Z. SALTY LEATHERWOOD

Hundreds of mentally ill adults in two Central Florida counties have fought the stigma of their illness, regained some measure of self-esteem and either re-entered the mainstream community or made plans for a self-sufficient life due to the volunteer work of Z. Salty Leatherwood. These are largely men and women who were placed in institutions or group homes and identified by their case managers as having no support system in the community.

Leatherwood founded PROJECT CARE, INC. initially to provide Christmas and birthday gifts for these forgotten people. Their excitement being visited by “someone who is not afraid of us” and their eagerness for human contact – especially hugs – led her to expand the operation of PROJECT CARE. She gives parties, calls BINGO (and brings all the prizes) and provides for special needs at adult living facilities and at a socialization center for the mentally ill.

For the past two years, she has prepared individually tailored packages of household supplies – dishes, linens, pots and pans, etc. – for mentally ill persons who have stabilized enough to move out of group homes and into apartments under case management supervision. No one else provides this service in this area! This service is called “Fresh Start,” and is designed to provide a financial and psychological boost to help the recipients find success in independent living and stay free of the mental health system. Most have limited disability financial aid and would otherwise have to choose between food and a dish from which to eat it.

Every cent collected by Leatherwood for gifts is spent on gifts. She used her own money to incorporate PROJECT CARE as a 501(c)(3) corporation and paid all fundraising costs until a local business (Daytona International Speedway) agreed to take care of the postage expenses. Leatherwood’s tireless work serves a forgotten population – a population that is not always easy to help. No other population has more unmet human needs.

The fact that she is willing to sit down and visit with the severely mentally ill perhaps has accomplished more than any other activity could have done. At the socialization center, they love her so much they named her an “honorary consumer,” in other words gave her honorary status as one of them – an honor only those working in the field can truly appreciate.

Leatherwood’s hands-on approach to bring the mentally ill back into the community as functioning individuals is a direct contrast to the usual series of committee meetings and summit discussions which end with an agreement that there is a problem and someone ought to do something about it.

Leatherwood realizes that it is necessary to recruit others to help champion the cause, and she is working to recruit special people who would enjoy being a part of her efforts. She has even recruited her granddaughter who has worked with her since she was five years old and now understands those who may behave a little differently than she does.

Over the past 12 years, the community of Daytona Beach has benefited from the passionate work of Z. Salty Leatherwood. She initially began her crusade for the mentally ill with the Mental Health Association, and then through PROJECT CARE, INC. Though she has survived two heart attacks and triple bypass surgery, she continues to find time to work and to help the homeless populations of both children and adults who are also underserved.

FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM AT LINCOLN HILLS SCHOOL

Foster Grandparents at Lincoln Hills have been serving incarcerated youth for 28 years. They have been assisting teachers with adolescents who are falling behind, assisting in vocational classes, and spending time in the living units. They bake, plant flowers to help students take pride in their surrounding, and play cards. Though these are enjoyable activities, they also help in other areas like aiding with math skills and increasing their attention span.

In 1997, the Grandparents took on an additional responsibility. Initially the Title One Reading Buddy Program began as a pilot project. It matches a Grandparent with a 14 to 17 year old student whose reading skills range from a 2nd grade level through a 5th grade level. Many have learning disabilities and social issues to overcome. The Grandparent gives individualized attention to the student for one hour daily, four days a week. However, by its sixth month of operation, the Reading Buddy Program became a regular part of the institution’s educational program. There are currently 22 Foster Grandparents participating in the Reading Buddy Program.

The institution provides a classroom with individual private workstations. It has a library equipped with double copies of books labeled by grade level. The student and the Grandparent together pick out a book, and the student reads while the Grandparent follows along. They give assistance when necessary, and the workstations are equipped with a dictionary so the children can look up unfamiliar or difficult words.

During the year 2000, the reading comprehension increased collectively 109 grade levels. The average increase per student was two grade levels; and one student in particular, increased five grade levels in six months. The vocabulary increased collectively by 57 grade levels. The average was one grade level per student in this category. In addition to this, the students received ¼ school credits in language and remedial reading for every 35 hours they participate in the Reading Buddy Program. The students also improved with their social skills after having the personal attention of a Grandparent, and they are excited about their newfound reading skills.

BILL DERBY

Bill Derby is a 78-year-old gentleman who has lived a life of service. In 1958, after the death of his five-year-old daughter, Heather, Derby promised his Higher Power that he would be a servant the rest of his life. Derby, a former Navy serviceman, is an inspiration to all in the Council Bluffs area. He has been a volunteer at Christian Home Association – Children’s Square U.S.A. for over ten years. He also volunteers as a Youth Ministry Leader at Children’s Square, a volunteer for the Spiritual Life Program, and an art instructor in the recreational therapy program.

In the spring of 1989, Derby came to Children’s Square as a volunteer art instructor when they were still an alternative school. He is still a part of the Children’s Square family and they are a part of the Council Bluff’s Public School District. Another Heather came into his classroom at Children’s Square. This young lady had been severely beaten, abused, and abandoned on the streets of Chicago at the age of eight. She was in such a condition that she was unable to stand erect. Because of her past, she was afraid of men and initially was afraid of him. Her peers, teacher, and Derby, still supported her through her “rehabilitation” and Heather was finally able to gain self-confidence and a surrogate family.

His volunteer service does not stop at Children’s Square. He also works with VODEC, which is a nonprofit organization that rehabilitates and teaches daily living by placing clients with varying mental deficiencies in productive working positions. Derby worked with a group that painted faces on Halloween pumpkins for clients and became known as Mr. Pumpkin. He is involved in building a Second World War memorial with the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also prepared silver point drawings of endangered animals and birds for Hitchcock Nature Center’s Loess Hills project.

One day he passed a neighbor’s yard where a dead willow tree had been cut; later Derby took out a knife and carved a cane. Since that day, he has created more than 300 canes, giving over 200 away to charitable organizations and those in need who appreciate the assistance and the art.

CHRISTIAN WHITTON-2

Christian Whitton has been a role model in his community since the age of nine; at that time he began to serve his community as an advocate for those who needed aid. He has learned about the government and private, local, federal, and state laws so that he can assist the poor and elderly.

When Christian was nine, one of his friends who was physically challenged wanted to play sports. The football league and coaches turned him away. Christian did research and fought to get the league and coaches to allow his friend to play. Since that day, Christian has worked for the rights of the physically challenged and the disabled.

Christian has worked with the State Office of Disability Affairs and the United States Justice Department, seeking and notifying violators of the American with Disabilities Act and the Civil Rights Act of the Disabled. Christian takes the time to give his own written notices to violators; and if he does not receive a reply, Christian files a complaint with the United States Justice Department in Washington DC. They can issue fines up to $50,000 for first time violators and up to $100,000 for subsequent violations. He has been successful in getting wheelchair accessible walkways, handicapped parking spaces, handicapped restrooms, and handicapped facilities.

Christian takes the time to visit places to ensure they are not in violation. He makes preliminary inspections of certain areas with the acknowledgement of the Justice Departments. On these visits he lists what he believes the violations are, and he then researches his findings. He then returns to make sure the violations are still there; if they are he sends violation notices.

Christian is 17 years old now, but he is just as passionate as he was when he was nine. Since the summer of 1995, he has donated half of his summer income to buy smile alarms and carbon monoxide detectors for neighbors and friends that do not have them or are not able to buy them. He did this as a result of a house fire not too far from his home in 1993 that claimed the life of two people. The fire department advised the community that smoke alarms could have stopped these deaths. Then Christian took $200 he won selling candy at school and bought smoke alarms as opposed to the bike he had been saving for.

JACKSON YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

One of the major contributors to students not reaching their potential academically is the lack of one-on-one in reviewing and understanding material covered in classes at school. Many times if a student falls behind in a subject area, without personal attention and encouragement, he will not have the motivation and self-confidence to catch-up. That may result in the student staying behind and even having behavioral problems because of embarrassment when called upon for participation in classes.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Jackson, Inc. is a nonprofit child development agency; therefore, their funds are limited and they are unable to pay staff to provide personalized homework assistance to each child. A committed regular volunteer staff available to work during their special homework assistance time, from 4:30pm – 5:30pm, is an absolute necessity. These hours, however, conflict with most adults work schedules and the schedules of extra-curricular activities of many high school students in the area.

In the fall of 1996 the Jackson Young Lawyers Association, Child Advocacy Committee, had a desire to start a mentoring program with the children of the Jackson metropolitan area. The Boys and Girls Clubs’ need of mentors during the “Power Hour” academic assistance program came to their attention. In the spring semester of 1997, 10 attorneys started working with the children of the Sykes Unit for one hour a week. Before they realized it, the semester was over. The next fall they were able to provide mentors two days a week for one hour and this past fall 28 attorneys participated in the program.

In December of 2000, the reading levels of 88 elementary students and 17 middle school students were tested. Of the 88 elementary students tested, 32 students read at one, two or three levels above their grade level, 41 students were reading at their grade level and only 15 were reading at one or two levels below their grade level.

The Jackson Young Lawyers also support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Jackson materially. The Jackson Young Lawyers sponsored a golf tournament in 1999 and 2000. The tournament raised $3,800 dollars for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Jackson, Inc. in August of 2000. This organization was also pivotal in the establishment of a computer lab at the Sykes Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Jackson by providing eight computers and teaching the club members proper use of the machines.

By their actions and continued commitment to the “Power Hour” program, the Jackson Young Lawyers Association has also shown the children of the Sykes Unit that they are important. This is a tremendous boost to the children’s self-esteem, which in turn affects the community at large.

JEFF SCHIEFELBEIN

As a senior at Texas A&M University, Jeff Schiefelbein created one of the most innovative and effective designated driver programs in the nations. Jeff’s idea for the program began after he received a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) citation in 1997.

Jeff researched other safe-ride programs and began to think of a unique approach that would attract college students. He continued to plan and strategize for about nine months and created CARPOOL – Caring Aggies R Protecting Over Our Lives. Prior to its “kickoff” he collaborated with students, faculty, administration, local authorities, and sponsors to create a network capable of supporting such a task. Jeff spent an average of 60 volunteer hours per week working on CARPOOL, and now, after two years, Jeff has gained the full support and trust of the students and staff at the University.

Each semester, 255 student volunteers make a commitment of their time on weekends to CAR POOL. Before participating, each volunteer member undergoes a 6-hour training program designed by Jeff. It includes alcohol awareness, defensive driving, and first aid. From its inception, it has included both freshmen and upperclassmen in its leadership positions. As Jeff prepares to graduate, there are 20 other experienced student volunteers ready to take over. They will also have the assistance of a 100-page Operational and Risk Management Manual for CARPOOL.

Jeff sponsored sponsors to offset one-half of CARPOOL’s $100,000 annual budget with in-kind donations, including free cell phones, a free apartment for headquarters, discounted rental rates for vehicles, free cable advertising, and free training. He also travels to cities throughout Texas to publicize his cause.

CARPOOL has been an overwhelming success. It is completely student-run, is nonjudgmental, and is available for both intoxicated and sober students in need of a safe ride home. One male and one female volunteer are in each car to assure the safety of the passengers. Rental vehicles are also used so each vehicle is clean, new, and in good repairs. CARPOOL is free to use and it operates from 10 p.m. to 3a.m. Thursday through Saturday nights during the fall and spring semesters. They average 100 safe rides each night. Now, in its fourth semester, CARPOOL has already given over 11,000 safe and sober rides home. For more information on CARPOOL, visit the CARPOOL Web site.

FACILITATING ASSISTANCE IN TRANSITION & HEALING (FAITH)

During the tenure of Warren H. Dolphus, former Supervisory Chaplain at the Federal Correctional Institution of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Manchester, Kentucky, a collaborative between various agencies that would aid prior offenders with the transition back into their communities was established – Facilitating Assistance in Transition and Healing, Inc. (FAITH Inc.). FAITH Inc. is a unique and diverse collaboration of federal, state, municipal, faith-based, and grassroots organizations that are committed to programs, projects, and advocacy through volunteerism, community service, and mission driven activities that help prior offenders move into positive roles in their community.

FAITH Inc. is a component of the International Network to Freedom Association (INTFA). The INTFA works together with FAITH Inc. to enforce their educational missions. Both organizations target African American churches and faith-based communities to develop training and specialized programs to uplift and encourage the participants. The programs are designed to motivate and educate pastors, their staff and members on how the church and faith community can work with offenders. As a result of this, the entire community can work together to successfully reintegrate offenders back into their communities.

FAITH Inc. utilizes the successful model of the Underground Railroad. As the Railroad motivated the slaves to freedom, FAITH Inc motivates the offenders to be successful. The model promotes community building, partnership, and networking between various components in society. In addition, it promotes intergenerational learning. The National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ) is also a contributing partner to FAITH Inc. The NABCJ brings in their specialist from the criminal justice community as well as adult and youth volunteers and victims. All of these entities cooperate to encourage ecumenical cooperation, strength, self-esteem, and self-confidence.

FAITH Inc. is a structured organization brought about to successfully help integrate offenders back into the community. It uses a mixture of African American history, theology, statistics, and facts. Once the participants truly understand the importance of their liberty, FAITH Inc. believes they will continue to resist criminal behavior and recidivism, which will benefit the participants as well as their communities.

ALLAN FOLMAR

During the past 11 years, Allan Folmar has spent every Friday night dedicated to the homeless youth population in King County. He has worked with homeless children and teens, providing them with food, blankets, and referrals to other agencies, friendship, and counseling. He has also been a volunteer chaplain with the County’s Sheriff’s office, as well as with the Renton Police and Fire Departments, the Tukwila Police and Fire Departments, King County Fire District 20 Fire Department, the Boeing Fire Department, and the Sea-Tac Airport Disaster Response Team. There, he aids victims and survivors at accident and crime scenes, provides care and comfort to families of people who have just died, makes difficult death notifications to families, diffuse confrontations, and counsels law enforcement and fire personnel.

Folmar works with the Fishermen’s Club, which just went independent after being under the umbrella of the Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission for many years. Under existing Washington State law, it is difficult for an agency to provide a bed for the night to anyone under the age of eighteen. Folmar and his team see children as young as age ten homeless, so they carry cell phones and referral phone numbers for drug and alcohol intervention agencies and halfway houses. He and his fellow volunteers offer food and blankets along with hope.

The hope that Folmar offers is an opportunity to change their lifestyles. Many of the children who live in the street have been sexually, physically, or verbally abused at home. Others are children whose parents deemed them out-of-control and gave up on them and have had them removed from the home. Allan works to make all the youth feel comfortable. He is a considerate and calm influence to young people who are used to suspicious glances from most adults, hostility, and the danger of the streets.

In addition to volunteering with the street ministry, Folmar works full time as a volunteer chaplain serving as one of the nine volunteer chaplains with the King County Sheriff’s Office, and serving with two other chaplains with the other departments listed above.

COBBTOWN LIONS CLUB

The Cobbtown Lions Club has been in existence for the past 25 years. They have come to the aid of those in Cobbtown and the Tattnall County. They have also been major supporters of many Lions Club causes throughout the world. The Club has given its full cooperation to nearly every project undertaken in Cobbtown since its inception. They have been originators just as supporters.

There are two particular projects that the Lions have initiated, staffed, and financially supported. The Cobbtown Volunteer Fire Department is the first. They completely reorganized with the majority of the volunteer Firemen coming from the Lions Club. The men set up comprehensive training to train all Firemen. This qualified the Town of Cobbtown to lower its fire insurance rates for all citizens. In addition to the lower insurance costs, the reorganization greater enhanced the fire protection for the citizens of the Town along with the north segment of Tattnall County.

The Cobbtown Lions Club also started the Cobbtown Citizen of the Year program. Ten years ago the Club decided to sponsor this event to recognize a citizen who had been committed to public service in the community, which resulted in making the Town a better place to live. The Lions are the sole sponsors and the citizens honored are those who have been stellar volunteers.

Along with the two special programs, the Lions are active in various other ways. They staff a community softball park and assist in traffic control at the annual Christmas parade. Members serve on the hospital Authority, the Tattnall County Chamber of Commerce, and the Bicentennial Committee of the County. In addition to this, the Lions regularly support all sight prevention projects that help those less fortunate.

Since their charter in 1976, the Cobbtown Lions Club has always been active fundraisers. They support their community projects along with others on a national level. Some of the organizations they pledge support to are the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind, Georgia Lions Eye Bank, Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation, and LeaderDogs for the Blind, and Lions Clubs International Foundation.

KYLE ALDERSON

Kyle Alderson is an honor student, athlete, Eagle Scout, Black Belt in taekwondo and a community volunteer. Besides organizing blood drives, renovating his church, painting handicapped symbols in parking lots, collecting food for the needy and volunteering at the American Legion Post, Kyle has created and initiated two of his own service projects: READ (Reading Encourages All Dreams) and “Saving Timmy” (A School Bus Awareness Program). Kyle has been instrumental in lighting the flames of community service in youth in Muldrow.

When Kyle became aware that 45 children die and about 8,000 are injured in school bus related accidents each year, he decided to survey 657 students in his district to determine their safety awareness. He found that not one student could ever remember having any school bus safety education. In order to educate the children and parents in his community, Kyle created “Saving Timmy,” which includes a puppet show that tours elementary schools. This puppet show, written by Kyle, features Timmy and his friends who learn about school bus safety along with the children in the audience. The puppeteers are volunteer students who have performed for more than 1,200 students this year.

READ was created when Kyle discovered that only 42% of the adults in his rural community had a high school diploma. Realizing that reading is an essential component of a successful education, Kyle decided to use his own love of reading to combat the graduation problem in the community by creating READ. READ pairs elementary children who struggle with reading with a volunteer high school mentor. These students meet each week at the public library to strengthen reading skills and youth relationships. READ has had a huge impact on the community. In its first year there were 21 mentors and 30 elementary students who directly benefited from READ, and this year the enrollment has significantly increased. The children’s reading scores have improved as high as two letter grades.

Many of the mentors have helped their children deal with issues such as a parent’s death and peer bullying. In addition, the mentors discuss the importance of academics, handling peer pressure and avoiding drug and alcohol abuse with their children. For at least one hour each week the children are pleased to know there is someone who thinks they are special and cares for them. The local library has also benefited from READ. During the spring of 2001, the program was chosen as a national Make a Difference Day Project and the library was the recipient of a $10,000 prize.

Kyle is a role model for children and adults of his community alike. His lifestyle is giving not just the words of his mouth. He has provided his community with numerous projects which they can become involved in and learn to be giving, caring, community members.