Alameda Social Service board honors six volunteers, including youth leaders and longtime community organizers

The Alameda Social Service & Human Relations Board presented Volunteer of the Year awards to six residents at its Dec. 1 meeting, recognizing efforts ranging from youth leadership and homelessness support to long-term senior‑service work.

The board voted unanimously earlier in the meeting to accept the Road Home Committee’s nominations in adult and youth categories. "We will now be voting on the Volunteer of the Year award winner recommendations," a board member announced before the nominations were read and the voice vote carried unanimously.

Yael Freriedman introduced Tate Matula, an eighth grader at Lincoln Middle School, saying Matula "spearheaded programming to combat hate speech and celebrate pride at school," organized a schoolwide speakout and coordinated Lunar New Year activities. "Tate makes everything she touches better," Freriedman said.

Sierra Miller was commended by Hannis Rodriguez, a pool manager at ARPD, for dependable lifeguarding and camp‑support duties during summer programming. Solana Tess was cited for youth leadership as co‑president of the Youth Advisory Committee and for raising more than $3,000 for Dignity Village, a transitional housing site, according to the nomination remarks.

Adult honorees included Arminda ("Army") Grau, recognized for years of volunteer work overseeing a senior-center thrift store and neighborhood cleanup efforts; and Dr. Kate Caspberger, nominated by Stephen McCale for organizing a shower program and helping expand a commercial laundry operation to serve people experiencing homelessness.

The meeting concluded the awards segment with a lifetime achievement award for Sister Pat (Patricia Nagel), founder and longtime coordinator of Alameda Dining Connect. Presenters said the all‑volunteer program now provides more than 5,800 hot meals annually and partners with local nonprofits and faith organizations. "It has been a real honor to be a part of Alameda Dining Connect," Sister Pat said, thanking volunteers and partners.

Recipients and nominators joined the board for photographs and brief remarks. Board members encouraged continued community recognition of volunteers and suggested additional outreach such as featuring winners in community events and library notices.

The awards presentation was followed by the board’s regular business, including staff updates and calendar items.