Tamara Carrera, Executive Director for the Community Action Center, has been named the 2012 recipient of the Sandy Springs Humanitarian Award. The award was created to recognize outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions in the area of community service. Carrera has worked in Sandy Springs since moving to Georgia in 1992.
“Dr. King once said that ‘faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.’ Tamara’s work within the community exemplifies that philosophy. She has visualized and created programs promoting self-reliance and self-esteem,” said Sandy Springs City Councilwoman Dianne Fries who oversees the Humanitarian Award presentation and City’s MLK Day Celebration.
Carrera currently serves as Executive Director for the Community Action Center (CAC) where she began her service as an organization volunteer. Under her leadership, CAC has become a model of community partnership in preventing homelessness, reducing hunger and promoting self-sufficiency for those in need. In addition to staff offices, the CAC’s facilities house a Food Pantry, Education Center, and a Thrift Boutique which Carrera created to serve clients as well as generate revenue to help fund programs. In 2011, the CAC served more than 2,200 families and is supported by volunteers who devote almost 13,000 hours a year.
In addition to leading CAC, Carrera has served on several organizational boards. As a Board Member with the Community Education Force (now Sandy Springs Education Force), Carrera was instrumental in revitalizing the organization and creating a Teacher’s Supply Closet where public school educators are able to obtain school supplies for students in need. She also was influential in compiling the Class Human Services Day for Leadership Sandy Springs to expose class members to the needs of underprivileged citizens within the community.
The Humanitarian award is presented annually during the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration as a tribute to Dr. King, known as a strong advocate for community service. Nominations were submitted by community members with a volunteer committee reviewing submissions and selecting the honoree.
The King Celebration event and presentation of the Humanitarian Award was held January 16, 2012 at Sandy Springs City Hall.
Originally Published: Monday, January 16, 2012