Reposa wins community service award

Leigh A. Reposa, manager of a Rhode Island youth suicide prevention program, accepts the 2014 Robert S. Burgess Community Service Award on June 25 at the Rhode Island Shriners-Imperial Room at One Rhodes Place in Cranston. / COURTESY CHRISTINE BANDONI
Leigh A. Reposa, manager of a Rhode Island youth suicide prevention program, accepts the 2014 Robert S. Burgess Community Service Award on June 25 at the Rhode Island Shriners-Imperial Room at One Rhodes Place in Cranston. / COURTESY CHRISTINE BANDONI

WARWICK – Leigh A. Reposa, manager of a state Youth Suicide Prevention Program, has won the 2014 Robert S. Burgess Community Service Award.
The Rhode Island chapter of the National Association of Social Workers awards the honor to a human services professional who has made a distinguished contribution in the field over the past three years. The award winner is someone who has initiated or conducted innovative programs benefiting vulnerable populations in Rhode Island.
Reposa, who has worked at Rhode Island Student Assistance Services overseen by the R.I. Department of Health for nearly five years, coordinates and tracks school- and community-based interventions which have demonstrated prevention of youth suicides and suicide attempts, said Sarah Dinklage, executive director of the student services.
Reposa’s efforts, along with that of the RISAS’s school-based student assistance counselors have enabled suicide prevention services to be used in 40 middle and high schools around Rhode Island, Dinklage said.
“We are very proud of Leigh and her well-deserved award,” said Dinklage. “Her energy and passion for this work are boundless. We are also grateful to the Rhode Island Department of Health, which provides leadership and funding to administer this worthwhile program.”
Reposa previously worked at the Jonnycake Center in Peace Dale. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and theology from Providence College in 1997, and a Master of Social Work degree from Rhode Island College in 2010.

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