The Alliance of Eastside Agencies (Alliance), a professional membership organization of 40 Eastside human service agencies, recently recognized a number of organizations and individuals at its annual awards luncheon.

“The event highlights the work of those in the community who make the Eastside a better place for all of us to live and work,” said Alliance co-chairs Helen Banks Routon and Rochelle Clayton Strunk in an Alliance press release.

In Kirkland, Carmelita Parazz of Attain Housing was named Not-for-Profit Staff of the Year. According to the release, she inspires others. Parazz has transformed processes for the better, while serving and advocating for those struggling with mental illness, domestic violence and homelessness, the release states.

The speaker for this year’s luncheon was Sonya Campion, president of Campion Advocacy Fund and founder of Philanthropy Northwest’s Capacity Building Learning Circle.

The Alliance’s mission is to build healthy communities in East King County through a strong human services network by providing a strong voice for Eastside health and human services and by promoting organizational excellence among providers.