HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 21 - Tom Oye 2016
City of Edina 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Krystal Caron, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0347 kcaron@EdinaMN.gov www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HRRC Recognizes Edina Resident with Tom Oye Award
Edina, Minn., March 21, 2016 – The Human Rights & Relations Commission (HRRC) will honor Lauren
Morse-Wendt with the Tom Oye Award for her steadfast work to help develop new opportunities to homeless
young adults.
“Lauren Morse-Wendt has led a collaborative campaign to create the first apartment building for homeless
young adults in the west metro. Her dedication has brought Edina together to take pride in caring for all young
people, providing an opportunity for everyone to thrive, and embracing an inclusive community vision,”
explained Jackie Sullivan, who nominated her for the award.
Morse-Wendt helped to lead a successful campaign to develop housing opportunities in Edina for homeless
young adults. Construction is expected to begin this summer on 66 West apartments, a new housing
opportunity for young adults in the southwest metro who have experienced homelessness. Morse-Wendt is a
member of the 66 West Taskforce and helped to drive this project forward.
In the process of organizing 66 West, Morse-Wendt helped shed light on the issue of suburban youth
homelessness and advance a conversation about Edina’s community vision.
“The results have been inspiring. There is growing awareness of the stories of Edina youth who have no home
to return to when the high school or Southdale Library closes,” said Sullivan.
The award was established in recognition of the late Tom Oye who helped found the HRRC in 1970 and served
on it for more than 30 years. Oye was also a Nisei soldier in World War II, a second-generation Japanese
American who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. In 2003, Oye
received the Prize for Humanity by the Immortal Chaplains Foundation.
Morse-Wendt will receive the award at the Volunteer Recognition Reception at Braemar Golf Course on April
20. Individuals who live, study or work in Edina, or who make significant contributions to Edina, are eligible for
the Tom Oye Human Rights Award. Nominees were evaluated based on their efforts to foster respect and
dignity for others, model courage and/or compassion in the advancement of human rights, and demonstrate
leadership by example for improving human relations or advancing human rights.
For more information on the award, contact HRRC Staff Liaison MJ Lamon at 952-826-0360 or
MLamon@EdinaMN.gov.
-30-