2026 Avivo Champion Awardees

Meet and Learn About Avivo’s 2026 Avivo Champion Awardees

Each year, an important planning element for Avivo Night of Champions is to nominate potential recipients of an Avivo Champion Award. Staff nominate partners, and then carefully examine the past year to choose new awardees. The process looks at who had significant involvement in Avivo and/or Avivo’s programs, as well as who gave significant support to help individuals and families in Avivo’s programs succeed.

This year we were proud to honor the following individuals and organizations as Avivo Champions:

Park State Bank – Corporate Champion Award: Park State Bank is being honored for its exceptional partnership and unwavering commitment to Avivo’s mission. From the start, the bank demonstrated strong confidence in Avivo and the people it serves. Through its Member Impact Fund grant, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, Park State Bank invested directly in affordable housing and community development, helping create stability and opportunity for individuals and families.

Their support continued during periods of delayed government payments, when they provided the flexibility, guidance, and trust needed to keep Avivo’s services operating without interruption. Throughout the relationship, Park State Bank’s team has shown remarkable professionalism, responsiveness, and genuine care — making them an invaluable partner and a deserving award recipient.

Through its Member Impact Fund grant, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, Park State Bank invested directly in affordable housing and community development, helping create stability and opportunity for individuals and families.

Tim Clark – Volunteer Champion Award: Ten years ago, Tim Clark saw an online post asking for a volunteer photographer to take family portraits, and since then he’s donated countless hours of his time to tell Avivo’s story and the stories of the families and individuals in Avivo’s programs. For ten years Tim has volunteered regularly and as often as he can, only taking time off to serve as caretaker to his wife, Sue, when she needed him.

He lives Avivo’s values of Absolute Dignity and Radical Welcome by portraying participants in their best light possible, whether it’s family portraits or more business‑focused photos for someone’s LinkedIn account. He shares that he wants to help Avivo tell the best story possible and get the word out about the work.

Ten years ago, Tim Clark saw an online post asking for a volunteer photographer to take family portraits, and since then he’s donated countless hours of his time to tell Avivo’s story and the stories of the families and individuals in Avivo’s programs.

Joy Nguyen, Marsden Services – Corporate Champion Award:

For years, Joy Nguyen, Director of Community Engagement and Outreach at Marsden Services, has brought her energy and expertise to Avivo, where she has become one of our most dedicated partners. She brings a deep commitment to community service and nonprofit advocacy, supporting key initiatives ranging from mentorship and housing support to health, wellness, and workforce development.

Joy regularly visits classes at the Avivo Institute of Career & Technical Education to share her workforce journey, offering students practical guidance on employability skills and professional growth. She also represents her employer, Marsden, at career fairs, mock interviews, and other events that help students build confidence and make meaningful connections. Her leadership among our Business Partners on our Business Partner Council has strengthened collaboration and expanded opportunities for participants. What truly sets Joy apart is her genuine passion for Avivo’s mission. She leads by example, inspires others to get involved, and continually reminds us of the power of collective action.

What truly sets Joy apart is her genuine passion for Avivo’s mission. She leads by example, inspires others to get involved, and continually reminds us of the power of collective action.

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