Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Blog

Congratulations to Renee Harris and Jo Padilla for being San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services’ 2025 George Culores Hall of Fame recipients! This award recognizes consumer/clients who have made contributions to better the lives of other consumer/clients; shown leadership in the consumer movement or have a personal journey of recovery that inspires and gives hope to others.  

This award was named after San Mateo resident George Culores who worked diligently for many years giving back to the San Mateo County mental health communities.

About the recipients:

Renee Harris 

Renee Harris is a mother, suicide survivor, Peer Support Specialist, and Lived Experience Academy graduate. She has been an active member of the Suicide Prevention Committee in San Mateo County. Renee is well qualified for this recognition and honor because, with all her roles and for about 15 years, she continues to transform her trauma into awareness, inspiration and care for other clients/consumers and community members of San Mateo County. Renee’s lived experience, compassion and purpose-driven passion has helped countless clients/family members and community members find their own path to hope, recovery and healing. 

Joana ‘Jo’ Padilla 

Jo has displayed exemplary leadership by completing the Lived Experience Academy that she later helped co-facilitate as well as speaking at the Board of Supervisors and other San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services events, participating in Health Equity Initiatives, working towards her Medi-Cal peer support specialist certification, volunteering with behavioral health community organizations and being a role model for other Behavioral Health & Recovery Services clients and family members. 

To learn more about the Behavioral Health Commission Awards, visit https://www.smchealth.org/general-information/bhc-awards