Elizabeth Careese Vega
Elizabeth Vega was watching the news when she saw the damage Hurricane Katrina had done to New Orleans.
She wanted to do something to help, so she decided to make fliers and put them on every door in her town asking for donations to help the Katrina victims. It started off slow, but her dad worked for the Tri-Town News and asked if they could put an article asking for donations to help the victims and her mother asked Circle Drive Alliance Church if they would allow donations to be dropped off at the church. Tri-Town News and Circle Drive Alliance Church became drop off points for the donations.
Once the ad was put into the news, more people in the community came together to help. Letters started pouring in, more newspapers started to call and donations started pouring in!
Elizabeth’s family came together to help pack all the donations but there was one problem, no one was able to help send these items to New Orleans. Elizabeth’s mom called several places and they had no luck. Finally, Elizabeth wrote a letter to the President of the United States asking for help. When Elizabeth thought all hope was lost, a trucker saw the article in the newspaper and decided to load his tractor trailer up with all the donations. He did not charge a cent for fuel and drove everything down to New Orleans.
Elizabeth received a letter from the President of the United States saying how pleased he was with her achievement.
Freedom Means Correct Decisions
The Medical Social Work Department of Federal Medical Center Devens (FMCD), a Federal Bureau of Prisons Hospital, has developed a program consisting of minimum security inmates who volunteer their time presenting panel presentations to various community audiences. This outreach effort allows the inmates to tell personal accounts of their crimes, their personal life histories, their experiences in court, and finally their experiences during prison. In addition to their own experiences, the inmates emphasize how their decision to engage in criminal activities has affected their families as well. The inmates intend to convey to the audience what lessons they have learned by their criminal behavior and resulting incarceration in the hope that others will not make the same mistakes they did.
The presentation is not meant to scare the audience in an attempt to deter criminal behavior but it is simply a way of sharing their lives, opportunities lost, and personal insight. Following the presentation, the audience has the opportunity to ask questions.
It is believed that the inmates’ compelling and sobering stories offer a realistic degree of insight to the realities and consequences of irresponsible behavior, drug abuse, greed, poor self-worth, and peer pressure. The presentation is an authentic example of the loss of one’s freedom that is always the result of criminal behavior. The inmates attempt to balance this example with their own rehabilitative efforts in demonstrating the positive actions a person can take in dealing with the challenges of life. Hopefully through sharing their experiences, these inmates may be able to inspire, enlighten, or convince others to choose a more pro-social lifestyle.
The FMCD presenters have been carefully screened and selected, and are considered model inmates by staff that interact with them on a daily basis. The inmates that participate in this program volunteer their time; they do not receive any form of compensation or time off of their sentence. Beginning December 2004, FMCD Presenters started going out into the community to speak to a varying audience. Presentations have been given at the Parker Charter Parker High School, several Boys and Girls Clubs, Ayer High School, Bryant College, Leicester High School, Quabbin Regional High School, Quinsigamond Community College, Anna Maria Collegem, and Billerica High School. In October 2006, two presenters spoke to an audience of 300 sophomore boys at St. Johns High School during their “Making Correct Choices” day. To date, the “FMCD” program at Devens has presented to more than 1,551 students.
Alicia Lewis
Women under the age of 25 are three times more likely to become victims of sexual assault than any other age group. A victim of sexual assault at age 9, Alicia Lewis knows first-hand what they face. Her program, “Educate To Eliminate,” uses a 4-part key to reach and teach every age level. The key points of the program are responsibility—developing common sense approach to making safe decisions about one’s surroundings; education—suppling information to promote self-education and empowerment; awareness—exposing those to the firsthand stories of survivors; and defense—mental and educational empowerment through physical achievement.
At Auburn University, Alicia spearheaded campaigns to raise money for organizations such as RAINN (Rape Abuse and Incest National Network) and STAR (Standing Together Against Rape); Alpha Phi Alpha Education Drive for Sexual Assault Prevention Week at Auburn; guest speaker at the Delta Sigma Theta Crème de la Crème Contestants Workshop; Selma Crime Prevention Week Parade Guest Speaker; chaired the Take the Pledge Campaign fundraiser and has been a Safe Harbor volunteer/counselor. Her travels have taken her to meet with children from elementary to high school, from Montgomery to Mobile, Alabama, logging more than 600 hours of Community Service!
Through her community service efforts, Alicia brought attention to the crime of rape on College campuses. Underreported among all age groups, many of these young women either refuse to report the crime or are harassed by their perpetrators until they quit school. Those that do choose to report the crime and bring charges are faced with endless hours of testimony only to see the defendant go free. When Alicia’s campaign brought light to this issue more emphasis was placed on the reporting of the crime and not the continual victimization of the accuser.
Alicia’s focus is not just on the children and their parents. She also finds time to visit with the Veterans at the local Veteran’s Hospital in Montgomery, AL and let them know that their service to the country is of value, has judged several high school pageants and served a hostess for other fundraisers, further delivering her message of education on Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness.
Ramp Access Made Possible by Students
Ramp Access Made Possible by Students (R.A.M.P.S.) is a nonprofit 501©3 community service organization that offers and provides students the opportunity to help the less fortunate by paying for and assembling wheelchair ramps for people who are in need and have qualified for financial assistance.
The program was started in 2005 by Mike Dowd, Coleman Wortham and Gray Fain. The first ramp was installed in August 2005. Since then, 30 more ramps have been donated and built by R.A.M.P.S. Approximately 150 hours have been donated by student volunteers installing ramps. R.A.M.P.S.’ research shows that group living facilities cost about $34,000 per person per year in the Richmond market. Government agencies subsidized cost by 70%. When clients are able to stay in their homes, using donated wheelchair ramps, it saves taxpayers about $23,800 per person per year.
Modular ramps cost between $2,000 and $3,000 depending upon the length and complexity of the ramp. Each student group raises $600 for the ramp they plan to install. In addition, R.A.M.P.S. has secured quantity discounts from the ramp manufacturer as well as grants and business donations to cover the rest of the costs.
Students are organized into teams of 5 or 6 young men and women. Smaller schools may have one team per class; larger schools may have as many as 3 or 4 teams per class. Ramp recipients are pre-qualified by the local nonprofit groups who work with and care for the elderly. In the Richmond area, the two local nonprofits that work with elderly are Elder Homes and Capital Area on Aging.
Students coordinate the day and time to set the ramp with the recipient. They meet at the ramp site with their hand tools and assemble the ramp. The ramp is assembled with approximately 300 half-inch nuts, bolts, and washers. Upon completion, the ramp recipient is then asked to test drive the ramp several times unassisted. Telephone follow-up is made approximately 10 days later to make sure the ramp is functioning well and meeting the needs of the recipient.
October 21, 2006 was another milestone for R.A.M.P.S. The first 2006 Ramp-A-Thon was held in the Richmond metropolitan area with local television affiliates covering the event. Students from three area high schools volunteered. The students secured funding. The goal of erecting 15 was exceeded by 17 wheelchair ramps installed in the two-day period by 24 volunteer students.
Besides improving the quality of life for residents, R.A.M.P.S. also has made a significant economic impact on the community. By keeping people in their homes longer, R.A.M.P.S. has reduced housing costs for recipients who otherwise might have been moved to Medicare or Medicaid funded facilities. M Overhead expenses are kept to a bare minimum. The students have secured pro bono assistance for legal, accounting, taxes, printing, marketing and administrative services. There are no salaries involved as all students and their adult Board of Directors provide their time pro bono.
Lindsey Schilling
Lindsey Schilling was the first VISTA volunteer to work with the Kinship Navigator Program at FIRSTLINK in Columbus, OH. The Kinship program provides referral services and educational opportunities to low-income grandparents raising grandchildren both within and outside of the formal foster care system. Grand families have a variety of unique needs and have historically been overlooked by many service agencies.
When Lindsey joined in February 2006, the Navigator program operated under a telephone model of case management and referral services. There was a great need for increased community awareness of kinship issues, and it was difficult to reach out to isolated kinship caregivers. Lindsey’s extensive outreach efforts allowed the Navigator Program to engage in meaningful dialog about kinship families’ needs with over 150 area service professionals and public school staff, and sparked the creation of the Franklin County Kinship Advisory Board discusses regional kinship issues and makes recommendations about family and foster care policies to local decision-making bodies. Lindsey’s efforts have been vital in increasing awareness in the Columbus community, and because of her efforts Navigator Program staff were invited to participate in Governor-elect Ted Strickland’s policy meeting on foster care in the state of Ohio.
During her year of service, Lindsey wrote over $16,800 worth of grants for the benefit of kinship caregivers in Columbus. She also assisted an area homeless shelter and community partner in securing over $6,000 in grant monies for their program. A grant from the Points of Light Foundation allowed her to train kinship caregivers to act as “volunteer navigators” to assist families on a neighborhood level. These volunteers developed three community based support groups for kinship families that serve over 30 caregivers and 50 children monthly. She also utilized this funding to develop a bi-monthly newsletter that is distributed to over 1,000 kinship families, and includes information on community events, assistance programs, and recreational opportunities.
Lindsey is currently writing a grant proposal to provide mental health services to the children of kinship families on a monthly basis, expand neighborhood support group services to four other Columbus neighborhoods, and to organize regular free recreational activities for low-income grand families. She has done an excellent job at engaging area caregivers in advocacy and program decision-making processes, and the people she serves know that their thoughts and opinions will be valued. She has recruited a highly capable grandparent caregiver to replace her when her service is done, and is working hard to ensure that funding and programmatic support will be in place for her successor.
Kathy Baver
Kathy Baver has been an outstanding mentor in the Governor’s One-on-One mentoring program in Boone, NC. Kathy has been working to help the community’s serious social problems by working one-on-one with a child providing hope and a future as well as positive choices. The local community is plagued with methamphetamine use and extreme poverty. Kathy is working as a mentor with a young girl from a low-income, single parent family. She has given her time, dedication and love to this young lady since November of 2005.
During their relationship, Kathy has worked to ensure that Michelle has a caring adult in her life. She has taken an interest in Michelle’s life and made it possible for her to feel special. Kathy has provided a birthday party, taken Michelle out for a make-over and gone shopping with Michelle to help her find clothing that fit so she could be more confident.
Sometimes Michelle may not feel as safe in her own home. Kathy has a keen awareness for Michelle and stays with her in the home until an adult is able to come and take care of Michelle.
In addition, Kathy encourages Michelle with regards to her health. She has introduced her to nutritious food choices as well as teaching her how to prepare them. Kathy cares about Michelle and wants her to be physically, mentally and emotionally healthy. Kathy encourages Michelle to exercise and find joy in being outdoors and action.
Kathy wanted Michelle to see that women can and do many things both in and outside of the home. Kathy helped Michelle host a dinner party for local professional women in the work force. She used this time to learn from the women and see them as role models. In addition, Kathy has helped Michelle learn marketable skills by working with her on the computer. They even created a power point presentation together!
Michelle has also been taught to give. Kathy and Michelle bake and make other things to share with others. They work together to find items to donate to local nonprofit agencies that will benefit other youth. Kathy has encouraged Michelle to stay involved in her community and they volunteer at the local animal shelter.
Kathy makes time in her schedule to mentor a special youth, Michelle. In the process, they have developed a relationship and both have grown. Michelle has shown significant improvement wince being paired with Kathy. Michelle is more confident and articulate. She is also making healthier life choices.
RAPLH MATUSKA
Ralph Matuska has volunteered at the Poverello Center since January 2005, lending his expertise to our organization as handy-man and problem solver. This is no easy task at the Poverello Center, where something or another breaks down on a daily basis! Matuska has fixed doors and gates, toilets, showers and sinks, lighting fixtures and exit signs, walls, floors and even computers! Even more challenging, is the reality that things frequently break again just after they have been fixed! Matuska’s talent, ingenuity and smiling persona have made him a well known, much-loved and appreciated presence.
Matuska uses his charms on the various vendors he goes to, receiving advice and cost saving suggestions for the projects the Poverello Center presents to him.
Matuska truly enjoys fixing things, and often talks about helping someone in his large group of friends whenever the need arises. He volunteers with the Meals on Wheels program and also makes special visits to the homes of elderly individuals to fix broken furniture or appliances. And always with a smile and twinkle in his eye.
At 79, Matuska is very energetic and active, and when he is not volunteering, you can find him out on a golf course, windsurfing or downhill skiing. Matuska is truely an inspiration.
Ralph Matuska
From the nominator:
“Ralph has volunteered at the Poverello Center since January 2005, lending his expertise to our organization as handy-man/repair man and problem solver. This is no easy task at the Poverello Center, where something or another breaks down on a daily basis! Ralph has fixed doors and gates, toilets, showers and sinks, lighting fixtures and exit signs, walls, floors and even computers! Even more challenging, is the reality that things frequently break again just after they have been fixed! Ralph’s talent, ingenuity and smiling persona have made him a well-known, much-loved and appreciated presence.
Accompanying Ralph to the hidden nooks and crannies of this old building has brought me to areas of the Pov I had never seen before, and I have worked here almost 5 years! He also uses his charms on the various vendors he goes to, receiving advice and cost saving suggestions for the projects the Poverello Center presents to him.
Ralph truly enjoys fixing things, and often talks about helping someone in his large group of friends whenever the need arises. As you know, he volunteers with the Meals on Wheels program and also makes special visits to the homes of elderly individuals to fix broken furniture or appliances and always with a smile and twinkle in his eye.
At 79, Ralph is very energetic and active, and when he is not volunteering, you can find him out on a golf course, windsurfing or downhill skiing, most likely connecting with people and offering his assistance. Ralph is an inspiration to us and we are very grateful to him for the hard work he does all over Missoula!”
Paul Clolery
Paul Clolery has been a tireless advocate for the charitable sector through his position as editorial director of the national business publication, The NonProfit Times. In addition, he has been a protector of those who are at their most vulnerable as a volunteer emergency medical technician instructor.
As an EMT instructor, Clolery has been instrumental in training hundreds of volunteers who answer emergency calls in communities throughout Union and Morris counties in New Jersey. The State of New Jersey established a training fund to compensate instructors, but he has declined this compensation each session.
A shoulder injury forced him to retire from active duty at a local volunteer rescue squad after answering more than 1,200 emergency calls. He is currently part of a teaching team that consistently has a passing rate of more than 90% of students on the National Registry EMT examination when the national average is less than 50%.
As editorial director of The NonProfit Times, he has been an effective leader for capacity building within the charitable community. He is a sought-after speaker and trainer, declining all fees except travel reimbursement when air fare is required.
There is no doubt that his editorials have influenced lawmakers and their legislation, all for the good of the charitable sector. He has an extensive network of contacts throughout the sector.
A senior fellow of the John S. and James L. Knight foundation’s Fourth Estate and the Third Sector series, Clolery has taught the tax exempt sector to consumer reporters for the past four years. He believes that if more members of the consumer media understand the nuances of the charitable sector, the more educated the public will be to give of their time and money.
Nancy Polsin
Nancy Polsin has been an AIMS volunteer since 2000. In that time she has proven herself to be an invaluable asset to our program. Nancy is unfailing in her continuous assistance to Medicare beneficiaries in Missoula County. Often times she will take on challenging cases and advocate for seniors who would otherwise be ‘lost in the system’. Her professionalism is evident in her thorough nature, documentation and perseverance with these demanding cases.
It is not a cliché to say ‘we couldn’t do it without her’ because it is true—the success of our program is directly linked to volunteers such as Nancy, who share their knowledge of Medicare, and set a standard for themselves to continue to learn new aspects of the ever-changing program.
One senior who was assisted by Nancy with a particularly complex Medicare situation, later called to say: “I felt instantly that everything was going to be okay when I met her. I just knew she was going to help me set things right, and she did.”
Nancy has volunteered in Missoula for several years as an RSVP Volunteer with such organizations as the Missoula Food Bank, and the Missoula Cultural Council. Often times she is joined by her husband Jim Polsin. Nancy Polsin is a caring, dedicated volunteer and we are proud to call her our Senior of the Year.
