Jia Meeks, a policy advisor and associate in Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s Government Relations Department, was recognized with the January 2024 Minori Yasui Community Volunteer Award. The award honors individuals throughout the Denver metropolitan area who make unique contributions to the community. Additionally, recipients receive a $2,000 cash award to give to a nonprofit agency of their choice.
Meeks was recognized for his commitment to and partnership with WeeCycle, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide diapers and recycled essential baby gear for families in need. Since 2021, Meeks has provided pro bono representation to the organization. That year, he helped lead an effort to create a state-administered diaper distribution grant program and secured $4 million in competitive grant funding for fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. Meeks also helped guide the organization’s inaugural application, which ultimately resulted in WeeCycle earning a seven-figure total grant amount over a two-year period. More recently, Meeks has lobbied for additional state-level funding to be allocated to the diaper distribution program so WeeCycle and other potential applicants can continue their mission of helping under-served families.
Meeks was recognized with the January 2024 Minori Yasui Community Volunteer Award at a ceremony on Jan. 19. Notably, his award corresponded with the Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award Committee reaching the $1 million mark in awards given since the award’s creation.
The award is named in honor of Minoru Yasui, a community leader dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people.
“I am very honored to be a recipient of the Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award, especially given its long history in Denver and the fact that this particular award coincides with a major milestone,” he said. “Also, as a first-generation Asian American attorney who is a Colorado native, to receive an award named after a trailblazing Asian American attorney with deep roots in Colorado is very humbling.”