PABLO MEDINA

Beautiful, safe and peaceful neighborhoods are universal and legitimate requests for any community. However, few are those who dedicate their lives to working to make these ideals a reality.

In Humboldt Park, Chicago, everyone knows of a man who has given himself fully and with no regrets to the community. His passion, humbleness and wisdom are transmitted from his persona the minute you reach out to greet him. His commitment to selfless volunteerism has made him a symbol of outstanding leadership and a familiar face at community clean-ups, festivals, and neighborhood meetings.

Few have managed to mobilize people the way that Pablo Medina has. His example has impacted people in such a way that when Pablo speaks, they listen. He has connected the lives of those living inside the neighborhood to those outside in a personal and diplomatic way; always seeking middle ground from which to build on. His actions have inspired many to become involved in direct service…something seen by Pablo as an act of love.

Having migrated from Puerto Rico in 1968, Pablo quickly awoke to the harsh realities that face immigrants and surrounding communities of the poor. Most importantly, he became conscious of the power that people have to, as Ghandi once said, “be the change they wish to see in the world.”

Since his college years, Pablo has been visible in advocating, through civic participation, for those who have been disconnected from a larger community at both local and international levels (as has been the case with the people of Puerto Rico and other minority populations). He worked to establish the Rafael Cintron-Ortiz Latino Cultural Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, now home to many events held by students and other organizations.

As a long-term board member of the Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center and the Institute for Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, he has helped strengthen families by providing them with positive outlets, such as the appreciation of and engagement in the arts; as well as a sense of volunteerism to keep them alive. In 1983, he was commissioned to the Mayor’s Advisory forefront. Later, he was instrumental in a victory lawsuit that sought to ensure long-term quality/access to housing. He has served as a strong bridge between local government and community. As co-founder of the Humboldt Park Vocational Center, he has made education a key focus. And in co-founding the Puerto Rican Agenda, he has led numerous initiatives for the economic, social and political development of the community, and to establish what his son describes as the concept of “creating a space that’s ours.”

Pablo Medina, a leader in his own right, will always continue to take every moment to create positive social change by teaching others to give with generosity and change the world.

CONNECTINC.

Connectinc. Combines skilled counselors with sophisticated computer and communications technologies to help rural residents of North Carolina find and keep jobs, develop career and build assets. Connectinc.’s success has meant greater economic security for thousands of low-income families, scattered across a dozen rural counties.

When Jackie Savage envisioned a state-of-the-art communications center turned into a human services delivery system, she knew that highly trained counselors would be essential.

One woman who called, and stayed on the line, is Sue Troublefield, a mother of seven who found employment in rural Scotland County, N.C., through Connectinc. “Around here, job leads are slim to none,” says Troublefield, who praises Work Central for calling her almost daily with information about local jobs that could improve her financial future.

Though most of her grown children have left home, two teens and a seven-year-old grandchild depend upon Troublefield’s earnings at a convenience store. Her Work Central counselor has made sure Troublefield, who quit school in the eleventh grade, has access to services that will help her acquire a GED, plus asset-building supports such as a checking account and applications for tax credits.

Through the call center, Connectinc.’s creators knew they could reach virtually all families without requiring them to travel long distances. Instead of spending hours arranging childcare and then transportation to access services, clients can get support via phone to fulfill their roles as parents and earners. Counselors use three-way calling to help clients set up interviews; the call center faxes or e-mails resumes and job applications to potential employers while the call takes place.

“We are customer-driven and always checking in to see what we can do to help. “We work with families until they say they no longer need us, and then we ask if we can call back in six months because, you know, life changes.”

Founded in 1999 to support former welfare recipients making a transition to the work force. Connectinc. encourages families to thing long-term. Among 4,400 former TANF clients who entered Connectinc’s program between 2000 and 2002, 84 percent remain employed and their combined earnings top $41 million. Several hundred Connectinc. customers have opened bank accounts, and customers referred to free tax preparation have claimed more than $250,000 in tax refunds. Connectinc.’s unique delivery system has helped 1,000 displaced tobacco workers apply for unemployment benefits, and a pilot program is now supporting low-income textile workers in applying for IRS health coverage tax credits. Connectinc. has also launched Teach Central, a program designed to help rural communities retain teachers by using three-way calling to connect first-year novices with experienced classroom mentors. “Strengthening education is one way to support economic development in rural communities,” Savage contends.

MARTHA REIERSEN

Martha Reiersen is a beacon of inspiration and motivation to all who meet her. She is never too busy to assist someone in need. Ms. Reiersen’s selfless dedication to her community and beyond has won her countless friends and made a difference in her Alamogordo community. Diagnosed with stage four cancer in 1995, Ms. Reiersen has fought and won the battle. She has an amazing ability to look for the positive in a negative. Her enthusiasm for life bubbles over and makes others want to make this world a better place also.

Ms. Reiersen is a founding member of Cancer Awareness, Prevalence, Prevention and Early Detection (CAPPED). She served in an advisory capacity in the development and launching in this much-needed program. From her determination and contacts, a building to house CAPPED was also donated. The Otero County Contractors Association donated the complete remodeling of this historic 1905 building; the community also rallied behind this huge undertaking with financial support and in-kind services.

Because of Ms. Reiersen’s dedication to CAPPED, there have been 119 free mammograms provided for low-income women from the Com Alma Foundation. She also participates in weekly support groups in English and Spanish. The CAPPED organization continues to grow to meet the needs of the people with an excess of 60 volunteers. Her energy and direction keeps all involved on the move, focused and committed.

In addition to her service with CAPPED, Ms. Reiersen was a participant in the American Cancer Society’s first Relay For Life in Otero County, New Mexico. This event broke all records and set precedence for participation in the county. She has also served as an advocate to promote better health care and cancer research. She participates in rallies in the State Capitol, Earth Day functions, county fairs, area festivals, business presentations and any other opportunities to educate the community on cancer awareness.

In addition, Ms. Reiersen has been Past President of the Otero County Federated Republican Women (NFRW), Vice President of the same organization for five years and chair of the NFRW Mamie Eisenhower Library Project. She has also been a member of the Lincoln County New Mexico Federated Republican Women – Americanism, was active in Desert Basin Toastmasters for five years and she supports her local Knights of Columbus.

Ms. Reiersen has the ability to get to the core of an issue and follow through on a solution, whether that is a cancer attacking her body or educating a community about the deadly disease. She is a concerned community member that put her idea into action. Ms. Reiersen also has no qualms with calling her Congressmen to request help on behalf of constituents that need assistance. Her dedication and commitment has kept her alive and helped her to win her fight against cancer; it has also inspired and educated others in cancer prevention.

SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES

The partnership between Twin Lakes Elementary School and Sierra Health Services has been ongoing for the past 13 years. They wee matched through the Clark County School District Partnership Focus Schools Project. Mentors spend one hour each week with the child they are partnered with. This relationship helps build the children’s trust and acceptance while they are also helping the children build on other skills.

During the time this partnership has been established, Sierra Health Services has assisted Twin Lakes with meeting needs that would have been impossible to do on their own. One of the most important contributions has been human resources to provide quality one-on-one time for many of the students. Because a majority of the students at the school have few responsible adults to depend on, interact with, or serve as positive role models, the volunteers from Sierra Health Services has met a great need.

Recent studies show that mentoring results in positive behavior changes for the children. These changes include but are not limited to improved interpersonal skills and relationships, increased self-control and increased academic achievement. Aggressive behavior and truancy have also been reduced.

As the only elementary school with an official mentoring program, Twin Lakes has had an average of ten volunteers annually to volunteer their time and love to the children. This past year, through the encouragement of the Community Relations Office, Twin Lakes was pleased to have an excess of 20 volunteers to work with the most at risk children.

The one-hour per week makes a great difference in the children’s lives. They see that the adult really cares because they commit their time to their mentees, and they always show up. Relationships are built, and the children also learn. They learn academically, receiving individual assistance with homework or other school projects. They also learn socially by relating with adults in a positive and respectful way. For many, the social skills are invaluable, but the confidence inspired is priceless.

The difference for many of these students is apparent. The truancy rate has decreased and there are less frequent referrals to the office for disciplinary reasons. The mentors’ dedication is evident in the children’s progress. They are also careful to call if an emergency comes up and there are going to have to miss their scheduled time so they can reschedule and let their buddy know what is going on.

Because of the success of the program, more than half of the mentors return each year. In addition, dozens of students have requested to be included in the program to work with the volunteers from Sierra Health System.

KRISTIN FINDLEY & AZIZA ABA BUTAIN

Kristin Findley and Aziza Aba Butain have readily participated in every community service opportunity offered by the Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada as well as educating their peers and the community about the importance of volunteer work.

Both Kristin and Aziza have been exceptional students who put 110% effort into every endeavor. Both students recognize the necessity of community service for the spiritual growth of each individual. Because of their intense appreciation for The Make-A-Wish Foundation and its mission, they have also formed The Make-A-Wish Club at The Meadows School in November of the past school year.

The duo has been diligently creating and supervising fundraisers throughout the year with the specific goal of earning $5,000 to grand a child’s wish in April. The unfortunate situation of these terminally ill children has made Kristin and Aziza realize that by granting a special with, they have the special ability to give hope, courage and a bit of happiness to these children and their families.

After their first fundraiser, the girls had raised $2,700 for their club. The girls provided games, food and other entertainment for younger children for seven hours. A small donation was the entrance fee for this fundraiser, and the girls not only earned money; but they were able to inform the children of the need for their involvement in their community.

In addition to their own fundraisers, the girls support the 5K Make-A-Wish walk. Because of their encouragement, a significant number of their fellow high school students enthusiastically agreed to attend the event. So their peers could fully understand the impacts of their efforts, Kristin and Aziza invited Paige Candee, the head of the Southern Nevada Make-A-Wish Chapter, to share information about the organization at their high school assembly.

The Las Vegas community would not be the same without the diligent efforts of Kristin and Aziza. They serve and have also made it a priority to ensure a strong foundation in their club so students at Meadows can continue to give aid to the community even after they have graduated.

PIKE COUNTY AGENCY FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COMMUNITY LIVING SKILLS DAY PROGRAM

Pike County Agency for Developmental Disabilities, located in a small, rural Missouri county, operates the Community Living Skills Day Program. This program provides persons with developmental disabilities the ability to give back to their communities and increase their self-confidence and self-esteem through volunteering.

Through 14 sites throughout the county, the Community Living Skills Day Program has established an accepted presence for the individuals with disabilities. They have also built a number of ongoing relationships between the volunteer with developmental disabilities and the staff of the agency where the volunteering is being provided.

The individuals who volunteer have mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, or other developmental disabilities. They have varying abilities and varying interests. An attempt is made to match the abilities and interest of each individual to the needs of the nonprofit organizations.

Staff of the Community Living Skills Day Program support the individuals with their volunteering to the extent required by the needs of the individual. Staff works hard to make sure the volunteers know this is their volunteer job. They embrace it and do their best in their job. This has led to the employment of six individuals for one to two hours per week at separate businesses.

The different volunteer sites include the YMCA, a high school, two Head Start programs, a hospital, a county home health and hospice agency, an early childhood program, a senior citizen nutrition center, a nursing home and 5 churches. The now 22 volunteers look forward to coming in weekly for their ‘job.”

KIM POLLARD

Kim Pollard is a vital part of Salem Middle School’s Library Media Center program as shown by her spending a minimum of every Thursday in the Library Media Center. She can “do it all” as she tackles each task working nonstop from 9:00 AM until 3:30 PM. She can mend, cover, shelve, and pull books; check in and check out materials to staff and students; inventory materials; and volunteers every day during the Salem Middle School Book Fair and PTA Book Fair.

A project that Ms. Pollard eagerly took on this year is a review of the Library Media Center’s Accelerated Reader materials. This involves checking AR books, verifying that AR Tests are available for the books, remarking the books with neon stickers so students can more easily recognize AR books, and listing new books or materials that the Library Media Center needs to order. This activity involves numerous hours of time with which she eagerly undertakes. The students of Salem Middle School benefit greatly from Ms. Pollard’s enthusiasm, energy and “can-do” attitude.

Ms. Pollard completes all of these activities in addition to her “regular” Library Media Center job of logging in magazines and keeping a current copy on display for student and staff use. She also performs any task that the Library Media Center needs to have done – a vital and essential volunteer for the program.

Ms. Pollard is the Volunteer Coordinator during testing, which is no small task. She spends endless hours contacting parents to monitor the hallways during testing. She has materials, such as chairs and signs, ready for the volunteers and welcomes them as they enter the building. Her planning and actions for the testing days enable the program to run smoothly.

Another indication of Ms. Pollard’s commitment to Salem Middle School is serving as Corresponding Secretary for Salem Middle School’s PTA. She takes on a variety of roles to ensure the success of Salem’s students, faculty and staff and is a great asset to the entire school program.

SALON BY ZETTA

In 1989, Salon by Zetta contacted the Domestic Abuse Council, Inc. and offered to provide a holiday hair cutting party to the emergency shelter and transitional housing residents. This event has become an ongoing annual activity for the clients.

The Domestic Abuse Council, Inc. continues to be overwhelmed by this event. First, the cosmetologists donate their professional expertise by providing 30 to 40 women and children residents with free haircuts and manicures. Pizza, soda, cookies and snacks are provided by the Salon or donated by local establishments and Salon by Zetta customers. In addition Santa brings each child and mother a gift that has also been donated by Salon by Zetta or a customer.

The Salon is not very large, but the staff manages to provide all the families with a wonderful new haircut, manicure, food and gifts within several hours. The staff is still smiling once the busload of clients departs from their special time.

Many of the victims who enter the emergency shelter programs have been emotionally and/or verbally abused. Their self-esteem is low due to the abuse they have suffered, so this act of kindness not only provides the families with a gift for the holidays; but it also provides them with a sense of inner beauty while they are trying to start their life over. Some of the children have never had professional haircuts and are thrilled to be so pampered.

Salon by Zetta does not keep this event to themselves; they also involve the community in this annual event. Their customers participate by providing some gifts, local establishments contribute food and DOTS donate a bus for the shelter families to travel in. This annual event has a huge impact on the lives of the families it serves as well as the volunteers who participate. The staff and community members’ lives are enriched because they have made a difference in the lives of someone who genuinely needed some assistance.

Prior to assisting the Domestic Abuse Council, Inc., the Salon assisted an agency that helped children only. The Salon wanted to also include mothers, who may be overlooked during the holidays.

In addition to providing an annual haircutting party for residents from the Domestic Abuse Council, Inc., the Salon also participates in the Locks for Love project, which makes wigs for children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy. They cut the hair free of charge, package it and send it to the organization that makes the wigs. The Salon also participates in Cut Out Domestic Violence, which is a project developed in 2003 by the Office of Attorney General in collaboration with the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, to train hairstylists about the warning signs of domestic violence and provide customers with referrals to the appropriate domestic violence center. They also mount posters to increase awareness of domestic violence.

FRED BERTRAM

Fred Bertram doesn’t look like a hero – and he probably doesn’t consider himself one – but he is a hero in every sense of the word.

Mr. Bertram joined the Navy at an early age, and served in the Korean War. Since the time of his return, he has worked tirelessly to give back to his country and his community through his work with the Knights of Columbus and the VFW.

Mr. Bertram is a retired firefighter (and that alone speaks for his character), formerly serving in Jacksonville, Illinois. Immediately upon his return from Korea, he joined the Knights of Columbus, and served as the Grand Knight in that chapter. This was the beginning of his volunteerism pursuits. He also joined the VFW about the same time. He has served as Commander of local VFW Post 4549 three times, and has held many offices and chairmanships. The VFW is a very community-service oriented organization, and Mr. Bertram is always there and ready to help with any project.

Mr. Bertram has been involved with the VFW Military Funeral Group for many years. His job is to present the families of veterans with the American flag at the time of burial. This is a sad, but extremely meaningful, task for which he receives no compensation. Sometimes, Mr. Bertram personally attends three or four such funerals per week. His presence at these graveside services is extremely important to the family members of the deceased, because it is one last way to say “thank you” in a proper and respectful manner to those individuals who have risked their lives for our country.

In Illinois the outside temperature is sometimes below freezing or more than 100 degrees. This doesn’t stop Mr. Bertram from showing the families of his fellow comrades that their loved one’s service to our country was appreciated. The families almost always send letters expressing their gratitude for this remembrance, and often, the comments are very emotional.

Mr. Bertram is only one member of the Honor Guard, but his years of service to his community and his country should be recognized. He is now in his 70’s and is suffering from Parkinson’s disease. However, as long as he is able he will be out there – rain, shine or freezing weather – honoring those who served, paying those last respects.

SARAH CAYIA

Sarah Cayia, 14, an eighth-grader at Reeds Brook Middle School, created “Boxes for Bosnia,” a school-wide campaign that collected 10 large boxes of school supplies for needy Bosnian schoolchildren.

While Sarah’s father was serving with the National Guard in rural Bosnia, he wrote home about a poor, war-ravaged school his unit was trying to help. Sarah immediately wanted to help, too. “I decided I wanted to help my dad and his unit make these kids’ school life just a little bit better if I could,” she said. Sarah presented her idea for a school-supply drive to her teacher and homeroom class, and volunteers began to sign up to help. They found pictures and other information about Bosnian children on the Internet, and used the material to decorate collection boxes and make promotional posters.

Sarah’s teacher taught a lesson on Bosnia to all seventh-grade students, and Sarah and her volunteers placed boxes in every classroom. They also wrote a newsletter article, produced an advertisement for the school television station, and spoke to each homeroom class. After retrieving the filled boxes, the group sorted and packed the donated items, then delivered everything to the National Guard armory for shipping. “The most memorable part of this project was when my dad sent me pictures of how happy the children were when they saw all of the school supplies,” said Sarah.