19th Annual Road to Independence Gala to spotlight Legend of Northern Virginia Frank Wolf and Community Champion Karen Cleveland
(Oakton, Va. – April 12, 2017) Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) ensures everyone, at every life stage, maximizes their potential and fully contributes to a thriving community. The organization provides the essential building blocks for social, emotional and physical well-being, serving as leaders and innovators for the Northern Virginia community. With these essential resources, our community is better equipped for future success and engagement among all of our neighbors.
The 19th annual Road to Independence Gala will celebrate NVFS as the leading resource for families in need in Northern Virginia. It also will acknowledge the individuals, civic groups and companies who are committed to our community and the work of NVFS, and honor the vision and dedication of top community leaders through its Legend of Northern Virginia and Community Champion awards.
This year, NVFS will recognize Frank Wolf and Karen Cleveland for their extensive service and commitment to Northern Virginia.
Former U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, the 2017 Legend of Northern Virginia, has been widely recognized as the “conscience” of the Congress. A staunch supporter of those who cannot defend or speak for themselves, Wolf founded and served as co-chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, a bipartisan organization made up of nearly 200 Members of Congress who work together to raise awareness about international human rights issues. During his 17 terms in office, he also authored legislations that fought against hunger in the United States, promoted prison reforms and aided Mothers Against Drunk Driving to lower the national blood alcohol to .08 BAC. Now retired, Wolf focuses his work exclusively on human rights and religious freedom and has been awarded the Presidential Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights, the Christian Legal Society’s William Bentley Ball Life and Religious Liberty Defense Award and more in recognition of his work.
2017 Community Champion Karen Cleveland is the president and CEO of Leadership Fairfax (LFI), a community leadership development organization, where she specializes in working with executives and emerging leaders who have already attained a high level of personal and professional success, yet recognize their need for continued leadership development and personal growth. Cleveland is also the principle of Cleveland Group, LLC, and Cleveland Coaching Group. She previously served as president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia, where she was known as a visionary leader and credited with growing the organization into one of the most respected charitable organizations in the metro D.C. area.
“This year’s honorees demonstrate a tireless commitment to the families in our community,” states Stephanie Berkowitz, NVFS president and CEO. “Leaders such as Frank Wolf and Karen Cleveland are a critical part of this community. Their vision and dedication are an inspiration to those around them.”
The event will take place Friday, May 12, 2017, at 6 p.m. at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner (7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA). Individual tickets are available for $300 at nvfs.org/gala.