Our Awards & Celebration annual event is hosted by Homes First to acknowledge and honor the exceptional individuals in our community making strides towards addressing the housing crisis and the people affected by it.
This celebration honors real community heroes who dedicate their time and energy to making our community a healthier and more affordable place. Each year’s heroes are chosen by the previous year’s winners. This grassroots approach focuses on individuals who are working on the ground in our community, creating an uplifting and illuminating cycle of these everyday heroes.
The event includes refreshments and our ever-popular raffle baskets! New in 2025 - THREE Amazing Silent Auctions!
Please take a moment to read below about each of our 2024 Real Community Heroes, as presented by our 2023 Real Community Heroes who nominated them. Our 2024 Heroes will be presenting their awards to our 2025 Heroes!
2024 Heroes
Hana Klimak, Peer Olympia
Hana Klimek was recognized by Olivia Hickerson as one of the 2024 Real Community Heroes for her dedication to supporting individuals in recovery. Born and raised in Olympia, WA, Hana grew up in the close-knit community of Boston Harbor. Despite facing mental health challenges and addiction, she found recovery in her late twenties and now uses her lived experience to help others on their journeys.
Entering Peer Services six years ago at an involuntary inpatient crisis triage, Hana learned from inspiring peers Jennifer Ivey and Anetria Donelan. While there, she witnessed gaps in the system, motivating her to transition to a peer role providing direct community service. Today, she manages Supportive Housing and Supported Employment services at Peer Olympia, a site of Peer Washington.
The turning point in Hana’s life was her entry to recovery, which restored her sense of purpose and gave her a supportive community to help her on her journey. Influenced by her recovery community and dedicated providers in Thurston County, Hana emphasizes teamwork and collaboration. She takes pride in supervising fellow Peers, drawing from her experiences to create a supportive management style.
A guiding principle in Hana's life is the concept of willingness. She believes a small willingness to accept help has shaped her personal and professional journey.
Outside of work, Hana is passionate about the arts and recently began working part-time at the local gift shop, Compass Rose. This role allows her to engage with the community in diverse ways, enriching her connection to downtown Olympia, which she finds inspiring.
Kim Kondrat, City of Olympia
Kim Kondrat was recognized by Tye Gundel as one of the 2024 Real Community Heroes, receiving one of the three annual Real Community Heroes Awards. As a nurse, and natural “people person,” Kim advocates for the belief that every individual possesses unique gifts that can enhance the well-being of the community. This philosophy was profoundly tested when her family welcomed an unhoused friend into their home. Through this experience, Kim gained a deeper understanding of the challenges her friend faced in accessing essential resources. This revelation fueled her dedication to advocacy, motivating her to pursue meaningful initiatives that address the needs of marginalized individuals.
Kim is proud of her work with Saint Michael Parish, where she managed outreach initiatives and led hygiene services during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing over 1,100 showers and a safe day shelter. Influenced by Mother Teresa, she emphasizes our shared humanity, stating, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”
In her current role as the Homeless Response Coordinator for the City of Olympia, Kim focuses on creating accessible pathways for the unhoused population. She aspires to establish a crisis stabilization center that welcomes everyone and supports individuals in overcoming their physical, mental, or medical crises.
Kevin Gordham, Keller Williams Real Estate
Kevin Gordham was recognized by Christina Janis as one of the 2024 Real Community Heroes for his dedication to community service and integrity. Raised in Olympia, WA, he began working at age 12, inspired by his parents’ strong commitment to giving back and their work ethic.
Initially in the auto industry due to his passion for all things cars, Kevin transitioned to real estate after 38 years, seeking a fresh start. Influenced by his parents’ teachings on the importance of giving and goal-setting, as well as the profound loss of his brother-in-law to cancer, he developed a deep commitment to helping others.
Kevin takes great pride in his successful real estate business, which reflects the same honesty and integrity that guides his own life. He places his happy marriage and relationship with his family - including his parents, his three children, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren - high among the things he’s most thankful for.
With the guidance of his parents, former sales manager Jerry Coble, brother-in-law Doug Long, business partner Phil Harlan, and psychologist Betty Hummel, Kevin consistently emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in all his endeavors.
Outside of work, he enjoys woodworking, travel, golf, reading, and time by the water. Committed to making a difference, he aims to help his daughter take over his real estate business, allowing him to focus more on family and community service.
President's Choice Awardee
Tracie Dutton, Kokua
Tracie was recognized by the Board of Directors at Homes First and chosen as the first recipient of the new annual President's Choice Award—she was presented at the Real Community Heroes Awards & Celebrations in 2024 by the Board President, Evette Temple as a dedicated advocate for those facing adversity. Her commitment to stand for justice and support others shows her remarkable resilience and drive when it comes to caring for her community.
From the start of her career onward, Tracie has dedicated herself to advocating for individuals with disabilities. Through her role at Kokua Services, she has become an essential voice, striving to ensure that those with disabilities receive the support and dignity they deserve.
Her journey has been propelled by witnessing the unfair treatment of individuals with disabilities—seeing the most vulnerable among us be overlooked and exploited. These experiences propelled her to take action and make a meaningful difference. Tracie considers her ability to uplift those with disabilities, helping them feel valued and loved, to be her proudest accomplishment.
Guided by the philosophy that “actions speak louder than words,” Tracie leads by example, demonstrating the importance of advocacy and support. Every day, her actions are devoted to uplifting those with disabilities, ensuring they feel protected, supported, and respected within the community. She strives to achieve a community where organizations, not just individuals, prioritize the needs of those with disabilities, and Tracie hopes her actions can encourage others to become advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves.