Joy was the word used to describe CCNA’s Award program honoring Gaynelle Diaz, Director of Resident and Community Services at Alexandria’s Redevelopment and Housing Authority and Deron Campbell , Director of Community Health Programs at Innova Health Systems, as CCNA’s 2023 Community ChangeMakers.
Presented annually, the ChangeMaker Award recognizes outstanding community service. Held virtually, CCNA Board Vice Chair Brenda Adams welcomed everyone to the event and added the Board’s congratulations.
City Councilman John Chapman said he had to stop in to add his praise because of the impact Diaz and Campbell are making in the community. “You can’t add two more essential services than housing and health.”
To Deron, he noted: “…the change that you make daily in the lives of Alexandrians, keeping them healthy, keeping them educated greatly contributes to the success of our community.”
To Gaynelle, he said: “Being able to connect the dots for so many families and services in our community helps them get fed, educated, put clothes on their backs and more. We know the two of you are changemakers. Congratulations.”
Video tributes poured in from School Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt, School Partnerships and Engagement Office Director Taneika Tukan , Community Health Director Kate Garvey, Health population coordinator Natalie Talis, community health workers Maria Salvatierra and Warda Ali, Allen Lomax and Jean Mayhan both from Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria, Police Chief Don Hayes, Father Donald Fest of St Joseph Church, friend Nechelle Terrell, and Sheriff Sean Casey.
“As a fellow public health professional, a lot of the work we do goes unseen, unrecognized sometimes,” said Dr. Diana Karczmarczyk, who is on Partnerships for a Healthier Alexandria. “And I can’t think of two better individuals who go above and beyond expectations to have their work so noted.”
Laurie Flynn, Partnerships for a Healthier Alexandria, called the two cheer leaders as well as role models. “They get other people to follow, to join in, to participate, to bring more energy and more inspiration to building the community that we know our children and grandchildren need.”
During a recent Eye Clinic and Glaucoma workshop, CCNA Health Coordinator Andrea Hirsch noted how Gaynelle Diaz was like a magnet, attracting person after person, all with never ending questions. “She took the time to speak with everyone who came to her. I was amazed.”
Whenever Deron Campbell enters a meeting, the room lights up with smiles everywhere, said Jacqueline Burrell, CCNA’s Communications and Program Director. “He has so much energy that he brings to everything he does.” Calling the two ChangeMakers “authentic”, she said the night’s celebration was “for what you do.”
Cynthia Cortese, a CCNA Volunteer, congratulated the two ChangeMaker award winners, calling them young people who serve as “role models” for the city’s youth. “They’re our future,” she said.
Hank Van Putten, a facilitator with the Peace & Justice Institute in Florida, noted all the good words spoken about the two came from a broad swath of the community. “That alone speaks volumes,” he said.
“I wouldn’t be able to do anything I do without the partnerships and the people I work with,” exclaimed Gaynelle Diaz.
Deron Campbell said “I consider the community part of my family. I am not an island. Thanks go to everyone who has helped me along the way.”
CCNA Executive Director Jim Paige added his congratulations and encourages everyone to view the tributes to CCNA’s 2023 Community ChangeMakers Gaynelle Diaz and Deron Campbell.
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