The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) has awarded Miss Florida Lindsay Bettis with the Volunteer of the Year Award and recognized outstanding volunteers who have donated countless hours of valuable volunteer service to Florida’s youth and families.
“Engaged community partners who give back through mentorships and volunteerism are a vital part of the success of our youth and families,” said DJJ Secretary Eric Hall. “I am incredibly grateful for our dedicated volunteers like Lindsay Bettis for investing their time and talent into the youth we serve, and I’m proud to recognize her for her efforts with the Volunteer of the Year Award.”
DJJ Assistant Secretary for Prevention Services Alice Sims,
Miss Florida Lindsay Bettis, and DJJ Secretary Eric Hall
Lindsay Bettis currently serves as Miss Florida as well as the community outreach director for Advanced Recovery Systems. She is also a member of Project Opioid, the Orange County Drug-Free Coalition, and Florida Recovery Schools of Central Florida. Over the last year, DJJ has hosted school assemblies statewide as a component of The Facts. Your Future., First Lady Casey DeSantis’ multi-faceted, scientifically based, campaign to provide Florida’s youth with the facts surrounding substance use and the lasting consequences it can have on their lives. Ms. Bettis has traveled to several counties across Florida to participate in the campaign by sharing her personal story about the impacts of substance abuse. Her story of resiliency has reached thousands of students to encourage them to make the right choices about drugs and alcohol. In October 2022, Ms. Bettis was also appointed to serve as a member of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention State Advisory Group.
“At Volunteer Florida, we know that volunteerism is among the most valuable resources we have to strengthen and support our communities,” said Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo. “I’m honored to help recognize the Department of Juvenile Justice’s volunteers for their commendable service to Florida’s youth and families.”
“I have seen firsthand the profound impact mentors and volunteers can have on a person’s life, especially a child’s life,” said Florida State Representative Berny Jacques. “To dedicate your time to the service of another is something to take pride in, and I’m immensely grateful to the Floridians that step up for their community every day – you truly make a difference.”
Other dedicated volunteers recognized at the ceremony for their service included Gary Bostic, Glenton Gilzean, Jack Brewer, Carol Hadley, Rebekah Blevins, Dan Kahn, Gerald Smith, Philip Thomas, and Herlena Washington. These extraordinary volunteers were honored at an appreciation ceremony hosted at the Florida Historic Capitol which can be viewed in full here.
