Sunrise MarketPlace director receives Stones ’21’ award for making a difference

Sentinel staff report–
Kathilynn Carpenter, who has spearheaded local solutions to homelessness and serves as executive director of the Sunrise MarketPlace in Citrus Heights, was recognized for her community leadership last week with an award from Stones Casino.

The Stones “21” award is annually presented to a Citrus Heights community member who has shown “exemplary commitment and dedication to the advancement of the City of Citrus Heights, a history of leadership, and demonstrated a passion for making a difference.” Last year’s award went to Citrus Heights City Manager Christopher Boyd, with the late Councilman Mel Turner being the first recipient of the award in 2016.

The Nov. 7 ceremony was held at Stones Casino where Carpenter received the award surrounded by family, friends and community members. A resolution highlighting Carpenter’s past two decades of service in Citrus Heights was read by Stones Partner Kermit Schayltz and she also received certificates of recognition on behalf of Sen. Jim Nielsen and Assemblyman Ken Cooley, according to a Sunrise MarketPlace news release about the event.

“Citrus Heights is a great community and we all work together as a team,” Carpenter said in accepting the award. “We’re completely united in our desire to continually improve our community.”

Carpenter has served as executive director of the Sunrise MarketPlace since its inception two decades ago. The MarketPlace is a business improvement district made up of more than 400 businesses in the Sunrise-Greenback corridor.

Several years ago, she helped lead the effort to bring a homeless “Navigator” to Citrus Heights, which helps connect homeless individuals with housing and services. She also helped form the Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART) and is currently a board member and past Chair of the Citrus Heights Chamber, where she was named 2002 Business Person of the Year.