Karla Valdez, Public Service Award 2026

City of San Rafael Honors Karla Valdez with 2026 Public Service Award

The City of San Rafael is proud to announce that Karla Valdez has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Richard P. O'Brien and Mary Ferrario O'Brien Public Service Award, recognizing her outstanding commitment to community service and civic engagement.

Karla is a dedicated community leader whose impact can be felt across San Rafael. She currently serves on the San Rafael Police Advisory and Accountability Committee and volunteers three times a week at the Marin Community Clinics food bank, where she has supported local families for the past five years.

Her commitment to service extends to early childhood education. From 2021 to 2025, Karla volunteered with the Raising a Reader program, reading to young children and creating engaging activities that foster a love of learning at an early age.

Karla has also been a long-standing advocate in the Canal neighborhood through her involvement with Vecinos del Canal since 2009. Through this work, she helped advance changes to the City's street sweeping enforcement practices, reducing the disproportionate impacts of vehicle towing on economically burdened residents. She has also helped organize monthly neighborhood cleanups, bringing residents together to care for and take pride in their community.

In addition, Karla continues to support broader community efforts through her involvement with the Marin Organizing Committee, where she advocates for improved youth mental health services. She regularly participates in City housing workshops, helping to share important information and resources with community members.

Through her strong relationships and deep community ties, Karla serves as a trusted connector, helping individuals and families access essential services such as food assistance, holiday support, and City programs. Her work has led to meaningful, lasting impacts that strengthen community trust, expand access to resources, and promote equity across San Rafael.

Karla's dedication, compassion, and resilience are reflected in her lifelong commitment to serving others. She has overcome language and cultural barriers to become a powerful advocate for her community while instilling the same values of civic engagement in her family.

The City of San Rafael is honored to recognize Karla Valdez for her leadership and her unwavering commitment to uplifting the community.