Every day we get to work with amazing local journalists from the New Jersey and New York area who are taking risks, experimenting with fresh ideas and helping share what they are learning with others.

These journalists are deeply committed to their community and working to pioneer new models for community-driven journalism. That’s why we chose them to be part of our journalism sustainability project.

But you don’t have to take our word for it. In the last week three of our six sites have received awards and recognition for their work — Corner Media, Morristown Green, and Brick City Live.

City and State NY recently named Liena Zagare, publisher of Corner Media, to their “Above and Beyond” class of 2015. Above and Beyond honors “25 remarkable women each year from traditionally male-dominated industries.”

Congrats to our publisher @lienazagare for being honored by @CityAndStateNY tonight! pic.twitter.com/MXE1hP7GUw

— Ditmas Park Corner (@DPCornerblog) March 26, 2015

In its profile of Zagare, the media company wrote that she was nominated for this award “because of the way she speaks of the importance of community news and the role it plays in improving neighbors’ lives — and her insistence that it can always be better.”

Morristown Green editor Kevin Coughlin, center

A local small business organization in Morristown, New Jersey, has named Kevin Coughlin, the founder of local news site Morristown Green, as the recipient of the first-ever Chef Melody Award for Community Service.

The award is named for the late chef Melody McGinley Whitelaw, a local radio host and caterer. In announcing the award, Morristown Women in Business heralded Coughlin’s coverage and service to the Morristown community.

Finally, Brick City Live editor Andaiye Taylor was recognized by the City of Newark during women’s history month as part of their “Women of Newark” series. Taylor is a fourth-generation Newark resident who is building a vibrant and exciting new local news organization for her city.

#WomenOfNewark Spotlight on: Andaiyae Taylor, Founder of @BrickCityLive Check her out during #WomensHistoryMonth2015 pic.twitter.com/nA3BcxEITn

— City of Newark (@CityofNewarkNJ) March 24, 2015

We are proud to be working with local journalists like Zagare, Coughlin and Taylor and these honors are testament to the vital role local news plays in the lives of communities.