Community Service Recognition: Dana Smith
In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH!
Dana Smith: Women’s Empowerment Lead Volunteer
Dana is the lead volunteer with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW) in the Refugee Women’s Empowerment Program. Weekly, for over a year, she has planned and led free sewing classes for refugee women in Tucson, AZ. Through these classes, she teaches them valuable skills, and works on building community and confidence for women who have lived through unspeakable traumas. Although they do not speak the same languages, she communicates through her heart and simple gestures to teach women skills that empower them to self-sufficiency. The participants of the program have learned to sew beautiful goods, and have sold them at local craft fairs.
Nominated by:
Dana says,“You can’t go on with life just taking from others, you need to give a little in order to receive a little”.