At its annual awards luncheon yesterday at Golden Steer, Soroptimist International of Kent presented its community service awards. With 45 or so guests in attendance at the luncheon, including Mayor Suzette Cooke and Kent City Council President Jamie (Danielson) Perry, the following individuals and organizations were honored for their work in improving the lives of women and girls in the Kent community:
- Volunteer of the Month: Kenyanna Brown, Kent Phoenix Academy
- Children’s Therapy Center/Dynamic Family Services
- Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN)
- Kent Youth and Family Services
- SKCAC Industries
- Master Gardener Foundation, Tribal Life Trail
Jon Botten, executive director of Children’s Therapy Center, accepted the award on behalf of his organization by reading a letter from MacKenzie, a recent graduate who utilized the center’s services for many years.
“Children’s Therapy Center gave me hope when there wasn’t any,” she writes.
Mike Heinisch, executive director for Kent Youth & Family Services, accepted the award for KYFS’s Watson Manor, a transitional housing program for homeless teen mothers.
“These mothers don’t have a place to call home – home is where our root is, our security and shelter,” Heinisch says.
Each of the honorees also received a donation from the Soroptimists to help them to continue their work. For more information about the local Soroptimist group, visit them online at www.soroptimistnwr.com.
