Mayor Joe Pizzillo recognized a Goodyear nonprofit, the Southwest Advocacy Center, with the 2023 Mayor Pizzillo Excellence Award Thursday for its work in victim advocacy.

The award was presented to the nonprofit during the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce annual meeting at Phoenix Raceway.

The advocacy center is a child- and family-focused agency where professionals in law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, mental health, medical and victim advocacy collaborate in efforts to treat, manage and prosecute child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence and elder abuse cases.

“Over 10,000 children and adults have been served by the center,” said Pizzillo. “Over 7,000 cases have been worked by their partner law enforcement agency. Over 8,000 free counseling sessions have been provided and over 22,000 people have been trained in community awareness prevention education. That's just awesome for when any nonprofit organization.”

Accepting the award was Reem George, director of the advocacy center.

“We serve thousands of crime victims here in the West Valley,” George said. “But I just want you to know, we don't do it alone. We have a steering committee (comprising) of the four chiefs of police, Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear and the Sheriff's Office. Those are our collaborative partners. I also want to give a shoutout again to the board members. We have a nonprofit board that does a lot of our fundraising events. To provide supplemental services for our time victims. So we are very thankful for the ongoing support from the community. Thank you so much for this honor.”