Karen Cordova, Community School Coordinator at Walt Whitman Middle School in Fairfax County, has been recognized as a 2026 “Hometown Hero” by United Way of the National Capital Area.

Hometown Hero awards celebrate the unsung heroes in our communities. They lead by example, give back to others, and demonstrate a lasting commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.

All of these describe Karen’s commitment to the Community School program at Whitman Middle School, where she has been the coordinator for the past two and a half years. Cordova’s work at Walt Whitman Middle School focuses on connecting students and families with academic, social, and community-based resources through the Community Schools model. This helps to ensure that the Whitman community has the support it needs to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Karen was presented with this award at the last regular season DC Defenders game. A representative of the Defenders presented Karen with a signed ball, saying that “Karen’s dedication, leadership, and service to our community truly embody what it means to be a true hero. We are honored to recognize your impact and celebrate the meaningful work you do.”

We sat down with Karen to learn more about her and her work with Community Schools.

Question: What is your favorite part of your job?

Karen: “My favorite part of this job is being able to organize events that provide resources and essential needs to families and students in the community.”

Question: Tell me about one of your most memorable moments at Community Schools.

Karen: “This year I worked with the Family Liaison at Whitman to get as many resources out to as many families as possible. In that effort we held multiple Community Market Events where donations of non-perishable items and hygiene products were distributed to families in the community. We did an event right before the Christmas break for Fairfax County Public Schools and expected maybe 15-20 families to show up. Instead, we had a turnout of over 70 families stopping by for resources ranging from shelf-stable food to winter coats to Christmas gifts. It was amazing to see how far our reach really was and how many families we were able to help.”

Question: What does the Hometown Hero award mean to you?

Karen: “This honor means that families who are in need know where they can find help. Being recognized for my efforts means that what we are doing to market our events and programs is being seen by many. This means that we can help as many families as possible. I am truly grateful for this recognition. It means a lot that my name came up when they were thinking of people who have made an impact in the community! More than anything, I hope it helps drive more donations and contributions for the resources we provide so we can continue doing the work that helps those in the community.”

We are all grateful to Karen for her work helping members of our community and are proud of her continued efforts to make our area a better place.