NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Neighbor-to-Neighbor Community Development Corporation, Inc. (NNCDC, Inc.) is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian corporation established in 1995 to provide urgently needed community services to low-income/minority residents of eastern Delaware County and to express its commitment to social responsibility and community development.

Over two thousand five hundred (2,500) households receive services directly in southeast Delaware County through the NNCDC, Inc. Services delivered by the NNCDC, Inc. are designed to improve academic performance of youth and adult populations; decrease risk and unproductive behavior of youth; promote literacy; provide quality out-of-school care; promote the well-rounded development of youth and adult populations; improve self -esteem and socialization skills for youth.

They promote youth leadership and development, improve access to health care services and decrease health-related problems in the community; meet the nutritional needs of low-income households, counsel at-risk and prison populations and prepare them for productive, self-sufficient living in the community. NNCDC also delivers needed services/supplies to the homeless population and delivers needed/supportive services to elderly/homebound populations. These services include, but are not limited to: – After-School Enrichment Program – Community Health Services – Emergency Food Program – Employment & Training – Camp Joy (Summer Day Camp) – Friday Night at the Movies – Youth Mentoring Outreach Program – Youth Offender Program – Community Outreach & Homeless Programs – Computer Training/Instruction – Adult Literacy Services – Transportation – Learning Activities Through Community Help (LATCH-On) – Summer Swim Program – Community Recreation Programs – Homebound/Senior Services Program – Community Linkage/Networking – Community Service Volunteerism

Services provided by the NNCDC, Inc. are performed/conducted primarily by volunteers who are community residents and who possess all credentials and/or experience necessary to effectively assist the NNCDC, Inc. in the delivery of community services. In addition, these volunteers’ and staffs’ extensive knowledge of the community and issues facing low-income/ minority persons ensures maximum community and client impact with regard to service delivery. Additionally, NNCDC, Inc. receives funding support from a wide range of public, private, corporate, foundation and community sources, and coordinates with a variety of private and community organizations to efficiently and effectively provide needed community services.

CAJON HIGH SCHOOL

Cajon High School is tucked away in the foot hills of San Bernardino. With the Peer Leadership classes and Special Education teachers promoting volunteerism to their students, the word gets out at an early age that community service really does make a difference and volunteering is worthwhile for both the community and individual development.

Within this last year, 13 high schools in the Inland Empire were recognized for 435 students donating 55,449 hours of their time. Of that, 33, 000 hours were donated by 200 Cajon High School students. One such student is Chanise Scott, who said,”Volunteering has made a positive impact on my life. It allows me to show my true self, and that is caring for others.”

The students and staff at Cajon are not the only ones who see the difference their efforts have made. Ed Mauel, columnist for the San Bernardino Sun newspaper said, “Anybody who wants to make our world a better place needs simply to go to Cajon High School and learn what community service is all about.”

Cajon High School has worked with the Volunteer Center of the Inland Empire since 1989, promoting volunteerism and a concern for others within their student body. Principal Brett Killeen said, “ We are proud that our students and staff are being recognized for the selfless services they have provided to our community. The recognition is much appreciated, but given the caring nature of these people, it is certainly not expected. These students and staff represent the epitome of what goodness is.”

Geri Longfellow, Cajon’s Career Center Director, agreed that these students exemplify good citizenship. “The kids at Cajon are a good group; they have always excelled. Teachers stress getting involved within the community and the kids end up enjoying it, going above and beyond requirements and expectations.” The idea at Cajon is that if a young adult is exposed to opportunities and ways to make a difference, he or she will ultimately be familiar with the less fortunate and those in need, causing them to see beyond themselves.

Learning is about experience, not just classroom work. Students are coming out more prepared for the real world because they have had greater exposure, thus feeling a higher confidence level in the work force and a greater compassion for those that need it. Students have worked with churches, senior centers, hospitals, animal shelters, libraries, blood banks, homeless shelters, food and clothing distributions, and community cleanups, to just name a few.

“ Volunteering allows me to make a positive impact in the community, “ said Peer Leadership student Omeera Qadir. “ I enjoy working with the community because I know my efforts can and will help.” Qadir’s feelings reflect the Peer Leadership program’s motto, which is a quote from President George Bush – “ A life of service is a life of significance.”

D. WILLIAM MOREAU JR.

For nearly 10 years, many in Indianapolis have worked to serve the homeless of the city. There have been partnerships, collaborations, and new initiatives that have come and gone. Most were predicated on the speculation that funding from a variety of sources would come as a result of this combined effort. Few, if any of these ventures have been successful over the long haul. Turf issues, notoriety, cessation of funding, changes in staff, have all left the system in place to address the issue of homelessness in the city fragmented and lacking the continuum of care needed for the most vulnerable citizens. More than a year ago, this started to change. Under the competent leadership of Bill Moreau, the city began to develop a plan to comprehensively address the needs of the homeless population.

Moreau was instrumental in getting representatives of almost every agency that provides services to the homeless to come together for what is now know as the Blueprint to End Homelessness. This feat has never before been accomplished in the city. Faith based and non-faith based agencies, governmental agencies, those who provide medical care, mental health care, and job training worked collaboratively to submit a comprehensive Blueprint to the Indianapolis Housing Task Force and the Mayor in April of this year. It was at Moreau’s insistence that this planning process be as inclusive as possible.

When Moreau began his leadership of this monumental process, he knew little of the issue of homelessness, but he quickly learned. This Barnes and Thornburg attorney stood in line with hungry men, women, and children waiting to receive groceries at St. Vincent DePaul. He toured the Missions, meeting not only with the administration and front line staff, but also with those to whom the services are delivered. He participated in out of town trips to visit model programs to glean ideas for improvements that could be made in Indianapolis. Moreau allowed himself to be changed by this process into a staunch advocate for the homeless.

Although Moreau invited and even solicited input and involvement from the beginning of the Blueprint planning process, he was not a leader who simply showed up at the end of an arduous process to claim credit. Moreau immersed himself in his task. He gave up nights and weekends with his family to provide leadership in large and small group meetings. Though maintaining a hectic schedule with his law practice, Moreau took the time to personally lend his expertise to develop the Blueprint.

Director of Planning and Development for the Coalition of Homelessness Intervention (CHIP), Joe Fahy, made the following comment concerning Moreau’s participation in the Blueprint process, “throughout the Blueprint process, Moreau impressed all of us at CHIP with his leadership, vision, energy, and unfailing good humor. It is our emphatic belief that Moreau performed an outstanding service to the people of Indianapolis as chairman of the Blueprint to End Homelessness Committee.”

THOMAS STANKEN

Tom Stanken is actively involved with 7 different organizations, all on a weekly basis. His main devotion is helping needy adults and children. A big part of each day of his life is focused on meeting the needs of people who are less fortunate. After church, he stops by bakeries to pick up their day-old breads and baked goods to distribute to 3 pantries that serve the homeless. Anywhere he can find food, clothing, or toys, Stanken will be there. When he was working full time at Madison Office Supply in Covington, KY, people on the street got word that Stanken would try to help them. For 20 years, he has supplied food and clothing to people who were destitute and sought him out, even at work. He always takes time to find a way to help.

Every week, Stanken delivers food, clothing and/or cleaning supplies to the Church of God Hamilton Ohio Food Bank and to the Children’s Home in Barbersberg, KY, where he has been a board member for 8 years. Every month, he travels to Hope Emergency center in Fayetteville, OH to deliver food he has secured for their food bank. He contacted the Disney stores on behalf of the Mental Health Association of Northern KY for toys and clothes that were discontinued, marked down or damaged. He made an agreement to buy large skids and picks these items up 3 times a month. After repairing the many toys, buying lots of batteries for them, sewing the rips, cleaning, sorting and grading for appropriate ages, he brings the toys to teachers for children who have made an effort or have improved. As a result, the teachers have told him reading has greatly improved for some children, and sometimes it is the nicest gift these children have ever received. Stanken also delivers some of the toys to children and young adults who go to Hoxworth Blood Center to have special transfusions, in order to help ease some of the anxiety and fear they experience.

Additionally, Stanken has been in charge of hosting a Christmas Day dinner and celebration for 13 years for the needy and homeless. This is the largest event in the Tri-state that is held on Christmas Day. The day before Christmas, Stanken arranges to deploy men from Transitions, a halfway house for first time offenders in Covington. They help him set up the dinner and gifts for Christmas Day. He chooses this place purposely, knowing this experience will help these men and give them an opportunity to partake in a holiday event. Stanken works on this dinner almost all year round, including Christmas Eve and all of Christmas Day. Because of his leadership in this large event, everything works like clockwork and many people have a Christmas they wouldn’t have had if it were not for his efforts. In 1999, he was awarded the “Individual Award” from the State of Kentucky presented by the Lieutenant Governor for this Christmas Day event.

Over the course of one week, Stanken drives approximately 500 miles with his deliveries in Ohio and Kentucky. Besides working at a job 20 hours a week, he averages 35 hours a week doing volunteer work.

ON SITE VOLUNTEER SERVICES

On Site Volunteer Services (OSVS) was founded in 1994 by Neil Giacobbi, a Cornell University student, as a unique-student run nonprofit agency. OSVS is based in Ithaca, New York, and each year manages 2000 volunteers as they serve the needs of more than 40 local agencies. OSVS leads groups of volunteers on service projects such as painting, landscaping, pre-construction work and more. In addition, they manage volunteers for civic events, festivals and celebrations.

Beyond serving as an effective and efficient leverage for nonprofits to utilize volunteer labor to complete necessary physical projects or staff events and leading individuals in enjoyable and productive opportunities, OSVS builds communities. Ithaca, New York is a university town with Cornell University and Ithaca College as the two largest employers in the region. The “town-gown” relationships are at times confrontational. OSVS serves as a positive influence by leading Cornell and Ithaca College students, staff and faculty in hands-on projects in downtown Ithaca and rural Tompkins County. As a result, members of the Cornell and Ithaca College communities are introduced to the greater Tompkins County area.

While at other universities student organizations may lead volunteers in service, OSVS is unique in that it is an independent student-run 501(c) 3 agency not under the authority of the university. Students from both of the colleges work part-time as OSVS staff-members. These student-staff members coordinate projects, recruit and manage volunteers, perform all human resources, financial management, public relations and fundraising activities. OSVS is lead by an Executive Director who is a full-time student and advised by local advisory councils – a diverse collection of university, civic and business leaders – and is governed by a Board of Directors – comprised of alumni and friends of OSVS. Staff members at OSVS participate in their Leadership Development and Management Training Program and receive extraordinary opportunities to develop important professional skills. OSVS alumni work in many different sectors and remain committed to serving their communities.

OSVS is also unique from the one-day, large service programs such as “Into the Streets”, in that it performs multiple service projects each week of the academic year and special projects during the summer months.

Lastly, OSVS is also innovative in that it is a resourceful agency attracting a diverse funding base. The agency receives funding from the local government, residents, businesses and foundations, in addition to attracting funds from student groups and alumni of both Cornell University and Ithaca College who no longer reside in the area. Contributions from this latter group are another way that OSVS helps to engage the university and their alumni in supporting the roughly 70,000 dollars a year of federal funds through the federal work-study system. Rather than having students earn these funds in ways that benefit the university they attend, OSVS employees utilize this valuable financial aid component to make a difference in the community in which they live and study.

ANNE BANFIELD

Anne Banfield is a 34-year-old woman with Down’s syndrome. Banfield began volunteering at the W.H. Hundley Annex, the long-term care facility of Community Memorial Healthcenter, immediately upon her graduation from high school. She became a member of the Auxiliary of the Healthcenter in 1988, and has since logged over 10,000 hours of volunteer service. She runs errands, helps transport residents of the Annex to the beauty shop and to various recreational activities, helps out with Bingo, plays the piano, and distributes smiles, hugs and kisses on a frequent basis. Everyone who comes into contact with Banfield at the Hospital adores her.

A friendly, helpful person is always a welcomed sight for anyone, and the elderly confined to long-term care are no exception. Many of the hospital residents have only a minimal number of relatives and friends that visit on a regular basis. Banfield’s daily companionship offers them the sociable encounter that otherwise may be absent. Banfield builds connections one person at a time and each receives her undivided and individualized attention. She greets everyone she encounters with a smile, “good morning,” and a hug that is special, just for him or her.

Having topped the 10,000 hours of volunteer service at the W.S. Hundley Annex, Banfield continues to accumulate service hours by helping every weekday and she has no plans to slow her pace. Currently, she serves over 125 hours per month.

Banfield is a member of the Activity staff and carries out her duties faithfully. One of her jobs is to assist the residents coming and going to and from events. She does this by driving the elevator to bring the residents from the first and second floors to the basement Activity/Dining room, where most of the activities take place. Banfield knows all of the residents and where they live. She is courteous and concerned for their safety.

Banfield also takes an active role in the activities by passing out prizes for Bingo, serving food and assisting residents with eating during socials and parties, actively participating in games like bowling, shuffleboard, parachute fun and exercises, wheelchair square dancing and line dancing, sing-a-longs, special events like proms, talent and fashion shows, and many more events too numerous to mention.

Banfield, on any given day, provides interaction for each of the 140 residents, their family members and the 150 staff who are employed at the facility. And residents and staff alike know immediately upon meeting her that she is their friend for life. While many of us may lack the strength or power to overcome “boundaries,” she chose to “go beyond” hers and because of that, the world is a much more beautiful place for the residents and those connected with the Healthcenter, the Annex and the community.

MARGE ENGLEMAN

Marge Engleman has been involved with the American Red Cross for the past ten years, serving numerable hours to support their services. After the September 11th tragedy, she volunteered to assist with the distribution of t-shirts and magnets sold through the local chapter for more than 30 hours. Her support at such a crucial time was instrumental to the success of the fundraiser.

On numerous occasions, Marge has placed her personal life on hold so she could assist during disasters. One example of this was during the Madison County flooding on Easter weekend. Marge was in the middle of making Easter dinner for her family, including her daughter who was home from Virginia, when she was called to gather supplies and begin relief efforts.

In addition to Red Cross volunteer activities, Marge is very active in her community. She volunteers with the Missouri Veterans Home, Cape County Health Department, Meals on Wheels, Area Wide United Way, and works the poll at election time. Marge is also a guide for the Convention and Visitors Bureau, where she proudly shows off her community to visitors and prospective employees. Marge serves on the Board of Trustees at her church, where she oversees the church plan and monitors how money is spent. She is a member of the Kitchen committee, where she cooks at least twice a month, helps with food bereavement meals, and keeps the kitchen safe and clean. Aside from conducting meetings for groups and giving tours of the church, Marge has been a Circle Leader, Bible School Director, Sunday School Teacher, and leader for a Young Adult Class that she started with her husband Bill.

For 24 years, Marge spent her career as a teacher in the Cape Girardeau public school system, where she has impacted the lives of thousands of students. While in the school system, she implemented new programs for the students and volunteered in several capacities such as serving on two-bond issue committees and the Community Relations Committee, as well as delivering school papers. Outside of the school system, Marge has been involved in a disabled scout program, served as a Girl Scout leader, and chaired the Kiwanis Coat and Shoe program. At the Alternative School, she has repaired and distributed clothing to the students and was the liaison for the Procter & Gamble Adopt a School project, which funded computers and new programs for the school system. She also planned the first Black History month and put together a job fair for the students that introduced them to a variety of employment opportunities.

Marge depicts the true spirit of volunteerism. She has spent the majority of her life giving to others while keeping a smile on her face and kindness in her heart. She is dedicated to giving her time and talents to the community and is truly an inspiration.

NORTH AMERICAN RIDING FOR THE HANDICAPPED ASSOCIATION

The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) is the umbrella organization for nearly 650 Riding Centers in the United States that provide Therapeutic Riding for 32,000 disabled, children, youth and adults.

Some of these riders were disabled at birth; others have suffered an injury or accident in later years that has resulted in their disability, while others were born autistic. Still others are at Risk Youth. For children and adults with CP and MS the motion of riding on a horse is identical to that of a person jogging or running so muscles can be developed that a physical therapist cannot reach.

Often parents of autistic children will tell us that the first word their child has spoken is “whoa” or “giddy up”, because they know that is what moves or stops the horse. NARHA was founded in 1969 at the Red Fox Inn in Middleburg, Virginia by a group of horse owners who knew from visits to England that a new therapy had been developed to treat persons with disabilities by providing them with therapy on horseback.

From that small beginning the Association has become the leading spokes organization for the disabled and horse therapy and is the organization that sets the standards for the industry.

NARHA is vitally concerned with the safety of its riders and its volunteers and conducts extensive certification courses, nationwide, for potential instructors; on going continuing education courses for its instructors and volunteers; and accreditation visits to its Member Centers to guarantee they are complying with proper safety standards. NARHA also offers numerous publications to its membership and the general public, from its Award winning quarterly magazine, to the four page pamphlets designed for instructors, or administrators, or riders and their parents.

Many persons who have been told they would never be able to walk are now walking as a result of the therapy they have received on the horse and many at risk youth have benefited and become productive citizens as a result of the responsibilities they were given in caring for a horse.

Former Presidential Press Secretary James Brady rehabilitated at the National Center for Therapeutic Riding, a NARHA facility that at that time was located in Rock Creek Park. NARHA holds an annual Convention, with presentations from leaders in the industry, and conducts Regional Seminars and Conferences on an annual basis in each of the 11 NARHA Regions in the United States. Nearly 2,000 persons attend these seminars, workshops and Conference annually.To conduct a riding lesson the young rider must have two sidewalks and a lead walker.

Throughout the Country there are 30,000 volunteers, 1,100 instructors and 5,700 Therapy Horses involved in NARHA Programs. For many of the volunteers it is their first interaction with a child with disabilities. Despite these numbers there remain waiting lists at nearly all NARHA Centers. For the child in wheel chair the horse allows them to go places that they could not otherwise go and helps them tremendously in developing their self confidence; NARHA ‘s mission.

THE DUNCKELMAN FAMILY

Geralyn Dunckelman was raised from childhood by her grandmother upon her mother’s passing. Geralyn’s grandmother provided her with much guidance and support throughout her lifetime, as well as eventually providing support for Geralyn’s two sons. She also taught the sons about faith and sat many hours sharing life’s experiences. She made a profound difference in all of their lives.

When she died at age 90, the Dunckelman family felt compelled to keep her memory alive through work with other elderly members of their community. Houma, like most communities in the United States, finds itself with an aging, lonely population. The grandmother’s life had taught them that they are all members of a family, bonded by the responsibility to meet the needs of others in unique ways. Thus, the Dunckelman family targeted local nursing homes and individuals confined to private houses to develop a service project, “Family Focus,” which would involve a combination of “mini” projects developed by each family member, but supported by the entire group.

The eldest son, 16 years old, started “SENSE-ible Service,” which attempts to stimulate the five senses of the elderly. For example, food is provided for taste, flowers are donated for smell, used eyeglasses are recycled for sight, visits with animals are made to stimulate the sense of touch, and visits with musical instruments promote audio stimulation. Countless youths and their families have supported this program.

In the words of the youngest son, age 11, “How can we have a future without a past?” After surveying nursing homes throughout our nation to determine the availability of fine arts programs in these homes, he began a program called Project FAME (Fine Arts Motivating the Elderly). His efforts have resulted in over one thousand youths and adults working together to collect over $100,000 in audiocassettes, videocassettes, and books. Sites in thirteen states were selected to receive these materials with local nursing homes being the primary recipients.

Mr. Dunckelman provides for the spiritual and holiday needs of local nursing home residents by uniting youths and their respective families for monthly prayer services. Further, holidays are characterized by costumed visits, bringing cheerful talk and gifts.

Mrs. Dunckelman’s project involves inter-generational reading, which pairs at-risk preschoolers for reading and friendship with nursing home residents. Over the years, she has witnessed the elimination of behavioral problems, the building of lasting friendships, people committing to a lifetime of altruistic activities, and the prideful looks of a hundred adopted grandparents. These visits, completed with the aid of the local school district, give them the needed reminder that in education, there lies an obligation to develop not only the minds, but also the character of our children.

Mrs. Dunckelman states that in the future, all activities will continue with love and appreciation for the elderly and others.

KIM BENFIELD

Kim Benfield is a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma, the national co-ed sorority that requires each member to perform 20 hours of community service per semester. Kim volunteers with the G.I.V.E. Center (Georgia College & State University Involved in Volunteer Efforts), which serves as the volunteer/community service clearinghouse empowering students to make a difference in the community.

This organization at GC & SU just recently won the National Service Merit Award for all their help with Relay for Life, the 24-hour Cancer Walk in Baldwin County. Kim was on the planning committee all year, as well as volunteered over 100 hours with the Relay. She is very active in Gamma Sigma Sigma and because of all her hard work, commitment and dedication she has become a wonderful member of this service sorority. Kim is not only a member this year, but is the Service Vice President and will be responsible for coordinating and planning many volunteer opportunities for all the members. There are over 50 members in the group, which will mean that Kim will be responsible for getting students to volunteer over 2000 hours this year. This is the third year she will have been a member of this group.

Kim has an extensive list of volunteer opportunities in which she has participated. She was past President of the collegiate 4-H chapter. She volunteered with Little Feet for one year, where she helped teach at-risk children how to dance. She has volunteered with blood drives for 3 years and helped at the refreshment table, as well as helped with other needed things.

She has gone through MAXX training with the American Red Cross to be able to register donors and work with the plastics of Blood Drives in Baldwin County. She was a Student Coordinator for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and in this capacity, she worked to help recruit college students to become a mentor/tutor with the T5 (Taking Time To Talk and Teach) program in local elementary schools for a year. She has coordinated service projects for 25 students at the Emerging Leaders Retreat, where they build birdhouses for a local nursing home so that the residents could enjoy them last semester. She volunteers with the beautification of downtown Milledgeville. She volunteers with Habitat for Humanity on GC & SU College Days. She has tutored at-risk youth from a local elementary school for a semester. She taught life skills’ workshops for a middle school after-school program for 2 years. She volunteered as a clown for a back-to-school party for at-risk, low-income children for 3 years. She has been dancing with Toe Jam Time, a local clogging team for nursing homes and day care center, for 5 years. And finally, she volunteered with State Farm during their annual Bike Rodeo for 2 years.

Kim not only volunteers her time, but gets others to volunteer as well. She has already gotten 12 members involved with the new Colleges Against Cancer group and they have already started making crafts for cancer survivors, working on Anti-tobacco campaign, developing a speaker’s bureau about Prevention and Education about Cancer, developing a cancer buddy program, where volunteers in the community will be matched up with cancer survivors to develop a friendship; and they will also work directly with Relay For Life this year.