COOPERATIVE COUNCIL OF MINISTRIES

The Cooperative Council of Ministries (CcoM) is a coalition of 21 member churches, 52 other churches and community organizations that address many human needs, both local and global. Among their many projects is the Meals Program at the Hilda Barg Homeless Prevention Center, which is a homeless shelter in Prince William County, Virginia.

During the late 1980’s, CcoM members approached the county to fund a homeless shelter. Original members were attempting to house the homeless on cots in their own churches. To help the county budget for the 30-bed shelter, CcoM agreed to coordinate, purchase, cook, and serve hot dinners, and provide breakfast and lunch items 365 days a year. The county agreed to provide the building and contract with a nonprofit agency, Volunteers of America Chesapeake, to operate the Center. The Center opened in August of 1990 with a unique three-way partnership that provides several levels of support to an average of 400 homeless men, women, and children annually.

CCoM’s role in providing meals offers the families at the Center an opportunity to interact with community members from various churches on a rotating basis. Churches or organizations accept an assignment of 1 to 7 days of meal preparation annually or several times during the year. During their turn preparing meals, church members often sit and talk with the residents and act as unofficial mentors. As volunteers, they often go above and beyond the Meals Program by helping residents with job and housing leads. Some of the churches also post information about their church and offer transportation to their services.

CCoM volunteers prepare the schedule and distribute it to the meal coordinator of each church or organization. Church representatives meet with the county and nonprofit representatives on a monthly basis. Approximately 30 volunteers per church prepare and serve their scheduled evening meals and provide breakfast and lunch foods for the following day. There are more than 1,300 volunteers that participate in the Meals Program. County budgetary figures estimate the savings to taxpayers, including food and labor, at over $100,000 per year. Leftovers or additional food is taken to a hypothermia shelter that serves men and women during the winter.

CcoM volunteers also assist in a variety of skill-building activities in partnership with Volunteers of America staff. They have computer training for residents, budgeting classes, and they raise funds to benefit the residents. The volunteers also landscape and have created a playground and patio at the Center.

BEATRICE BIGGS PARKER

Beatrice Biggs Parker is a 64-year-old senior citizen living on a fixed income but manages to make dreams come true for sick and dying people. To date, Beatrice has given aid to 20 children and 3 adults.

Parker did not have her program officially documented, but she continued working to make dreams come true from 1988 through 2001. A Charlotte attorney heard about her volunteer service and waived his $1000 fee and helped her establish her nonprofit organization, “Touching Foundation.”

Parker looks to the community to give support to the Touching Foundation, also. She works with churches and other programs to provide love. During the holidays, Parker works to find terminally ill children who have final wishes. She then provides them with early Christmas gifts.

Parker works with Consumer Casket Company in Charlotte. Many of the terminally ill do not have insurance to cover burial expenses. She works with the casket company and the family to secure a donation deal to ensure that the patient may be buried. Because of her work with the casket company, they now go out and seek families who do not have the means to bury their loved ones.

Three years ago, Parker wanted to do something different for her own birthday. Instead of throwing herself a party, she contacted an area nursing home and asked for a resident who had no family or friends. She purchased a gown, housecoat, and bedroom shoes for the resident. She celebrated by sharing and caring for someone else.

INTERPLAST, INC.

Interplast, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that sends medical volunteers to developing countries to provide free reconstructive surgeries for children in need. Some of the children have cleft lips, a cleft palate, or sever burn injuries. Interplast also provides instruction for local doctors and nurses in advanced surgical techniques and patient care. This helps these professionals improve their continued medical care in their country and for their country’s citizens.

Interplast’s mission is to provide reconstructive surgeries for people in developing nations and to help improve health care worldwide. The organization’s goals are to establish, develop, and maintain host-country, domestic-patient, and educational programs with several objectives. They want to provide direct patient care, which consists of reconstructive surgery and ancillary services to those with no other resources. They also work to provide educational training and medical interchange along with assisting host-country medical colleagues toward medical independence. In addition, Interplast enables recipients of care to become providers of care to new sites.

Interplast maintains no political or religious affiliations. Sensitivity to, and respect for, other cultures pervades the philosophy of Interplast. It also deeply influences the manner in which they conduct themselves as ambassadors of hope and a future to men, women, and children in need.

CHARLES BROWN, JR.

Charles Brown, Jr., better known as Charlie Brown, has been more than a faithful volunteer for two years. He was first recruited by VISTA volunteer, Cindy Graham, on October 7, 1999. He is always on time for his weekly date. Every Wednesday, Brown arrives at Mt. Olivet Elementary School at 12:25pm to meet his first student of the day, Paige. Paige is a first grader who was struggling academically. Brown and Paige go to their usual place in the library to work on spelling, phonics and reading. They spend 30 minutes enjoying the time, memories and, of course, learning experience.

Brown does not stop there, after working with Paige. Brittany is eagerly waiting. Brown spends another 30 minutes helping Brittany. Although also a first grader, Brittany is not struggling but requires extra motivation and constant reassurance to succeed, which Brown is willing and able to give.

There is an entire class of 18 students waiting for “Charlie time.” Brown works with the kindergarten class differently. A lot of spice is added to the presentation to stimulate interest for these little ones. Brown has formed an interest in riddles and in their learning minds. The riddles may seem entertaining, but they get little minds turning.

Brown has single-handedly made noticeable improvements in a kindergarten class and two first grade students. Will they remember Brown as the man in the wheelchair? No, he is the man that changed their way of thinking, learning and seeing people that are different. In the past school year and part of the current school year, Brown has encouraged children with more than 28 weekly visits worth of reading, spelling, phonics, riddles, friendship and more! How fortunately Mt. Olivet Elementary School is to have Charles “Charlie” Brown as one of its America Reads volunteers.

KHADIJAH AMATULLAH

Drug abuse, hunger, and violence within families are issues that overshadow citizens of Cincinnati, Ohio’s everyday lives. These issues pose such a problem that most people choose to remove them from their consciousness. They choose to overlook these things and pretend they are not there, in hopes they will not have to ever personally handle a volatile situation. Khadijah Amatullah has impacted the lives of many in Ohio and helped them reach a higher potential, change their life situation, and become positive members of society.

Khadijah Amatullah stepped forward as a mentor, leader, facilitator, and a coordinator working against overwhelming odds. Because of her initiative, hundreds of youth throughout the City of Cincinnati are served at 13 sites. Three Square Music Foundation board members and chairperson supported this effort. This program offers drug awareness education, homework labs, art, music, and computer help. It works to reduce the involvement of youth in drug related activities by offering positive educational and recreational programs.

Amatullah also volunteers in coordination with the Gimmentti Bakery. There, she transports, coordinates, and distributes bread products to women’s shelters and needy families. In addition to this, Amatullah is on the Homeownership Center of Cincinnati and Avondale Redevelopment Board and a part of the Greater Cincinnati Mortgage Counseling. Amatullah educates and aids low-income families by teaching them and providing them with the information they need to become homeowners. She instills individuals with pride and personal responsibility in the communities where they live.

Amatullah works with the Beech Acres as a volunteer group facilitator. There she offers focus groups to divorced families and encourages them toward introspection, which helps to reduce anger within the families and restore family values. She has also developed and coordinated a free tutoring and mentoring program for youth in need of educational support. Amatullah recruits college students to go to the homes of those in need and give them support in their empowerment through education. She serves as Volunteer Community Coordinator with Hamilton County Community partnership. She serves more than 11 communities, and she helps to develop programs that create drug free and violence free environments. She also works with families to develop life skills, communication, and employment.

Amatullah may not be able to measure the success of every program she is involved in; however, results have been widespread and encouraging. Pregnancy rates have lowered because of the empowerment and increased self-esteem of individuals. Economic bases have broadened, which affects many families and in some cases entire communities because individuals were able to overcome barriers and go back to work. Hundreds of people in the Cincinnati area have been affected by Khadijah Amatullah’s work. She is a volunteer as well as a business owner. Through her business, Amatullah has donated more than 2,000 fingerprinting kits, some smoke detectors, coloring books, and educational aids for teen drivers. This also results in a more informed, safer community.

ANTHONY PIRAINO

Anthony Piraino is a husband and father and works a full-time job. However, he still finds time in his busy schedule to work to make his community a better place to live. Since 1992, he has founded three organizations that are solving problems prevalent in his Phoenix community.

In 1992, Piraino founded the Northwest Block Watch Coalition (NWBWC). This is a nonprofit crime prevention organization whose mission is to bring the community together while also taking a stand against criminals. Piraino and the Coalition urge citizens to get involved and keep watch for each other so they all can benefit. They refuse to allow a criminal element to take over and intimidate them in their own neighborhood.

Piraino also founded the Graffiti Hotline. This program offers rewards anonymously to citizens willing to identify graffiti vandals. Since its inception, the Hotline has received more than 26,430 calls, established in excess of 1,420 cases, and paid more than $91,200 in rewards. The Graffiti Hotline is also responsible for more than 716 arrests. They are definitely making a statement to vandals in the community that they care and they will no longer stand by and see it being destroyed.

The Stealth Team is another of Piraino’s projects. During the last six years, Piraino and his Team have painted over more than 425,000 square feet of graffiti. Daily, the team goes out at sunrise canvassing the neighborhoods. They take a donated truck with a professional paint-spraying rig and paint over graffiti that was put up the night before. The Stealth Team also takes digital pictures of the tags or the graffiti artist’s signatures. These tags are placed in a database along with other information and have been used to successfully prosecute vandals. In addition to the tagging data, police handwriting experts work to apprehend and charge vandals. They can then be held financially responsible for the damage. To date, this Team has tracked more than 3,000 vandals and traveled in excess of 15,000 miles, painting out graffiti.

In addition to going out on the truck, Piraino attacks the vandalism problem by going to schools, crime prevention fairs, block watch meetings and community gatherings. He speaks to the old and young alike and distributes t-shirts, posters and pencils, along with a candid message. Some children look at graffiti as harmless; they are unaware that the annual cost associated with graffiti and cleaning it up is approximately $15 billion annually in America. Piraino has also initiated a home painting program for seniors and disabled citizens who are not able to do their own upkeep. During the past two years, Piraino and NWBWC volunteers have painted 30 houses.

Piraino’s programs have been so successful that they have reduced graffiti by 92% in their area over the past six years. Because of his positive impact and innovative programs, Piraino has been asked to take his messages to other states and police conferences. He has also been the guest of the Australian government so he could share his programs and views on combating graffiti. Anthony Piraino works tirelessly to make Phoenix a better place to visit and live and willingly shares his successful methods with others so they can achieve the same results in their communities.

BOYD AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY JUNIOR DIVISION POST 326

The Boyd American Legion Auxiliary Junior Division Post 326 has a sincere commitment to making life better for the youth and elderly in Boyd, Wisconsin. They are especially dedicated to serving children with life challenging or life threatening illnesses. The Junior members are an example to their peers as well as adults because of their spirit and selfless attitudes. They work at Alumni tournaments, school play concessions, bike-a-thons, raffles, and other fundraisers to help children facing difficult times.

Thirty-five Junior members worked over 150 hours at the Alumni tournament. There they handled statistics, admissions, registration, and concessions. The Juniors received money from concessions and used it to buy a Spinoza Bear for Logan. The bear is a stuffed bear that has a hidden cassette player that helps console children with life challenging disabilities. Logan is a five-year-old with a chromosome disorder who cannot walk or talk. Logan also has poor vision and lacks motor skills. The Juniors adopted Logan as a special friend and even invited him to ride on their floats in the Memorial Day parade.

The Juniors also work at the school play concessions. The money earned from there went to the purchase of a computer for another friend, Hailey. She is a two-year-old little girl with Downs syndrome who is recovering from heart surgery that also slowed her development. Hailey and 10 of her friends are able to participate with the Juniors in the water therapy program. The Junior members have volunteered more than 50 hours this year with this particular program.

Another project the Juniors work with is the bike-a-thon. The members organize, plan, and participate in this event. The proceeds go to the Make-a-Wish foundation that provides a favorite wish for a child with a life threatening illness. The Juniors also sell raffle tickets, and the proceeds go to Zackary’s Benefit Fund. Zackary is a six-year-old boy who was diagnosed with leukemia and undergoes chemotherapy treatment. The funds are used to help with his medical costs. The Juniors were also able to purchase Zackary a radio controlled truck.

Thirty of the Juniors helped to put on a Halloween youth dance. The ladies organized the dance, decorated, ran a fortune telling booth, served as DJ’s, and helped with games and clean up. The proceeds earned at the dance were used to purchase Nintendo games for Nicklaus who is a seven-year-old boy that underwent brain surgery to remove a tumor. The games are used for therapy.

Other projects include fund-raisers used to purchase school supplies for needy children, canned food drives, clothing, and blanket drives, as well as book drives that help fill hospital libraries for children. They have also collected pull tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, taken mentally disabled children on field trips, visited nursing homes and taken residents for walks, taken treats to shut-ins on holidays, helped the elderly with yard work and errands, and delivered groceries to those that needed their services. The Juniors also volunteer more than 300 hours helping their peers that need extra help along with teaching youth sport skills.

BARBARA ANN KARMANOS CANCER INSTITUTE BREAST HEALTH EDUCATION SPEAKERS

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is a unique, urban-based integrated system of research, patient care and education, dedicated to the prevention, early detection, treatment and eventual eradication of cancer. The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute’s volunteer Breast Health Awareness Speakers present educational programs to community, business, religious and social groups on maintaining good breast health and the risks associated with breast cancer. The main focus of their outreach is to encourage women to be compliant with the designated breast cancer screening guidelines. These guidelines advocate all women to have an annual clinical breast exam performed by a physician or other health care provider, practice monthly breast self-examination, and obtain an annual screening mammogram for those women over forty.

These 2000 figures establish why this group initiated and continues this volunteer activity. It is estimated there will be nationally–182, 800 new cases of breast cancer and 40,800 deaths in Michigan–6, 700 new cases of breast cancer and 1,500 deaths. Research has proven that if women followed the above mentioned breast health practices, the number of yearly deaths could be reduced by 30%. Nationally that could mean a saving of 54,840 lives in Michigan, and this translates into saving approximately 2,011 lives each year.

Many women feel that the saving of even one life would justify this program; as a group their educational efforts save many lives yearly. Recently, there has been a community based research project added for those women attending health education programs. Volunteers, by phone, provide follow-up encouragement to any women reported as non-compliant (if over 40 and not having a mammogram within the last year) six months after each attended a program.

Although some of the volunteers are women who have not experienced breast cancer, the majority of them are breast cancer survivors. These volunteers present a slide show and narrative program every day of the week at numerous times for no charge. The programs are presented with the goal of providing women with the most current information available so that they can make healthy decisions about their personal health practices. During each presentation, the audience is able to ask questions and have them answered. Cancer survivors are utilized as speakers, and this allows each participant to see that a cancer diagnosis does not have to be a death sentence. They show that a rewarding and fulfilling life can be possible following diagnosis and treatment. The speakers address a need and are able to personally encourage best breast health practices and show that those practices can save lives.

In addition, the volunteers collaborate with a number of other community organizations. Many of the speakers have motivated individuals, groups, and companies to participate in the Komen Race for the Cure. Last year, the Michigan race alone raised over $1 million and $700,000 of the proceeds went to local breast caner education, research, and treatment. The Institute’s formal Breast Health Education began with 15 volunteer speakers in 1995. To date, they have presented 124 programs and reached 4,559 people.

THE ASSOCIATION FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Elizabeth Cohill founded The Association for Senior Citizens 20 years ago at 22 years of age and continues to serve as its Executive Director. The goal of the organization is to promote the self-sufficiency of all senior citizens and to ensure that no senior in the Denver Metro area goes without the necessities of life including food, shelter and public services. She is committed to the elderly and has obtained the support of contributors such as the Denver Broncos/NFL Quarterback Award and the Bronco Wives’ Food Committee. These relationships help the Association to continue to have volunteers and the financial means necessary to serve the elderly of Metro Denver. In addition to founding The Association for Senior Citizens, Cohill established the Tibetan Blues Bash and the Northwest Council for Seniors.

During the year 2000, more than 250 seniors from Denver needed emergency assistance. This money was needed to pay rent, utilities, phone, medical bills and other necessities. The seniors reciprocate by volunteering time or repayment of their loans in small amounts. The Association for Senior Citizens, along with the Northwest Council for Seniors, prevented more than 150 seniors from becoming homeless, kept utilities connected for more than 80 seniors, and loaned approximately 50 wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, bed pads and tub benches. Many of the seniors need more than one service and are able to receive what is necessary.

In addition, the association provides nutrition for seniors. For two hours every Wednesday, approximately 170 seniors receive packages of food from the food bank. When the seniors come to the food bank, they receive prepared bags of groceries and are able to choose their own breads and vegetables in a country market setting. Last year they gave out 8,609 bags and provided more than 3,000 Meals on Wheels. Commodities are distributed every third Thursday to about 80 seniors, and last year they totaled 962.

The association’s Winona Court residence rents rooms at reasonable rates to seven seniors and provides a live-in manager who cooks the evening meal and serves it family style. During their dinners the residents exchange ideas and information on needed services to help one another. Winona Court is able to serve seven seniors; however, the association has a Volunteer Services Coordinator, also. They provide more than 100 seniors a friendly home visit at least once a week. Last year the volunteers donated more than 3,700 hours of “house-calls.” Finally, the association started Operation Warm-Up, a program that provides warm clothing for seniors at a time when utilities have increased an average of 40 percent.

Cohill volunteered at the Colorado Christian Homoe from October 2000 to January 2002 for 15 hours per week. Cindy McKinney, Volunteer Coordiantor, stated that: “She was a dedicated volunteer that brought hope and joy to a child.” Cohill was also a Denver Partner for five years working with at risk children.

ASPIRE – UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE CENTER FOR GOVERNMENT TRAINING

The University of Tennessee believes teens are agents of change and are capable of addressing many issues they face today. Through Aspire, a youth development program serving high school students in the state of Tennessee, students are trained and empowered to take a leadership role in their schools and communities. Funding provided by the Tennessee Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Program allows The University of Tennessee, Center for Government Training, to administer the Aspire Program.

Adult sponsors from 19 schools and community agencies select eight diverse students to serve on their Aspire team. These students, who mirror the school they represent, participate in training sessions designed to enhance their leadership skills. Eight college students, as well as Tennessee’s Y.E.S. (Youth Engaged in Service) Ambassador provide the training.

Having received leadership training, Aspire teams are charged with designing and implementing service projects in their local areas. Through these student-initiated projects, teams address two specific program goals: They work to improve school climate as it to relate to safe and disciplined learning environment, and they change attitudes and norms regarding youth alcohol and other drug use.

Aspire teams are currently implementing a variety of projects. The Haywood County High School has trained its team in peer mediation. Mediators educate the student body about the mediation process and how it might solve a variety of school and personal conflicts. Morristown Hamblin East High School began a mentoring project serving incoming freshmen also. Team members visited eighth grade students throughout the school year to discuss topics such as choosing classes and extra-curricular activities. The mentors served as resources during the first week of school.

Humphrey’s County 4-H All Stars deliver an annual training program for 60 area eighth grade students on ethical leadership. The 4-H Aspire team designed this training based upon information learned at their regional Aspire training. Annually a celebration is held to close out the school year and recognize outstanding efforts of the volunteers. At the party, teams showcase their accomplishments and network with others from across the state to gain new ideas for the coming year. Student leaders facilitate many workshops so that others can learn how to duplicate their projects.

Aspire teams have had a positive impact on their communities. They have affected their peers and developed their own leadership skills through experiential learning. The volunteers determine the unmet needs in their school, and Aspire provides a framework within to problem solve. Aspire differs from many statewide programs in that resources are concentrated on students as the change agents in their community. The volunteers determine their greatest need and gives them the freedom to choose how to meet that need. The Aspire team members are selected from diverse environments and are therefore able to mobilize their peers through a personal connection.