UCS presents multiple Human Service Awards each year, which pay tribute to individuals and organizations making a difference in the Johnson County community.
We proudly recognize our 2025 Citizen of the Year awardee, Kar Woo.
Founder of Artists Helping the Homeless (AHH), Kar Woo has transformed small acts of compassion into a powerful network of support for people experiencing homelessness. Since launching AHH in 2008, he has built an organization known as “the safety net for the safety net,” filling critical service gaps and strengthening partnerships across the region.
In 2024, AHH supported 211 Johnson County residents through nearly 9,000 service interactions and nights of housing. Mr. Woo’s impact deepened with the opening of the Concord House in 2022—AHH’s first respite home in Johnson County—providing transitional and supportive housing for individuals navigating homelessness, mental illness or substance use challenges.