Hugo Mullins, CEO and owner of Family Ties Inc., received the city of Sandy Springs’ Humanitarian Award for 2014.
Mullins was presented with the award Jan. 20 at Sandy Springs City Hall during the city’s ninth annual Martin Luther King Day celebration.
“Every day we should be thinking about how we can help people less blessed than us,” Mullins said. “Many times, I look at people we work with and see myself as a young boy growing up in Brooklyn and I say, ‘My life has been blessed.’”
The city created the Humanitarian Award to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions in the area of community service.
“Dr. King once said, ‘Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.’ We honor Hugo Mullins for his tireless efforts in helping children gain the confidence they need to take many first steps,” Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said.
Mullins, who has worked in social services, family preservation and mental health care in the metro area for more than 25 years, said his work is based on the belief that strong children make strong adults; strong adults make strong families; strong families make strong communities; and strong communities make strong cities, the city said in a press release.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” Mullins said in the city release. “We teach the children we serve that values dictate action. It’s a lesson, which aligns well with Dr. King’s philosophies. Through the right support and encouragement, anything is possible.”