FEDERATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS ANNOUNCES ITS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREES FOR 2026!
At our Human Service Awards luncheon on Friday, October 30th at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, we will be honoring three extraordinary individuals, who have done much
to improve the quality of life for others throughout their respective careers.
Deanna Dewberry
Our first honoree is Deanna Dewberry, who is being honored for her work as an award-winning anchor and investigative consumer reporter for News10 NBC. She has more than two decades of experience in television news. Her strong commitment to consumer issues has not only made her a popular advocate for the community, but has also been instrumental in shaping new legislation.
Deanna is a four-time cancer survivor and is actively involved in community activities that enrich the lives of cancer survivors and promote research. She was recently awarded the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester’s Advocate’s Spirit Award given annually to a community member who shows an unwavering commitment to eradicating breast cancer. She is also a recipient of the prestigious Thrive Award, an honor The Cancer Support Community of North Texas gives annually to one person who exemplifies a passion for assuaging cancer’s suffering.
Her commitment to advocating for her community has been evident throughout her career including stops in Dallas, Indianapolis, Little Rock, and Lubbock. That advocacy has earned her 13 regional Emmy Awards which included being named the region’s top consumer reporter in both North Texas and New York State.
Deanna has also been honored by the Journalists Association of New York, The New York State Broadcasters Association, Society of Professional Journalists, Associated Press, Indiana Broadcasters Association, National Association of Black Journalists, Texas Speech Communication Association and the American Cancer Society. In 2009, Martin University awarded her an Honorary Doctorate for her contributions to the field of journalism.
Deanna and her husband have three children and two furry family members, a Bichon Frise and a Newfoundland.
Lori Bruno & Chris Bruno
Our second and third honorees are Lori Bruno & Chris Bruno. Lori and Chris have both worked in Human Services professional positions for their entire adult lives. Lori Bruno has worked for the Monroe County Department of Human Services for 35 years. Chris Bruno worked for Monroe County Department of Human Services for 8 years and for the NYS Office of Children and Family Services for 36 years.
In addition to their extraordinary professional human service career contributions, they are also being honored for founding the local non-profit organization Alyssa’s Angels. Alyssa’s Angels was founded in memory of their daughter Alyssa Rose Bruno, who passed away after a valiant battle with brain stem cancer in 2006. The mission of Alyssa’s Angels is to do work that reflects the spirit of giving to and caring for others, which was so important to Alyssa Rose Bruno. Funds that are generated have been used to support and directly benefit the most disadvantaged and needy children in the Rochester area.
Lori and Chris have continued to work for decades now, to lead and support the mission of Alyssa’s Angels. Hundreds of children and families have benefited from the donations that have been provided by Alyssa’s Angels. The recipients of this support have primarily been, victims of abuse and/or neglect, and those experiencing medical, behavioral or emotional problems.
Registration to attend this year’s Human Service Awards event at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center are now being accepted. In the links below, you can access the registration form as well as a form to submit a congratulatory program ad, in support of these honorees as well as honorees in additional human service categories, which will be announced later this month.
Deanna Dewberry
Our first honoree is Deanna Dewberry, who is being honored for her work as an award-winning anchor and investigative consumer reporter for News10 NBC. She has more than two decades of experience in television news. Her strong commitment to consumer issues has not only made her a popular advocate for the community, but has also been instrumental in shaping new legislation.
Deanna is a four-time cancer survivor and is actively involved in community activities that enrich the lives of cancer survivors and promote research. She was recently awarded the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester’s Advocate’s Spirit Award given annually to a community member who shows an unwavering commitment to eradicating breast cancer. She is also a recipient of the prestigious Thrive Award, an honor The Cancer Support Community of North Texas gives annually to one person who exemplifies a passion for assuaging cancer’s suffering.
Her commitment to advocating for her community has been evident throughout her career including stops in Dallas, Indianapolis, Little Rock, and Lubbock. That advocacy has earned her 13 regional Emmy Awards which included being named the region’s top consumer reporter in both North Texas and New York State.
Deanna has also been honored by the Journalists Association of New York, The New York State Broadcasters Association, Society of Professional Journalists, Associated Press, Indiana Broadcasters Association, National Association of Black Journalists, Texas Speech Communication Association and the American Cancer Society. In 2009, Martin University awarded her an Honorary Doctorate for her contributions to the field of journalism.
Deanna and her husband have three children and two furry family members, a Bichon Frise and a Newfoundland.
Lori Bruno & Chris Bruno
Our second and third honorees are Lori Bruno & Chris Bruno. Lori and Chris have both worked in Human Services professional positions for their entire adult lives. Lori Bruno has worked for the Monroe County Department of Human Services for 35 years. Chris Bruno worked for Monroe County Department of Human Services for 8 years and for the NYS Office of Children and Family Services for 36 years.
In addition to their extraordinary professional human service career contributions, they are also being honored for founding the local non-profit organization Alyssa’s Angels. Alyssa’s Angels was founded in memory of their daughter Alyssa Rose Bruno, who passed away after a valiant battle with brain stem cancer in 2006. The mission of Alyssa’s Angels is to do work that reflects the spirit of giving to and caring for others, which was so important to Alyssa Rose Bruno. Funds that are generated have been used to support and directly benefit the most disadvantaged and needy children in the Rochester area.
Lori and Chris have continued to work for decades now, to lead and support the mission of Alyssa’s Angels. Hundreds of children and families have benefited from the donations that have been provided by Alyssa’s Angels. The recipients of this support have primarily been, victims of abuse and/or neglect, and those experiencing medical, behavioral or emotional problems.
Registration to attend this year’s Human Service Awards event at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center are now being accepted. In the links below, you can access the registration form as well as a form to submit a congratulatory program ad, in support of these honorees as well as honorees in additional human service categories, which will be announced later this month.
