CARRIE ELLIOTT

Carrie Elliott directs a six-year continuing program at her high school’s elementary center, which is directed towards four-year olds. The center utilizes high school students to mentor students in lower grades that are somewhat behind in their class-work. This program enhances the ability of the elementary school teachers to reach more students at risk and prevent others from getting into that category. As the program’s director for the past two years, Carrie has been responsible for planning, direction, scheduling, recruiting, collecting and dissemination of information and trouble- shooting.

In addition, Carrie is a part of the high school Service Program that boasts of a membership of more than 300 students. This program serves as a clearinghouse for agencies and people or groups in need of volunteers for an event or an ongoing short or long-term requirement, taking place throughout the Capital Area of south central Pennsylvania.

Elliott has been an active part of many volunteer programs and organizations. She was a member of the 1999-2001 Service Program Executive Board, assists the student coordinator in achieving the goals and workload of a 300-plus-student roster, and volunteers at the Shalom House, a Jewish soup kitchen for those in need. She collects food at collection points and loads trucks for the South Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, volunteers as a referee for the East Pennsboro Lady’s Soccer League, volunteers for the Wise Ones Program, assists in raising funds for local fire- stations, and is a Playground Pal. In addition, she is a part of the Burst Program Babysitting, a tutor for elementary students, Tri-County Alliance for Youth, Girls State, Girls Nation, school board student representative, student representative on the school district Strategic Planning Committee, Co-President of the Student Council, Treasurer of the National Honor Society, and Senior Class Historian.

Carrie maintains a 96% grade point average and has been honored with many awards. She received 24 various academic awards, scholastic certificates of merit in poetry and certificates for essay writing. She received an honorable mention in the Shippensburg History Day event, was the Outstanding Delegate at the Model United Nations in 1999, and she was the American Legion’s Girls State representative as well as a Pennsylvania Senator at Girls Nation.

Though she is still young, Carrie Elliott has chosen to pursue excellence in all she does. She maintains an outstanding GPA while being in mostly advanced placement courses, and also takes the time to give back to her community and our nation.

INTERGENERATIONAL CHILD CARE CENTER

The Northeast Focal Point Intergenerational Child Care Center was established in 1987 with the intention to house, from 5:30 to 7:30pm, grandchildren of clients who attended the Alzheimer or Adult Day Care facility. It was later realized that this facility would benefit many needs of the surrounding community by providing affordable childcare. This would provide an educational, structured and loving environment for preschoolers, and would encompass the elderly.

The mission of the organization is to promote learning life skills and respect while in a safe, loving and learning environment. While having interaction between the staff, clients and caregivers, the children are able to have daily contact with volunteers from the community. The Foster Grandparent Program provides two foster grandparents who provide four hours of service each day, five days per week through tutoring, reading, and learning letter, shape and number skills. These volunteers range from 15 to 90 years of age.

The Community Apprentice Program (CAP) administered by Deerfield Beach Middle School has allowed students to come to the facility and work with children, adults, and office and maintenance workers. This program enables students to earn money from the grant program as well as learn a profession.

The Teens-At-Risk program is another program sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club of Broward, which allows students to come to the Child Care Center. They learn to interact with the children in the facility and also work for money through a grant.

The Neighborhood Initiative program was established in 1984. It allows students to work throughout the community of Deerfield as well as at Northeast Focal Point Child Care Center. The students are active for four days per week during the summer. For a year, the Wages program of the Broward Urban League has provided some volunteers for the facility. They work for approximately 30 hours per week setting up breakfast and lunch for the children. They also help with the operation of the learning centers and classroom chores.

Another vital program in partnership with the Child Care Center is Broward Grandparents, Inc. Foster Grandparent Program. These caregivers assist teachers and give children extra tender, loving care. They tutor children with problem-solving techniques and building self-esteem.

KENNETH SLAUGHTER

Since January 1997 Kenneth Slaughter has volunteered at Mississippi Methodist Rehabilitation Center where patients deal with the effects of stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. His actions are a shining example of the true spirit of volunteerism, sharing his time and talents to improve the quality of life for patients whose lives have been altered by severe injury or illness. He has brightened the lives of many during the four years he has volunteered there.

Each week Slaughter makes patients’ days better by helping them with meals, pushing wheelchair patients to their therapy sessions, delivering mail and newspapers, celebrating birthdays with patients, visiting, reading, delivering magazines and writing letters for patients. He makes personal connections with patients and keeps up with them, sometimes even after they leave the hospital.

The patient’s needs at the hospital are unique in that patients are there for extended periods to receive therapy. Sometimes they are far from home and family and especially need to know that someone cares for them personally, which Slaughter does. When helping a patient eat he shows with words and body language that it is his privilege to help with this most basic of human needs. It is very hard to receive help sometimes, and a kind, loving person can help that patient see how valuable they are.

Not only does Slaughter directly assist patients, he also does clerical work for staff members so that they can have extra time to spend with patients. He helps with book sales within the hospital to raise funds for the Patient Care Fund, which provides for patients who need financial help. He directs and produces a Satisfaction Survey every six months to get responses about how patients perceive their care at the hospital. He assembles Admission Packets, files, answers the telephone, and runs errands within the hospital. He uses the techniques he used as a college professor, now retired, to motivate patients to go the extra mile in therapy, and helps them see that if they truly want to get better, this is where improvement begins. He does not see any job as insignificant or difficult, he just sees them as necessary to help the staff and patients and performs each task gladly.

Slaughter’s work is not always acknowledged because his deeds of kindness are quietly given. He provides transportation to the bank, post office and other necessary destinations for a disabled individual every week. He delivers meals to shut-ins on a weekly basis. He is actively involved in his local church. He is active in the community and volunteered his services at the Palaces of St. Petersburg event held in Jackson.

GANGS OUT OF DOWNEY (GOOD)

GOOD is the acronym for “Gangs Out Of Downey,” a community-based, pro-active organization. A local business and community member, with the support of the Downey Unified School District, the City of Downey, including the police department, and the Superintendent of Schools, founded Gangs Out Of Downey in 1989.

In 1989, the City of Downey was beginning to see acceleration in crime, particularly gang-related activity. In the late summer of 1989 (a summer in which residents were shocked to see almost all bus benches hit with gang graffiti), Gangs Out Of Downey developed a positive program to eliminate gang activity. All of the local service clubs (Rotary, Kiwanis, Optimist, Soroptimist), the Chamber of Commerce, Board of Realtors, the school district, local judges, elected officials and community leaders decided to become involved and take back the city.

Gangs Out Of Downey meets on the first Tuesday of every month, sponsors anti-crime activities, including the “10-20” Club, an organized program for “at risk” students between the age of 10 and 20. A former major league baseball player and employee of the Downey Unified School District run the club.

Gangs Out Of Downey also sponsors a community policing program, increased school campus supervision, an after school and summer sports program, and a youth jobs-career program that provides employment for “at risk” students. Gangs Out Of Downey has been featured in the media including CNN television.

Local businessman Phil Presicci teamed up with school board member Betty Ferraro and district officials Edward Sussman and Stan Hanstad to create the community-funded program, which runs on an approximate budget of $30,000.

Through the years, the anti-gang organization has offered counseling to youth and their parents and siblings, free sports and recreation programs for those at risk, and a nationally syndicated gang-prevention program for elementary school children called “Kids on the Block.” GOOD has also issued 25 scholarships, in amounts of $200 per semester, for those who complete its 10-week counseling program and choose to attend a two-year college.

PAUL MCLAUGHLIN

Paul McLaughlin is a Morgan County youth volunteer. He is involved in the 4-H and is a Teen Leader. He works with the 4-H Wildlife Club, the County 4-H Round-Up, and citizenship and leadership activities.

Paul joined 4-H in the fourth grade and was very active that first year. The next three years found him in an area where there was not an active 4- H Club. A friend who included him in after-school activities drew him back to 4-H. From there his leadership abilities have translated into activities where he now leads younger 4-H members in their projects.

Teen leaders serve as role models for younger 4- H members. Paul has encouraged his brother, several friends, and a group of younger members in the 4-H Wildlife Club to learn, study, and put into practice those pieces that make a difference.

Paul has expanded his knowledge base to include foods, compact tractor, aerospace, wood science and environmental programs. He has shared this knowledge with adults and youth across the southeast region.

Paul has served as President of the 4-H Wildlife Club. Presently he is program leader and active in determining the activities that the club members will enjoy. He also participates in the 4-H Wildlife Judging Teams. As team leader he is responsible for motivating the other members to do their best.

The 4-H Wildlife Club is only about five years old Paul has shaped the history of that club as they worked with the Wheeler Wildlife Visitors Center. The members help with management practices around the Visitors Center. They also have learned about the birds and animals, as well as the wildflowers that make up the area. Paul also was one of the first members of the Decatur 4-H Teen Club. These are very active youth who meet once a month in the evenings. They work on their leadership skills and develop programs for younger 4- H members.

Paul challenges himself to find innovative ways to relate to other youth. What information, skills and abilities Paul learns as a result of his involvement, Paul shares with others, especially his Teen Club. He works to solve problems and make changes in the school and community alike.

Paul is also active in his church. He teaches Bible School in the summer and works to maintain an honor roll average in school each semester. Paul has learned from the people he has met during his service and also learned to accept people for who they are and where they are in life.

MR. & MRS. SCOTT SCHOEN

Within each of us lies an ability to make a remarkable difference in the lives of others. It is very easy, however, in this busy and often stressful world this idea. Fortunately, Scott and Laurie Schoen have not forgotten, and because of them, amazing things are happening throughout Massachusetts.

The couple’s most recent endeavor, launched publicly in May 2000, brings generosity to a new level. The Schoens are Co-Chairs of the Millennium Fund for Children and Families, an endowment partnership between the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and the Boston Foundation. The original goal of this initiative was to raise $15 million in three years to support human service agencies for children and families throughout the Boston area. The Schoens challenged the United Way of Massachusetts Bay to double the goal to $30 million and, in just over one year, $23 million has been raised toward that goal. Not only are the Schoens co-chairing the campaign, but they also contributed $1 million at its start and approached their friends, who responded by giving at the same level.

In addition to being the first contributors to the Millennium Fund, they are also members of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society, the annual giving fund, and contribute $100,000 to the annual United Way campaign. Scott Schoen is a member of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay Board, also serving on the Executive Committee and, in the past, the Community Ventures Committee.

The generosity and support of the Schoens far exceed monetary gifts. In 1987, Laurie Schoen founded Great Beginnings: Newton Transitional Kindergarten Program, Inc., where she acted as director and teacher until 1990. She later became an active volunteer for The Horizons Initiative, a nonprofit organization providing full-time daycare for homeless children at Horizons frequently, and often bringing her own children along. Both Laurie and Scott sit on the Horizons Board.

In addition, Laurie Schoen is actively involved with the United Way of Massachusetts Bay’s Suburban Women’s Action Team. Through this initiative, Laurie organized a food and toy drive for 54 families who were living in hotels because the local shelters were overcrowded. Laurie also serves as a volunteer in her children’s schools, the Weston Education Enrichment Fund, and the West Community Center, a multi-generational facility.

Meanwhile, Scott is active in other volunteer work, acting as a Director of Affordable Residential Communities, and has also worked with Combined Jewish Philanthropies and Jewish Vocational Services.

Scott and Laurie Schoen are not only benefiting the community through their human service initiatives, but also future generations, as they teach their four children the importance of volunteerism. Laurie Schoen once stated, “we see our charitable works as a family opportunity. We share our concerns and thoughts about the community with out children, as well as our successes in achieving our goals to make the world a better place for others.”

WESTMINSTER’S BUILDERS CLUB

Westminster’s Builders Club of Annandale, Virginia believes it is their commitment to serve all those in need with enthusiasm, spirit and pride. They have done just that in the Annandale area. The Builders Club is more than just a program; it is a philosophy and a pledge by many young students at Westminster, to take on the responsibility of making a world the better place for all.

The Center for Multicultural Human Services (CMHS) is a mental health/social services agency in Falls Church, Virginia, whose mission is to assist the low-income, at risk refugee and immigrant population of the Washington metropolitan area to adjust mentally, emotionally, physically and economically to life in the United States. Staffed by multiethnic, multilingual professionals, CMHS is able to provide them with the help they need in their native languages. They rely heavily on volunteers not only for reasons common to nonprofit agencies, but because they regard the help-oriented interface of the clients with mainstream Americans as a primary facilitator of acculturation, integration and understanding among diverse cultures.

The Builders Club, headed by faculty advisors, Dennis Miller and Julie LaRose, is made up of 7th and 8th graders. With more than 60 members, they have provided more than 1,500 hours in community service to CMHS and Fairfax County this year alone. The students voluntarily stay after school two to three times a month to participate in a Builders Club activity. The students do this despite the academic rigors of Westminster School, which requires an average of at least two hours of homework a night.

Under the leadership of Miller and LaRose, the Builders Club conducts one-on-one tutoring services at Timber Lane Elementary School. Once a week, eight students spend 1.5-2 hours sessions helping a group of elementary school students improve their reading, writing, and arithmetic. During this year, they have been able to help approximately 30 youngsters with their schoolwork. Many students have benefited from this program as a result. The program not only empowers the students and improves grades, but it also gives them a sense of hope of succeeding in school. If not for the commitment and dedication from the Builders Club, this program would not be the success that it is today.

In addition, the Builder’s Club gets involved in special activities during the holiday seasons. They hosted a book drive to help improve education. They adopted four needy families and provided the 25 children with Christmas gifts, necessities and food baskets. They also solicited donations for coats to help those who did not have weather appropriate clothing.

The Builder’s Club also has adopted a highway through the Virginia Department of Transportation. They also serve the needy and homeless families in the Washington area at Martha’s Table. They made and distributed more than 1,000 sandwiches. The Club also solicited donations of food from the community and donated it to the United Community Ministry. They were able to donate more than 754 pounds of food to that program.

EDUCATION BRIDGE BUILDERS

The mission of the Schenectady Bridge Builders AmeriCorps Program is to address the community’s educational need specifically in the area of literacy. Cornell Cooperative Extension, Schenectady County collaborates with the Schenectady City School District and the Schenectady Job Training Agency to implement this successful AmeriCorps Program. The program’s ultimate goal is to connect school and home in helping school-age students become proficient readers by the end of third grade. The program began in October 1997 with 12 members serving 1,200 students. Today, the program has 16 full-time members who serve 11 elementary schools and more than 1,400 students annually.

Each AmeriCorps member commits to one year of full-time service. In exchange for their commitment, they receive a modest living allowance of approximately $9,000 per year, health care benefits and an educational award when they fulfill the required number of service hours. Each member is assigned to an elementary school to work with students, Pre-K through 3rd Grade, on strengthening literacy skills. Many students participate in one-on-one or small group tutoring during the school day. After school, members implement programs that they have developed with teachers to address identified needs of the particular school. Some schools have implemented homework clubs, reading clubs, leadership clubs and community service clubs. The members take an active role in identifying the needs of the school, planning appropriate activities for the students and recruiting volunteers.

The Education Bridge Builders Program recognizes the paramount importance of the home and school connection. In order for students to succeed, their parents/caregivers need to provide stimulation and support learning activities at home. AmeriCorps members develop activities that families can complete at home to continue to strengthen literacy skills. Last summer, the members created a summer bag of learning for families. This bag included numerous tools such as an activity book designed by the members with simple literacy activities that could be done at home, at the store and in the car. These bags were seen throughout the city during the summer. Members also communicate with parents of students they are working with to keep them informed. One member designed newsletters for parents that suggested book titles and ways to extend a book after they finished reading it.

During the school vacations, the members implement literacy activities at various community agencies, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs, Girls Inc., the Schenectady Museum and local branches of the library. Every year, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the members develop activities that focus on peace and freedom for children who visit the Boys & Girls Club that day. During the summer, members assist with summer school activities for elementary students. Many develop summer programs to continue the development of reading, writing and speaking skills, such as a newspaper club and a theater program. The members also assist with the implementation of SKORE (Schenectady Kindergarten Orientation and Readiness Experience). The primary purpose of the program is to give at-risk incoming kindergarten students a positive, supportive first school experience as a foundation for learning and school success.

MARY HAAS

Mary L. Haas has achieved much in the course of her volunteer service, not only for the elderly, but for all ages. For the past three years, she has been the General Manager of a gift shop at Heathwood Health Care in Amherst, NY. This is an all-volunteer staff, including Haas. All the money raised in this gift shop is given back to the residents of the home, and is used for concerts, Easter plants, birthdays, Christmas presents, etc. for 160 residents. Often when someone is unable to pay for an item, Haas will pay for the item(s) herself. She spends approximately 80-90 hours per month working at the gift shop, and is responsible for the buying, selling, recruiting and scheduling of volunteers, and often fills in for others in addition to her regular Monday volunteer day.

In addition to her volunteer work at Heathwood Health Care, Haas is secretary of the St. Ann’s Society at St. Mary’s Church in Swormville, NY. From this organization, Haas coordinates birthdays of the month parties at Heathwood Health Care, and St. Francis Nursing Home in Williamsville, NY.

Haas is also in charge of a Bereavement Committee at her church that serves hot lunches after funerals. She does all the calling for donations of hot and cold dishes, recruits volunteers to serve, including her husband and herself, and purchases the rest of the items needed for each lunch. Haas handled approximately 30 funerals per year, serving anywhere from 40-350 people at a time.

Besides meeting the elderly and bereaved needs of her community, Haas is very involved in a mission that takes supplies to Nicaragua for relief. She makes up 1,000 bags containing toys and candy for children; 100 hygiene bags containing shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, washcloths, lotion and Kleenex for adults; 125 sewn bean bags for children; and 100 sewn and stuffed Teddy Bears for children. She purchases or makes all of these items herself and fills these quantities on a yearly basis. Haas is also involved in a local organization called Home Bureau, which does other projects for the mission in the evenings.

For the past five years, Haas has participated in the annual Multiple Sclerosis Society Walk. In the year 2000, she raised $750 in pledges. Also in 2000, she raised $1,300 for the St. Luke Mission of Mercy in Buffalo, NY.

Haas’ volunteer community service is an ongoing, everyday part of her life. These are only a few of the projects to which she actively contributes to better society. She helps to meet the needs and concerns of a wide range of individuals, not only locally in her own community, but thousands of miles away.

DR. ROGER NOOE

Since 1985, Dr. Roger Nooe has volunteered his time and effort to describe the problems of area homelessness and to increase community awareness of the needs of these individuals. In 1985 the Mayor and County Executive asked Dr. Nooe to chair a newly appointed group of community representatives to examine area homelessness and make recommendations. Because the initial report in 1986 was so well received by governmental departments, social service agencies, and community groups, in the ensuing 15 years Dr. Nooe has conducted biennial surveys and smaller focused studies in alternate years.

These studies are among the most comprehensive surveys of homelessness undertaken for an area the size of Knoxville/Knox County – enumerating the number of individuals on the street during any given month, and describing demographics, causes of homelessness, health problems, substance abuse, employment and services needed. The findings of these studies are published and distributed (without charge) by the Knoxville Coalition for the Homeless. The data is used by agencies for reference and service planning and extensively in the HUD required consolidated plan and the community continuum of care. Students studying homelessness frequently use the report, according to city and university librarians.

Beyond the study, Dr. Nooe has volunteered his time to increasing community awareness of homelessness, sharing his finding and knowledge with service providers, and consulting with other communities. He has made approximately 200 presentations to classes, civic groups, churches, and also interviews on radio and television. He has provided in-service training to emergency shelter and social service agency staff and orientation for boards of directors of organizations serving the homeless.

Homelessness has continued to increase in East Tennessee as in other parts of the nation. Dr. Nooe’s efforts have provided the community knowledge of the problem, data for planning services, and enhanced involvement of community volunteers, all of which are crucial factors in addressing homelessness.

The studies conducted by Dr. Nooe have trained agency staff, students and community volunteers to participate as interviewers. For example, in 2000, 40 volunteers interviewed in emergency shelters and outdoors locations. In his presentations, Dr. Nooe encourages involvement through identifying opportunities to serve in shelters and other agencies. He has strongly advocated that we not ignore the homeless. The regular studies, the most recent being Homelessness in Knoxville and Knox County: 2000, reflect 15 years of ongoing involvement. Dr. Nooe is scheduled to release a 2002 report this summer.