OUT MetroWest Director Named Nonprofit Excellence Award Finalist

FRAMINGHAM, MA - The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN) is pleased to announce that Jack Patrick Lewis, Executive Director of OUT MetroWest (Wellesley and Framingham), has been selected as a finalist for a 2016 Nonprofit Excellence Award. Mr. Lewis is being recognized for his impact as a young nonprofit professional. The Nonprofit Excellence Awards will be presented on June 27 at MNN’s celebration of Nonprofit Awareness Day, a statewide holiday that highlights the work of the nonprofit sector and raises awareness of causes throughout Massachusetts.

"The Nonprofit Excellence Awards celebrate the innovative, creative, and effective work being done by nonprofits throughout the Commonwealth," said Jim Klocke, CEO of the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network. We are delighted to shine a light on these impressive finalists, and on the 33,000 nonprofits and more than half a million nonprofit employees that provide invaluable services across Massachusetts." Excellence Award finalists are nominated by community members and peers and are selected by an independent panel of nonprofit leaders. This year, MNN received over 200 Nonprofit Excellence Award nominations. Finalists will be recognized and winners will be announced at MNN’s Nonprofit Awareness Day celebration at the State House on June 27, presented by Citizens Bank.

Under Mr. Lewis’s leadership, OUT MetroWest enriches the LGBTQ community in MetroWest Boston through programming, education, and advocacy. The organization offers weekly evening programs that are designed to combat the depression caused by a teen’s sense of alienation. Jack has worked with his engaged board to rapidly create a broad coalition of support from churches, businesses, and community partners. Since the organization was created in 2015, OUT MetroWest has served 600 high-schoolers from 50 towns and launched the state's first program for middle-schoolers.

I am honored to be nominated for this Young Professional award for my work with OUT MetroWest. The work the organization does is vital to the youth we serve, and I am grateful to all of our community supporters and partners who make the work possible," said Jack Patrick Lewis.

Nonprofits across the state will also be engaging in a social media campaign on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram leading up to June 27 and will use the hashtag #nonprofitsmakesense to highlight their unique contributions to their communities. Anyone interested in learning more about the awards, event, or social media campaign can visit www.massnonprofitnet.org/npad2016.