– Ellen M. Bozman
In times of uncertainty and challenges for our region, Spirit of Community is a reminder of what Arlingtonians can accomplish, not just as individuals, but together. These stories are not abstract. They are everyday people and neighbors like you, doing extraordinary things: Portia Clark lifting up Green Valley and insisting Arlington’s Black history be seen and celebrated; Andres Tobar standing with immigrant day laborers; John Foti opening doors to joy and after-school opportunities for Arlington’s kids; and the frontline human-service workers who held us together through the COVID pandemic.
This is what it means to be an Arlingtonian. And these stories are just a few of the so many that get us through even the most challenging of times for our shared community. As Arlington Community Foundation’s founder, the Honorable William T. Newman, Jr., says in the first video of this collection, no matter what we’ve faced, “we kept fighting.“
Let these voices remind us who we are and what we can build together. And join us at Spirit of Community on Friday, November 7th, to meet this moment and whatever lies ahead.
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Click here to view the full list of past winners
Claudia Ramirez Cuellar
Claudia Ramirez Cuellar turned her own challenges as a new immigrant into nearly two decades of service in Arlington’s schools and community. From Aspire Afterschool Learning to classrooms across Arlington, she is a steady presence: supporting teachers, guiding families, and sharing the knowledge she once had to find on her own so others don’t have to navigate essential services alone.
Nina Janopaul
Nina Janopaul has spent her life advancing housing justice and community well-being across Arlington and beyond. As former CEO of APAH (now True Ground Housing Partners), she led with the belief that housing is not charity, but justice. Today, she brings faith communities into action, building partnerships that turn moral conviction into lasting change.
Kellen MacBeth
Kellen MacBeth has spent nearly two decades driving policy and grassroots change in Arlington. From housing equity to LGBTQ+ rights, he has founded initiatives, shaped local and state laws, and championed marginalized communities with tireless dedication. His leadership has helped move Arlington toward a more just and inclusive community in countless ways.
– Jeanne Broyhill, 2024 Sprit of Community Award Honoree –
Change Agent & Capacity Builder
Jeanne’s role as a change agent, capacity builder, and board member in the Arlington community has had profound benefits for many nonprofit organizations including – but not limited to – Culpepper Garden (Chair), the Leadership Center of Arlington (Alumni and Class Ambassador), Advance Arlington – formerly the Arlington Committee of 100 (Chair), and Northern VA Womenade (Co-Founder).
Co-founding Physician of Arlington Free Clinic
In 1994, Dr. Hoare became a founding physician of Arlington Free Clinic (AFC), where he continues to see patients 30 years later, many of whom have never seen a doctor. As a cardiologist and volunteer at AFC, Dr. Hoare has clocked more than 1,500 service hours, treating hundreds of patients who would otherwise have no access to cardiac specialty care, including virtual care during the COVID pandemic.
Educator & Co-founder of Challenging Racism
A 47-year Arlington resident, Martha (Marty) Swaim is the co-founder of Challenging Racism (CR), a local nonprofit dedicated to empowering, inspiring, and giving individuals the tools to disrupt systemic racism where they find it. Now in its 21st anniversary year, CR has expanded its services to a variety of community groups, from DHS to theater groups. Marty retired as the unpaid director in 2020.
– John Foti, 2023 Spirit of Community Award Honoree
Coach & Youth Advocate
John has been instrumental in ensuring Arlington youth have access to year-round sports facilities, while serving as board member and coach in many local athletics programs. Most recently, John helped establish After School Enrichment Matters (ASEM) which supports students of Arlington’s eight Title 1 elementary schools in gaining access to free afterschool programming.
Advocate for Immigrants & Community Safety
In addition to serving as Executive Director of Shirlington Education and Employment Center (SEEC) for 20 years, Andres’ community leadership and advocacy includes roles on several local and national boards and commissions. SEEC was established in 2000 to help day laborers find employment and access community resources.
Founder of Refugee-Serving Organizations
Dr. Teferra is the founder, President, and CEO of the Ethiopian Community Development Council and Enterprise Development Group. He has committed 40 years of his life to the resettlement and integration of refugees into the Arlington community.
– Portia Clark, 2022 Sprit of Community Award Honoree –
Affordable Housing Advocate & Historian
Portia has been a community organizer and advocate, particularly for youth, for three decades. She helped change the name of the Nauck neighborhood to Green Valley, which was significant to its residents and the Arlington community; and was very involved in the Four Mile Run Valley Area Plan and the Jennie Dean Park renovation.
Chief Turkey & Community Organizer
Mark has spent years overseeing the Arlington Turkey Trot, which benefits local safety net organizations. For the Arlington Turkey Trot, he is the Chief Turkey, overseeing 4,000 walkers and runners, and coordinating countless volunteers. He also founded Homerun for the Homeless, a 5k benefitting multiple organizations; and provided the framework to launch the Arlington Bunny Hop 5k.
ER Physician & Public Health Champion
Dr. Silverman is the Chief of Emergency Medicine at Virginia Hospital Center. Throughout the COVID crisis, in addition to working through unprecedented challenges in the emergency department, Dr. Silverman also took it upon himself to make the overwhelming amount of COVID information accessible and digestible to the public with weekly posts.
– Judge Newman, presenting the 2020 Spirit of Community Award to frontline human service workers –
Community and Equity Centered Dancer
With free family events, ticketed performances, and specialized programs specifically targeting under-served audiences, Lucy and Bowen McCauley Dance Company (BMDC) have educated, entertained, and inspired people from Arlington, the region, and nationally for 25 seasons. For years, Lucy has provided weekly “Dance for PD” classes for people with Parkinson’s Disease and their care-partners. She continued hosting these classes virtually throughout the pandemic and in her retirement.
The Extraordinary Helpers in Times of Crisis
Arlington’s frontline human service workers kept neighbors fed, housed, healthy, and supported when COVID upended daily life. From pantry teams and shelter staff to case managers, clinic partners, and school social workers, they adapted overnight to deliver food, stabilize housing, provide care, and meet urgent needs despite risk and uncertainty. Their resilience and selflessness remain a lasting reminder of what it means to show up for one another.