Скачать или смотреть Celina Alvarez, 2026 Leadership Award Recipient

California is facing one of the largest homelessness crises in the country.
Frontline workers - who are at the heart of any solution - are often underpaid, overburdened, and burned out. With decades of experience on the front lines herself Celina Alvarez is tackling that reality head-on. She is improving training, support, and working conditions so frontline workers feel equipped, valued, and empowered to make a meaningful impact. She helped launch one of California’s first certificate programs in homeless services at Santa Monica College, creating a real career pathway into the field and ensuring people are prepared for the work ahead. At Housing Works, Alvarez leads a team that serves more than 1,400 people each year across 11 sites in Los Angeles, while continuing to carry a small caseload herself. Housing Works achieves a 97% retention rate in supportive housing for people with complex needs, mental disorders, physical disabilities, and some who previously spent years or even decades living on the street. Her approach demonstrates something simple but powerful: when frontline workers are supported, they can deliver life-changing results for people exiting homelessness.