Youth Workforce Champion Awards
Do you know an individual who has contributed exceptionally to the support and empowerment of Ramsey County’s youth and young adults through personal, academic or career development? Nominate the individual for the Youth Workforce Champion Awards. The awards will highlight two members of the Youth Works! community. The Legacy award will be given to an individual whose impact and leadership in the field of youth and young adult workforce development has been well-established. The Rising Star award will be given to an individual whose journey along the same path has just begun.
Those nominated for this award will have dedicated themselves to working with and improving the lives of Ramsey County’s young people, ages 14-24, to develop the next generation’s full potential.
Nominations are closed.
Establishment and Purpose
The two awardees, who have contributed to the support and empowerment of Ramsey County’s young people (ages 14-24) through personal, academic or career development, will be recognized by the Chair of the Youth Committee at a Youth Committee meeting and presented with a plaque of achievement and monetary prize at a WIB meeting. The names of recent awardees are also displayed on the county's website for recognition and a physical plaque exhibited at the Workforce Solutions office in Saint Paul.
Eligibility and Award
Eligibility
Nominations can be submitted by, or on behalf of, an individual, including (but not limited to) juvenile justice, education providers, staff from youth-serving or community-based organizations, elected officials, or youth themselves.
The Youth Committee will particularly consider achievements of:
- Excellence and innovation in services to youth.
- A positive impact on the quality of life of youth.
- Encouragement of community involvement in supporting youth.
- Creation of an environment where youth are empowered.
- Leadership and determination by youth.
- Preparing youth for work.
Award
Both the “Legacy” (longstanding community impact) and “Rising Star” (new and growing community impact) awards will have no more than one selected winner each calendar year. The Youth Committee will act as the selection committee for this award. After the Youth Committee notifies all nominators and nominees of the selection results, the winning nominees will be presented with the award at the next meeting of the full Workforce Innovation Board.
This award is subject to change through action by the Ramsey County Youth Committee.
Youth Workforce Champion Awardees
The Youth Workforce Champion Award is formally known as the Vern Vick Memorial Award.
2024
Legacy award
- Hannah Chan, Saint Paul Public Schools
Rising Star award
- LaShay DeClercq-Ransom, Elpis Enterprises
2023
- Dr. Tolulope Monisola Ola, Restoration for All, Inc.
2022
- Scott Herold, High School for Recording Arts
- Jenny Moore, White Bear Lake Area Schools
- Peg Thomas, Sundance Family Foundation
2021
- Dan Rossiter, White Bear Lake Schools
- Paul Ramsour, Elpis
- Kenneth Cutler, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions
2020
-
Mary Sue Hansen, Suburban Ramsey Family Collaborative
2019
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Steve Randall, Saint Paul Parks & Recreation
2018
-
Jan West, HIRED
2016
-
Jen Fairbourne, Lutheran Social Services
2015
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Billy Collins, YWCA of Saint Paul
2014
- Annette “AJ” Johnson, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions
2013
-
John Landy, Volunteer
2012
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Lou James, Ujamaa Place
2008
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Peter Jessen-Howard, Ramsey County Juvenile Corrections
2006
- Dean Shawbold, White Bear Lake Area Schools
- Jody Yungers, Ramsey County Parks & Recreation
2005
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Harriet Horwath, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions