NOS AMIS/CHILDREN HELPING POOR AND HOMELESS PEOPLE

Founded in 1987, Nos Amis/Our Friends, Inc., Children Helping Poor and Homeless People (CHPHP) is an educational outreach program conducted by children and teens with adult advisors. CHPHP community service/service learning programs now involve thousands of young people and adults in direct hands-on programs to help end hunger, poverty and homelessness in California and Oregon.

Through the Monday CHPHP Route for Homeless People in Los Angeles, California, CHPHP encourages young people, their families and schools, scout troops, and businesses to run drives for canned and packaged foods, toiletries and needed items. During the Welcome Orientation Meeting at the CHPHP Storage Area issues of hunger, poverty and homelessness are discussed and all questions are answered.

The donations and food purchased from the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank are sorted and assembled into grocery lunch bags, gift bags and survival kits by the young people. During the Moment’s Meeting, the CHPHP Rules are discussed and jobs are assigned. CHPHP Coordinators accompany the young people and adult volunteers to several pre-designated locations where they hand the prepared items directly to children, teens and adults in need.

CHPHP is a partner with the Santa Monica/Malibu School District, the Beverly Hills School District in addition to hundreds of public and private school contacts from pre-schools to the university level.

Ongoing CHPHP programs include Outreach for People, Adopt A Family Program, Adopt A Teen Program, Rent Supplement Program, Fund for People In Need, Animal Outreach, Thanksgiving In a Box Program, Transitional Counseling, the Speaker’s Bureau and Community Picnic and Softball Games.

All CHPHP programs are free and open to the public. Funding for CHPHP comes from an anonymous donor, Wells Fargo Bank, Toyota Motor Corporation, Dora Freeman Levit Fund for People, FEMA, The Dermologica Foundation, The Entertainment Foundation, The Aaron and Rochel Meyer Foundation and individuals, young and old. CHPHP works with government agencies, social service agencies and homeless shelters to increase effectiveness and to avoid duplication of efforts.

CHPHP has been featured on CNN, NBC-4, Nickelodeon in connection with “The Big Help,” TNN, many radio programs and in numerous print media.

CHPHP has been honored with a 2001 Education and Advocacy Award from the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, a 1999 Citationist for the President’s Service Award, “Outstanding Local Group” by USA Today and the Points of Light Foundation in connection with National Make a Difference Day and by the Points of Light Volunteer Center of Los Angeles.

COLORADO VINCENTIAN VOLUNTEERS

Bill and Mary Frances Jaster founded the Colorado Vincentian Volunteer (CVV) program in 1995. Their goal was to create a program where young people learn to live in solidarity with the poor, and obtain spiritual growth while working to alleviate poverty. The program lasts eleven months and takes from eight to 12 volunteers a year. In its sixth year of operation CVV currently has 12 volunteers who live communally and work full time at various community service projects. The Jasters match volunteers with a program in the area of their specific interests while assuring that each volunteer has a separate project. This, coupled with the communal aspect of the program, teaches the volunteers from a wide range of experiences.

The volunteers work in a variety of social service programs. Current volunteers work at hospitals, schools, programs that teach anger and conflict management, battered women shelters, homeless shelters, subsidized housing project, ESL and GED programs, and day shelter for women and children. During its six years of existence, CVV volunteers have worked with more than 30 different organizations in the metro-Denver area, addressing issues of poverty and social need from many different angles.

In addition to providing much needed help to social welfare programs the CVV program also intends to create an awareness in its volunteers of poverty and its effects on individuals and families. Having this awareness is an important step in dealing with these issues. The program creates awareness through weekly reflection and discussion nights (followed by mass), community action days, and five retreats to help the volunteer process and evaluate their work, learn from each other’s experiences, and continue in their spiritual growth.

Community action days fall on the third Friday of every month. During the first half of the program they focus on all of the volunteers convening together at each of their placement sites to either learn about the program or assist with a project or action. After all of the sites have been visited, community action day become a day for the CVV volunteers to help out in the community, through activities such as cleaning up parks and streets, and distributing meals at a food kitchen.

The CVV volunteers have their room and board provided for them and receive a stipend of $75 per month. The CVV program is under the AmeriCorps umbrella, as such volunteers receive the AmeriCorps education award of $4,750 upon the completion of their service.

The Conflict Center (TCC) currently has its fifth CVV volunteer in service. Throughout the years CVV volunteers have been a valuable resource to TCC. They have taught, assisted with program, led and help organize an after-school program, and lent a hand whenever needed.

The Colorado Vincentian Volunteer program addresses issues of education, violence in schools and society in general, homelessness, health care, child abuse, spouse battering, illiteracy, affordable housing and more. This is done through the work of the participants, who learn lessons and values that not only benefit them, but all of humanity as a whole.

THE PASCO ANGELS

Three employees of the Pasco County Survey and Mapping Department originally formed the Pasco Angels in 1997. They enlisted the aid of their families and other employees to assist them in their mission of the production of holiday baskets, with some of “the smells” of Christmas for the elderly home bound and those with special needs. Today the group consists of approximately 100 associates.

Baskets are lined with greenery, tissue paper and allspice. The contents of the baskets are items which can not be purchased with food stamps such as: toilet paper, personal grooming aids, socks, playing cards, puzzle books and small packages of Kleenex. Donated cards and envelopes produce stationary packages with the business and medical community supplying items such as pens and notepads. Hotel soaps, shampoos, etc. and cosmetic samples are also included. This year 300 handmade sewing kits and wrapped paperback books were also included. An annual hand painted ornament was included with each basket.

The basket contents generally require one year to compile with donations being received throughout the year. Baskets are cleaned and/or painted with additional baskets purchased throughout the year as well. Socks are folded in groups of two pairs and banded with a ribbon. Men and ladies underwear are wrapped or banded with a ribbon. Special wrapping is given to pantyhose, pajamas, or specialty items. Donated stationery is wrapped with lace doilies and ribbon and a pen is placed within a bag and heat shrunk.

In March, a theme is decided and ornaments (330 or so) are painted/made for the year by (Mrs. Henry Ford) one angel who is paralyzed on one side. Last year one angel Mrs. Mary De Rossett prepared 300 or so sewing kits. Dish garden pots are purchased or donated and the plants are transplanted to pots in October. In November, a yard sale is held to help purchase the carnations for the live flower arrangements. The greenery for the arrangements is made from Christmas tree clippings at numerous Christmas tree sale sites. No salary is paid or awarded.

While this is a local grassroots activity, inquiries from churches and other counties have been made. Generally exchange students from Germany assist and this year, Interact Club of Ridgewood High School assisted. They have been acknowledged by the Board of County Commissioners for their work and were pleased to have one of the County Commissioners, Pat Mulieri Ed PHD, assist them this year in the assembly of the baskets.

In 1998, 133 baskets, 30 fresh flower arrangements and 20 dish gardens or decorated plants were submitted to Elderly Nutrition. In 1999, 316 baskets, 112 fresh flowers arrangements, 20 artificial flower arrangements, and 62 plants/dish gardens were submitted. In 2000, 400+ baskets, 225 fresh flowers arrangements, 12 arrangements of centerpieces and wreaths and 26 dish garden were delivered to the Elderly Nutrition program. Some of the Angels also delivered the products to the homebound clients of the program. When the assembly angels reached 60, the program had to expand to a larger facility, that of the Elderly Nutrition Site. In the past the assembly process was performed in a garage and driveway.

Every year one floral arrangement is placed on the doorstep of an elderly couple on Christmas Eve with a card saying “Believe.” This year the arrangement was changed and said “To: You, From: Pass It On.”

JOE SPENCER

Joe Spencer has been active in the community through his service in the Boy Scouts of America for the past 30 years. He has also been actively involved in his religious organization. He recently retired from the Utah Education System after 30 years of service as a teacher and an administrator.

He currently served on the Public Library Board in the city of Payson, Utah, and is a dedicated volunteer for the Utah “I Can Read” program. As a past principal of Barnett Elementary School, he has returned to tutor children at that school twice a week for the past two years. He has the vision, expertise and dedication is takes to help children increase their reading skills, learn to love reading, and become confident, literate members of society.

Spencer has applied for many grants to aid the literacy programs of the library and actively serves on the board year after year. Last year, Spencer headed up the volunteer recruiting program for “I Can Read” at Barnett, Taylor, Parkview, and Wilson Elementary Schools in Payson. This was no small task. He has spent countless hours on the phone inviting members of the school, PTA and community to get involved with the literacy programs of the schools for Payson.

Spencer’s diligence and dedication helped to meet the needs of each of the schools. At Barnett, there were 18 volunteers and 18 children were serviced in “I Can Read.” This year, they were able to service more than 60 children in the school who are reading below grade-level.

Without volunteers like Spencer, many youth would go through life with serious deficits in reading skills. Literacy is perhaps the most important skill a person can obtain, and Spencer is constantly seeking new ways to promote literacy in the community of Payson.

ALTON BECK

Can anything good come of a tragedy? According to Alton Beck, it can. Since his son was killed in an automobile accident, Beck has been volunteering in the school program at the Slate Canyon Youth Center and on the Advisory Board, helping to make important decisions concerning the future of Youth Correction programs. Beck’s son had been in the “system” and he saw that many people viewed these youth as worthless but Beck saw them as someone’s son or daughter and he was determined to make a difference. Since 1993 Beck has helped every week at the Youth Center with testing, school work or with whatever is needed. He averages approximately 60 hours monthly in volunteer service.

Beck likes to interview each youth and tries to instill in them that they are of worth and provides encouragement for change for the better. With every interview, he understands a little more of what his son was going through.

Some people have tried to have Beck serve in other capacities, but if it takes him away from direct contact with youth, he declines. His mind is made up to be a source of support for the youth. He has initiated different ways to interact with youth in the classroom. He has managed to lift their self-esteem by helping youth discover for themselves what they want out of life and just by taking the time to listen.

Beck has lost two out of four children and he knows the depths of despair but he has chosen to turn his loss into something meaningful by working to give hope to youth.

JERRY ROBERTSON

Jerry Robertson is an important and vital volunteer for the chapter of the American Red Cross in Lee County, Alabama. He is trained as a disaster relief worker and responds not only to people in Lee County who may experience a fire or other disaster, but is registered to respond with the American Red Cross nationally if the need arises.

In February 1999, Robertson was part of a team that responded to severe windstorms in the Birmingham, Alabama area. Just the week before Christmas 2000, Robertson once again answered the call and at an hour’s notice was deployed to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to help get survivors of horrific tornadoes back on the road to recovery. He stayed three weeks on that assignment, selflessly giving up being home for the holidays with his family to help those in need.

While on assignment for the Red Cross, Robertson helps to open and operate shelters, assess damage, and assist with mass feeding. Robertson is also trained and qualified to drive Red Cross ERV’s (Emergency Response Vehicles). These vehicles travel into severely damaged areas where residents often would starve, as they are unable to get out to get food.

In addition to his involvement with the American Red Cross, Robertson is very active with his church and also with a county wide feeding program. He not only runs his own food pantry, but also helps other churches set up and operate food pantries all over the county.

Robertson is truly concerned for his fellow citizen and cannot rest if he knows of someone in need. He and his wife, Debra, take underprivileged children into their home and hearts on many occasions. Robertson is also a volunteer for a Red Cross utility assistance program that helps pay heating and cooling bills for the elderly and disabled.

FORT MEADE PARTNERS IN EDUCATION PROGRAM

The Fort George G. Meade Partners in Education Program functions as a link between Fort Meade, the schools, the students, and the community in order to provide maximum support to improve academic achievement by raising academic standards, supporting high-quality teacher professional development, expanding the use of computers and technology in classrooms, and increasing parental and community involvement in education.

The partners are the 12 schools in the Meade High School Feeder System and their adopting military units and organizations. The program focuses on providing all young people with the minimum requirements they need to grow up to be self-supporting and contributing members of our society. The goal is to provide voluntary educational related assistance to more than 78,000 students in the feeder system to enhance the quality of educational programs and expand their learning experiences. Program components were developed to meet local needs. Activities range from tutoring in the academic arena, to enrichment, prevention, career connections, special interest, support and social programs. This partnership improves the school effectiveness by connecting with the military community and drawing on each other’s strengths.

Military role models from the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Department of Defense Civilians participate in this program. Mentoring services are provided on either a one-on-one team mentoring basis, for the purpose of facilitating the at risk students’ social, personal and educational growth in order for them to become productive, contributing members of their respective communities and to society as a whole. Tutoring is provided for each student in his or her particular area of curriculum need to include problem solving, critical thinking, research skills, technology, team building, and communication. The objectives of the program are directly consistent with the Schools Improvement Plans with respect to improving school attendance, academic performance, grades, reducing disciplinary referrals and reducing the overall dropout rate.

In addition to the mentoring and tutoring programs, the Partners in Education Program also provides programs such as Teen Job Fair, Recycling Programs, Science Fair Judging, Junior Achievement Life Skills Program, Run For Your Life Fitness Program, Writing/Reading Contests, Young Astronauts Program, Cycling Across Maryland, and Multicultural Activities.

The Fort Meade Partners In Education Program challenges and engages youth with opportunities through constructive character building activities and by having high expectations of them. The program averages 250 volunteers per month providing approximately 6,390 hours of volunteerism each year.

ERNEST WRIGHT, SR.

Ernest Wright, Sr. began Pro Kids Golf Academy and Learning Center in November 1994. His goal was to increase minority children/youth participation in San Diego junior golf programs. Colina Park Golf Course (in the City Heights area of San Diego, formerly a home of vagrants and a site for drug deals and gang activity) was converted from an abandoned golf course to a community asset and youth sports program, now reaching more than 5,500 kids. Pro Kids is one of the only junior golf programs in America where youth can play “at their own golf course.”

The City Heights area of San Diego suffers from a lack of educational facilities, crime, high unemployment, a low median income, deteriorating commercial and residential properties and a poor community image. Despite challenges, Pro Kids has grown exponentially from 24 kids in the first class to more than 5,500 students participating in 30,000 rounds of golf and lessons a year. All at no expense to the child/families, and . . . all because of Ernest Wright.

Wright receives no compensation for the thousands of hours he spends chairing committees, soliciting friends, golfing with prospective donors, and taking care of “day-to-day” business.

To address significant educational problems, Wright has created the Pro Kids Learning Center Foundation, which is building a $1.7 million clubhouse and Computer Learning Center for the kids and future kids in need.

The Pro Kids Board of Directors represents the ethnic diversity of the San Diego inner city community. All 60 Board Members are involved in golfing with the kids, and contributing equipment/donations to keep the program going and growing.

On his 60th birthday, Wright chose to make it a fundraising celebration for Pro Kids providing college scholarships to 14 inner city youth. His selfless commitment goes beyond typical volunteer service. His sense of caring, responsibility for others and commitment to service and citizenship is demonstrated in the many organizations in which he plays an active role. He is a member of the Crime Commission’s Board of Directors and the County Crime Stoppers. Wright boasts an illustrious 13-year career as a NFL player with the San Diego Chargers and the Cincinnati Bengals. An avid golfer, Wright shares his enthusiasm for sports and kids with all whom he comes into contact. Few can resist his charismatic spirit.

Wright has received local recognition for his work and leadership in improving the lives of at-risk children and youth. These awards include special recognition by the Superior Court of the State of California, Certificate of Recognition from the California State Assembly, the George Bush National Award for Volunteerism presented by Shell Oil, and numerous local nonprofit awards such as United Way and Boys and Girls Club.

FMC CARSWELL FEDERAL WOMEN’S PROGRAM STAFF SPONSORS

The “Back to School with Fort Worth Independent School District (ISD) School Supply Drive” is an annual Affirmative Action Program sponsored by the Federal Women’s Program and staff sponsors at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell. Since the program began in 1996, staff have sponsored more than 450 children and donated more than 500 books. The purpose of the school supply drive is to ensure that local community children are provided with the necessary tools – pens, pencils, paper, books, etc., to succeed in school.

In an effort to accomplish the goal of ensuring a future of qualified and culturally diverse workforce, the Federal Women’s Program, sought ways to promote literacy and education readiness for children in the local school system. The Fort Worth Independent School District serves children of various racial, ethnic, and socio-economical backgrounds, including Eastern European refugee and migrant worker communities. This fact presents numerous challenges to the school system and the community at-large. It became apparent tot eh Carswell staff that children cannot hope to succeed in school unless they are provided the needed tools. Additionally, children without the needed supplies often feel isolated from other children, and this isolation further inhibits their ability to learn and succeed in their school careers.

In 1996, the Federal Women’s Program, identified a need for a school supplies assistance program for economically disadvantaged children. The “Back to School with Fort Worth ISD Annual School Supply Drive” was developed to fill that need.

Each year with the assistance of the Fort Worth Parks and Community Service Board, needy children are identified and Carswell staff sponsor these children. Staff is provided a list of grade-appropriate school supplies and packages are collected during the month of August. All school supplies collected during the drive are donated to the Fort Worth Parks and Community Service Board for distribution to children throughout the city. During the past five years, this program has helped approximately 450 children.

In addition to the need for school supplies, the Federal Women’s Program identified a need for primary and elementary grade level reading material at local community centers throughout the city. The City of Forth Worth has Head Start and After-School Literacy Programs at their various community centers. In 1999, the FMC Carswell Book Bonanza Program was implemented as an extension of the school supply drive. FMC Carswell staff collected nearly 500 new and gently used children’s books. These books were donated to the Community Service Board for distribution to the community centers.

The program has grown each year with more than 100 children “adopted” for the 2000-2001 school year. The Federal Women’s Program Manager continues to receive phone calls of thanks and appreciation from staff at the Fort Worth Parks and Community Service Board. These staff are amazed at the generosity of FMC Carswell’s staff. The school supply packets and books provide a much needed relief to local school teachers who continually seek assistance for the economically disadvantaged children of their school district.

RICHARD ROSENKRANZ

In 1997, Richard Rosenkranz founded the Interfaith Call for Universal Freedom of Worship and for Human Rights in Tibet. He intended the Call as a vehicle to help raise awareness and support for religious freedom and human rights in general, and in particular for the Tibetan people.

Having lost members of his own family in the holocaust, Rosenkranz was both disturbed and energized by predictions that the religion and culture of the people in Tibet could be wiped out within five years because of genocidal practices of the Chinese government. He created the Call party to help the Tibetan people as well as the world at large. Largely through his perseverance and energy, the Call became a phenomenal success in an incredibly short time. At the end of last year, more than 150,000 people made a commitment to observe the Call, up from 8,000 people the previous year.

Working from his house in Florida, Rosenkranz did extensive outreach on a shoestring budget, financial largely through his savings. Relying mainly on e-mail and occasional mailing, he succeeded partly from his ability to convince total strangers this was a cause worth volunteering their time and effort.

He established a network of volunteers, especially young students, to help him reach out to thousands of houses of worship from many faith traditions. He also created a Web site – with help from friends with computer skills – and then solicited prayers for the Call from many eminent spiritual leaders, including His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He posted the prayers on his site, and then asked theologians from different faith traditions to write full prayers services for the Call. As a former national correspondent, he used his journalism skills to write numerous media releases to raise awareness about issues related to the Call.

Rosenkranz is hoping that the Call will help pressure Chinese leaders to restore basic freedoms to the Tibetan people. This year he hopes to increase support for the Call from the present 150,000 to well over 300,000. But he also views the Call as a way to inspire youth to get involved in positive activism, as well as a way to bring the world’s faith traditions together in a united stand for universal freedom of worship and human rights.

He intends to maintain the Call as a semiannual event presented twice each year., once on March 25th in 120 U.S. cities as part of the Season for Non-Violence, and then at the end of October as part of a massive, worldwide observance.

Until now, Rosenkranz has been living on his savings, but with his funds dwindling, he is about to apply to foundations to seek funding to allow him to continue his work. This year, he received $10,000 from the World Tibet Day Foundation, to help support his work; this is the first money he’s received since starting the Interfaith Call.