SOJWJ executive director Vanessa Houk is being honored for her work supporting vulnerable communities. The Courage Project honors organizations and individuals who are exhibiting acts of courage and compassion in their communities by helping their neighbors and building bridges across communities.
Vanessa is a wildfire survivor who channels her experience into broader community recovery, Vanessa tirelessly supports unhoused and vulnerable residents as the unpaid volunteer executive director of a coalition of organizations called Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice (SOJWJ). She leads weekly Peace Meals, has coordinated a community-wide Thanksgiving since 2015, and regularly mobilizes volunteers and faith groups to provide emergency shelter and supplies when the city falls short. Among her proudest accomplishments are her three daughters, Sierra, Madison and Grace, as well as being married to Jason for the last thirty years.
The Courage Project is supported by partners including CFLeads, the Freedom Together Foundation, The James Irvine Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, the Marguerite Casey Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, Pisces Foundation, the Public Welfare Foundation, The Skillman Foundation, and the Surdna Foundation.