DR. MARTHA SARNO

Acquired aphasia, a language processing disorder that is a result of a stroke or brain injury, affects more than one million Americans. It manifests itself differently in different people, but generally the individual’s intelligence is intact. However, someone affected with aphasia may not be able to read a notice, ask for a cup of coffee, or follow a news story on the television. The effects of the disorder are long term.

Few people in this country have done more for this disconnected group of disabled citizens than Dr. Martha Sarno. Dr. Sarno is an internationally recognized authority on communication disorders. She has professional responsibilities; however, she tirelessly gives of herself to those affected with aphasia outside of her employment duties. Dr. Sarno is quite aware of the causes and effects and states, “one does not recover from aphasia, one recovers with aphasia.” So it is all the more important for those affected to be educated as much as they can and have the necessary tools available for their daily lives.

In addition to writing about stroke and aphasia for the layman, Dr. Sarno founded the National Aphasia Association (NAA) in 1987. This Association is the only national organization dedicated to reconnecting individuals who have aphasia with their families, communities, and their ability to communicate. The mission of the NAA is to reduce the social and emotional consequences of the disorder by raising greater awareness of aphasia among the general public, providing information to people with their families, and giving a voice to the thousands of people who are not able to use theirs.

It is difficult to overemphasize the emotional devastation and isolation created by aphasia. Part of this is due to the lack of knowledge of aphasia by both professionals and the public. Thousands of stroke survivors are discharged from the hospital every year without being told that their speech problem has a name or that treatment is available. Furthermore, when patients are referred for speech therapy, insurance reimbursement is minimal.

Annually, through a toll-free number, the NAA answers questions from thousands of people affected with aphasia as well as their family members. The NAA provides non-technical information about aphasia, guidelines for communicating with people who have aphasia, information about support groups, and other literature. Also, through “Speaking Out,” the NAA’s biennial conference for people with aphasia, their families, and rehabilitation professionals, the Pen Pals page on the NAA’s Web site, and community groups, people with the disorder learn that they are not alone. The NAA also supports National Aphasia Awareness Week, by providing aphasia community groups across the country with literature and suggestions for raising awareness of aphasia in their communities.

Dr. Sarno has assisted many who otherwise may not have information to live their lives in a productive way. Her career began when she was hired by Dr. Howard Rusk to be the Director of the Speech-Language Pathology Department at the Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine. She has held the position since, and her department has served as a model for programs all over the world. In 1982, she was awarded a Doctor of Medicine honoris causa from the University of Goteberg. Her primary work is as Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation Medicine at the New York University School of Medicine.

VOLUNTARY SERVICES FOR THE BLIND OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, INC.

In the early 1990’s, the population of legally blind residents in Fairfield County was several thousand and growing due to the rise of vision disorders among the elderly in the community. Claudette Tallon and Jim Waddington joined forces and began the Voluntary Services for the Blind of Fairfield County in 1993. Tallon wanted to help others in memory of her father who had severe visual impairment most of his life, and Waddington is legally blind.

The birth of the organization in 1993 did not cause a great stir initially. The pair spent countless hours planning and organizing what at first was just an idea. By 1999, the group had grown from two to 123 volunteers. The program had provided more than 7,200 hours of direct service to 146 visually impaired clients, and by the end of 2000 they had given more than 30,000 hours of direct service to their clients since its inception.

There are no paid employees in the program. As a result, virtually all grants and donations go directly to provide services to visually impaired clients. Major funding has been and is provided by the E. Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the Blind, The Fairfield County Foundation, and the Stamford/Springdale Lions Club. The Senior Services of Stamford also gives assistance to the program by providing free office space.

Many of the clients are elderly and may not have immediate family in the area. To them, this service has become a lifeline that enables them to maintain the independent lifestyle they desire. The program offers them assistance, guidance, and encouragement. They know they always have someone to call in case of a crisis. The volunteers also believe the program is a lifeline as it allows them to enrich their society by sharing with others and enabling other citizens to continue being productive in their community.

Tallon has been the life-force of the program. She tirelessly handles virtually every aspect of its operation. She recruits and interviews volunteers, signs up new clients, matches clients and volunteers, attends initial meeting between the volunteers and clients, as well as coordinates ongoing activities with the clients and volunteers. She is available seven days a week to deal with any program issues.

The Voluntary Services for the Blind of Fairfield County received the CT Life Award for outstanding service to the senior community of Connecticut in 1995. They were honored by Mayor Daniel Malloy of Stamford on November 15,1996 when he declared that day, “Blind Services Day” in honor of the program’s volunteers. In addition, Tallon was named Community Leader of the Year by the Stamford Advocate newspaper in 1998.

The program is a staple in the community and the volunteers are making a significant impact in the lives of many who need assistance. They are motivated by compassion and care and are working to attract additional volunteers to facilitate the delivery of their service to an even larger number of visually impaired people.

G. CLARK SMITH

The quality of care a young child receives has been shown to dramatically impact his or her social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development. Ultimately it affects the child’s success in school and life. Parents often seek childcare with little information about quality and the predictors of quality childcare.

The Durham Child Care Council is an accredited childcare resource and referral agency. The Council’s mission is to provide support services to families and child care programs that enhance the care and education of children. They also want to aid in expanding the availability and affordability of quality childcare. Some services they offer are consumer education and referrals, childcare quality improvement initiatives, the USDA Child Care Food Program, a qualified substitute caregiver pool, professional development, and technical assistance for childcare providers and community planning.

The consumer education and referral department provides support, childcare referrals, publications, and information for families about quality childcare, childcare regulations, childcare financial assistance, and child development. The staff also maintains a database of more than 850 programs that is the most complete and accurate listing in Durham. Information was initially available to families during office hours, through written correspondence, by telephone, or in person. The community needed more.

G. Clark Smith was aware that the citizens could benefit by having this information available around the clock via the Internet. During a little more than a year and working for more than 1,000 volunteer hours, Clark created and programmed an interactive Web page. This service outlines 10 steps to take when seeking childcare and it links users to additional information that will assist them throughout the selection process. The Web site consists of hundreds of pages of linked information along with a sidebar menu to aid users. Some topics covered are options and regulations, quality checklist, compliance history information, and the on-line referral directory. Many families visit the directory, which allows a search and then presents the user with a customized list of facilities that meet their needs.

Clark was the initiator, motivator, and key player in creating and developing the Web page. His vision, skill, and volunteer hours were essential to the project. The service would not be provided today without Clark as the volunteer programmer because the Council did not have the staff or financial resources to undertake the project. Clark discovered the difficulties of searching for child care fist hand. He saw a need, and then he decided to create a solution. As the actual project took shape, Clark continued to initiate activities, use innovative methods to solve problems, and promote collaboration between organizations aiding in the project – Duke University and the Durham Child Care Council.

Clark accomplished more than the Council ever imagined possible. What began as a simple listing of childcare facilities on the Web grew into a comprehensive information center for families seeking childcare. The site has been active since August 15, 1998, and they have received both local and national feedback praising it as one of the best Web sites available for parents seeking childcare.

INEZ NEAL

The Duke Eye Center Volunteer Program has been in existence since 1984, and Inez Neal has been a part of the team since its birth. Some of her activities of service are escorting patients throughout the entire Duke University Medical Center, assisting with the coffee serving cart, and visiting with patients in waiting areas. She also provides light clerical work for the eye contact staff and distributes magazines and brochures in the waiting areas.

There is always a need for volunteer service at any medical facility, and the Duke University Medical Center is no different. It is important for the patients to receive assistance when they enter the facility; so directing the patients and visitors to various clinical stations for treatment is an essential service Neal performs. Most that come to the center may be hesitant or a little nervous, but she offers a compassionate and warm atmosphere to help ease any discomfort.

Neal is one of the first volunteers to start and conduct a program of patient relationship and patient assistance wherever needed. The Center receives letters, notes, and cards with positive feedback from patients and visitors alike praising her efforts.

Many in the community are affected by Neal, not only those who come to the medical center. She also drives patients to the doctor and the hospital. She also delivers meals-on-wheels, takes wheelchair patients to church, and is an officer of the Community Resource Council for the Umstead Correctional Facility. Her service work spans three counties.

Inez Neal is especially talented in personal relations and writes poems about volunteer work at the Center as well as life in general. Her poems can also be seen in the volunteer newsletter and at the annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. She won top honors for the number of volunteer hours she served in 1992, 1995, and 1996. In addition, she has a certificate of appreciation from Governor Jim Hunt for her services to the city.

CASA DEL PEREGRINO AGUADILLA, INC.

The Casa del Peregrino Aguadilla, Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to identifying, assisting and serving the homeless population in an effort to improve the quality of life, health, education, security and nourishment of its participants. They strive to assist those who are homeless pave a way out of their situation into a better quality of life.

The Casa was established after a local university’s survey analyzed Aguadilla, Puerto Rico’s most pressing social concerns – homelessness attributed to 67%. Carmen Rosario, the current director of the Casa realized the impact of homelessness on the community, and she began to create innovative solutions to alleviate its affects. Partnered with the Civic Club and other local community service organizations, Rosario began to distribute clothing, personal hygiene items, and meals. With dedication and volunteer service, her goal of opening a shelter and expanding services to homeless community was realized on April 23, 1997 when Casa del Peregrino opened its doors. This shelter stands as the only outreach program of its type in their immediate area.

The Casa is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 6:30pm. Meals are served three times a day, and counseling is also available with drug and alcohol specialists. They also offer referrals to rehabilitation programs, personal hygiene items, showers, clothing, first-aid, and entertainment. Soon they will open an emergency shelter that offers 20 sleeping spaces.

A myriad of social problems brings the clients to Casa del Peregrino. All the neighboring communities have increasing problems with poverty, unemployment, and high levels of crime. Recent studies have shown that 50% of the population of Puerto Rico lives below the poverty line. There are 60 men and 26 women at the shelter now. The average age of the participant is 35 years old, and the average education level completed is eighth grade. Seventy percent of them are addicted to drugs and thirteen percent of the population is alcohol dependent. About 19% suffer from some form of mental illness, 15% are HIV positive, and 5% have a physical handicap. To date, 15% of the clients are rehabilitated after receiving the services at the Casa.

The shelter has a volunteer director, a paid part-time staff of five, a paid full-time maintenance employee, four AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers, and some volunteers from the community. The mobilization of volunteers is maintained through the renewal of contracts with the VISTA members and recruitment of community members.

Casa del Peregrino continues to strive to help the community alleviate social problems affecting the underserved. They were a JC Penney Golden Rule Award Finalist in 1999 and have also been honored by the University of Interamerican Studies in Puerto Rico. Since its inception in 1997, the quality of life in the homeless population continues to be enriched, and hope is found for those who, in the past, believed all was lost.

MARSHALLTOWN COMMUNITY Y OUTREACH PROGRAM

The Community Y Youth Outreach Program was founded in Marshalltown, Iowa in 1979. The mission of the program is to divert youth from the juvenile justice system. The Outreach Program serves 35 at-risk boys in the 6th through the 12th grades and referred from the Juvenile Court Services, schools, parents, and social services agencies. Several of the youth have been in the program from two to five years. The Outreach members excel and the program continues to make a difference in their lives, and in turn, they make a difference in their community.

The Outreach Program provides many opportunities for youth. They learn new skills, feel that they belong, and bond into the community. Healthy beliefs are taught and promoted and clear standards are set to lead to healthy behaviors among the members. In addition, the program recognizes clients’ accomplishments and continues to build their self-esteem.

The successes of the youth involved are many, although they volunteer for numerous projects. One of the most notable gifts of service is their work at the Iowa Veterans Home. Each Sunday, they escort wheel chair veterans to and from church. They initially offered their services when two programs were about to be eliminated due to lack of volunteers. The Outreach program participants also provide escorts for both bingo programs. Additionally, these youth sit with the veterans and help them play cards. Their dedication does not stop there. These youth also function as escorts for the Labor Day Picnic, 4th of July Picnic, Car Show, Motorcycle Rally, Flag Day, Root Beer Float socials, and many other events in the community.

The commitment of the Outreach Program to the community is also evident in the Eagle Eye Park Watch Program. This was established in 1997 and is a collaborative effort of the Outreach Program, Marshalltown Police Department DARE Officers, and Parks and Recreation. Annually DARE Officers train the youth on bike safety and witness observation for reports. This program promotes community ownership within the youth. They ride the bike path and patrol the parks from April through October to increase safety in the community. It empowers youth to take pride in their community and decrease incidents of vandalism and crime. It also fosters a good relationship between the youth and low enforcement officials.

Each year, the Outreach program has several community volunteers interacting with Outreach members. Besides the police officers, there are four missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, six International Exchange Students from Marshalltown Community College, area leaders, past Outreach members, and others. Members have the opportunity to bond with each other, the community and other adult role models.

The Outreach members learn and practice new skills, earn and receive recognition, and develop and practice leadership skills. They are contributing citizens that enrich the quality of life for the youth and veterans of their community.

MARY LOU WARREN

Mary Lou Warren has been a champion of the elderly for the past 23 years. She serves on numerous boards and committees that enhance programs geared toward senior citizens. She volunteers hours of one-on-one service to the Foster Parent Program in Great Bend. She coordinates Meals on Wheels for Great Bend, Hoisington and Ellinwood. In addition to coordinating the program, she is also a driver whenever volunteers are not able to assume their responsibilities. In addition, Warren works with the Historical Society by acting as a hostess and program director.

This, however, is not the end of Warren’s resume of service. She initiated Rural Family Friends, and she volunteered to sit with babies in the hospital. Her extensive networking skills and contacts have earned her the title of “the person to contact” if you need information or assistance with regards to elderly programs. She is aware of the government cut backs in social services and how important it is for communities to be aware of the special needs of the elderly. Their plight is different; they are living on fixed incomes, but they need continual service and sometimes fall through the cracks. She makes sure the elderly in her community get a visit when they need company, a drive to the grocery store when needed, or a trip to the hospital or doctor’s office for set appointments.

In 1982, the Business and Professional Women honored her as their Woman of the year due to her outstanding accomplishments in the community. She was also appointed to the White House Conference on Aging during the same year. Though her work is not done for recognition or praise, these awards encourage her.

Warren also serves as a volunteer to the SCHICK program, which provides counseling for the elderly. They are educated on Medicare, Medicaid and Drug Assistance programs. There is also a Community Service Advisor available to assist them in knowing what programs are available to them. She helped to write a grant for the Senior Center and initiated several programs in Barton County: Every One Able to Read By Sharing (EARS), Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, Meals on Wheels, Alzheimer’s Support Group, Vouchers for Medical Transportation, and Volunteer Income Tax Training. These programs provide continual service as a result of her fund raising efforts, grant requests, and her solicitations to local programs and the government.

Mary Lou Warren is a hero to many in Great Bend. Through her work and dedication, many are able to receive appropriate medical care and prescriptions as well as live a more comfortable life.

THERESA ANDREJACK

Theresa Andrejack’s leadership encompasses her school, the Enola community, and the entire South Central region of Pennsylvania. She has been a student director for a middle school program that assists middle school children having difficulty in physical education. In addition, she is the high school representative on the community PumpkinFest Committee and the East Pennsboro School and Community Foundation along with being the student coordinator for 300 high school students involved in community service programs.

Theresa directs six ongoing programs: Classroom Companions, Math Mentors, Playground Pals, Senior Citizen Center, Special Friends, and Spanish Amigos. Classroom Companions pairs high school student volunteers with at-risk middle school students. Math Mentors pair the high school volunteers with middle school algebra teachers who work with children having difficulties keeping up in math. Playground Pals and Senior Citizen Center are programs that give elementary schools and seniors friendship and companionship from their high school buddies. The Special Friends program joins the high school volunteers as mentors to middle school special education students, and the Spanish Amigos is a program in which middle school foreign language teachers mentor students having difficulty with being exposed to speaking Spanish.

Theresa has received the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference Award, National Merit Scholars with Commendable Honors, Advanced Placement Scholar Award, and earned first place in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science for the state, region, and regional/national Scholastic Writing Awards.

Some of her extracurricular activities are the interscholastic girls’ basketball, field hockey, and she is on the girl’s soccer team. She is also secretary of Latin Club, president of the National Honor Society, Treasurer of the Senior Class, and Secretary of the YMCA Youth and Government Club.

NANCY OPRSAL

Through her professional and voluntary work, Nancy Oprsal has distinguished herself as an extraordinary friend and educator of children. As a teacher for 44 years, she has been constantly involved in educating children.

While teaching, Oprsal found time to volunteer at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, an organization that educates people about the environment and a place where she could combine her loves of children and nature. She became an EYNC volunteer in 1979 by participating in a beautification project. She began volunteering on weekends and during the summer as a receptionist, giving her the opportunity to educate visitors about EYNC. She informed visitors about the volunteer program and was responsible for recruiting several new volunteers.

One summer, Oprsal substituted for a sick volunteer in the Summer Fun Days program – a nature-oriented day camp for children in grades K-6. She had so much fun in the program that she has spent nearly every week of each summer since then working as a Summer Fun Days Assistant. After her retirement in 1996, Oprsal completed an intensive, 8-week training program for Docents and began to lead Nature Area Tours. She says, “If we don’t teach children to appreciate, understand, and enjoy nature, there will be no nature here for their children.”

In addition to her direct interaction with children, she has helped to develop new teaching instruments and curriculum for EYNC. She co-authored a workbook called Discovering the American River Parkway: A Handbook for Outdoor Exploration and Learning. This book includes lesson plans and activities for teachers who want to incorporate nature into their students’ lessons. Oprsal also designs a “Kid’s Page” for a bimonthly newsletter associated with EYNC.

In addition to volunteering an average of 25 hours per month for EYNC, Oprsal volunteers for other organizations, including her church, Loaves and Fishes, and she is a part of the organizing committee for a new program to help homeless persons get back on their feet. She also tutors young children in her home, at no cost to their families. Through the Coalition for Sustainability in Sacramento, Oprsal tries to improve the environment by conserving energy. She has helped many families make solar cooking ovens, and encourages everyone around her to sun-dry their washed clothes.

PATRICIA KRANZOW

Patricia L. Kranzow has been volunteering for three years and has accrued more than 2,200 volunteer hours in the Education Therapy Section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital. She works as a tutor, writing assistant, and computer assistant to paraplegic and quadriplegic hospitalized veterans in the Residential Care Facility (RCF).

With Kranzow’s dedication to education, resourcefulness, and artful persuasion, these veterans are now enrolled in the undergraduate program of the Telecommunications course at Triton College. Despite their severe handicaps, her students have achieved a remarkable grade point average of 4.0 and are members of the President’s List. She also assists another quadriplegic veteran in his pursuit of a legal career through correspondence courses.

As a writing assistant, Kranzow provides the means for the veterans to pursue a writing career. Her efforts have enabled her students’ work to be published in Veteran’s Voices. This publication is devoted exclusively to the works of hospitalized veterans and is published in cooperation with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Kranzow is employed at the University of Chicago Laboratory School as a substitute teacher. She is also a part-time instructor for teachers in the Chicago Public School System at Columbia University. In her spare time, she enjoys being a Sunday school teacher at Hope Lutheran Church in Countryside, Illinois. She is also a member of the Board of Parish Education, Northern Illinois District, and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

Kranzow is a Past President of the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA), Department of Illinois. As a member of Cicero, Illinois Unit of the ALA, she was instrumental in getting the organization to adopt the RCF patients. The unit conducts bi-annual bingo parties and distributes birthday and holiday cards to all patients. In addition to this, she is a member of the past presidents club of the ALA.

Patricia Kranzow is an exemplary volunteer and serves as a role model for patients, other volunteers and employees. Not only does she offer invaluable support to Hines, but she also serves as an advocate for all veterans. Her superlative performance, coupled with her positive attitude reflects favorably not only on the volunteers but on the Education Therapy Section and Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital.