Do you know someone whose quiet dedication has made a real difference in our community?
Someone who shows up, again and again, with no expectation of recognition?
Nominate them for the Astrid Joseph Community Volunteer Award, presented each year at the Road to Wellness 5K Run/2-Mile Walk, an event Astrid herself volunteered with for many years. This award honors a volunteer who embodies what Astrid gave to her community and what Road to Wellness stands for: a commitment to health, wellness, equity, and community development.
About the Award
The Astrid Joseph Community Volunteer Award honors the extraordinary dedication of an inspirational individual who sees beyond the surface, notices the quiet needs that others may overlook, and answers them with unwavering kindness, empathy, and action. Without pause, without question, and never seeking reward, they step forward time and time again, not because they have to, but because they choose to.
This award is given to a remarkable community volunteer in recognition of their heart that serves, always leading with compassion. Their hands heal without hesitation, and their spirit gives hope to all, never seeking the spotlight and yet shining so brightly in the lives of others. It was created in honor of Astrid Joseph, a “wonder woman” and community heroine to so many.
They are the quiet strength behind countless smiles, the warming heart within the community, the steady hands in times of need, and the embodiment of what it means to go above and beyond. With empathy, humility, and a wish to serve born of love, not duty, this person has become the heartbeat of the community, the caring hands that heal, and a hope-giver to all.
The 2026 Astrid Joseph Community Volunteer Award will be presented at the 12th Annual Road to Wellness 5K Run/2-Mile Walk on September 12, 2026 at The Dimock Center in Roxbury, MA. The nomination deadline is August 12, 2026.
About Astrid Joseph
This award was created in honor of Astrid St. Gerard Joseph, a beloved community heroine known to so many as a true “wonder woman,” and someone whose own life reflected the connection between health, community, and care for others.
Astrid was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and later moved with her family to Cambria Heights, Queens, New York. From a young age, giving back was simply part of who she was, and her faith was the cornerstone of her life. She taught Sunday school and volunteered often at her church.
As a student at Northeastern University, Astrid threw herself into campus life and service. She served as historian for the Northeastern Black Students Association for four years, and was an active member of several committees supporting the John D. O’Bryant African American Institute, all while building a reputation as a warm, sociable presence on campus.
Later in life, Astrid and her husband Yvel became devoted members of the Boston Temple SDA Church, where they gave their time to the young adult, diaconate, hospitality, and property ministries. Astrid also cared deeply about staying active and healthy, running several Boston area 5Ks and 10Ks, including Road to Wellness, where she volunteered as well. For her, movement and community were never separate. Showing up for a race was another way of showing up for the people around her.
Astrid’s commitment to community extended everywhere she went. She volunteered with the NAACP, Women in NAACP, Randolph DEI, and Good Sport, and was an active member of The Partnership. She was known for her thoughtfulness, her strength, and her quiet wisdom. Though she carried herself with an introvert’s calm, her warmth drew people to her wherever she went.
Astrid passed away in 2025, and this award carries her spirit forward, recognizing volunteers who serve the health and well-being of their community with the same heart, hands, and hope that defined her life.