Elysia Spencer, Office of Police Ombudsman, No Phone Number Available
Friday, October 24, 2014 at 2:01 p.m.
Jesse Sheldon (L) and members of the NATIVE PROJECT at the 2014 Spokane Human Rights Award presentation
The NATIVE Project, Central Valley High School graduate Jesse Sheldon and Fiesta Spokane organizer Angela Vera Webster have been honored as winners of the 2014 Spokane Human Rights Award. The second annual award ceremony and breakfast took place Friday at City Hall.
The award recognizes contributions and achievements to advance human rights in the City of Spokane. Each year, a youth (for individuals under 21 years of age), an adult, and an organization are awarded.
The NATIVE Project was recognized for its work to provide health and care services for local Native communities and others. The nonprofit began in 1989. In 2013, the NATIVE Project saw close to 3,000 patients for medical services and treated more than 300 youth in adolescent Behavioral Health and Chemical Dependency programs.
The Individual award was presented to Angela Vera Webster, who had previously spent time working with youth through the NATIVE Project. Webster was also honored for her dedication to promoting diversity in the Spokane area, including her major role in organizing the City's first official Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in 2014, “Fiesta Spokane.”
Jesse Sheldon, a 19-year-old student at the University of Washington, received the Youth Award for his efforts with Inland NW Baby, a nonprofit Sheldon himself launched as an 9th grader in 2010. Inland NW Baby was the first diaper bank in all of Eastern Washington and distributes over 9,000 diapers a month to families in need along with clothing, hygiene products, and other basic necessities.
Lisa Rosier, the Chair of the Spokane Human Rights Commission was joined by City Council Member Karen Stratton to present the awards to the three winners. The Spokane Human Rights Award is sponsored by the Spokane Human Rights Commission and Mayor David Condon, who was not able to be present for the ceremony.
Angela Vera Webster
