MARK MILLER

The Metropolitan School was founded in 1967 as a private 501(c)(3) co-educational school serving grades five through twelve. They provide comprehensive educational services for children with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, and other atypical learning styles. These learning disabilities often lead to chronic failure in traditional school settings, resulting in higher dropout rates. According to the 21st Annual Report to Congress, only 29.4 percent of children with multiple learning disabilities receive a high school diploma.

Mark Miller fully understands that a high school diploma is essential to the learning disabled child along with the community. High school dropouts are, for the most part, lost in today’s job market. Productive, employed adults contribute to their community while those who are unemployed have a difficult time meeting basic financial needs.

Mark Miller is a volunteer who is definitely a benefit to the children he serves. He defines his organizational role by thinking how he can serve the school and its students, donating whatever the school needs at that particular time. He gives of his time, knowledge, contacts, and finances. He participates in all of the fundraisers, sits on the Financial Aid Committee, and conducts the school’s Annual Commencement Ceremony.

Miller brought both his business expertise and his fund raising expertise to Metropolitan. He has made numerous phone calls, wrote letters, and met with individuals on the School’s behalf. His efforts have successfully landed numerous funding sources that gave rise to several new programs like the Ethnic Percussion Group. The Metropolitan students would not have these programs otherwise. His full-time job is serving as Vice President of Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Through his employer, Miller has been able to secure grant money, which aids the Metropolitan School in its efforts to continue its mission.

Mark Miller is not only a volunteer with Metropolitan; he also supports the Springboard for Learning, Girls, Inc., the Kirkwood Public School District Foundation, and the Kirkwood High School Athletic Department. Healthcare is also a cause close to his heart, and he supports the Juvenile Diabetes and Cerebral Palsy Foundations. He has also maintained membership in the United Way’s Toqueville Society for six years. Miller is also committed to education through recreation, donating to the St. Louis Art Museum, the St. Louis Zoo, and the St. Louis Symphony, and Gash Voigt Dance Theatre.

SHELTER FOR ABUSED WOMEN OF COLLIER COUNTY

The Shelter for Abused Women of Collier County is committed to solve and prevent the serious social problem of domestic violence. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the Shelter formed a committee with the support of the Collier County Sheriffs Department, the Child Protection Team, Naples Police Department, Marco Island Public Safety, the Collier County Schools and Collier County Parks and Recreation. They developed an ongoing, educational outreach event called “Peaceful Hands.” It is an innovative and unique program applicable for all ages and is easy and fun to do.

The event takes place regularly at one or more of the City and County Parks and the Collier County School System. The program has three main objectives: 1) To help participants learn and understand that hitting and violence are never okay, and that people can learn how to manage their anger, 2) to assist in teaching positive alternatives in dealing with feelings, such as anger, sadness, fear and frustration, and 3) to demonstrate the positive things people can do with their hands.

The program starts off by allowing the participants to leave their painted handprints on the banner titled “Hands are for Helping, Not for Hitting” in order to get their attention. Next, the storybook “Hands Are Not For Hitting” by Martine Agassi, Ph.D., is read using some of the interactive ideas suggested in the back of the book. The “Interactive Ideas” section is a crucial component in reinforcing the concepts in the book and maintaining children’s attention throughout the program.

Local businesses are very generous in supplying the needed materials such as: paper, washable non-toxic paint, paper plates, marker, crayons, etc. Many volunteers are mobilized to organize the project. The community is responding very favorably and hence the public is becoming more aware of domestic violence existing in their hometown.

MAX MADRID

Max Madrid is the Director of Gang Prevention for Community Services Programs (CSP) in Orange County, California. He is totally committed to making a difference for the next generation in his county, and that is evident in his professional and personal life. Madrid faced the challenge of being independent at a young age. Though he had a large extended family, his immediate family all but disappeared and he had to fend for himself. He looked to the United States Navy as his niche for excellence for the next 20 years of his life after his emancipation.

Madrid is flexible, accepting of people’s differences, and has a love of people. These are excellent characteristics for a recruiter in the military. Because of his qualities, he was able to guide young people into their own Naval career. He was there to do whatever the recruits needed in the area of assistance to pass their entrance requirements and become part of the Navy recruit class. Madrid helped to develop young men and women into believers because he believed in them and his heroic commitment of time was never ending.

When Max Madrid came to CSP to work in Gang Prevention, he converted Navy recruitment into prevention for adolescent gang recruitment. His mission was to bring a complete commitment to bettering the conditions and potential of underachieving, at-risk youth in Orange County. He has been involved with CSP for nine years and has been an integral part of their team.

Madrid has coordinated the annual Toys for Tots drive that provides more than 20,000 toys annually to children in the community. At least 15 volunteers participate every year, giving an average of 2,000 hours of service. He has also collaborated with Restaurant Garcia in the “We Give Thanks” dinner where lines of parents and children stretch for two to three blocks on Thanksgiving Day to receive dinner. Max Madrid recruits 50 volunteers who work hard the entire day, but all leave with personal enrichment because they have helped better someone else’s life.

In addition, Madrid developed the Tattoo Removal Program with more than $200,000 of in-kind medical services donated. One young woman sung the praises of this program because having her tattoos removed opened doors of employment for her. She was no longer labeled “at-risk” because of her “clear skin.” Other recipients of the service found it easier because they no longer have to explain tattoos to their small children. Madrid has recruited members from the California State University Spanish Club to volunteer academic tutoring for the past four years. He has also recruited volunteers from Lockheed Martin to tutor failing students, coordinated four workshops for Logan Street youngsters, and coordinated and promoted an annual golf tournament that raises money for gang prevention.

WOMEN’S AUXILIARY TO GOODWILL INDUSTRIES

For the past 35 years, the Women’s Auxiliary to Goodwill Industries in North Louisiana has been a strong influence within the Goodwill Family. The auxiliary is comprised of women from different economic backgrounds, with the youngest volunteer being 70 years old. Their mission is simple: they use their time, talent, and resources to ensure that members of the “Goodwill Family,” (i.e. employees, are touched by simple acts of kindness). They believe that the word “goodwill” should be used as an action verb, where helping the handicapped is not charity, but a chance for a hand up, not a hand out. The Auxiliary exemplifies love in action for all races, and creeds.

The Auxiliary members meet every Tuesday and Wednesday at the Unique Shoppe to create handcrafted items, which are sold at their Shoppe. The proceeds from these sales are used to benefit Goodwill employees. Over the years, they have helped provide plant facilities, supplemented the purchase of tools and equipment, provided an attractive and comfortable break area, provided and served Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to employees, and at the beginning of each month, they give that month’s celebrant a birthday card with $10 cash.

The crafts created by the Women’s Auxiliary provide a wonderful resource to their community. All projects are a labor of creative love. The workmanship utilized by these ladies is becoming a lost art in today’s world. There are two events that receive regular acclaim: the annual Easter basket sale and the Christmas Bazaar. The Auxiliary assumed the Easter basket project when the Association For The Blind ceased to be involved. The Easter baskets require approximately 8 hours of labor and sell for around $25.00. The Christmas Craft Sale provides “one of a kind” items.

The Women’s Auxiliary to Goodwill Industries in North Louisiana, while currently only about 20 strong, gives more than 10,000 volunteer hours annually. Last year, they returned about $10,000 to be used to assist members of the “Goodwill Family.” They prove that age is not a barrier to success while supporting the mission of Goodwill – teaching people to work and helping people get jobs.

MARILYN GRAFFT

Marilyn Grafft has been a volunteer with Montalvo Association since 1994. This nonprofit cultural center, which resides in the former home of Senator James Phelan, is dedicated to the mission “to inspire the love of arts in everyone-through creation, presentation and education-in extraordinary ways and settings.” A member of the Montalvo Service Group, Grafft has devoted her volunteer time for the last three years to the educational aspect of the mission, as a liaison to the Education and Outreach Department.

Education is important to Grafft, as she is a retired teacher. In her assignment, she recruits, trains, schedules and recognizes the 60+ other Outreach program volunteers. Her peer-to-peer relationship with the program volunteers fosters enthusiasm and dedication to the goals of the program. She also serves on the Outreach committee, which helps define the program’s mission and goals. Grafft also “does her duty” with the other volunteers at program presentations as an usher or hosting a reception, often filling in when other volunteers cancel.

In the words of the program’s director, Grafft is, “extremely reliable and detail-oriented.” She assists staff with the annual Outreach volunteer training. She maintains solid communication between the staff and volunteers so that all are informed about program details. She gives feedback to the staff to help the program stay on track with its goals and ensure a “best fit” for both volunteers and participants.

As a volunteer leader of volunteers, Grafft’s impact is immeasurable. Although her time donated may seem small—about 250 hours annually—her work with the other program volunteers at nearly l00 activities reaches more than 12,000 school children each year. Many of the participating schools would not otherwise be able to provide quality arts experiences to their students. Grafft contributes of time and self, and is dedicated to Montalvo and the arts in her community.

DAYTON MEDIATION CENTER

Throughout the world, the name “Dayton” is synonymous with a mediated peace agreement. What is less well known is that thousands of Dayton citizens mediate their own peace agreements with the help of volunteer citizen mediators. The Dayton Mediation Center of Dayton, Ohio is a leader in helping citizens make and keep peace.

The Dayton Mediation Center, with the help of skilled citizen volunteers who act as mediators, has clearly shown that people are willing and able to be responsible for resolving their own disagreements.

The Center receives over 2,000 referrals and conducts more than 575 mediations annually involving over 2,000 citizens. Local research shows that when citizens engage other citizens through mediation, calls to the police fall between 50 and 85 percent. Overall this service to the community represents an estimated value of over $270,000.

The mediation process used in Dayton has a clearly developed theoretical foundation. It is based on a belief that people, even when in conflict, are willing and able to engage each other in a positive, constructive manner. In order to develop a practice of mediation that truly incorporates this belief, citizen volunteers spend 50 hours in training their first year and up to 30 hours annually thereafter. The center has 75 active volunteer mediators who in the past year alone have spent over 4,000 hours in training and in mediations.

Dialogue is considered essential for a functioning Democracy. Mediation can be democracy at its best when “We the people…,” are skilled at helping one another engage in productive dialogue. The Dayton Mediation Center incorporates the following principles to foster this dialogue:

* Mediators do not assure they know the way for people in conflict to interact. Mediators work with them to develop an individualized mediation process that embodies how they want to interact in their mediation.

NYSARC ADULT DAY SERVICES AMERICORPS PROGRAM

In July 1998, the United States Bureau of Census documented in Nassau County 175,962 residents aged 65-84 and 21,170 aged 85 plus. As the population of elderly citizens grows, their needs also continue to grow. One such need lies in the area of nutrition – food. The burden and concern related to obtaining food and other essential errands continues to grow for elderly Nassau residents.

NYSARC Lifestyles/AmeriCorps members are volunteers that are making a difference. These volunteers enable elderly home-bound residents, temporarily disabled, and recently discharged hospital patients to stay independent in their own homes in their local communities by providing food shopping services and assistance with other community based errands to alleviate the physical and emotional burden of these tasks. Since October 1998, these volunteers have been effective in enabling a total of 210 elderly/homebound residents to maintain their independence and dignity in their own homes as a part of their local community.

These 60 Nassau County AHRC Lifestyles/AmeriCorps members are all adults with developmental disabilities. However, they reap the benefits of their volunteer work in increased independence, self-confidence, and self-esteem. Being an AmeriCorps member gives them the unique opportunity to work alongside non-disabled volunteers to give back to the community, rather than being the recipient of services. By helping others, these members are also breaking down stereotypes in the community about people with disabilities by demonstrating their capabilities and dedication.

These AmeriCorps members volunteer their services for at least nine hours per week. They embark in small groups twice weekly to the homes of the elderly/disabled homebound to obtain their lists of community based chores like picking up prescriptions, doing laundry, or returning library books. They complete all of the requested errands and shopping before they return to the home to deliver the goods and put them away. In addition, the volunteers stay and visit with the seniors. The warmth and friendliness shared with the seniors by the volunteers is heartwarming. This visit may be the only company the senior receives.

A vital part of any community is participation by all residents that make up a diverse group. These communities would not be as diverse without the local senior segment. AmeriCorps members with developmental disabilities help secure the ties that bind local communities together. The shared experience enriches the lives of both the Lifestyles/AmeriCorps volunteers and the homebound seniors.

THE SALVATION ARMY SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM

The Salvation Army in partnership with the Corporation for National Service allows volunteer opportunities for low-income seniors through the Senior Companion Program. It began in 1968 with a Congressional interest in a program where senior citizens would be giving and receiving service. In August of 1974, the program was funded in New Jersey, by ACTION, the then Federal Domestic Volunteer Agency. In 1994, the programs of ACTION were formally transferred to the Corporation for National Service. To qualify seniors must be 60-years-old, or older, and they must be 125% below the poverty level as established by the Department of Health and Human Services. Senior Companions volunteer 20 hours per week and receive a tax-free stipend of $2.55 per hour and other benefits.

Senior Companions provide special care to other feeble seniors who are at risk of institutionalization. There are about 17,000 frail seniors in Essex and Hudson counties in New Jersey suffering from osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia as reported by the National Center for Health Statistics, and the Alzheimer’s Association. These seniors are in need of in-home care, because most do not attend adult day-care facilities or receive adequate home health aide assistance. The 1989 National long-term Care Study found that there were 3,454 seniors with acute medical disabilities, inclusive of cardiac problems, physical disabilities, and amputations who attended adult day-care facilities. However, they require person-to-person assistance in exercise, rehabilitation, and nutrition. All of the aforementioned conditions can cause isolation and can result in loneliness, depression, drug abuse, and premature death. Those frail elderly, who do not reside in senior residences, are also in dire need of transportation services to doctor appointments and other needed engagements.

During the last year, senior companion volunteers provided in-home care to 157 frail adults. Services like recreational activities, housekeeping, meal preparation, and nutritional information were offered. Senior Companions served in the area of companionship and outreach, peer counseling, support, writing of letters, reading, and talking to 386 frail adults to ease feelings of loneliness. They also provided friendly visiting, reassurance, and bereavement outreach to over 300 adults.

Senior companions also served as the link to the elderly by identifying potential problems, or needed services for case management professionals with over 100 frail adults. They assisted with supportive services and social activities at adult day cares benefiting over 100 elderly. The senior companions also assisted in the area of transportation by driving 15 people needing escort services for grocery shopping, errands, and doctor visits.

SUE GILBERTSON

Sue Gilbertson is a tireless advocate for mentally and behaviorally challenged children in the state of Arizona. She volunteers full-time, attending committee meetings, board meetings, advisory councils, and mental health coalitions. She has never received a salary, stipend or any other monetary compensation for her efforts.

Gilbertson began her career as a children’s mental health advocate after her teenage son fell prey to his own severe mental illness. It began in January 1984. Eric came home with more energy than she could handle. Eric’s thoughts were racing. He was unable to articulate the ideas in his head and Gilbertson was unable to calm him down. After dozens of telephone calls, she became aware of the lack of support available to parents and the stigma that shrouded mental illness.

In the 15 years since she first began her parent support group- MIKID, Gilbertson has received six local and state awards honoring her as an exceptional volunteer and advocate. Gilbertson’s brainchild, MIKID, has also taken extraordinary strides over the past decade. In a state that ranked 49th in the nation in 1984 and which offered virtually no services to families with mentally ill children, MIKID has established itself as a cornerstone agency.

Gilbertson has volunteered as president of MIKID as a board member every year without fail since its inception. MIKID’s employee and volunteer presence within the community is evident not only through her own dedication, but Gilbertson’s strides in the past decade also.

At 32 years of age, Eric is well past his adolescent years. And still Gilbertson plods steadily along, with no end to her volunteer service in sight. She has been serving children with special needs, not only within her home state, but also at the national level. She has spent the past 15 years mobilizing volunteers within her community to address a grossly overlooked human condition. Her approach was obviously innovative, as MIKID was the first effectively organized support and advocacy group in Arizona specifically serving parents and family members of mentally ill children.

One can cite the many programs at which Gilbertson has spoken an expert advocate, the countless support groups provided over the years, the educational presentations, the committee involvement, the information and referral and the hundreds of community events- all of which have slowly chipped away at the stigma behind mental illness. In the last year specifically, Gilbertson volunteered hundreds of hours towards MIKID’s many successes including but not limited to the Annual AC Green Celebrity Basketball Game, which brought more than 2,000 area children to a fundraiser for the Foundation and MIKID, and the ELVES Holiday Program that served more than 1,000 area children by providing gifts during the holiday season.

FLEET MATERIAL SUPPORT OFFICE TUTORIAL PROGRAM

The Fleet Material Support Office (FMSO) Tutorial Program is made up of more than 90 volunteers in 41 private and public schools. The program started as a community outreach effort of the Affirmative Action Program in 1992. Initially there were 11 volunteers in two city public schools. Support for the Tutorial Program has expanded over the past eight years.

The foundation and processes of the program have not changed much since its inception. The FMSO Program Coordinator establishes contact with local school officials and organizations to determine the extent of volunteer effort required. The Coordinator then matches the skills of the volunteers with the needs of the schools, organizations, and children. The tutors are responsible for selecting the day and time to meet with their students. FMSO authorizes tutors to use two work hours to meet with their students during school hours.

Teachers and tutors jointly decide if a particular student can work in a small group setting or if he or she needs one-on-one assistance. Once that is determined, the tutors attempt to tailor their approach to meet the special learning needs of the student.

When the FMSO Tutorial Program first began, volunteers were required to sign up for an initial six-week stint with the choice between one of two public schools. Since that time, opportunities include any school district that is willing to welcome tutors. Anyone who is willing to give of his or her time is qualified.