Two special awards were presented at the Annual Ride Banquet, each named in honor of two extraordinary individuals whose dedication and service have left a lasting legacy at Anchor House: the William K. Hogan “It’s for the Kids” Award and the Douglas C. McCune Memorial Award.
The Golis family was honored with this year’s William K. Hogan “It’s for the Kids” Award. For more than 26 years, the family has created a lasting legacy in memory of their son, Cory, awarding scholarships to more than 250 young people, including many youth from Anchor House. Beyond the financial support, their encouragement and belief in each recipient have inspired young people to pursue their education and achieve their goals. The award is named in honor of William K. Hogan, whose leadership on the Anchor House Foundation Board helped make the Ride the successful event it is today. Mr. Hogan, who created the Ride’s enduring slogan, “It’s for the Kids,” remained a dedicated Ride volunteer into his nineties.
Each year, the Anchor House Foundation presents the Douglas C. McCune Memorial Award to a youth in an Anchor House program to help them pursue their goals. This year, the award was presented to Kelinyoniel, a youth in our Anchorage Transitional Living Program. The award recognizes youth who embody the qualities that defined Mr. McCune’s life: humility, hard work, academic achievement, and a genuine concern for others. Kelinyoniel embodies each of these qualities.
Kelinyoniel gave a powerful speech about the impact Anchorage and Anchor House have had on his life:
My name is Kelinyoniel and I want to share how Anchorage has helped me grow in school and in life.
There were long stretches where I was homeless and house hopping, never really knowing where I was going to sleep next. In the middle of all that instability, Anchorage became the place where I felt the most comfortable and stable. It was somewhere I could breathe, focus, and feel like I wasn’t alone. Anchorage keeps me focused on my education. They hold me accountable for my grades, my attendance, and my effort, and they remind me that my goals in sports management and finance start with what I do in the classroom right now. They’ve also taught me what it means to carry myself like a young professional, how to communicate, show respect, and present myself in a way that matches the future I say I want.
Anchorage didn’t just support my dreams; they supported the real-life moments that mattered to me. They helped me get ready for prom and the Gentlemen’s Ball, even down to helping me get my hair done and cut so I could walk in with confidence and represent myself, my family, and my community the right way. Because of Anchorage, I don’t feel like I’m doing this alone. I feel supported as a student, as an athlete, and as a young man with real goals.
Kelinyoniel was joined on stage by two of his biggest supporters, Anchorage staff members Marcia Wilson and Taylor Carmona.
