We are delighted to share that Identity Program Director Carolyn Camacho has been awarded the City of Gaithersburg’s Distinguished Friend Award for her longstanding service and significant contributions to the Gaithersburg community. The award was presented at the 2024 State of the City address on April 18.
In her acceptance speech, Carolyn described her journey from a parent volunteer at her child’s school at Washington Grove Elementary to Program Director with Identity, where she now provides leadership and oversight for five Identity-managed high-school-based Wellness Centers – including at Gaithersburg High School – as well as Identity’s Community Mental Health Programs, which together serve approximately 4,000 youth and families per year.
“My mother says: ‘Dime con quién andas, y te diré quién eres’ – in English, you’d say, ‘You are who you walk with,’” Carolyn told the audience of more than 130 guests at the State of the City. “For me, it’s a great honor and pleasure to walk with all of you – friends, residents, staff of the City of Gaithersburg, staff of so many community organizations – who are all passionate and dedicated to serving the community here in Gaithersburg.”
“For more than 15 years, Carolyn has been an invaluable partner to the city through her exemplary work as a Program Director for Identity,” said Gaithersburg City Council Member Lisa Henderson, who presented the award. “Her ability to communicate and collaborate effectively, both personally and on behalf of Identity, has strengthened our partnership and enhanced our collective impact on the community. As a dedicated member of both the Gaithersburg Coalition of Providers and the Youth Opportunities Coalition, Carolyn’s commitment to Gaithersburg knows no bounds.”
Huge congratulations to Carolyn for this much-deserved recognition of her work championing community-led solutions to concerns of Gaithersburg’s historically underserved families!
Watch video of the full award ceremony below (Carolyn’s acceptance speech is at 39:10):
