D6 Councilmember Honored with Statewide Award

Published on May 01, 2025

D6 Councilmember Honored with Statewide Award for Leadership in Protecting Vulnerable Adults

SAN ANTONIO (May 1, 2025) – District 6 Councilmember Melissa Cabello Havrda has been named a recipient of the Partnering to Protect Award by the Adult Protective Services division (APS) of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and will be honored at the 42nd Annual APS Conference in Austin in October of 2025.

The award recognizes outstanding advocacy and leadership on behalf of vulnerable adults. Honorees include Texas State Senator José Menéndez and Judge Veronica Vasquez, who are being celebrated for their collaborative efforts to champion the implementation of mandatory elder abuse recognition training for City of San Antonio staff.

“This recognition is deeply meaningful,” said Councilmember Cabello Havrda. “Protecting our most vulnerable residents is not just the responsibility of one department, it takes all of us. I’m proud to work with partners across the city and state to build a system that recognizes, responds to, and prevents elder abuse, and honored to be recognized alongside strong elder care advocates like Senator Menendez and Judge Vasquez.”

The Partnering to Protect Award is reserved for individuals and organizations that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to safeguarding older adults and individuals with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.