The 2022 Tom Nees Award for Exceptional Service honors Caty Poulin for her 16 years of visionary partnership. Caty first walked through the doors of Community of Hope in 2006 as we opened our first Ward 8 location. Over the years, she has been a committed friend, thoughtful advisor, and inspirational leader as Community of Hope has grown from then two locations to now 8 properties and expanded services throughout DC. Caty has led us through significant expansions including the construction of the Conway Health and Resource Center in Ward 8, our partnership and presence at The Commons at Stanton Square, and our relocation of the Family Health and Birth Center.
Caty has served as a board member for Community of Hope as well as board Chair and Treasurer. Between rotations on the board, she has stayed involved as a finance committee member. Since 2019, she has served as board Chair for Bladensburg Road Health Partners, a sister organization supporting the new Family Health and Birth Center. Caty has brought both a mastery of finances as well as a deeply caring heart to all of our decisions and initiatives.
As a mom to two young men, Caty is passionate about supporting young families with children in Washington, DC. Her vision to expand access to emotional wellness, homelessness prevention, maternal and infant health services have made a deep impact at Community of Hope. When she rolls up to the center with boxes of books, our team gets excited at stories that our children will enjoy. When she invites her children and friends to our events or volunteer opportunities, we know we are about to meet people who will get excited about this mission.
Outside of Community of Hope, Caty is a food access advocate, band mom, wife, adjunct business professor, and nonprofit consultant. Her husband, Robert, has been a passionate Community of Hope supporter and her sons have enjoyed their volunteer opportunities – collecting books and preparing backpacks and school supplies.
This award – given in memory of our founder, Tom Nees – recognizes its recipient for their long-standing, deeply-impacting service to the women, men, and children who turn to the Community of Hope for help. Since 2015, we have given this award at a celebration with Tom present and tonight’s award ceremony marks the first in-person award ceremony hosted since Tom passed away in 2021—after 83 years of faithful leadership and service.
