United Way of Essex and West Hudson (UWEWH) Celebrates 20th Anniversary of the William M. Ashby Award by Honoring Governor Thomas H. Kean and Sister June Favata

NEWARK, N.J., June 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This year's William M. Ashby Community Service Award winners are Sister June Favata of Saint Vincent Academy and former New Jersey Governor Thomas H. Kean.

Ashby was a noted author, a civil rights pioneer, and the founder of the Urban League of Essex County—Newark.  In 1923, he was instrumental in the formation of the Newark Welfare Federation and Community Chest, known today as UWEWH.  The award is presented annually by UWEWH to commemorate the life and achievements of the late Ashby and recognizes individuals whose contributions to the community reflect his community service ideals.

"Sister June and Governor Kean are among New Jersey's most admired change agents and civic leaders," notes Dr. Clement Alexander Price, who chairs the Ashby selection committee. “What Sister June has contributed to the educational and moral foundation for a generation of girls at St. Vincent Academy is nothing short of miraculous. As for Governor Kean, it is only appropriate that he be saluted for a lifetime of exemplary concern for the needy and those seeking to benefit from the American dream.”

Sister Favata currently serves as the Administrative Director of St. Vincent Academy, founded in 1869 and is Newark's only Catholic, college preparatory school for women. Under her leadership, the school strives to "provide its students with the educational tools and moral compass they need to succeed in college and in life and to overcome with perseverance and grace the obstacles faced by women and people of color in our society."

Governor Kean's legacy of service is well-known throughout New Jersey and nationwide.  Like Ashby, Kean has been a lifelong learner, who began his service as a teacher, going on to become a New Jersey Assemblyman and Governor, President of Drew University and Chair of the 9/11 Commission. He continues to serve today as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and board at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, to name a few of his many commitments.

Reflecting on this year's awardees, UWEWH President Keith Green remarked, "This year's recipients honor Mr. Ashby's legacy of service through the breadth and depth of their commitments to the common good, and we could not be more pleased to recognize them for the 20th Anniversary."  

The ceremony will be held June 10th at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.  For those interested in attending or sponsoring the event, go online: http://www.uwewh.org/ashby.html.  

About UWEWH: Founded in 1923, UWEWH is a non-profit organization that seeks to address the root causes of community concerns by aligning resources to best meet the needs of the over 700,000 children and families throughout its 13 municipality service area. We bring communities together by building partnerships and forging consensus on strategies that can make a measurable difference.

SOURCE United Way of Essex and West Hudson