Mayor Yemi presents Spirit of Colorado Springs Award to Larry Yonker

Mayor Yemi Mobolade presented the Mayor's Spirit of Colorado Springs Award to longtime community leader Larry Yonker on Friday, March 1 during an event marking the 30th anniversary of Springs Rescue Mission. Yonker was honored for more than four decades of work as a nonprofit leader, helping shape the region's response to homelessness and expand services for individuals in need.

"Larry Yonker embodies what it means to lead with courage, empathy, and humility in Colorado Springs," said Mayor Yemi Mobolade. "His life's work has helped shape a more compassionate and connected city, and his leadership has created pathways for people to move from survival to stability and ultimately to flourishing."

The Mayor's Spirit of Colorado Springs Award recognizes individuals whose service and leadership reflect the values of Colorado Springs and have made a lasting impact on the community.

Yonker played a pivotal role in transforming Springs Rescue Mission into a nationally recognized model for comprehensive homelessness services. Under his leadership, the organization grew from a single-site shelter into a 15-acre resource campus that provides shelter, addiction recovery, job training, and mental health services to hundreds of individuals each night.

His work has also extended beyond Colorado Springs through leadership in the nonprofit sector and partnerships supporting communities nationally and globally. He has remained actively involved in the Mission's work following his retirement.

The Spirit of Colorado Springs Award is presented by the Mayor's Office to recognize individuals and organizations whose contributions leave a lasting and meaningful impact on the community.

For more information about the Spirit of Colorado Springs Award, visit ColoradoSprings.gov/SpiritOfColoradoSprings.