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NEW IN 2026: Visual Theme: Black & White with a Splash of Red! Dress it up, Add some FUN!
Our Awards & Celebration annual event is hosted by Homes First to acknowledge and honor the exceptional individuals in our community making strides towards addressing the housing crisis and the people affected by it.
This celebration honors real community heroes who dedicate their time and energy to making our community a healthier and more affordable place. Each year’s heroes are chosen by the previous year’s winners. This grassroots approach focuses on individuals who are working on the ground in our community, creating an uplifting and illuminating cycle of these everyday heroes.
The event includes refreshments and our ever-popular raffle baskets and silent auction items you won't want to miss!
Please take a moment to read below about each of our 2026 Real Community Heroes, as presented by our 2025 Real Community Heroes who nominated them. Our 2025 Heroes will be presenting their awards to our 2026 Heroes!
2026 Heroes
Dana Evans - Built for Zero Coordinator,
Family Support Center of South Sound
Dana has demonstrated exceptional leadership through her role as Built for Zero (BFZ) Coordinator, a national initiative aimed at measurably ending homelessness, one population at a time. Built for Zero provides a data-driven, evidence-based methodology to reach functional zero, where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring. As only the third person to lead this initiative in our community, Dana has increased both understanding and buy-in, helping partners across the system engage more fully with the BFZ approach. In addition to her BFZ work, Dana supports other critical community initiatives, such as the South Sound Resource Guide, a one-stop resource for the entire Homeless Response System, demonstrating her commitment to collaboration and systemic improvement.
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Natalie Skovran - Deputy Director,
Family Support Center of South Sound
Natalie grew up around social work. She would sit in her mom’s office at the treatment center while she ran groups after school while Natalie waited to go home. She always knew she would work in the “helping” field. As the Deputy Director of the Family Support Center since 2017, she has found there is nothing like bearing witness to someone’s story and participating in their life-changing moments.
Nichole Woolsey, Senior Development Manager,
American Cancer Society
Nichole’s work has had a powerful and lasting impact on her community through her leadership of Relay for Life, as a SafePlace Advocate, Alzheimer Association Volunteer, Sr. Development Manager for American Cancer Society, Lacey Rotary President and community outreach director for Interact club. Nichole also volunteers with All Kids Win, is a bell ringer for Yelm Lion’s, works with Thurston Food Bank, and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity.
Dan Doyle, Owner,
Doyle Construction
Daniel/Dan/Danny, founded Doyle Construction in 2019. His company embodies a rich heritage of construction expertise. Daniel, a second-generation home builder with over a decade of experience, quickly established Doyle Construction as a beacon of quality in Olympia’s construction landscape.
Danny has been an unwavering supporter of Homes First, helping us get complicated housing projects over the finish line.
President's Choice Awardee