Rosemary Caldwell Volunteer of the Year Award

The Rosemary Caldwell Volunteer of the Year Award is the only formal award that the Contra Costa Crisis Center bestows. It is named in honor of Rosemary, a former crisis line director at our agency, and honors an outstanding individual whose unselfish work for the well-being of others embodies the highest standards of volunteerism.

This year we are proud to announce Luke Keenan as 2020 Rosemary Caldwell Volunteer of the Year Award recipient!

Luke began his volunteer work with the Contra Costa Crisis Center in 2015. He has provided over 966 hours of volunteer work to the Crisis Center as a volunteer Call Specialist, Trainer, Outreach Ambassador, Grief Support Group Facilitator, and Share the Spirit committee member.

In addition to his work at the Crisis Center, he is also a former volunteer and trainer at the San Francisco Suicide Prevention hotlines, and a former volunteer at the Trinity Center in Walnut Creek, working with people who are unsheltered. Luke was the San Ramon Rotary Club’s 2017 Unsung Hero Award recipient and received his American Association of Suicidology Individual Crisis Worker Certification in 2018.

Many callers have left messages of praise regarding Luke’s compassion and service. Here are a few samples:

  • “Luke was exceptional- he exceeded my expectations, was professional and personal.”
  • “Luke was fantastic, he is a great representative.”
  • “Luke has helped me a lot, thank you for what you do.”

We are pleased to announce this year’s winner! Like so many things, COVID is affecting how we do this. A small group presentation took place at the center earlier this summer, and Luke was recognized at the September board meeting.

Last weekend would have been our annual volunteer appreciation brunch and we all would have gathered together to celebrate the efforts of all the amazing volunteers and present the Rosemary Caldwell Award to Luke. Even though there is no brunch event this year, we do want to say thank you to all volunteers and look forward to when we can hold the next brunch and other missed events in the future.

Stay safe and THANK YOU!