THERESA WOZNIAK

Theresa Wozniak began volunteering for the Chicago Cultural Center in 1996. She focused on mobilizing other seniors like herself that were interested in giving back to their community as well as providing visitor and tourist information for the City of Chicago. She and her volunteers share a love for their neighborhoods and a desire to educated tourists and people from other communities to appreciate the diversity of Chicago. For her efforts, Wozniak was honored as the 1999 Hospitality Guide of the Year by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.

For the past three years, Wozniak has also served as President of the St. Camillus “Golden-Agers Society,” is a member of the Holy Name Society, and on the parish council for the St. Camillus Parish on Chicago’s Southside. She also organized her group to assist Chicago in May of1998 at Midway Airport with a meet and greet team for a five-day international tourism conference that was held in the city. This group, called “Team Midway,” is still going strong and has been used as a catalyst for a similar program at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. By talking with literally thousands of travelers, many new to Chicago, Wozniak and her team have been successful in changing the attitudes of people. Reaching out to strangers has built a positive bridge for the city.

Wozniak has also found time to organize various projects like “Volunteer Dollies,” “Theresa House,” and “The Mantel.” Volunteer Dollies was started in 1999 when Wozniak collected, cleaned and brushed up previously loved dolls, stuffed animals and toys for children in need. Theresa House is a shelter for homeless families that works as a partnership with Port Ministries. The Mantel is a daycare facility for parents who are working to earn their GED in addition to families being assisted through Mayor Daley’s Sharing It Anonymously Program. Theresa Wozniak does not work for recognition but to change lives. Though she is rewarded every time she sees the wide eyes of a little girl gazing into the eyes of her new doll.

Though her plate is full, Wozniak also finds time to serve as a legislative representative for VFW Rhine Post 2729. She especially enjoys the time spent there because she is able to serve as a voice for seniors and her community. She has touched many lives in the city of Chicago and throughout the world. Her efforts to welcome and help all persons visiting Chicago have had a tremendous impact on the community as a whole.

NEW BREMEN EMERGENCY SQUAD

The New Bremen Emergency Squad was created in 1975. Since then, they have provided service, above and beyond what is expected, in their rural community of Ohio. The members of this local group have volunteered their time and talents to provide the city of New Bremen with emergency medical care. In addition to their demanding duties as squad members, they have also been quite active in developing numerous community projects. The team provides emergency care at all local sporting events, festivals, and community gatherings. During the past several years, they have also provided free bicycle helmets for every New Bremen student in kindergarten through sixth grade.

In addition to this, the New Bremen Emergency Squad recently started a lay rescuers training program for members of the community. The participants receive a free four-hour training session in adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and hands-on practice using automated external defibrillators (AED). Four AED units were donated and installed in the elementary and high school buildings. These facilities are high traffic areas for the community. Along with the regular school day, the buildings are used for extracurricular activities, clubs, scout meetings, parent groups, and other community activities.

According to the American Heart Association, there are 1.1 million heart attacks each year. Many people do not know what to do in the case of an emergency, however. Having individuals trained in the use of AED units will result in saved lives. As word of the units is spreading throughout the community, more citizens are coming forth asking to be trained. The Squad hopes that their initiative will serve as a model, and more communities will take the initiative to train their citizens. This community service is a great first step to help prevent the loss of lives.

New Bremen, Ohio has less than 3,000 residents. Each person in the community is very proud of their Squad and the support that is received from the dedicated team. They have made a difference and will continue to do so by providing education and excellent innovative techniques for saving lives.

DALELIA DAVIS

Dalelia Davis has served the community and the American Red Cross in several capacities. She has proven to be a leader, a reliable volunteer, and an effective spokesperson for youth. Dalelia spearheaded the creation of the Red Cross Club at Decatur High School, has served for two years on the Volunteer Committee of the Morgan-Lawrence County Board of Directors, manned the Red Cross display at businesses during the United Way Campaign, and has registered blood donors and served at blood drives regularly for the past two years.

When the Morgan-Lawrence County Chapter identified involvement of youth in its programs and services as a priority, Dalelia came to the forefront. She has participated in Youth Leadership Morgan County as a leader, spokesperson and dedicated worker. Prior to Dalelia’s dedicated service, youth involvement in various areas was almost non-existent. It was obvious to Dalelia that you had to look to youth for the best ideas and implementation of meaningful involvement for youth.

Dalelia has served on the Volunteer Committee of the Red Cross Board for two years. The first year, she was one of two youth representatives. In the year 2000, she is the sole spokesperson. Dalelia was instrumental in determining the course of the chapter’s youth program. She provided project ideas for youth groups, development of a youth auxiliary – Volunteens –involved in all Red Cross services, and creation of the Decatur High School Red Cross Club.

After attending the Alabama Red Cross Youth Leadership Institute last summer, Dalelia wanted to do something significant and long lasting for the school, the Red Cross and the community. She had a vision of creating the first Red Cross Club at the high school and did so. Once the club was founded, Dalelia stepped back and turned over the leadership to others though she continued to participate as a club member. The Club currently has over 40 dues paying members and did various projects. They taught kindergartners about germs, how the spread, and the importance of washing their hands in their Scrubby Bear Campaign. They also sponsored holiday blood drives and a Penny Project, in which they cleaned and wrapped coins from the fountain donated by a local mall with proceeds designated to the Red Cross youth programs.

The leadership of 17-year old Dalelia Davis resulted in the founding of the Red Cross Club, which has had a tremendous start and will remain a viable extracurricular alternative at Decatur High School. Though she works hard to maintain a 4.28 grade point average, Dalelia continues to serve her community.

SARPY COUNTY TEEN COURT VOLUNTEERS

Youth volunteers for the Sarpy County Teen Court run a courtroom procedure for other teenagers who have received citations for first misdemeanor offenses such as theft, criminal mischief, disturbing the peace, minors in the possession of alcohol, and some traffic violations. The Teen Court volunteers do not decide the guilt or innocence of the young offenders. It is only available to those youth offenders who take responsibility for their actions and who wish to avoid a conviction on their record. However, Teen Court does determine the consequences for each defendant.

The volunteer teens are trained in the roles of attorneys, both defense and prosecution. They are also trained to be jurors and bailiffs. As attorneys, they make opening statements in the courtroom procedure, call the youth offender to the witness stand, and question the youth offender about the circumstances of the offense. Cross-examination is also allowed and then each attorney makes closing statements.

The impact of these youth helping others in their peer group is significant. Teen Courts throughout the United States report recidivism is greatly reduced when teenagers determine the consequences for other youth who have broken the law. Recidivism rates for the Sarpy county Teen Court are 22% to 28% less than if the same young people were disciplined by an adult in the juvenile system.

The volunteers involved in the Teen Court are : Erin Baker, Betsy Crofoot, Courtney Mallon, John Mayo, Bryan Russell, and Meaghan Weniger. These teens are exceptionally capable in the courtroom and display creativity and professionalism in opening statements, closing statements, and recommendations made to the jury. They have honed their courtroom skills by participation in the Teen Court. The youth are articulate, clear, and perform well in whatever role they are given. Their presentations are concise and appropriate, and the youth handle themselves in a very mature manner. The volunteers are capable of seeing the entire picture and tying information together with the result that they come up with some very appropriate and innovative recommendations to the jury.

The volunteers working in the Teen Court take their job very seriously. They are committed, dedicated, and are prepared to do whatever asked. All of the youths in the program have also been involved in representing the Teen Court in their community. They have been involved in presenting Mock Trials at workshops and talking to City Councils and community groups about the Court. These youth are investing themselves in a real issue within the community for the benefit of everyone.

KRISTIN THOMPSON

Camp Fire Boys and Girls builds caring, confident youth, and future leaders. Since 1911, hundreds of thousands of young people have had fun, made friends, and gained important skills through a variety of small group and camping programs. One essential component of the Camp Fire program is learning to give back to the community through service projects.

Girls and boys can join Camp Fire as early as age five. Under the tutelage of caring adult leaders, youth enjoy activities that build skills in a sequential manner. While the Camp Fire program is non-competitive, young people are able to set goals for themselves and their group from one year to the next. The Wohelo award is Camp Fire’s highest achievement. It is awarded to high school seniors who complete rigorous advocacy action is on three issues of concern.

Kristin Thompson is the embodiment of Camp Fire’s caring spirit. She recently earned the Wohelo award for completing advocacy actions on the following three issues: the importance of after-school programs and activities for at-risk children, the importance of youth involvement in faith groups, and the importance of teaching participants the history of the Camp Fire organization. Kristin completed more than 600 hours of community service in the process of earning the Wohelo Award.

As President of her church youth group, Kristin and her group have worked at the Denny Place Youth Shelter preparing food and serving meals to homeless youth. She taught her church group about poverty and world hunger, organized their fundraising drive for World Vision, and led her group through the 30-Hour Famine, as a way to reflect on the plight of those they were helping.

Though she hardly seems old enough, Kristin has already created a lasting legacy. She saw the need for after-school activities for children at Bailey Gatzert Elementary School in Seattle’s Central District. A large percentage of these kids come from low-income families, and many are homeless. In 1997, she enlisted the help of several adults and founded the first Camp Fire group Gatzert, serving approximately 20 children. For the past three years Kristin and her co-leaders have conducted groups meetings once a week, and planned field trips, special events, and even camping trips for enthusiastic young kids.

The successful program has inspired adults to get involved with the group, raising money from friends, and colleagues, and joining the kids on camping trips and other excursions. But Kristin’s good influence does not stop there. By successfully establishing a group program in a community where Camp Fire had never before operated, Kristin proved that these quality youth development programs could be as viable and relevant in a diverse, and at-risk community as they are in any other urban or suburban setting. With Kristin’s group setting the example, Camp Fire has recently received private foundation funding to establish programs in each grade level at Gatzert Elementary School.

PIEDMONT HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL ART HONOR SOCIETY

The Piedmont High School National Art Honor Society sponsors a program called Very Special Arts. This program educates high school students about people with disabilities and provides them with the opportunity to participate in a countywide festival celebrating the arts.

This National Art Honor Society (NAHS) is a unique organization to Union County Public Schools. It is the only such program in the county. The program consists of high school students in grades 10 through 12. The students must have maintained an average of 90 or above in their art classes. Students involved in the NAHS are looked upon as role models for other students at Piedmont High School (PHS) because they invest many community service hours outside of the school day.

The mission of the PHS NAHS is to educate the school and community about the arts, and to make the work a better place by using their talents and sharing with others. The organization has sponsored various programs. They have created over 500 porcelain Christmas ornaments for the Union County local Hospice House. NAHS has participated in Make-A-Difference Day and sponsored art shows in local hospitals, which resulted in their donating $200 to a student attending their school who was battling cancer. They have also painted murals in a local day care center to beautify the environment and decorated pumpkins and donated them to local nursing homes and businesses.

The NAHS is also involved in a monumental yearlong project called Very Special Arts (VSA). VSA is an event in which students in the NAHS have full responsibility. They plan and organize a festival for 700 people. The volunteers choose a theme, research the artist or author to educate their classmates, and raise money by making presentations and writing grant proposals. The students are also responsible for soliciting and recruiting volunteers, planning booths and activities including disability awareness activities for the entire school, as well as an art show at a local hospital. One of the goals of the VSA is to give students the opportunity to participate in community service from the initial planning stages to the clean up.

For the past 6years, VSA has been running smoothly under the direction of the PHS NAHS. This particular event has made an impact on individuals in the community and raised awareness of individuals with disabilities. Students at PHS have become more caring and respectful to all individuals due to participation in this event. VSA has given high school students a positive experience at an early age and hopes it will influence them to continue to give back to their community as youth as well as adults.

The young men and women of the PHS NAHS have an impact on Union County Public Schools and beyond. They give special needs children a change to express themselves through art and feel a great sense of accomplishment. In turn, they educate their campus and the community about the needs, desires, and talents of those with disabilities. The look in the children’s eyes that participate in the program shows pride, joy, and confidence; however, the look in the eyes of the high school volunteers mirrors the same.

THE FIRST STATE RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, INC.

The First State Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council, Inc. sponsors the Emergency Home Repair Project. The project was founded in 1991 when 10 volunteers repaired 13 homes. They identified housing issues as a concern within their community. To address the issue of substandard owner-occupied housing, the Council initiated the Emergency Home Repair Project. The project addresses only owner-occupied units.

During the RC&D Council’s 1999 fiscal year, 264 volunteers donated 17,670 hours completing repairs on 312 homes in Kent and Sussex Counties in Delaware. Of the homes repaired, 46% were minority-owned and 30% were owned by disabled individuals. Volunteers, both individuals and groups from Delaware and beyond, assisted with the repairs.

The RC&D Council works with other nonprofit organizations, professional organizations, banks, and local businesses. The council has been recognized for their Make-A-Difference Day activities and for its total commitment to the community. The Delaware State Housing Authority, the project’s major funding source, was name the National RC&D Sponsor of the Year for its outstanding long-term support of the project in 1999.

The RC&D Council, along with the Emergency Home Repair Project, has identified needs in the community of Delaware. The City of Wilmington has 2,434 substandard housing units, which represents 8.4% of the cities’ housing units. They have the highest rate in the state. New Castle County has 3,804 substandard units, which is 2.5% of their housing units. Kent County has a substandard housing rate of 5.0%, which is 15% above the state average. In addition to this, Sussex County has 3,504 substandard units at a 6.6% rate. Their rate is 50% higher than the state average.

The council bridges the gap between little or no action and County level efforts under Community Development Block Grant rehabilitation activities. The project allows homeowners to continue to occupy their home while awaiting more extensive repairs or renovation. The only alternatives for these homeowners are to continue to dwell in an unsafe or unhealthy dwelling or become homeless. Through the program, volunteers and community members are mobilized and empowered to invest sweat equity to solve local problems. Clients are encouraged to take part in the repair of their own homes, and many clients volunteer to assist their neighbors or in other project activities.

DIXIE HIGH SCHOOL R.A.S.K. CLUB

Random Acts of Selfless Kindness (RASK) clubs were founded in the spring of 1997 to meet the growing need for student service-learning in an inclusive capacity. RASK is a part of Utah’s Promise, which is a multi-year initiative that mobilizes citizens to make a positive impact in their communities. It also strives to bring five fundamental resources to every child: caring adults, a healthy start, safe places, marketable skills, and opportunities to serve others.

In April 1997, retired U.S. General Colin L. Powell chaired the President’s Summit for America’s Future in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. America’s Promise is the national follow-up to the President’s Summit, and Utah’s Promise is Utah’s response to the national effort. Utah has communities of Promise, and RASK is a part of Dixie’s Promise. RASK is a part of the fifth goal designated by Dixie’s Promise – providing Washington County youth with opportunities to give service.

A motivated student and her teacher worked to develop, organize, and implement the program into their school – Dixie High School. The first project RASK participated in was Make A Difference Day. The school came together to transform the barren backyard of the Children’s Justice Center into a functional playground. The Drafting class had the responsibility of planning what the yard would look like. The Ornamental Horticulture class then secured sod, shrubbery, and trees. Next, student volunteers approached local businesses to donate playground equipment. Many Fridays and Saturdays were then spent painting a fence, pouring cement for a basketball court, gardening, and building a sandbox. This initial RASK project was a success, and RASK was awarded the Make A Difference Day Award. They donated the $2000 to the Center, and students now volunteer regularly there.

The next year RASK worked with Washington County Preschool on Make A Difference Day. They won the Make A Difference Day Award once again and used the funds to meet the needs of the school. Donations from students, faculty, and community secured computer equipment, special-needs interactive equipment, and computer desks. Students came together to paint a mural over an old shed, clean and stripe the parking lot, and install computer equipment. Interaction with preschool students is ongoing as volunteers are at the school regularly, mentoring children and receiving training in the speech-impediment profession.

Each holiday season, the students at Dixie High School participate in the Salvation Army Angel Tree. More than $10,000 has been raised annually from actively involved students. Gifts for needy families are purchased, displayed in the school library, wrapped, and delivered. Aside from these major annual projects, RASK also offers monthly service activities for students. Some of the programs are community food drives, delivering flowers to a local care center, cleaning yards for the elderly, talent shows and Senior Balls at the local rest home, installing speed bumps in school parking lots, and making quilts for needy children.

RASK has expanded to two additional high schools and hopes to be implemented in the other three high schools in the near future. The club lives up to its name and has impacted the community by aiding them in learning the value of kindness, selflessness, and service.

JERRY AND AGNES LEWIS

Imagine receiving a call late at night with a woman in distress as a result of domestic violence. A similar situation is what began Agnes and Jerry Lewis’ volunteer service in the Tinley Park, Illinois area. Agnes and Jerry Lewis have been serving women and children for the past 20 years. They have given of their time, resources, and love to many in need.

The Crisis Center is a domestic violence agency available to serve the public 24 hours a day with a full range of counseling and program services. The Lewis’ answered an overnight domestic violence hotline in their home before the Center was founded in 1980 by the American Association of University Woman. As a couple, they have helped meet community needs, built connections between the community and victims of domestic violence, and positively impacted the community by developing unique approaches to performing their vital service.

The Lewis’ always have a compassionate ear to listen to the problems of the women that are calling for help. They offer them referrals to other agencies and helped in any other way they can. When the Crisis Center was officially founded, it helped meet community needs by offering shelter services to women and their children who would not have any other on-site shelter to contact in the southern suburb of Chicago.

Some of the victims of domestic violence do not have transportation. The Lewis’ spend a great deal of their time and resources transporting clients to the center. This builds a bond between the community and the victims and develops a relationship and trust. The recipients know they can rely on the Lewis’ to get them to the center.

The dedicated work of Jerry and Agnes Lewis helps the Crisis Center to achieve its goals. They always attempt to make services available to women and children who were previously isolated. They have demonstrated a firm commitment and give every client the same level of faithful service. They have also taken many clients to attorney’s offices, domestic violence court, and the Crisis Center’s Neat Repeats Resale Shoppe to obtain clothes. During the past seven years of rendering service, Agnes and Larry Lewis have spent at least 20 hours every week shopping for the clients. In addition to that, they make trips to the drugstore or other stores during the week.

PIONEERS FOR PEACE

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 20,000 people die from homicide every year and more than two million people suffer injuries received in violent conflicts. Hospitalizing someone who has experienced a traumatic injury and providing lifelong care can cost more than a million dollars. At greatest risk are African American males between the ages of 15 and 24. For this population, homicide is the number one cause of death. This may be hard for many young people to comprehend because they believe that they are invincible. Pioneers for Peace reminds them that they are not.

Pioneers for Peace is an innovative violence prevention and awareness program for youth. Developed and sponsored by Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan in 1996, the goal of the program is three-fold: 1) to educate others about the impact of violence, 2) to discuss means for conflict resolution and making wise decisions, and 3) to increase awareness about the abilities of persons with disabilities. The primary target audience is adolescents in middle and high schools.

Pioneer members are all survivors of violence who have sustained a spinal cord injury, brain injury, or orthopedic injury. Each member views his or her disability not as a tragedy, but rather as an opportunity to make a difference by becoming an advocate for violence prevention. All members are volunteers who, despite their challenges, have taken leadership in the development, implementation and growth of the program. Most are young adults, having sustained their injuries as a teen.

The Pioneers for Peace objectives are met through various means. Panel discussions are held at hospitals, schools, churches, and other community settings. Members talk candidly about how violence has permanently altered their lives. They discuss the challenges of living with a disability, answer questions, and encourage students to avoid guns, gangs, and drugs. Through the Pioneers’ personal accounts, the audience witnesses firsthand the potential consequences of guns and violence. This past year, they have expanded their reach through teleconferencing to schools in New York, California, Missouri, and Pennsylvania.

Hands-on workshops are conducted by the Pioneers for Peace in partnership with hospital staff to show students what it is like living with a disability caused by violence. Students actually experience what it is like to be in a wheelchair and how they would have to perform daily tasks such as dressing, climbing a staircase, or going to the bathroom.

The first year, the Pioneers conducted 44 presentations and reached 3,000 community members. In 1999 the Pioneers averaged 25 presentations per month and reached more than 40,000 students. The group has developed relationships with the Detroit Public Schools, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, the 36th District Court and a multitude of other community organizations striving for the goal of peace. Partnerships have been developed to collaborate on broader programs, Peace Rallies, and fundraising.

The impact of Pioneers for Peace is witnessed daily by student evaluations, personal testimonies, letters from teachers, new program development, and the positive behavior of the members in changing their lives. The Pioneers for Peace has a part-time paid coordinator , but the heart of the program remains the volunteers. They continue to share their vision, time, passion, and energies in making the program a success.