Mr. John Lawless awarded Governor's Volunteer Service Award

The Cowlitz County Superior Court is pleased to announce that on April 12, 2019 at the Executive Mansion, in Olympia Washington, Mr. John Lawless was awarded by Governor Jay Inslee the Governor's Volunteer Service Award, for his distinguished and outstanding volunteer service to the Cowlitz County community.

John is currently an AmeriCorps Member and has worked at the Cowlitz County Youth Services Center since September of 2018.John works closely with at-risk youth and court-involved youth who are required to complete community service work.He has worked with local community partners to establish 25 community service sites.These sites support youth in completing their community service obligations through a restorative process that helps restore the harm caused to the community and reduces future criminal behavior.John has worked with over 50 youth and families, and as a result of his work, many youth have completed their court ordered community service obligations, been released from supervision early, and developed positive community connections, thus reducing the likelihood of re-offending.In addition to his work with the Youth Services Center, John volunteers at Habitat for Humanity, local food banks, and food distribution sites.

"John is a full service community member, committed to serving others at every turn.He sees the work we do at the youth services center as noble and important to the health and welfare of our youth.He sees his role in our community as one of service.He serves with distinction, and because of him, youth and families are receiving the support they need to be successful.People in the broader Cowlitz County community are better off because of having met and worked with John.We are so pleased that Governor Inslee saw what we see that John is, an exceptionally dedicated person to our community.We are blessed to have him on our team and are thankful for his service. ", said Superior Court Judge Marilyn Haan.