TONY RACKAUCKAS

District Attorney Tony Rackauckas has established an innovative, volunteer-driven initiative to address the public safety needs of Orange County’s rapidly growing immigrant community. The outreach initiative connects more than 55 volunteer criminal justice professionals, community leaders and activists with the District Attorney’s Office in order to provide culturally relevant information and education to the immigrant community about the services available to victims and witnesses of crime.

Upon taking office in 1999, Rackauckas set out to increase communication between the District Attorney’s Office and the immigrant community. He recognized that many immigrants had difficulty understanding the criminal justice system because of language and cultural barriers.

To address these issues, Rackauckas established the Community Education Services Program. The program is currently focused on the Hispanic and Vietnamese communities, the county’s two largest and fastest growing immigrant groups. Under his leadership, bilingual Hispanic and Vietnamese outreach workers have mobilized the efforts of more than 65 volunteers who help in a variety of ways to reach out to these communities. Both the Hispanic and Vietnamese components have established volunteer advisory commissions comprised of public officials, law enforcement, attorneys, religious leaders and community activists. The 26-member Hispanic Advisory Commission and 30-member Vietnamese Advisory Commission provide invaluable assistance and direction in identifying key barriers to resident participation in and cooperation with the various arms of the criminal justice system and developing culturally responsive solutions to address those problems. Both Commissions have successfully launched bilingual media campaigns and created bilingual resource booklets to help their communities understand how to access the criminal justice system.

In addition, a volunteer outreach corps, which includes college interns, employees of the District Attorney’s Office and others, help with the program’s numerous outreach events, such as staffing outreach booths at cultural festivals, conducting criminal justice workshops and town hall meetings, and speaking to children at career days. Not only does this group do much of the “grunt work” involved with a project (e.g., publicity, staffing the booths, organizing events, etc.), but group members also have tremendous outreach capabilities through their connections to the community. Because they are immersed in their respective cultures, these volunteers help to ensure that the project is culturally relevant, credible to the community, and accepted by community leaders and elders.

The active involvement of District Attorney Rackauckas with the volunteer efforts greatly enhances the program’s credibility and effectiveness by allowing the community to be “heard.” He consistently participates in the evening meetings and weekend cultural events, such as the Cinco de Mayo Festival, Mexican Independence Day and the Vietnamese Tet Festival, that attract large immigrant populations. Most importantly, through his hands-on leadership, Rackauckas effectively communicates the message that the criminal justice system can work for everyone.

THE GRANDFATHERS GROUP

A report of the Morehouse Research Institute and the Institute for American Values states: "At least 80% of all Black children today can expect that a significant part of their childhood will be spent apart from their fathers. " The Grandfathers Group Mentoring Program sees itself as one local solution to this national problem.

The Grandfathers Group recruits and trains African American men (age 50+) to serve as volunteer "Grandfather" mentors for African American boys, ages 6 – 12, whose fathers are not available to them for support and guidance. Since its inception in 1998, 21 "Grandfather" mentors have worked in creative ways with their "Grandsons" to provide a supportive framework of empowerment, encouragement and esteem-building activities focused on character, education and life skills.

James I. Chatman, a successful African American businessman in Northern Virginia, together with his wife Lavern, envisioned, created and endowed The Grandfathers Group Mentoring Program. Through their grant, a mentoring partnership was initiated with The Campagna Center in Alexandria, Virginia, whose programs strengthen families and create safe havens where children can flourish, through its Retired & Senior Volunteer Program.

After five years of mentoring, boys in the program have demonstrated less confrontational behavior, more confident communication skills and easy affection for their mentors. Several have achieved Honor Roll status. In addition to volunteering more than 1,600 hours, the "Grandfathers" have become enthusiastic spokesmen in the community encouraging other senior men to become mentors.

To increase the impact of The Grandfathers Group in the community and to broaden the mentoring reach of the gentlemen who have so generously given of their time and spirit, The Grandfathers Group introduced, in November 2002, a new team-mentoring focus, the Second Saturday Club. "Grandfather" mentors meet as a group with a larger group of boys once each month to do hands-on projects and activities teaching citizenship, honesty, responsibility, fairness, cooperation, community service and other positive values. In its first six months, the Second Saturday Club has seen exciting results as eleven men have enthusiastically embraced the team approach.

Though they may come from many backgrounds, the men of the Grandfathers Group share the same purpose, to offer their life experiences, their knowledge, instincts and abilities to help rewrite the future for these young boys. These volunteer grandfathers do not see themselves as miracle workers. They have stepped up to the plate not for fame but from the inner urging of their faith and a sincere hope of making a difference. They are an excellent example of the challenge extended to each of us, by the times in which we live, to work together toward lifting up every child to realize their full potential. The impact of this unique program is best expressed in the words of "Grandfather" mentor George Ferguson: "I have volunteered as a Grandfather mentor with The Grandfathers Group at The Campagna Center in Alexandria, VA for the past three years. It has been one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever undertaken. Perhaps the most significant benefit for my 10-year-old mentee is that he knows that there is someone in his life who has the time and interest in listening to what he has to say. The principal benefit to me personally has been the satisfaction of seeing the excitement on his face when I pick him up to take him out and seeing the pride with which he introduces me as his mentor to his friends as we walk together in his neighborhood."

SCOTT MONSON

Scott Monson has been volunteering tirelessly in his community for more than 35 years. At least 600 parents have shared with the principal that their son or daughter may not have made it through school without his help. Monson tutors before and after school, listens to youth and works to relate to them at their level.

Monson takes a personal interest in the youth of Brigham City. He gives them hours of personal attention to make them feel important and especially reaches out to “hard to reach” kids, helping them with their self-image. He has even visited parents to help them understand what their child is going through and help them both find common ground. He has written hundreds of letters of recommendations, earning kids jobs and college admittance.

Monson introduced a program to a local school called the Summer Science Trips, which he managed for 15 years. He took groups of kids, ages 12-17, on weeklong trips in the summer helping them see the “fun” side of learning. He teaches them that education can be fun and a career in science can be exciting.

In addition to his work at the schools, Monson has helped more than 300 boys and men with Eagle Scout Projects with the Boy Scouts of America. Most young men between the ages of 10 and 38 know Monson and received help to earn their badges from him. His specialty is swimming, life saving and citizenship merit badges. While he works with the scouts, he teaches the young men about citizenship as well as volunteering and giving back to the community. He has been known to go to the pool in the early hours of the morning or late hours at night to help one young man or another fulfill his merit badge in order to get his Eagle Scout honor.

Monson also works with the disabled adults in the community. He helps them find jobs, often going to job sites as a job coach with these adults to make the employer feel more at ease. He currently takes many of these adults to movies, shopping at the mall or fun events on the weekends. Monson works with other Mental Health and community agencies that work with kids on a regular basis. He also works with the Boys & Girls Clubs.

Monson sits as a volunteer on the School District Comprehensive Guidance Board made up of Civic and Education leaders to review programs and policies. He is also on the Crisis Team for the School District where he solves gang related and drug problems.

RACHAEL WALKER

Rachael Walker has been volunteering for Hospice of Volusia/Flagler for more than a year. She spends 20 hours a month volunteering during her school year, and 40 hours during her summer vacation. Rachael, at only 13 years old, has proven to be one of the finest customer-service oriented volunteers working at Treasures of the Heart Resale Shop in Orange City, the Hospice of Volusia/Flagler resale store.

From helping at the register, assisting in bagging and wrapping purchases, to answering customer questions, Rachel performs each task with a smile and a kind heart. Customers have often commented on Rachael’s maturity and professional manner. When hospice caregivers or any customer who has had a Hospice experience comes into the store, Rachael conscientiously extends the Hospice spirit to them, by taking the time to listen to their experiences and empathizing with their loss. She receives donated items with care and respect, making sure that the donor realizes how much their gift is appreciated by the Hospice organization. Rachael also makes certain that the store is a neat, attractive place to shop and is never idle. She always fills her time with extra projects, such as weeding out the older merchandise or straightening racks and shelves.

Although Rachael at 13 is a very young volunteer, she has made a very mature statement in volunteering for Hospice of Volusia/Flagler. Rachael loves the resale shop, but is also interested in volunteering in the care center, working with patients and their families. She hopes to one day be able to volunteer in the care center of West Volusia and has already made the commitment to volunteer in the Port Orange facility over her summer break.

Rachael has a positive outlook and a desire to serve her community. She is a determined young woman who humbly believes that goodness is meant to be shared. She could easily have let personal circumstances keep her from being positive. She has seen, firsthand, the effects of drug addiction. Her mother is incarcerated at this time for drug use. Her 4-year-old brother was born addicted to drugs due to his mother’s drug abuse during pregnancy. Rachael lives with her father and grandmother and helps them as best as she is able.

With wisdom far beyond her years and a kind, gentle, loving heart, Rachael Walker has already triumphed over adversity and with her determination, will continue to grow and achieve her goals. She has the fortitude to excel and is a gift to her community. She is a shining example of showing courage and conviction through volunteer service.

KAREN GREER

Karen Ann Greer has a sincere dedication to helping “at-risk” youth through the implementation of several programs, activities and events. She has made invaluable contributions to the Oak Hill Community during her time with the Oak Hill Boys & Girls Club. Her involvement with the community’s youth and her willingness to always go above and beyond her call of volunteering has allowed Karen to become a true role model and mentor to these “at-risk” children. She throws herself wholeheartedly into her work with these children whether it’s playing sports, making up innovative games, talking about resisting drugs, tutoring, or just listening to their problems.

Karen has truly impacted the lives of many children. Though the challenges she has had to face, both personal and as a volunteer, seemed insurmountable, her positive attitude is refreshing and her ability to turn a potentially negative situation into a positive one is a gift. Oak Hill has traditionally had a reputation that its children were unable to be productive citizens. Karen has the ability to reach these children and make them understand that their lives are what they make of them; that no stereotype, no one person, has the right to make them feel inferior.

In early 2001, Karen first participated in the Boys & Girls Club to complete a high school service project. Once she completed the necessary hours, she arranged to meet with the Unit Director to speak about additional volunteer opportunities. She requested permission to create programs to help with the younger children and their anger problems. She believed that allowing them to do various sports activities would help them to learn teamwork and allow an opportunity to vent some of their anger. With some training and self-guidance, Karen adopted several components from the National Sports Programs and put them to work. Some of her programs include; Drug free Rallies, Community Service Youth Group, Fitness Authority Sponsored Athletics Program, Kids Night, and the Peer Tutoring Program.

Karen’s ability to connect with youth in the area has been a blessing to her small town. She has truly been a driving force that has kept many of these kids off the street and in her programs. At the young age of 17, Karen is respected, even by her peers and the many parents of children she works with, for her ability to handle such profound relationships with children of all ages. Her sincere love and dedication for these children has brought the Oak Hill Boys & Girls Club to a new level of awareness; an awareness that has these children believing in themselves once again.

Karen has accumulated approximately 2,000 hours of volunteer service to the Oak Hill Boys & Girls Club and continues to serve. She is an asset to the organization and her colleagues feel eternally grateful for her abilities and talents that she chooses to share with the youth of Oak Hill, the Oak Hill Community, and the Boys & Girls Club of Volusia/Flagler Counties.

DANCE EMPOWERMENT

DANCE Empowerment is a collaborative community-based youth program designed to use the current popularity of Hip-Hop music and the fascination with cultural arts and dance among youth to educate and teach them important life skills, as well as discipline while providing an important outlet for social expression. Dance, Hip-Hop music and sports is the lynchpin to developing important family and community values for at-risk youth of the community. The ultimate goal is to take a non-traditional approach to improve education, family and community commitment. DANCE Empowerment serves as a unique vehicle to accomplish that ideal through its motto of “Stay Drug Free, Stay in School and Stay Away From Gangs and Violence.”

DANCE Empowerment gained nationwide attention in Fresno, California; and this program is a replica of that successful program. They are providing the same positive educational and recreations outlet for the youth in Southern Maryland. They seek to empower youth through the innovative integration of performing arts (dance and music), and the improvement of academic skills, leadership skills, civic responsibility, creative energy, cultural arts and the development of coping strategies.

DANCE Empowerment accepts participants in its youth program from ages 5-18 from the general area of Southern Maryland. The program is systematically designed to serve youth who are idle or in need of activities to keep them on the right track to success. The program does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed or color. The goal is to provide every eligible young person in the targeted community with an opportunity to develop and express their God-given talent in a wholesome, safe, supervised and structured environment.

For the past three years, the Southern Maryland program has been operating efficiently on a grassroots level without the benefit of major funding. Youth throughout the Southern Maryland counties have been enlightened and empowered. The program in Maryland started with a small group of community youth; however, it now numbers in excess of 50 children during any given session. Program activities are closely supervised and monitored by a professional staff. Parents are also invited to participate and experience just what their children are learning first hand.

The youth currently meet three days a week after school at various sites. This summer, it will be a full-time program. The dance troupe uses music and its dance routines to deliver the message that there are always good alternatives to bad choices. Participants are actively learning dance routines and life skills training in areas such as academic enrichment, alcohol and drug prevention, character building, conflict resolution, cultural enrichment, gang intervention, mentoring, sports and tutoring. To date, the DANCE Empowerment dance troupe has provided entertainment for several local groups with more performances planned for churches, community groups, schools and special events like the Southern Maryland Fair.

KIDS INCLUDED TOGETHER

Kids Included Together (KIT) focuses on including children with disabilities in existing after school recreational and childcare programs so that children with special needs can reap the many benefits of socialization, friendship building and participation that typically developing children have always enjoyed. By working side-by-side with providers of after-school care, KIT acts as a change agent to expand their organizational culture and empower these caring programs to include children with special needs not just today but for years to come. KIT relies on a proven model for inclusion based on best-practices research, and then provides the tools and support to successfully implement that best-practices model in each organization’s unique setting.

KIT’s mission is to support recreational and youth programs that include children with and without disabilities so that inclusion becomes a sustainable aspect of the organizations culture. KIT’s goal is to enrich the lives of all who participate and to increase understanding and acceptance of disabilities as a natural part of life.

KIT is the only organization of its kind in the state of California and quite possibly the nation. Through partnerships, KIT brings expertise and experience to struggling community-based nonprofit youth organizations and instills in them best practices and proven methods for inclusion that allow their programs to become accessible to all children, regardless of their abilities. With hands-on training, staff support, child-specific or site-specific consultations, and incentive awards to increase staff ratios, KIT increases an organizations’ capacity to include children with a wide variety of disabilities in programs where they play side-by-side with typically developing children of their own age.

Since its inception in 1997, KIT has facilitated the inclusion of more than 1,830 children with disabilities who have participated with more than 15,000 typically developing children in recreational programs throughout San Diego County. This has been accomplished through a small but fast-growing network of 24 partner organizations representing 43 site locations throughout San Diego County. KIT has facilitated the inclusion of more than 1,830 children with disabilities who have participated with more than 15,000 typically developing children in recreational programs throughout San Diego County.

Considering that there are more than 90,000 children with disabilities or special needs in San Diego County alone, KIT considers this an exciting start, but still sees much work to be done. KIT is committed to finding community partners in every neighborhood in San Diego County and beyond so that parents of children with disabilities across the nation can access safe, enriching after school youth facilities close to their homes.

The majority of individuals with disabilities in the U.S. encounter social, psychological, economic, and political barriers. Isolation and loneliness characterize their lives. There has been too little effort to include them in the day-to-day life and work of communities. It is not because people are uncaring; it is because it is easier NOT to include them. Kids Included Together has found a way to effect change.

FRIENDS FOR YOUTH, INC.

Through its Mentoring Services program, Friends for Youth matches youth one-to-one with community volunteers. Volunteers cite wanting to make a difference, giving back to their community, and providing support that they themselves did not receive as youth as reasons for participating. All help to fulfill Friends for Youth’s mission of creating and cultivating friendships with youth, providing opportunities for enrichment and growth, and focusing on ways to help them achieve their potential.

Friends for Youth serves predominately low-income, ethnically diverse youth between the ages of 8 and 17, in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Currently, 229 volunteers serve as mentors. For one year, Senior Friends (mentors) meet with their Junior Friends (mentees) for a minimum of three hours a week. Together, Friendships work on homework, play in the park, take day trips, or just spend time talking. Throughout the year, program staff provide ongoing, individualized support to the volunteers to maximize the success of each Friendship.

Friends for Youth’s clients face violence, school failure, child abuse, drug abuse, early parenting, and suicide. ‘Natural’ mentors (such as extended families, neighbors, or coaches) who were so readily available in the past, are no longer as accessible. Additionally, San Mateo County has the highest percentage in the state of children who live in families with two working parents. Consequently, parents have less time to spend with their children. With less adult involvement, few natural mentors, and more free time, children will choose their own mentors who are oftentimes not the positive influences they need.

Friends for Youth uniquely benefits its volunteers by offering a highly structured program with ongoing support, including workshops and group activities. Since 1979, Friends has matched more than 1,500 youth with volunteer mentors. 85% of Friendships complete their first year, and many more continue their relationships beyond the one-year commitment. Because of their relationship with their mentor, Junior Friends demonstrate an increase in self-esteem, set high goals for themselves, and strive toward being positive, contributing members of their communities.

In compliance with the mentoring field’s 10 Quality Assurance Standards and Best Practices, Friends for Youth has created a model for volunteering for other agencies to adopt and tailor. The Friends for Youth Mentoring Institute was founded in 1998 as a response to an overwhelming number of requests for support. During the past year, through trainings and technical assistance, the Mentoring Institute facilitated the creation of even more volunteer opportunities locally and nationally by serving 350 new agencies through more than 80 trainings or workshops.

Friends for Youth relies on a diverse source of funding including: foundations, corporations, individuals, government entities, special events, and an endowment fund. Over 50 schools and agencies refer children to its program. Friends for Youth partners with schools for its Youth Achievers after-school program and with local agencies to provide life skills workshops. Stanford and Santa Clara Universities provide mentors and student research support. Corporations provide activities and volunteers for children on the waiting list, provide on-site technology activities for youth, and provide a source of mentors.

GINA ROLLO

Greater DC Cares is the largest provider of volunteer and business philanthropy services in the greater Washington region, matching almost 60,000 volunteers each year to local nonprofit organizations. But like many nonprofits, they also utilize volunteers within their own organization to support ongoing programs and events. Gina Rollo responded to a listing on their website for an administrative volunteer, and she began working in the office three days a week supporting their administrative staff. She made copies, compiled board reports, answered phones – unglamorous, often tedious jobs – but all done with amazing attention to detail and meticulousness. They soon discovered that in her time away from DC. Cares she operated her own company, RolloCom, a provider of PR services to the technology community. Despite her other commitments, she was always committed to and passionate about her work with DC Cares.

The winter of 2003 was a challenging one for Greater DC Cares. In the midst of a significant move across town, they were also serving as the primary sponsor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday of Service, an event that connects almost 1,000 volunteers to opportunities to serve over the MLK Holiday weekend. In addition, they were also sponsoring their first book drive – MLK "Knowledge is Power" Book Drive – to obtain children's books on African-American l-history to distribute to the DC Library system. Suffice to say, they were stretched to the limit – and that is when Rollo stepped in. She took over the book drive, forming partnerships with local bookstores and online book distributors to publicize the event, working directly with the DC Library system to facilitate donations, and patroling the MLK Holiday of Service kickoff event. When First Lady Laura Bush decided to attend the event, Rollo worked closely with the DC Cares staff and White House staff to make her visit as smooth as possible.

Rollo was in the DC Cares offices 5-6 days a week, carting around book donations in her car, erecting book drive displays at the local Borders, directing Secret Service to allow the photographer to get the best possible pictures. And she did it all with inimitable “Rollo” style; both fastidious and creative, her contributions have allowed them to maximize on time and resources while making the work as effective as it can be.

The "Knowledge is Power" Book Drive resulted in the collection of over 1,000 books to be distributed to the 27 branches of the DC Public Library. Rollo also helped DC Cares as an organization to develop new corporate partners through her bookstore outreach. And she did this all while balancing her work with her own company, as well as her role as part-time mom. When you ask Rollo why she volunteers, she says that she feels like it is the right time to give back.

AMBER HOMES, INC.

Amber Homes, Inc., the fastest-growing homebuilder in Colorado, is the leading provider of affordable, quality-built homes in the Denver area. Founded in 1998, Amber Homes caters exclusively to first-time homebuyers. The second-fastest growing private company in Colorado in 2002, according to the Denver Business Journal, Amber Homes realizes the importance of teamwork, community involvement and is truly devoted to the success of its community.

At a luncheon in February 2003, Amber Homes and the Home Builders Foundation (HBF) introduced a unique fundraising project coined Inspiration House. An innovative approach to raising money for victims in need of home repair due to violent crime or accidents, Amber Homes has united more than 50 local contractors and donors in a joint effort to build and furnish Inspiration House entirely with donated products and services by doing what they do best – build homes. Because the time, money and materials required to build Inspiration House are charitable contributions, all profits from the sale will be given to the HBF in support of their mission to help people in need of home renovations due to tragic circumstances. Past recipients of HBF aid include Columbine High School survivors, Sean Graves and Anne Marie Hochhalter.

The two-story, 1,910 square foot home will feature four bedrooms, two and one-half baths, a partial basement and a two-car garage. Valued at more than $250,000, other upgraded features include a gourmet kitchen, security system, five-piece master bath with whirlpool tub, sprinkler system, fireplace, rounded drywall comers, air conditioning and backyard patio. All of this was donated.

Amber Homes, the HBF and John Gibson, a past recipient of HBF support, broke ground on Inspiration House March 11,2003, and volunteers have been busy laying the foundation and framing the home. Inspiration House is now well on its way and on schedule for completion in July 2003. Amber Homes donated the site improvements to the lot for Inspiration House and have worked diligently to raise funds and increase the number of Denver businesses participating in this trailblazing effort.

Amber Homes' founders, Jim and Linda Harmon, are deeply committed to helping those in need. Over the years, the Harmon's have donated more than $50,000 and countless hours of time to various charitable organizations like the Denver Food Bank, Bonfils Blood Drive, the Lupus Foundation, the John Baely's Joint Effort Community Sports Program (for inner city youth), American Diabetes Association and Miracle on 19th Street (a holiday charity event).

Amber Homes also encourages its employees to support local charities and causes. The company will match every dollar donated by an Amber Home employee. Amber Homes understands the needs of its community and consistently responds to those needs with pioneering ideas and fundraisers like Inspiration House. Amber Homes' spirit of community service is both contagious and inspiring; they always manage to bring the community together to help those in need.