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Friday, May 5, 2006

Birmingham HUD Homeless Coordinator receives White Wolf Award

On April 3, 2006 the Alabama Alliance to End Homelessness (ALAEH) presented the White Wolf Award to HUD's Community Planning and Development employee, Beverly Gosnell. The Award is presented to an Alabama resident who has contributed significantly above and beyond what is normally called for in his or her work with homelessness. The award recipient's commitment of time, talent and/or finances to working with homeless persons and/or homeless issues must be exemplary. Beverly has served the Birmingham HUD office in helping the homeless for more than 16 years. She is the first recipient to receive this honor.

Members of the Alabama Alliance to End Homelessness gather around Beverly Gosnell to celebrate with her.

ALAEH established The White Wolf Award at the 2005 Alabama Annual Conference on Homelessness in Mobile, Alabama in memory of Junior Dunham, Executive Director of the Lighthouse Counseling Center in Montgomery, AL. Mr. Dunham, who died November 20, 2004, was a friend to the homeless and was a tireless worker who did not help because it was expected or required, but merely because "it was the right thing to do" - a statement he often made. Junior was half Cherokee and did extensive work with the "Red Nation." His given Indian name was White Wolf, so it seemed appropriate to honor Junior by designating this award as the White Wolf Award.