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Local attorney’s service to the region recognized

From local reports

JACKSON, Ohio — Robin Bozian of Washington County has gone above and beyond expectations in her role with Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (SEOLS). Bozian was recognized as 2016 Jenco Foundation Fund Award recipients for her service to others. Bozian, in addition to six fellow awardees, was recognized at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio’s (FAO) annual Celebration of Legacy at the Markay Cultural Arts Center in Jackson for their service and leadership throughout Appalachian Ohio.

Since 2002, the Jenco Awards have been recognizing visionary leadership in the service of others throughout Appalachian Ohio.

Bozian moved to Appalachian Ohio to join Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (SEOLS) when it was a new organization and has served the people of the region ever since. Her role as managing attorney with SEOLS has taken her throughout the region, from Portsmouth, to Marietta, and now Athens to fight for underserved citizens. Early in her career she developed a passion to address family and domestic violence, leading her to advocate for policy changes on the issues in the region and state.

She has also worked to make sure citizens in Washington County have access to the resources they need. She worked to develop a free medical clinic for Marietta and Washington County residents, in addition to a free legal clinic. She has fought for equal access to public facilities, like the Marietta Municipal Court, to ensure people with handicaps could access the building.

“I was always interested in entering the helping profession and once I discovered law, I never looked back because it has allowed me to give back in the way I envisioned,” said Bozian. “In my role, I have been able to help countless individuals and families and act as a facilitator to create the programs that people in our communities need.”

Bozian was joined by fellow 2016 Jenco Awardees Becky Cropper of Brown County, Amy Hill of Athens County, Kari Gunter-Seymour Peterson of Athens County, Carl Felger of Carroll County, Linda Lake of Muskingum County, and Barbara Summers of Jackson County. More information about this year’s Jenco Award recipients can be found on the Foundation’s website, www.AppalachianOhio.org.

The Jenco Foundation Fund and its annual award are named for Father Lawrence Martin Jenco, a longtime Roman Catholic priest who gave generously of himself to serve others throughout his life. Most notably, Father Jenco’s service took him to Lebanon in the 1980s to serve as director of Catholic Relief Services. While serving as director, he was kidnapped in 1985. During his 19 months in captivity, Father Jenco continued to serve others, providing a necessary listening ear to others being detained, including fellow detainee, journalist Terry Anderson. After his release, Father Jenco returned to ministry, providing outreach to underserved groups until his death in 1996. Anderson created the Jenco Foundation in 2001 to continue Father Jenco’s legacy of compassion and giving to others.

“This year’s Jenco Awardees are a group of people who give so selflessly to their communities to make them better places to live,” said Carolyn Fisk, a member of the Jenco Foundation Fund committee. “They are living examples of what Father Jenco envisioned all those years ago, everyday people doing extraordinary things.”

Nominated by fellow community members who witness their service and visionary leadership in action, Jenco Award honorees are selected through a committee process and review. Jenco Award recipients receive an individual cash award to use in the manner most appropriate to their leadership. For more information about the Jenco Foundation Fund and Award and how you can recognize visionary leaders in your community, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org or call 740.753.1111.

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