, toiletries, food, gift cards, and $100 to help with electric bills. By collecting names of families in need, they collaborate with other organizations and individuals to adopt these families and ensure that children receive Christmas presents. In 2023, the HOCRN Family Christmas Project benefited 141 families.
Lifetime Achievement
Keith Martin Jansen, Developmental Disabilities Division, Arizona Department of Economic Security: Keith Martin Jansen has been an essential member of the Independent Oversight Committee (IOC) and the Program Review Committee (PRC), providing invaluable support to the Developmental Disability Division at the Arizona Department of Economic Security across various districts. He has dedicated over 1,200 hours to his volunteer roles and serves as the district south IOC Chairperson for the third consecutive year. Keith’s remarkable contributions extend beyond these committees. He has spent 34 years with the Boy Scouts of America, from basic leader training to receiving a post-doctoral award as a commissioner. Additionally, he has volunteered for 10 years at the Fort Huachuca thrift shop, raised over $300,000 for scholarships, and served as clergy for five years at the Arizona State Penitentiary in Douglas. He has been involved with Lions International for six years and has dedicated 32 years of service as an elections official in Cochise County. Furthermore, Keith has sung with the Sierra Vista Community Chorus for 22 years, helping to raise toys for the fire department, food bank donations, and funds for various 501(c)(3) organizations through performances. Keith’s dedication, generosity, and compassion make him an exceptional volunteer and a role model in the community.
Betty Hostetler, Foster Grandparent Program, Center for Service and Volunteerism at Northern Arizona University: For the past 28 years, Betty Hostetler has volunteered at Coyote Springs Elementary School in Prescott Valley. A typical week finds Betty dedicating 25 to 30 hours of her time, juggling requests from up to five teachers at once, and providing one-on-one support to children with special needs to enhance their academic, social, and emotional development. She even had her desk and a designated parking space. When COVID-19 closed the schools, teachers faced challenges in serving students virtually. However, Betty successfully transitioned to continue supporting the students by assembling educational packets and writing special notes to motivate and encourage them. In 2020, former students—now grown adults still living in the area—teamed up with the teachers at Coyote Springs to celebrate Betty’s 90th birthday during the pandemic. They organized a festive birthday car parade, decorated her yard with balloons, left gifts, and played “Happy Birthday” over a loudspeaker to honor her. Her 27-year legacy of dedicated service through the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program began to yield significant rewards. When Betty faced severe medical challenges, a core group of teachers whom she had supported for years developed a schedule to deliver daily meals, run errands, and transport her to medical appointments. During her two hospitalizations, these same teachers organized a work crew to paint the interior of her home and replace old window coverings and furniture. Betty was overjoyed and expressed gratitude when she returned home, saying, “It was an unexpected blessing! I didn’t know how to repay them for such a wonderful gift.” The teachers responded that they were simply trying to reciprocate all the support she had given them over the years. Betty is the quintessential volunteer. Her heart is open and committed to serving others; her endurance and perseverance are exceptional. She has consistently focused on helping elementary-aged children to ensure they are not left behind. Betty strives to provide support and encouragement, hoping her positive influence will last a lifetime, often saying, “I feel the students are my grandchildren.”