TYRO Entrepreneurship HERO: Reuben Santos
This award is to recognize businesses and business owners that have been especially noteworthy in supporting the reentry process through employment, training, leadership, or philanthropy. It is awarded to an individual who has achieved success as an entrepreneur, and paved the way for others to achieve their dreams.
TYRO Faith-in-Action HERO: Karen Noe
Living out one’s faith and demonstrating a commitment to service that goes beyond words is something we all strive for. This award is to honor those who exemplify being the hands and feet of Jesus by selflessly serving others. It is awarded to an individual who is an ambassador of hope to the hopeless.
Volunteer Extraordinaire: Frank Torrez
This award is presented to an individual who has dedicated their life to helping others. Awardees are honored for serving others with their investment of time, talents, and energy. Recipients of this award have volunteered at least 100 hours and have contributed to the transformation of the lives they so diligently serve.
TYRO HERO: Blake and Brandon Tijerina
Since 1993, when The RIDGE Project’s Co-Founder, Ron Tijerina, became the first “TYRO,” over 40,000 additional men and women have completed the TYRO program. This award is to recognize someone from within the TYRO ranks who has demonstrated a commitment to the TYRO ideal and has proven to be someone worth following.
Khelleh Konteh Award: Jennifer Black
This award recognizes innovation, passion, and commitment. It is named in honor of Mr. Khelleh Konteh, a man who has dedicated his career to corrections and rehabilitation with over 30 years of faithful service, and who was among the first wardens to bring the TYRO program into a correctional facility. The award goes out to an individual from the corrections community who demonstrates vision and commitment to helping others achieve true rehabilitation and successful reentry.