Somerville Entrepreneur Receives National Volunteer Award

SOMERVILLE, MA — For three years, Adaias Souza has pulled double duty, running a successful Allstate agency by day and moonlighting as a volunteer at Respond, Inc. The agency is New England's first domestic violence organization and the second oldest in the nation. Souza has completed over 150 volunteer hours with Respond, helping survivors of domestic violence gain financial freedom and organizing statewide donation drives at Allstate agencies.

Souza was recently named one of 14 regional winners of the 2019 Ray Lynch Community Service award – Allstate's top national honor recognizing an agency owner or financial specialist for giving back.

"Adaias supports his community in every way possible," Andrew Grande, Allstate field sales leader, said in a statement. "The work he does with Respond is changing lives and he’s bringing everyone he knows into the fold to help him do it. We couldn’t be more proud of the great work he is doing."

As an activist and community leader, Souza has mobilized nearly every Allstate agency owner, financial specialist and sales leader in the state of Massachusetts to volunteer with and support Respond. Thanks to Adaias’ leadership, Respond has received thousands of much needed in-kind donations through Souza’s state-wide donation drives, in addition to $36,000 in Allstate Foundation Helping Hands Grant.

In 2017, Respond awarded Adaias with the Marie Siraco Community Activism Award. The award is given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions in activism or community service, in local communities and beyond, in the field of domestic violence.

"We actually retired the award a few years back but decided that Adaias was so deserving of it," Jessica Brayden, Respond CEO, said in a release. "He has been a key ally in our work to end domestic violence, dedicating his time, treasure and talent year-after-year. From raising funds to building awareness and connecting clients to critical resources, he has been an exceptional supporter. Adaias is so self-less; he really sees the need to support victims of domestic violence and has jumped in to help people in any way that he can."

Souza is currently working to organize a toiletry donation drive in Massachusetts Allstate agencies for Respond. The drive will run from Monday, October 7 until Friday, October 18. Community members are invited to stop by Allstate agencies during normal business hours to donate new, unused toiletries for survivors of domestic violence.

"I am truly honored to receive this award," said Souza. "The work that Respond does positively impacts people’s lives in a real and immediate way that it just feels very necessary. It’s urgent. They aren’t doing theoretical or maybe – they’re helping people who are being abused, whose lives are threatened and whose children’s lives have been threatened. They need help and support now."

The Ray Lynch Community Service award is dedicated to the memory of former Allstate agent Ray Lynch of Fayetteville, N.C. Lynch built a remarkable record of service to his community. During his 32 years as an Allstate agent, Lynch earned many company honors. In 1999, Lynch passed away. Inspired by his leadership, Allstate created this community service award in his honor.

To learn more about Respond, visit www.respondinc.org.