San Mateo County Honors Heart & Soul with the 2024 Tony Hoffman Community Mental Health Service Award

L-R: Ophelia Williams, Executive Director; Yvette Agua, Peer Support Outreach Specialist; Brenda Nicholson, Peer Support Program Coordinator; Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin, Wellness Director; Yraes Guerrero, Peer Support Specialist

The Tony Hoffman Community Mental Health Services Award recognizes individuals, professionals, businesses, and the media who have made an extraordinary difference in the lives of people with mental illness, and the communities in which they live. Recognition is given for public education or advocacy to promote mental health awareness and needs, or to address stigma; public education and services to provide housing and employment for persons with mental illness; creation of new and innovative programs or community support activities; recognition of fundraising for mental health activities or long-term financial support to mental health programs; or working for new mental health legislation. We also honor mental health consumers who, in their journey of recovery, are able to give back to their peers or the community. Awards are presented each May during Mental Health Month.

Heart and Soul makes a difference and impacts Peers through one-to-one mentoring, engagement towards community resources, employment opportunities, support, and connection with a robust Peer community. They celebrate the voices and lived experience of Peers, and create inviting, relatable, restorative groups and activities to connect with our diverse communities. Over the past 15 years, Heart and Soul has provided for more than 90,000 Peer-to-Peer interactions.

We are powered by Peers!