On Tuesday, March 17, we had the honor of hosting the 12th annual Light of Dawnn Awards at West End House. The Light of Dawnn Award ceremony honors the legacy of Dawnn Jaffier, a community leader and lifelong member of the West End House Family who tragically lost her life in 2014. Dawnn was committed to her community, to uplifting those around her and bringing joy to every day. The Light of Dawnn Awards are presented to three frontline nonprofit workers, all of whom embody Dawnn’s commitment to helping others with a smile on her face.
This year, we’re proud to announce the 2026 Light of Dawnn Award Winners:
- Sandra Andrade, the Dee Kennedy Project
- Michael Gonzalez, Boston HERC
- Tiffany Sheets, Ellis Early Learning
2026 Light of Dawnn Scholarship Recipients:
- Micaela Phelan-Burgos, Emmanuel College
- Alyssa Mascarenhas, UMass Lowell
Congratulations to all these wonderful award and scholarship recipients; we’re grateful for the amazing work they do and their dedication to uplifting the community. The Light of Dawnn Awards are proudly presented in partnership by the Highland Street Foundation, West End House, Josh Kraft & Michelle Vichot, and the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN). The Light of Dawnn Scholarships are presented by Foundation To Be Named Later.
