Assemblymember Dodd honors Lori Ross as Community Champion

LORI ROSS HONORED AS COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Woodland resident Lori Ross was recently honored with a community champion award by Assemblymember Bill Dodd for her passion and dedication to helping children, disabled people, and for working to improve the community. Lori has served a number of local non-profits and currently works as Executive Director of the Woodland United Way.

"It feels good to know that we have somebody as caring as Assemblymember Dodd representing our district. I appreciate his efforts to recognize his constituents as champions. I am honored to be acknowledged for just being me and doing what I love.”

Lori has lived in Yolo County for 40 years and has two boys, Derek and Zack, with her husband Art. Lori has been a prominent advocate for children and disabled people, inspired by her son Derek who is developmentally disabled. She is a strong advocate for empowering people with developmental disabilities to live as independent a life as possible, and volunteers for the Northern California Special Olympics.

Lori previously served as Program Director for the Yolo County YMCA, where she worked to make sure no child was turned away for their inability to pay. She also chaired the YMCA annual campaign to raise camp scholarship funds. Her community involvement extends to volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster kids and teaching children through her church.

“It’s people like Lori Ross that represent the very best of Yolo County. She’s the definition of a community champion,” said Assemblymember Dodd. “Her selfless service and tireless work in caring for local youth and the developmentally disabled proves that one person truly can make a difference.”

Lori’s current position as Executive Director of Woodland United Way allows her to use her 18 years of non-profit experience and put her dedication to our local community in action. After two years, she is leading the transformation of Woodland United Way from a fundraising mechanism to a community mobilizer and agent of change. With a focus on helping those most in need, Lori works to bring local non-profits, businesses, government entities as well as community leaders, volunteers and donors together around a common cause. Lori has also been a strong advocate for early childhood literacy, supporting our schools and investing in children and their families.