Victim Advocates Reach Out, or VARO, was a recipient of the 2025 Visionary Voice Award by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. The award recognizes

VARO’s work to end sexual violence in Guam and to support the victims through the painful process of seeking justice.

VARO received the award at the Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault & Family Violence proclamation signing on Monday, April 7, at the Guam Community College Multipurpose Auditorium.

The awards are presented annually in conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a national campaign held each April to raise awareness about preventing sexual violence.

The Guam Coalition hosted their annual proclamation signing declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Child Abuse Prevention Month, and National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

"This award represents the best of community leadership in the movement to end sexual violence," said Dr. Julie Ulloa-Heath, Executive Director of VARO. "It is indeed an honor to recognize our 26 tireless and selfless volunteers and staff advocates for their dedication to our organization but more so to their commitment to assisting members of our community. We are small but mighty! This award also speaks to our community partners' hard work and dedication to the people of Guam.”

"What you see here is our staff advocates, but they do enormous things for our community," said Louisa Borja, President of VARO. "VARO has served our island community for 44 years, and it is truly an honor to be here today to accept this award.”