Back Row, left to right: Wayne Klomparens–Lifetime Achievement; Ricki Levine/Holland Museum–Education; Christine Plummer–Health Services; Deborah Sterken–Lifetime Achievement. Front Row, left to right: Yanyssa Ochoa–Youth Award; Sarah Leach–Government/Community Relations; Lucia Rios–Accessibility.

by Ester Fifelski | Holland Michigan | January 18, 2024

HOLLAND, MICHIGAN –The Holland Human Relations Commission (HRC) presented the 2023 Social Justice Awards and the 2023 Youth Social Justice Award at City Hall on Wednesday, January 17th; Listen to a recording of the awards.

For the past 25 years, the annual Social Justice Awards have recognized 114 individuals and organizations who exemplify the virtues of social justice by promoting equal opportunity and equal access for all residents in the areas of Housing, Education, Employment, and Government/Community Relations. In 2022, the HRC added the category of Health Services and in 2023 the category of Accessibility was added. The Holland Youth Advisory Council selects and awards the Youth Social Justice Award recipient. The Social Justice Awards are presented the week of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day recognizing Dr. King’s dedicated work to social justice to improve the quality of life for everyone. View a list of previous Social Justice Award recipients.

“The strength of our community proceeds from the equity of access for our community members” explained Catherine Ristola Bass, chair of the Human Relations Commission. “We recognize that we all start from different places, and we adjust our services, policies, and programs so that we all have opportunities to succeed. That sense of fairness and justice is made possible by the creativity and dedication of sense of fairness and justice is made possible by the creativity and dedication of individuals and organizations who work tirelessly to make Holland a community where everyone belongs. We celebrate their achievements and encourage others striving toward the same goal with the Social Justice Awards.”

The 2023 Social Justice Award recipients are:

EDUCATION: Holland Museum
In telling the stories of all individuals, families, and communities that make up Holland, the Holland Museum’s 2023 exhibitions and Cultural Lens programming highlighted the voices of diverse and frequently marginalized local populations: Black Eden: Idlewild Past, Present, and Future; United for Progress: The Story of LAUP; Contemporary Portraits of Native Americans, and YAS Queen! The History of Drag.

GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY RELATIONS: Sarah Leach
As Executive Editor of the Holland Sentinel, Sarah Leach’s writing and editing on the work of the Ottawa County government has helped to build an informed electorate. In providing all people access to this information, members of the community are then better able to participate in the democratic process and the work that happens in local government. This allows for a greater diversity of participants in the decisions that are made.

HEALTH SERVICES: Christine Plummer
Through the leadership of Christine Plummer (MSN, RN) City on a Hill Ministries Health Clinic has reduced racial and/or ethnic disparities in adult vaccination coverage within Ottawa County, where vaccination rates in the Hispanic and Latinx community are 7 percentage points below that of the non-Hispanic community. Through new relationships with key partners in the Hispanic community, Christine and City on a Hill Ministries Health Clinic have facilitated an increase in access to medical and mental health resources, financial assistance, and connection to area resources.

ACCESSIBILITY: Lucia Rios
Born with spina bifida, Lucia Rios says having a disability is not the barrier, it’s the attitudes and physical structures around her that create a disabling environment. For more than 20 years, Lucia has taught people and organizations ways to create access and equity on a variety of fronts, from buildings to housing to employment. And as the co-editor of the Disability Inclusion series that runs in three online West Michigan publications, Lucia has educated readers about accessibility issues.

YOUTH SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARD: Yanyssa Ochoa
The Holland Youth Advisory Core Council (HYAC) has named Yanyssa Ochoa the Youth Social Justice Award winner for 2023. Yanyssa always makes sure opportunities are possible for all students regardless of race, ethnicity, social group, or their financial need. She works tirelessly through her involvement with the Student Senate, the National Honor Society, and LAUP’s citizenship classes. A member of HYAC, Yanyssa serves as a student representative on the City of Holland’s Human Relations and International Relations Commissions.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Deborah Sterken
Through her forty-two years in Holland, Deborah Sterken has championed developmentally disabled young people, women and families facing racial/ethnic discrimination and/or lack of opportunity, students struggling to develop, and families lacking the means for housing or housing maintenance.

Deborah was a principal in the creation of the Friendship House which supports developmentally disabled young adults and has served on the governing board of Friendship House USA, which now has locations in multiple states. She has also been involved with the Holland Promise Scholarship Program since its inception and has served as president of the Community Action House, the Holland Community Foundation, the Holland Public School Board, Jubilee Ministries, and HomCor.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Wayne Klomparens
With 38 years as an elementary school educator, a term as president of the Holland Education Association, and two terms on the Holland City Council, Wayne Klomparens’ heart beats for the people of Holland. As Council Liaison to the Human Relations Commission from 2012 through 2019 Wayne’s desire, first and foremost, has been for Holland to be a warm and welcoming community, one that accepts everyone and where all can live, belong, and thrive.

About the Human Relations Commission:
The Holland Human Relations Commission promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in housing, education, employment, and public service. The commission pursues a community of belonging for all residents, with consideration for groups that are underrepresented, underserved, or marginalized. Learn more about HRC goals and activities by visiting humanrelations.cityofholland.com and by following along on Facebook.