TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt this week recognized Melinda Young, an attorney for Bretz & Young, LLC, for outstanding service to crime victims.
In a video presentation as part of this year’s virtual Crime Victims’ Rights Conference, Schmidt announced that Young was the recipient of the Community Champion Award.
For the last six years, Young has served the needs of others with her contribution to the Board of Directors for BrightHouse, the Hutchinson agency serving victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking. Young oversaw a multitude of positive changes within the organization including remodeling of the shelter house, expanding critical services and enhancing prevention efforts for youth.
Donna Davis, executive director of BrightHouse, said that Young spent countless hours assisting in their nearly one-year search for an executive director, all while continuing her duties at her local law firm. In nominating Young, Davis said, “BrightHouse would not be the healthy, thriving, and positive organization it is today without Melinda’s love for BrightHouse and our work with youth, victims and survivors in our community.”
The annual recognition of those who provide outstanding service to victims of crime is taking place during the 23rd Annual Crime Victims’ Rights Conference, hosted this week by the governor and attorney general. This conference is being held virtually for the first time and comes ahead of next week’s observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The video highlighting all of this year’s award recipients is available here.