TREC Announces Gala Winners

The Real Estate Council (TREC) has announced the five honorees for its “Dreamers, Doers and Unsung Heroes” awards. Hit jump to read all about it.

Lavinia Bertha Masters:  A survivor of sexual assault, Lavinia Bertha Masters is a public speaker for the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) and Denton County Friends of the Family.  The mission of Denton County Friends of the Family is to provide services to victims of relationship violence and sexual assault, while partnering with the community to promote a society free of violence.  Their programs include a residential shelter, a crisis line, recovery services, educational services and more. Masters also speaks for the Dallas Police Department Sexual Assault Cold Case Program (SEACAP), which works to solve sexual assault cases.  Her assault case was the first to be solved by this department in 2005. Masters has told her story at many different events and places and hopes it will help others deal with the trauma of sexual assault. Her nominators said, “Bertha has taken the experience of tragedy and fear in her life and transformed it into a vehicle to advocate and assist others as they heal.  As an author, speaker, one-on-one advocate, volunteer and leader, she has begun to use her courage to transform a community’s views and support of victims of sexual assault.”
Lisa Oglesby Rocha:  Lisa Oglesby Rocha is the Dallas executive director of AVANCE, a nonprofit organization whose main purpose is to strengthen families through comprehensive, community and school-based support programs.  The mission of AVANCE-Dallas is to create a learning environment for children through parental involvement, maximizing educational retention and achievement for Dallas Hispanics.  Her nominators said, “Lisa has changed the lives of literally thousands of Dallas children and families. Some of them know that it is Lisa they have to thank, and some of them don’t.  But Lisa has never done any of the important work she does for recognition, she has done it because helping the less fortunate is what she believes in and is what she feels she has been called to do.”
Terry Penn:  Terry Penn is the owner of Irving-based Key Life Homes, Inc., which is a for-profit homebuilding company formed in 1988.  Penn has done more with his company than just build homes, however.  He has created a work environment where he and his employees are committed to assisting others.  His goal is to provide quality affordable housing to low income individuals and families so that they can establish solid foundations and enhance their quality of life.  Penn’s volunteer efforts include providing shuttle service to elderly residents in Irving for medical appointments. He also seeks referrals from City of Irving Code Compliance officers for residents in need of repairs to their homes so that they avoid fines.  Penn then provides assistance to those residents at no charge. His nominators said this about Penn, “Terry has what God intended us all to have—a servant’s heart.  His whole life seems to be centered on his faith, family and helping others.”
Laura Wheat:  A breast cancer survivor, Laura Wheat is an active volunteer with Gilda’s Club, an international nonprofit organization that offers emotional and social support to anyone affected by cancer. The mission of Gilda’s Club is to provide meeting places where men, women and children living with cancer can gather with their families and friends to build emotional and social support as a supplement to medical care.  Gilda’s Club offers support and networking groups, lectures, workshops and social events in a nonresidential, homelike setting. Wheat currently serves as president of the group’s board of directors.  Her nominators said, “Gilda Ratner once said, ‘There are those who open their hearts to others…who never think about giving of themselves.  They are the wonderful, warm-hearted people who make all the difference in our lives.’ That is Laura Wheat – a remarkable woman who truly embodies the spirit of giving and volunteerism.”
William (Willie) Hornberger – TREC President’s Award
Each year, TREC honors one of its members with the President’s Award.  A partner at Jackson Walker L.L.P., Willie Hornberger has given his volunteer role as a board member of The Real Estate Council a high level of commitment.  In his role this year as TREC Foundation Grant Distribution Chairman, Hornberger led his committee to give larger grants to a focused few in order to make a greater impact with each organization.  He focused on grants that reflect TREC Foundation’s key initiatives of affordable housing, neighborhood redevelopment and education.  He has also chaired TREC’s Technical Assistance Committee, which oversees the grants and TREC members who contribute their time to those organizations that receive funds.  According to TREC President Linda Owen, “Willie leads by example and goes above and beyond the call of duty as a board member, providing pro bono legal services to The Real Estate Council Foundation, Dallas City Homes and St. Philip’s School and Community Center.”