Reno, Nev. – The Washoe CASA Foundation is pleased to announce that Nevada Volunteers, the Governor’s Commission on Service, selected Jenna Dewar, Washoe CASA Foundation board chair, as a finalist for the 2017 Governor’s Points of Light Awards, the highest honor bestowed on volunteers, volunteer managers, and volunteer organizations in Nevada. Dewar has been nominated for her outstanding volunteer service in northern Nevada. This year, 19 finalists from across the state will be honored on Thursday, October 5th, at the annual luncheon at the Flamingo in Las Vegas, where the Award Recipients for each category will be announced.
Dewar started her experience with the Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) department at the University of Nevada, Reno in 2004 as an undergraduate minor student, where she continued the program as a graduate student and teaching assistant. After graduation, she continued as a letter of appointment teaching faculty in HDFS while working on a multi-state childhood obesity research project. She joined the team full-time in October 2014 as a specialist in advisement and internships. Jenna has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) since October 2011 and also serves as the chair of the Washoe CASA Foundation.
The Governor’s Points of Light Award Ceremony honors individuals, community-based organizations, and businesses for their contributions through volunteer service. Award Finalists are selected by a panel of leaders from businesses, governments, and nonprofits across the state, and are judged based on criteria showing how their volunteerism exemplifies achievement, need, innovation, mobilization, and endurance.
Nevada Volunteers is proud to recognize remarkable Nevadans who embrace volunteering and working together to make a positive impact with their time and talent. More information, including sponsorship opportunities and how to purchase tickets, can be found on the 2017 Governor’s Points of Light Awards web page.
About Washoe CASA Foundation:
The Washoe CASA Foundation’s mission is to support the Washoe County CASA Program through fundraising, advocacy, outreach and community awareness. The Washoe County CASA Program in the Second Judicial District Court is dedicated to the safety, well-being and best interests of abused, neglected and dependent children who are the subject of judicial proceedings. Appointed by the court, CASA volunteers work diligently to determine what is in the best interest of the child and ensure that positive outcomes are achieved. The CASA volunteer’s commitment is to only one or two children at a time. Low caseloads mean advocates can give each child’s case the personal attention that is often not possible in the social services system.