WASHINGTON – Four days after Stacy Horst’s 17-year-old daughter took her own life, she and her husband knew they had to act. Erin, who had a form of autism once called Asperger’s, had been mercilessly bullied and repeatedly encouraged by classmates to kill herself.
Courtesy of NAR
Stacy Horst
After Erin died on Jan. 29, 2014, Stacy, a Realtor®, and her husband Darren Horst launched a plan to create a safe space for autistic teens and young adults to socialize and have fun without the fear of judgement, isolation or ridicule. On Wednesday, Horst was named one of the 10 finalists for the annual National Association of Realtors® Good Neighbor Awards for her cause, Erin’s Hope for Friends.
NAR’s Good Neighbor Awards recognizes Realtors who make extraordinary differences in their communities through volunteer work by giving time, money, energy and expertise to uplift people. Nominees are selected by their personal contributions of time, finances and material contributions that go toward benefiting their cause.
“The Good Neighbor Awards underscore the profound impact real estate professionals provide beyond the transactions and titles, including the value of service and community engagement,” said NAR President Kevin Sears, broker-associate of Sears Real Estate/Lamacchia Realty in Springfield, Massachusetts. “As we celebrate 25 years of this esteemed program, these agents who are Realtors inspire us with their unwavering dedication and exceptional contributions to bettering lives and strengthening neighborhoods.”
Horst has been with Keller Williams throughout her 20-year career in real estate, working in four different offices around the country. When Erin passed away, the brokerage offered emotional support and joined the nonprofit’s fundraising efforts. Since Erin’s Hope for Friends opened in 2015, more than 5,000 people have participated in programs in the organization’s facilities in Atlanta (where Erin died) and Lexington, Ky. (where Erin was born) and online. They are working towards opening another location in the Jacksonville/ Fernandina Beach area.
Horst said the award is a profound affirmation of their mission at Erin’s Hope for Friends.
“It means more than recognition—it’s a testament to the power of our Realtor community and the impact we can make when we come together for a common cause,” she said. “It would not only enable us to reach more children in need but also inspire others to join us in spreading hope, joy and the ability of friendship for all. It’s a reminder that even in the face of life’s toughest challenges, there is always room for kindness, compassion and connection.”
Five winners will each receive a $10,000 grant and national media exposure for their charity, including a feature in the fall issue of Realtor Magazine. The winners will also be honored in November during NAR NXT, The Realtor Experience in Boston. Five honorable mentions will receive $2,500 grants.
Web Choice Favorites voting
Starting now, the public can vote for their favorite Good Neighbor finalists.
The top three vote-getters will be recognized as Web Choice Favorites, with the winner taking home $2,500, and the second- and third-place finishers each receiving $1,250, funded by Realtor.com. Voting ends Oct. 2, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. CT. Winners will be announced on October 7.
© 2024 Florida Realtors®
