Press Releases | April 22, 2010

Contact: Catherine An
202-942-8297, can@naeh.org

National Alliance to End Homelessness Honors Mo Vaughn, Sen. Patty Murray, and others for fighting homelessness

UNITY of Greater New Orleans, Virgin Mobile USA and Virgin Unite also honored

Washington, DC – Former Major League Baseball (MLB) first baseman Mo Vaughn and Sen. Patty Murray were among those the National Alliance to End Homelessness honored today for their efforts to prevent and end homelessness in the United States. UNITY of Greater New Orleans and Virgin Mobile were the other honorees.

"Every year, we pause to acknowledge the leaders in the field," said Nan Roman, president of the Alliance. "This year, we have the opportunity to honor four luminaries – people taking bold new steps, facing the hardest challenges, advancing the best solutions."

Of the many leaders worthy of recognition, the Alliance chose the following awardees:"

• Maurice Samuel "Mo" Vaughn
  Former Major League Baseball (MLB) first baseman turned housing developer, Mo Vaughn followed his athletic career by launching Omni New York LLC – a development firm focusing on affordable housing and community partnership. For his commitment to accessible housing and communities, the Alliance will honor him with the John W. Macy Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Senator Patty Murray
  A long-time defender of children and education, Senator Murray has emerged as a leading voice on housing and homelessness. The Alliance will present her with the Public Sector Achievement Award to honor her work advancing ways to prevent and end homelessness.
• UNITY of Greater New Orleans
  UNITY of Greater New Orleans has been a leader in the effort to re-house residents still suffering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. For the organization’s steadfast commitment to re-housing the most vulnerable residents – years after the clamor of Hurricane Katrina – the Alliance will honor UNITY of Greater New Orleans with the Nonprofit Achievement Award.
• Virgin Mobile USA and Virgin Unite
  In partnership with Virgin Unite, Virgin Mobile USA launched the RE*Generation campaign, a movement to raise awareness about homeless youth. To date, the innovative new campaign has committed more than $3 million of marketing and direct investment support to local homeless agencies. The Alliance will honor Virgin Mobile and Virgin Unite with the Private Sector Achievement Award.

Roman discussed the significance of contribution these leaders have offered the homeless assistance field, and the importance of preventing and ending homelessness in the United States.

"These leaders have proven that through innovation, creativity, and steadfast commitment to the cause, we can make progress on the greatest social challenges facing our country," said Roman. "This is the example is what we aspire to tonight. This is what we honor, the persistent hope of a country without homelessness. This is what ending homelessness looks like."

Special guest Mighty Sam McClain served as a special musical guest during the ceremony, which was hosted by PBS senior correspondent Judy Woodruff.

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