Deb Holman

The good news is that Deb Holman from the CHUM center has once again been voted Best Community Activist of the year. The bad news, and we’re sure Deb would be the first to agree, is that we still need her. Duluth has yet to solve its homelessness problem. Deb works tirelessly in the field as CHUM’s Street Outreach Worker. “Working with people experiencing homelessness who are living outside … meeting with them where they’re at, trying to get them services and housing, that’s what I do in a nutshell,” said Holman. And she does it well. This past September Deb received state-wide recognition for her work when she was given the Bruce Vento Distinguished Service Award. In the words of her colleagues: “The hopeless, the throwaways, the deeply affected and damaged are Deb’s people. She does not shy away, but meets people where they are at ... She finds a way to help them. … She begs for tents, tarps, clothing and any other small thing that the homeless may need, and she is relentless. She also advocates for their animals, knowing that many folks who are homeless also have mental health issues and need their animals.” When you support CHUM, you support the good work of people like Deb. To make a donation, please call (218) 720-6521.

Runner Up: Laura Erickson