The city of Stockton is accepting nominations for the Champion of H.O.P.E. Award (Honoring Outstanding Prevention Efforts) that is being presented through the city’s Office of Violence Prevention.

City officials said the award honors people and organizations that have made an exceptional impact on preventing community violence and promoting safety in their communities.

Anyone submitting nominations has until 5:30 p.m. on May 24 and winners will be announced and recognized June 12 during a symposium hosted by the Office of Violence Prevention.

Award categories include Youth Violence Prevention for leadership and activism in preventing violence among young people in Stockton; Community Violence Prevention that honors people and organizations that showed dedication to preventing violence within their communities; and Professional Excellence in Violence Prevention that distinguishes professionals who have significantly contributed to violence prevention in their fields.

Nomination forms are available online.

City officials said the form must include the name of the nominee, contact information, and a brief background as well as examples of the person’s work.

Victoria Franco is a reporter based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. She is a Report for America corps member.

Victoria Franco is a Stockton-based reporter covering the diverse news around the Central Valley as part of the Report for America program. As a Stockton native, Franco is proud to cover stories within her community and report a variety of coverage. She is a San Jose State University alumna with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. In her collegiate years she was Managing Editor for the Spartan Daily. From her time at the Spartan Daily she helped lead her staff to California College Media Awards and a General Excellence first place. Victoria encourages readers to email her story tips and ideas at victoria.franco@baycitynews.com.