Marie Tsakiris to be presented with the 2022 Ann Davis Founders Award

The Arc of Katy Board of Directors is pleased to recognize Marie Tsakiris with the 2022 Ann Davis Founders Award. Tsakiris, a registered nurse, community volunteer and property manager, made possible the donation of The Arc of Katy’s new facility.

The Arc of Katy Board of Directors President Cherie Duddridge said, "We are pleased to present Marie with the Ann Davis Founders Award for her generous contribution to our organization and for her ongoing work to provide opportunities for people with special needs and their families to be engaged and active members of our community. As a nonprofit organization, we greatly appreciate the generosity of Marie and her family as the facility they built and donated to us will help us sustainably deliver high quality, accessible and affordable opportunities for more people with IDD. "

A Michigan native, Marie relocated to Texas in 2004 and lives in Katy with her husband Louis and son Alec. She began working with youth with medical and special needs and their families as a volunteer for Friday Night Friends at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Katy. When the H2O program for teens and adults with special needs was established with St. Peter’s UMC as its meeting place, Marie began working as its registered nurse. She now serves as the registered nurse for the church’s Special Needs Ministry.

Marie explained that through her work at the church she learned about other programs available to youth and adults with special needs in the Katy area. After hearing that The Arc of Katy lost use of its original program location following Hurricane Harvey, Marie and her family decided to support the organization in securing a permanent home.

The Tsakiris family through efforts of the San Jacinto College Board of Trustees Chairperson Marie Flickinger also are donors to that college’s Neurodiversity Program.

“My family and I are very pleased to help The Arc of Katy and are proud to see how happy the participants and staff are in their new building,” Marie said.