Press Room
NAHRO's Elizabeth B. Wells Memorial Award Given to Doreen Cato
Contact: Mary Barron, 202-289-3500
ext. 7223
WASHINGTON,October 25-- The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment
Officials (NAHRO) has selected Doreen Cato as the recipient of its 2007 Elizabeth
B. Wells Memorial Award in recognition of her outstanding achievements and innovation
in the housing and community development field. The award will be presented
Oct. 28 at NAHRO's National Conference and Exhibition in San Diego, Calif.
Through her work in human services and her many professional affiliations,
Ms. Cato has had a tremendous impact on the low-income community of Seattle,
Washington. She has served as a commissioner for the King County Housing Authority
for ten years, and is Executive Director of First Place, an agency that provides
education, counseling and case management to children and families in transition
due to homelessness and poverty. She has chaired the Washington State Advisory
Board on Homelessness, and actively participates in numerous community organizations,
including the Eastside Human Service Alliance, the City of Bellevue's Youth
Link Program, United Way's Out of the Rain Community Council, the Girl Scouts
of America, and many more. Currently she is Regional Vice-President of NAHRO's
Commissioners Committee and Vice-President of Pacific Northwest NAHRO's Commissioners
Committee.
Ms. Cato is also a tireless advocate for housing and homelessness issues, frequently
speaking before Washington State Legislature and meeting with her state's congressional
delegation. Because of her efforts, many local government entities are acutely
aware of the need for more affordable housing and the restoration of funds to
critical HUD programs. She received numerous accolades and awards, including
the Washington State Advisory Commission on Homelessness Award and the King
County Human Services Excellence in Advocacy Award. In addition to her all of
the work she does in her community, Ms. Cato is also currently pursuing a doctorate
in Educational Leadership at Seattle University.
"Ms. Cato's energy and determination have benefited countless citizens
as an advocate for affordable housing in King County," NAHRO President
Don Cameron said. "Her work at the national level inspires fellow commissioners
to champion affordable housing in their own communities."
The Elizabeth B. Wells Memorial Award was established in 1987 to provide a
living acknowledgment of the outstanding contributions Wells made to the housing
field as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the King County (Wash.) Housing
Authority and as NAHRO's first Vice President of the Commissioners Committee.
The award honors a commissioner who has demonstrated excellence as an advocate
in developing the financial, political, and community support necessary to ensure
the continuation and expansion of housing or community development programs.
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