On May 7, 2009, at the Office of Partnerships and Grant Services’ (OPGS) 10th Annual Public-Private Partnership Conference, Director Lafayette Barnes awarded individuals and organizations that have been instrumental to the success of OGPS. He presented awards in three categories: Capacity Builder’s Award; Collaboration Award and Director’s Award.
The Capacity Builder’s Award recognizes the support that local grant-making organizations have allocated to strengthen the executive leadership and organizational development of District-based nonprofits. Mr. Barnes awarded the DC Children & Youth Investment Trust Corporation (Trust) for their longstanding work in building the capacity of local service providers that support youth development, out-of-school time, and literacy programs in Washington DC. The award was accepted by Millicent Williams, President and CEO of the Trust.
The Collaboration Award recognizes the ongoing collaboration and technical support received from a peer organization to enhance its delivery of grant development and management services to its government and nonprofit customers. The Maryland Governor’s Grants Office was the recipient of this award, which was accepted by Susan Casey on behalf of the Director Eric Brenner. The Maryland Governor’s Grants Office has partnered with OPGS multiple times to offer trainings and opportunities such as the Grants Made Easy: Post Award Grant Management Trainings. In addition, the Maryland Governor’s Grants Office and OPGS held several “Expand Your Business Globally in Partnership with USTDA and US EX-IM Bank” conferences to inform our respective for-profit and nonprofit entities about international grant and procurement opportunities.
The Director’s Award acknowledges individuals who have consistently demonstrated exemplary and unselfish support to advance OPGS’ mission and its efforts to improve and sustain the diverse quality of services offered by nonprofit and faith-based service providers. Mr. Barnes presented this award to three people: Luisa Montero-Diaz, Director Latin America Youth Center’s Maryland Division; Pat Henry, Manager, Nonprofit & Faith-Based Relations, OPGS; and Kathy DeBoe, Manager, Special Projects, OPGS.
Luisa Montero-Diaz served as Deputy Director in the Office of Partnerships and Grants Development for eight years before returning to the nonprofit sector at the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC). Ms. Montero-Diaz who is the Managing Director of LAYC’s Maryland Multicultural Youth Center has continued to support OPGS in several capacity building trainings, its annual Public-Private Partnership conference, and local TV media presentations.
Pat Henry has served as Manager, Nonprofit and Faith-Based Relations, for OPGS for 10 years. In this capacity she has led both the Strengthening Partners Initiative and the Effi Barry HIV/AIDS capacity-building sessions. As a result, hundreds of nonprofit and faith-based organizations have solidified their programs and their services. In addition, Ms. Henry has organized an annual conference for community leaders to network, learn and make a difference. For all of these reasons, and so many more, Ms. Henry was awarded the OPGS Director’s Award.
Kathy DeBoe has served as Manager, Special Projects for OPGS for over two years, as a full-time volunteer. She has developed and maintained local and international partnerships for both OPGS and the District of Columbia. In addition to enhancing the District Government’s relationships with corporations, foundations and municipalities, Ms. DeBoe supports OPGS’ program development. Her incredible dedication and work have earned her the Director’s Award.