On Tuesday, February 27th, West End House hosted the Light of Dawnn Awards in partnership Massachusetts Nonprofit Network and Highland Street Foundation to recognized three nonprofit workers and three high school seniors for their outstanding commitment to serving the community.
The Light of Dawnn Awards was created to honor the memory of Dawnn Jaffier, a West End House alumna and former staff member who became an innocent victim to violence in 2014. Dawnn’s legacy of service, leadership, and strength lives on through the incredible work of the award winners Khara Burns, FoodSource Hotline Director at Project Bread; Mao Kang, Streetworker at UTEC, Inc.; and Salaun Brown, Operations Manager at Codman Academy Public Charter School.
The event also awarded $5,000 scholarships to three high school students, including Bilguissa Barry, Kaylene Sheran, and Wooddynne Dejeanlouis, a long-time West End House member. Additionally, there were five other scholarship finalists who received $1,000 each, including West End House teens Stephanie Ortega and Kelly Cryts.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh was in attendance and lauded the award winners for their contributions to the city. “There is no better way to honor the life of Dawnn Jaffier than to celebrate those who have continued to carry on her legacy through acts of goodwill and service to our local communities,” said Mayor Walsh.
