The Gabriel Project

The Gabriel Project was started in 1990 by Mr. Mark J. Melamed and his sixth grade class after watching an episode of 60 Minutes on the deplorable conditions of hospitals in third world countries. Mr. Melamed started the project to increase student interest in reading while raising funds to help children less fortunate than themselves. Involving students in each current class and inviting students and parent volunteers from previous years, these students and their teacher have combined school curriculum while raising funds to bring children, dying of heart disease to the U.S. from Tanzania, Africa, to receive lifesaving surgery.

Through a variety of fund-raisers – a read-a-thon, a bowl-a-thon, a celebrity auction, collecting pennies, selling candy, a craft fair and talent show – the students have been able to raise the $7, 000 needed each year to bring a child and mother to the US for surgery.

The Gabriel Project has been responsible for bringing three boys, diagnosed with holes in their hearts to Deborah Heart and Lung Centre for their surgery. The New Jersey Hospital performs the surgeries at no cost. All three boys had successful surgeries and are now back home in Tanzania where they are doing well and in no further need of surgery.

The students also vote each year to donate any excess funds to local charities and to date, have donated funds to the local soup kitchen, a homeless shelter, the Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Academy and hospital children’s ward.

Chesterfield Colonial Heights Alliance for Social Ministry

In response to the Governor’s challenge for churches to assume more responsibility in their communities, Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Alliance for Social Ministry (CCHASM) was born. CCHASM is an alliance of 42 churches of different denominations working together to assist individuals and families whose emergency needs cannot be met through existing governmental agencies. CCHASM has been in existence for nine years, providing assistance with food, fuel, rent, medicine, water bills and electricity. Money for this type of assistance comes directly from CCHASM member churches and some annual funding from the United Way.

People Touching People, a program of CCHASM, utilizes the skills of its membership to provide a variety of services which improve the quality of life for families, allow individuals to remain independent and foster self-sufficiency. People Touching People projects have included transportation for medical appointments, purchases of needed medical equipment, child-care services, mentoring for at-risk teens, appliance repair, yard work, denture purchase, financial counseling and home improvements.

CCHASM works in collaboration with the county social service department, schools, mental health department and other human service organizations. Volunteers screen each client request thoroughly to determine whether the need is an emergency or an on-going problem within the household and family structure. Last year, CCHASM mobilized in excess of $58,000 worth of in-kind donations and 5,970 hours of volunteer service. During this time, CCHASM was able to provide assistance in 692 different situations. The People Touching People program received 113 requests and was able to assist 42 families.

CCHASM recently received a $10,000 Community Development Block Grant to assist in the successful implementation of welfare reform in Chesterfield and Colonial Heights.

Yu Xiong “Hugh” Liang

In 1991, Hugh Liang and his family moved to Braintree, Massachusetts from China. In 1994, he graduated from high school and enrolled in Boston University. Hugh's introduction to volunteerism was through the Boston University Community Service Center, where he participated in the University's First Year Outreach Project, a week-long community service adventure.

His experience with the Community Service Center inspired him to become a volunteer with the Student Food Rescue (SFR) program, where he is currently the program's manager. SFR salvages excess food from grocery stores and restaurants and delivers it to area soup kitchens and homeless shelters. Each week, 6,000 pounds of food is donated to needy people in the City of Boston through the program. As the program manager, a twelve-month commitment with a stipend of $900, Hugh has increased the program's volunteer base by 67 percent. In addition, the amount of food salvaged (donations) has increased by 20 percent.

Even when the university is closed and his other classmates are taking vacations, Hugh continues his daily efforts to feed the hungry.

TeenLine Volunteers

TeenLine is the youth-run crisis hotline that serves the Tri-County area of South Carolina. With partial funding by the United Way and private donations, it ensures that all Tri-County youth have a free, safe place to call when they are experiencing a crisis. The telephones are staffed with carefully screened and trained teen volunteers with adult supervision. Issues such as pregnancy, sexual assault, suicide and peer and family pressures are responded to in a serious manner with referrals made to community agencies when needed.

This diverse group of volunteers is comprised of 25 young people. The group of teens must complete an initial interest form with references, schedule an interview, complete an application form, successfully complete 35 hours of training, endure ongoing supervision and schedule their own shifts

These teens respond to thousands of calls each year. They also help each other through tough calls. They have become each other’s support system. They often volunteer to help train new volunteers, staff information booths and perform clerical duties.

TeenLine lets young people know they are not alone and that it is okay to ask for help. It gives them the opportunity to be heard and offers them non-judgmental listening, support and understanding.

Indianola After-School Project

In 1994, Otterbein College, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Indianola Middle School established a collaborative partnership to address a need for after-school programming for Indianola students. National surveys show that random acts of violence, destruction and pregnancies in school-age youth typically occur between the hours of 3:00 and 6:00pm. To address these problems, the Indianola After-School Project provides structured, productive activities for young children.

The Indianola After-School Project pairs approximately 20 Otterbein students and two Otterbein College student coordinators with 20 Indianola school students in an after-school program on Otterbein’s campus. There are three tiers to this program: the development of middle-school students in the areas of academic, physical, cultural, intellectual and social well-being; the development of the Otterbein College students through reflection, keeping of journals and sharing of their knowledge with someone who is less fortunate; and the development of an ongoing partnership to solve community problems.

Indianola students travel to Otterbein’s campus once a week for one-on-one sessions. An hour of tutoring is followed by an hour of family-style dining in the campus cafeteria. The three-hour session concludes with an hour of recreation. Some of the activities planned are volleyball and basketball games with Otterbein’s athletic teams, trips to the local radio station and watching skits performed by Otterbein’s theater department. Through these programs on the college campus, the program’s participants are given a sense of what college life is like and are encouraged to aspire to attend college.

Since its inception in the fall of 1994, the program has impacted more than 60 Indianola and Otterbein students. Otterbein College and Big Brothers Big Sisters support the program by providing transportation, meals and other miscellaneous donations.

Eighth Grade Book Buddies Program

Eighth Grade Book Buddies is an initiative created by the West Tallahatchie School District to improve reading and self-esteem levels for students in the district. The project began in 1996 as school officials noted the high number of older students – approximately 50 between the ages of 16 and 18 – in the eighth grade. The program is conducted in the Mississippi Delta area that suffers from high illiteracy.

Each Thursday, eighth grade students from West Tallahatchie High School read to their “Book Buddies” at two local elementary schools. By reading to younger students, the eighth grade students improve their reading and self-esteem levels. The students have increased their reading levels and are now reading more than 1,500 books each semester. In addition, the number of older eighth grade students has decreased to approximately 20; overall, student participation in the program has risen to more than 200.

A tutorial program has grown from this initiative, as students in the Beta Club, an honor society at West Tallahatchie High School, tutor and assist other students every Tuesday and Thursday.

Robert Keeling

Since 1983, Robert “Papaw” Keeling, a retired engineer, has been resident grandfather at Katy Elementary. He volunteers more than 30 hours each week as a mentor for at-risk students, as a tutor for custodians preparing for their GED, as an interpreter for front office staff and as a composer and in-house musician. In addition, Mr. Keeling serves as the maintenance man for anything in need of repair.

Mr. Keeling began his service when his own grandchildren attended Katy Elementary, but continued long past their departure. Because of the diverse population of the school, which includes a high minority population, Mr. Keeling, who speaks several languages, has spent more than a decade tutoring students coping with language barriers.

Known as a “fixer,” Mr. Keeling makes repairs, designed needed special equipment and building furnishings for teachers. He designed the “Keeling Ceiling Hanger,” a device used by students and teachers to hang displays. He is always available to rearrange furniture, carry heavy items from one classroom to another and escort staff to their cars.

An accomplished musician, Mr. Keeling plays the piano for students and faculty at lunch and provides music for programs. He has also composed a special song for the school, which has been performed at various community functions by both students and faculty. Katy Elementary also has a program that identifies potential school dropouts and Keeling utilizes his grandfatherly influence to help these at-risk children blossom.

Urban Ministries of Raleigh, Inc.

Urban Ministries of Raleigh is a volunteer-intensive, nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to address the unmet needs of the poorest citizens in Wake County, North Carolina. Originally founded and supported by local churches to provide emergency food and financial relief to low-income residents of Wake County, Urban Ministries has grown to become a major provider of human services in the community.

Under the umbrella of Urban Ministries are four major programs: the Crisis Intervention Program, the Ark Shelter, the Open Door Clinic and the Community Mental Health Clinic. The programs help a total of approximately 6,000 people per year. The backbone of the organization is the active volunteer participation. Close to 1,000 professional and lay volunteers donate more than 36,000 hours of time each year providing direct services to the program’s clients.

The Crisis Intervention Program, begun in 1981, offers financial assistance for rent and utilities to families, the disabled and elderly to prevent eviction and homelessness. The food pantry and prescription assistance components provide emergency food and medicines. Last year, they provided emergency relief to 3,482 households. Approximately 25 volunteers work with this program.

The Ark Shelter, opened in 1984, provides short-term housing and support services to 40 homeless adults each day. Last year the shelter assisted 549 homeless men and women with housing and services. Two social workers on staff provide professional case management during the day and evening. In addition, volunteers cook, deliver and serve all weekly evening meals and breakfasts on the weekends. Volunteers also lead all life skills training programs which are conducted four evenings a week for shelter residents. Approximately 450 volunteers are involved in this program.

The Open Door Clinic, started in 1985, is a free medical and dental program for people without health insurance. Both acute care and chronic disease care are available four evenings a week. Other services include preventive dental care, dental care for pain and infection and laboratory services. The clinic treated approximately 3,000 patients last year. Close to 400 volunteers work in the clinic or offer voluntary medical services in their private offices.

The Community Mental Health Clinic, the newest program, was incorporated in August 1996. The clinic provides the uninsured with access to free, short-term, family-oriented counseling. About 20 volunteer mental health professionals offer counseling in a downtown church that is donating its space one evening per week. Currently, more than 20 patients are in active treatment.

Additional volunteers serve as members of the board of directors, development committee, clinic advisory committees and other committees of the board.

Bob Denny

Ten years ago, Bob Denny and his wife, Becky, were addicted to drugs and alcohol. When they became homeless, their children were taken away. After months of living on the streets, Mr. Denny experienced a spiritual rebirth and started on his road to recovery. Within a year, Mr. Denny was able to secure a job and complete the necessary classes in order to get his children.

Mr. Denny successfully completed the work for a drug and alcohol counseling certificate. His focus became to help individuals move from a lifestyle of dysfunctional behavior to one in which they carry their own weight and become active participants in the community.

Mr. Denny created Open Door Ministry, a program for feeding the homeless. Every Monday night for the past three years, Open Door Ministry feeds 70 to 100 persons.

In addition, Mr. Denny’s dreams for an in-house recovery program came to fruition with the November 1995 opening of In His Steps Christian Recovery Home. In His Steps is a non-profit organization created to respond to the overwhelming needs of the homeless. The program began with six residents in the home and has expanded to include a second home and houses 16 men total.

Admission to the In His Steps home is based on each person’s willingness to accept the responsibility for their own recovery and a desire to return to the Church. Those who can pay the cost of their stay are expected to do so; however, those with financial constraints are not turned away. Participants are expected to seek employment and begin contributing toward their expenses after a 30-day recovery period.

Under Mr. Denny’s leadership, the programs have brought local businesses and churches together in the community to help the needy. Graduates of the recovery program report that the program gave them time out to get their lives together and taught them the fundamentals of being responsible and productive members of the community.

United Parcel Service: Eastern Georgia District

Since May of 1992, United Parcel Service’s Eastern Georgia District has been in partnership with Thurgood Marshall Middle School. UPS volunteers spend time each month creating programs to enhance the education process and the look of the school. The partnership has grown to include additional funding that supports special recognition for students and teachers.

In September of 1995, Hands On Atlanta’s AmeriCorps program placed a team of 11 full-time AmeriCorps members at Thurgood Marshall. Their goals were to support teachers, provide tutorial assistance to students and to complete other service projects in the school community.

In partnership with Hands on Atlanta, UPS volunteers offer a wide range of programmatic support to Thurgood Marshall Middle School. During the school year, the partnership coordinates the “Teacher of the Month” recognition ceremony and generates more than a 100 person volunteer turnout for Hands On Atlanta Day, where participants work together painting and renovating the school grounds. In addition, they facilitate a Saturday tutorial program for the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and coordinate UPS Day.

UPS Day is an annual event at Marshall when UPS volunteers from the Georgia District come out to show and tell students what they do and how they got to their current positions. This event draws the attention of students with a tour of a UPS delivery truck and a chance to have their pictures taken in front of a truck from the original fleet.

The direct results of their efforts include the transformation of Marshall, a once tough school environment, to a school that celebrates education and achievement. Marshall is now a school where students have a greater sense of the possibilities for their futures and experience higher self-esteem.

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