Recognition Behind the Global Volunteer Recognition Program™
GVRP and founder Laurel Barrett have been recognized for volunteerism, social impact, leadership, entrepreneurship, education, civic engagement, and ethical business practices.
Founded in September 2023, the Global Volunteer Recognition Program is a mission-driven, for-profit limited liability company created to help volunteers feel seen, supported, and celebrated. This page provides a transparent record of major awards, nominations, finalist placements, media coverage, verified credentials, civic recognition, and service milestones.
Recognition Highlights
These accomplishments represent some of the strongest independent recognition received by GVRP or Laurel Barrett. Wins, finalist placements, and nominations are labeled separately.
Peak of Community Award
Laurel was selected as a 2026 winner by Collegiate Peaks Bank after first being recognized as a nominee in 2025.
Most Patriotic Award
Laurel received the Charles W. Herbster Most Patriotic Award at the 2026 Global Beauty Awards.
Social Impact Startup
GVRP was a PRISM Awards Social Impact Startup of the Year finalist for two consecutive years.
President's Volunteer Service Award
Laurel received the award for service completed in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
AL!VE Impact Awards
Three consecutive years of recognition, including a 2025 finalist placement for Emerging Leaders in Volunteer Engagement.
Walgreens Champion of Champions
Laurel was recognized for Corporate and Social Responsibility.
Featured by VoyageDenver
VoyageDenver featured Laurel Barrett in its Inspiring Conversations series, sharing the story behind the Global Volunteer Recognition Program™ and Barrett Pharmacy Technician Certification Academy.
The interview explores Laurel's path from lifelong volunteer and healthcare professional to founder, educator, and community leader.
Read the VoyageDenver interviewCommunity Impact Snapshot
GVRP's reported growth and documented activity as of June 2026.
Complete Recognition Record
Expand a category to review the public master record. Concise descriptions preserve the recognition history without repeating the same background throughout the page.
GVRP Organizational Awards and Recognition
- 2024, BBB Accredited Business: Supporting GVRP's commitment to trust, transparency, responsiveness, and ethical practices.
- 2024, BBB4Good Verified Business: Recognition of GVRP as a mission-driven business creating community impact.
- 2025, Peak of Community Awards nominee: Recognition of Laurel's service, healthcare education, leadership, and work through GVRP.
- 2025, BBB of Southern Colorado Excellence in Business Award finalist: GVRP advanced to the finals.
- 2025, PRISM Awards Social Impact Startup of the Year finalist: One of three finalists at the 8th Annual PRISM Awards.
- 2026, BBB of Southern Colorado Micro Business of the Year nominee: Recognition of GVRP's impact as a small mission-driven business.
- 2026, PRISM Awards Social Impact Startup of the Year finalist: A second consecutive finalist placement.
- 2026, Peak of Community Awards winner: Laurel was publicly named one of Collegiate Peaks Bank's winners.
- 2026 Annual Volunteer Award Gala: GVRP presented 47 awards. Read the gala recap.
Founder Volunteer Service and Leadership
- Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards: Early leadership and community-service achievements that helped shape Laurel's lifelong commitment to volunteerism.
- 2023, 2024, and 2025 President's Volunteer Service Awards: Three consecutive annual recognitions for significant volunteer service.
- 2024, 2025, and 2026 Global Volunteer Award recipient: GVRP-administered recognition for documented service and leadership.
- 2024 AL!VE Impact Award nominee: Emerging Leaders in Volunteer Engagement.
- 2025 AL!VE Impact Award finalist: Laurel's highest placement in three consecutive years of AL!VE recognition.
- 2026 AL!VE Impact Award nominee: Third consecutive year of recognition.
- 2025 KOAA News5 Lighthouse Award nominee: Southern Colorado service recognition. Learn about the award.
- 2025 CNN Hero nominee: A nomination only, not selection as an official CNN Hero or Hero of the Year.
- 2025 L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth nominee: Recognition connected to volunteerism, advocacy, leadership, and service.
- 2025 Volunteer Visionary and Legacy of Leadership Awards: GVRP-issued recognitions for service leadership.
- 2026 Community Champion Spotlight nominee: Internal GVRP recognition.
- 2026 International Community Impact Award: GVRP-issued recognition for service across communities.
Entrepreneurship, Business and Professional Recognition
- 2022 Walgreens Champion of Champions, Corporate and Social Responsibility: Professional recognition for leadership, service, and social responsibility in healthcare.
- 2023 Still She Rose Grant finalist: Recognition of entrepreneurial and mission-driven work.
- 2025 and 2026 PRISM Awards Social Entrepreneur of the Year nominee: Two years of recognition for entrepreneurial leadership and community impact.
- 2025 Southern Colorado Women's Chamber Emerging Leader of the Year nominee: Accolades Luncheon recognition.
- 2025 Small Business Champion Award nominee: Small Business Week of the Pikes Peak Region.
- 2026 Small Business Person of the Year nominee: Recognition of Laurel's work as a founder, educator, entrepreneur, and community leader.
- 2026 40 Under 40 nominee: Recognition connected to professional leadership, service, healthcare, and education.
- 2026 Rosie Awards nominee: Recognition of service, leadership, entrepreneurship, and community impact.
Government, Civic and Community Recognition
- 2022 through 2026 Colorado Springs Mayor's Young Leader Awards nominee: Five consecutive years of nominations reflecting service, leadership, and community impact.
- 2025 presidential correspondence: Laurel received correspondence from President Donald J. Trump acknowledging her creativity and determination after she shared a mission-related idea. This is civic correspondence, not an award or endorsement.
- 2026 recognition from Colorado Governor Jared Polis: A letter congratulating Laurel on her outstanding 2025 work and service, including hundreds of volunteer hours, community projects, and youth mentoring.
- 2026 SBA Freedom 250 Small Business Pledge participant: GVRP signed the pledge connected to America's 250th anniversary.
Pageant, Platform and Public Leadership
- 2021 Titleholder of the Year: Earned while serving as Miss Colorado Springs for America Strong and continuing service as an essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2022 Carroll Community Service Award: Earned while serving as International Ms. Colorado.
- 2023 Director's Leadership Award: Recognition of public leadership and service.
- 2026 Crown of Service Award: Earned while serving as USOA Ms. Colorado.
- Service-centered titles: Miss Colorado Springs for America Strong, 2019 through 2021; International Ms. Colorado, 2022 through 2024; Ms. Elemental USA, 2024; and USOA Ms. Colorado, 2026.
Global Beauty Awards Recognition
- 2025 nominations: Veronica Villegas Volunteer Award, Best in Science, and Best Entrepreneur.
- 2026 nominations: Best Talent, Star Power, Charles W. Herbster Most Patriotic, and Best in Education.
- 2026 winner: Charles W. Herbster Most Patriotic Award.
Business Certifications and Verified Credentials
Credentials are separate from competitive awards because they demonstrate business standing, eligibility, and verification rather than selection by judges.
BBB Accredited
Supporting ethical business practices, responsiveness, transparency, and trust.
BBB4Good Verified
Recognizing GVRP's mission-driven commitment to social impact.
SBA-Certified WOSB and EDWOSB
Certified as a Women-Owned Small Business and an Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business.
SAM Registration
Active business registration credentials for applicable government, grant, contracting, and partnership opportunities.
Important Note About Recognition Status
A nomination means Laurel Barrett or GVRP was submitted for consideration. It does not mean the nominee became a finalist, honoree, or winner unless that status is specifically stated.
This page includes earned awards, nominations, finalist placements, pageant titles, business verifications, government certifications, civic correspondence, internal GVRP recognition, organizational milestones, and public-service recognition. GVRP-issued or GVRP-administered honors are identified separately from external recognition whenever applicable.
Last updated: September 2026
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Continue the Mission
GVRP exists to remind volunteers that their service matters. Individuals, families, schools, nonprofits, pageant organizations, businesses, and community partners can participate through membership, recognition programs, leadership education, remote service projects, partnerships, and the Annual Volunteer Award Ceremony.