The founder of a Grand Junction community outreach center offering a range of services to low income and homeless people has received nationwide recognition for her efforts.

Mona Highline, executive director of the Joseph Center, was named the latest winner of the Remarkable Woman of the Year award.

Nexstar Media presents the award as part of a nationwide initiative celebrating Women’s History Month
and International Women’s Day. The award honors women who’ve influenced public policy, social progress and quality of life.

Highline and six other finalists were honored in events in Los Angeles that included an awards presentation at the TCL Chinese Theater. In addition to her award, Highline received a check for $10,000 to contribute to the public service organization or charity of her choice.

The finalists also will be featured in an hour-long program airing on Nexstar television stations across the country throughout April and on the NewsNation cable news network at 8 a.m. April 16.

Nexstar received more than 10,000 nominations for the award. Nexstar television stations across the country each selected four women who were profiled on local newscasts throughout March. KREX in Grand Junction named Highline its Western Slope Remarkable Woman for 2023.

“Nextstar’s Woman of the Year initiative brings together our local communities and takes the recognition of women and their contributions in the workplace, the community and in the lives of others to a larger, national stage, demonstrating our ability to provide the concept, scale and platform to highlight the untold stories of exceptional women across the country,” said Andrew Alford, Nexstar president of broadcasting.

Highline joined with a group of women and in 2016 opened the Joseph Center to provide a safe place during the day for homeless families with children.

Since then, the Joseph Center has expanded to offer not only shelter and meals, but also assistance with applying for housing benefits, obtaining disability payments and searching for jobs.

Other programs offer food boxes, parent advocacy and temporary shelter and support services for middle-aged and elderly homeless women. The organization helps more than 600 individuals and families a year.