Judge J.H. Corpening and Meade Horton Van Pelt have been honored by Attorney General Josh Stein with the state attorney general’s Dogwood Award, according to a news release.
 
The awards honor North Carolinians who dedicate themselves to the safety, health and happiness of people in their communities, officials said in the release.
 
Corpening is the chief district court judge for the Fifth Judicial District and has served the court since 1991, according to the release.
 
“He has long been a supporter of pre-trial and criminal justice programs that help offenders rebuild their lives and have successful futures. He was a vocal advocate of the Juvenile Justice Reinvestment Act, which prevents 16-and 17-year olds from being tried as adults for misdemeanors and low-level felonies,” officials said in the release.
 
Corpening also spearheaded the Intensive Reunification Program to help children with parents struggling with addiction, according to the release.
 
“Judge Corpening’s work on pretrial release and accountability will help us learn more about how to address growing criminal justice costs while prioritizing public safety and fairness,” Stein said in the release.
 
Van Pelt became executive director of the Jo Ann Carter Harrelson Center Inc., a Wilmington nonprofit campus that partners with nonprofits to provide humanitarian service, in December 2016, officials said.
 
Officials said in the release that after Hurricane Florence, she helped lead recovery and relief efforts in the area by coordinating volunteers and recourses.  
 
“I recently had the opportunity to visit with Meade and see first-hand the work the Harrelson Center is doing to rebuild Wilmington after Hurricane Florence,” said Stein in the release. “She and her team are doing incredible work to coordinate among a variety of nonprofits and other organizations to get help to North Carolinians in need. I am grateful for her service.”