Nick Bala Distinguished Service Award
The Nick Bala award was created to acknowledge the work/advocacy Prof. Bala has done in the field of Youth Justice and Child Welfare both locally, nationally and internationally. This award was established to recognize a Youth Diversion volunteer who pushes for change and advocacy, through the continued efforts of their work being done both Youth Diversion and within the community.
Our recipients embody the heart and soul of the distinguished service Prof. Bala has shown to his endeavours in the legal system. Our agency was changed from Prof. Bala's dedication to the way we look at the law and youth. This award seeks to award volunteers who have continued to foster and inspire change through their efforts to leave a lasting impression for our agency and the community.
This year we are excited to present this award to Dr. Aba Mortly
Dr. Mortley has been a Volunteer with Youth Diversion for almost 20 years supporting our Youth Justice Programs. Dr. Mortley has also supported the agency through donations from her business Cher-mere and hosted fundraising events to raise money for our programs. Dr. Mortley is currently the chair of the Tourism Kingston board, co-chair of Queens University Council on Anti-Racism and Equity, a member of the DBIA board and its member committee, and member of the Kingston Economic Recovery Team. We awarded this award as she is a distinguished community member and amazing human who never gives up on her fight and vision for a more inclusive and supportive community. We continue to be immensely humbled by the time she continues to carve out to volunteer with our agency. We don't know how she does this with such an active, work, family and advocate life but we sure are fortunate she's assisted as a volunteer with us for so many years. Thank you Aba!
