Celebrating Service, Compassion & Community at Dismas House’s 2026 Volunteer Appreciation Awards Ceremony

June 19, 2026

Dismas House recently gathered residents, volunteers, community partners, board members, supporters, and friends for our 2026 Volunteer Appreciation Awards Ceremony, an evening dedicated to celebrating the people and organizations whose generosity, compassion, and commitment help make our mission possible every day.

Throughout the year, our volunteers and partners invest their time, talents, and resources to support men rebuilding their lives after incarceration. Their dedication creates opportunities for growth, healing, connection, and hope. This special event gave us the opportunity to recognize a few outstanding individuals and organizations while expressing our gratitude to the entire Dismas House community.

We were proud to recognize David Young as the recipient of the Grace Morales Legacy Award. David’s years of volunteer leadership, advocacy, and service have left a profound mark on Dismas House. His commitment to justice, community engagement, and supporting our residents continues the legacy of Grace Morales, whose decades of service helped shape the organization we know today.

The Board Service Award honored James Thomas for his exceptional leadership and service. Through his work on the Board’s Program Committee, resident programming, educational workshops, and volunteer engagement efforts, James has helped strengthen Dismas House in countless ways.

One of the evening’s most meaningful moments was the presentation of the John Jenkins Jr. Resident Service Award to Terry Copeland. Terry’s remarkable journey of recovery, resilience, and transformation serves as an inspiration to everyone in our community. His dedication to helping others and his commitment to personal growth embody the hope and perseverance that define the Dismas House mission.

This year’s Volunteer Service Award was presented to Garland Williams, whose unwavering commitment to mentorship, advocacy, and community service has made a lasting impact on Dismas House and the individuals we serve. Through his leadership and willingness to support others, Garland exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism that strengthens our mission.

The Community Partner Service Award was awarded to The Frist Art Museum for its meaningful partnership and dedication to enriching the lives of our residents. Through museum visits, art workshops, and opportunities for creative expression, The Frist has helped foster connection, personal growth, and community engagement. We are especially grateful to Shaun Giles, Shahnaz Lighari, and the entire Frist team for their continued investment in our residents.

The Student Service Award recognized Nigel Knop, whose clinical internship at Dismas House reflected extraordinary compassion, professionalism, and dedication. Nigel built meaningful relationships with residents and consistently demonstrated a genuine commitment to supporting their success and well-being.