FOUR LANCASTER COUNTY LEADERS TO BE HONORED AT WATER STREET’S ISAIAH 61 AWARDS BANQUET

  LANCASTER, PA - 09/20/2017 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

Water Street Mission is scheduled to host a free banquet on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, and present the annual Isaiah 61 Awards to four community members in recognition of their outstanding service to Lancaster County.

This year’s annual Isaiah 61 Awards Banquet is sponsored by Willow Valley Associates (https://willowvalley.com/) and Webtek (https://webtekcc.com) Event time and location information, as well as required advance registration, is available at https://wsm.org/events/annual-dinner/ through September 21^st.  The media is invited to attend.

Water Street created the awards, named from contents of the scripture passage Isaiah 61:1-4, to celebrate the amazing charitable work that is being done in the Lancaster community as a whole. Criteria for each award was established and members of the community were asked to submit nominations. Those selected reflect the tenets of Isaiah 61 through their lives, careers and/or volunteer service to the community.

“Water Street Mission recognizes that the work that God has called us to do as an organization in Lancaster County is part of something much bigger,” said Crowley, in the call for nominations. “We are establishing these awards to spotlight individuals who have done extraordinary work to benefit those who are close to God’s heart.”

The Marlin and Doris Thomas Servant Leader Award is being presented to Jose Jimenez, Director of Teen Haven and Pastor of Activ8 Church. Living by the conviction that with the Father’s love and guidance, young people are able to be effective today, Jose has earned the label of the “Dad” of Teen Haven, which is the title he is most proud of. He has served the youth of Lancaster City for over 17 years.

The Good News Award is being presented to Chuck Holt, President/CEO of Factory Ministries. He led the Factory Ministries through a transition from just youth ministry to a center/hub for community services for youth, families, individuals experiencing poverty and other challenges.  The Factory has become a hub for connecting needs and resources in eastern Lancaster County, PA.

The Oak of Righteousness Award is being presented to Ty Bair, a teacher at Edward Hand Middle School and co-founder of Advantage Lancaster. Ty grew up in Lancaster City and through positive connections was able to graduate high school, then college and is now back working with Lancaster City youth. Through his teaching position and Advantage Lancaster, he is helping kids in the city reach their full potential and possibilities

The Restorer of the City Award is being presented to Mayor Rick Gray, who has served as Mayor of Lancaster City for three terms.  Rick Gray has overseen significant growth and improvement in the city and especially a revitalized downtown. Growth in business investment and the arts have made downtown Lancaster a destination for the entire county and those outside.  

ABOUT WATER STREET MISSION

Since 1905, Water Street Mission has been providing an environment of hope and healing where Lancaster County’s at risk men, women and children can find a hand up and complete restoration with God. Water Street Mission is a non-profit organization that depends on private donations. For more information about Water Street Mission visit https://wsm.org or https://youtu.be/dSNoGORdzhg