At the first annual Beacons of Hope Gala this past June, the IRC in Silver Spring recognized individuals and organizations who champion the integration of refugees in Maryland. Learn more about this year’s award recipients.

Beacon Award

The Beacon Award is given to an inspiring young refugee or immigrant. This year’s recipient was Baraka Christia. Since moving from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Baraka participates in his school’s JROTC program and advocates for students who experienced bullying at school.

 

 

New Partner Award

The New Partner Award honors an individual or organization that demonstrates outstanding support of immigrants and refugees in Maryland over the past year. Manuel Vera immigrated to the United States when he was 14 years old. With a lifelong passion for working with bikes, Manuel provides bikes to those in need, many of whom are newly-resettled refugees. Since late 2020, Manuel has provided bikes to 671 people in need.

 

Opportunity Award

The Opportunity Award recognizes an organization dedicated to helping integrate refugees and immigrants into the workforce. MJ Morgan is a staffing agency that places individuals in jobs from light industrial positions like forklift operating to professional jobs such as customer service. MJ Morgan has partnered with the IRC in Silver Spring since 2006, helping hundreds of refugees find jobs in Maryland.

 

 

Advocate Award

The Advocate Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated dedication to advocating for refugees and immigrants in Maryland. Kerry Brodie is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Emma’s Torch, whose mission is to support refugees, immigrants and survivors of human trafficking by training them in the culinary arts and empowering them to build meaningful careers.

 

 

Hope Award

The Hope Award recognizes refugees served by the IRC who demonstrate exceptional resilience and served as an inspiration to their local community. Sisters Shella Munezero and Nuni Ndwumwami arrived in Maryland from Burundi last year and are pursuing careers in aviation and nursing. 

 

 

 

Humanitarian Award

The Humanitarian Award is given to someone who volunteers their time serve immigrants and refugees. Kathy Bittinger has volunteered with the IRC since 2019. Over the past five years, she mentored a refugee family, tutored numerous children, and launched several donation drives for winter clothing and school supplies. Most recently, Kathy founded The Novel Refuge, a used bookstore that supports refugees and immigrants in the community.

 

 

Sheppie Abramowitz Community Leader Award

The Sheppie Abramowitz Community Leader Award honors an individual who has a longstanding commitment to working with the IRC and the refugee community. David Mendick has managed apartments for over 35 years and, over the past decade, provided housing to over 80% of the refugees resettled by the IRC in Silver Spring. The award is named for Sheppie Abramowitz, the IRC vice president and refugee advocate who passed away in April 2024.