May 5, 2011

The 18 staff members from the Department of Community Justice (DCJ) who make up the Alternative Community Services Team were formally recognized as Multnomah County’s Outstanding Team during the second annual Employee Awards ceremony.  The event was held on May 4th in the Multnomah Building Boardroom and coincided with Public Service Recognition Week.

Commissioner Kafoury, District 1, presented the award to the team and praised their service both for providing “a cost effective alternative to incarceration” and “over 60,000 hours of service to more than 40 non-profit public service agencies throughout Multnomah County, including the Oregon Food Bank, Multnomah County Animal Control, and the US Forest Service”.

Gerard Welch, Community Justice Manager, accepted the award on behalf of the team.  Welch expressed the team’s appreciation for the award and recognition of their work.  He also acknowledged the clients who may not always be “initially eager” to participate in the work crews but will always “come through with their hard work and provide a great example for living restorative justice.”

Recipients include: Donica Fields Addy, Andres Avila, Dugan Bates, Kim Contreras,       Denise Hansen, Jerry Hunter, Jeff Johnson, Jeff Jones, Paul Kelly, Thane King, Dori Larson, Mary Lewis, David Main, Alisha Morton, Berthan Nyman, Lorena Sandoval, Gerard Welch, Edward (Joe) Young.

Click on this link for more information on the Alternative Community Service Team.