UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA’S COLLEGE AT WISE, ATHLETIC PROGRAM
The goal of the faculty and staff at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise is to make a positive difference in the lives of others by giving of their time and talents to help meet the physical and self-concept needs of people in the area. The athletes, coaches, trainers and athletic administration have worked to impact their community; however, they have also received because of their giving.
The women’s volleyball team volunteered to assist the 2002 summer Remote Area Medical Program. This program dispenses free medical and dental care to needy children and adults in the area. The women’s basketball and volleyball team also made 30 “sack bunnies” and 15 comforters during the month of October for the Child Advocacy Center for neglected and a used children. The men’s football and baseball teams provided free instructional clinics for area youth during the month of August. During both the men’s and women’s basketball games in the winter, the athletic department raised money and secured food donations for the Wise County Food Bank. In addition, the football team has an annual benefit basketball game with local media in December. All proceeds from the event go to the “Hope House” shelter for abused women and their children.
The athletic department as a whole sponsors the “Cavs and Kids” program where all are school age children can buy tickets for the football and basketball games at reduced prices. Then the individual schools get to keep all the money from the ticket sales to used for supplies the school needs at the time. In addition to sponsoring “Cavs and Kids”, the athletic department also sponsors the “Helping Hands” awards where they annually sponsor a male and female from each of the seven county towns who have volunteered their time to serve local youth in recreational and civic related pursuits. This is done with hopes of stimulating other adults to volunteer with young people.
Student athletes and coaches spoke at Wise Primary School during October and November on making good life choices. They touched on the importance of studying, avoiding drug and alcohol abuse and being kind to others. They also spoke to Pound High School classes about the importance of character and integrity. In addition, more than 150 student athletes volunteer their time to build the Wise Primary School Pow-Wow Playground. The school provided the equipment and materials and the University provided the labor.
The athletic administration also speaks to 60 to 75 area youth baseball and softball coaches annually about the importance of nurturing and self-concept building as they work with young children between the ages of 8 and 12. The men’s baseball team also adopted an area rest home patron as their #1 fan and treated her to awards and special on field activities during the spring of 2002. The women’s softball team also schedules regular visits with the residents of Heritage Hall Rest Homes.
WHITMAN COLLEGE CROSS CULTURAL OUTREACH PROGRAM
Walla Walla, Washington has a farm labor camp that is primarily populated by families who work harvest. The majority of these families are Hispanic. The parents tend to speak limited English while the children are bi-lingual, speaking both Spanish and English. Several years ago, a Whitman student names Griselda Enriquez, began going to the camp frequently to interact with the children. She was not a part of an organized program; she often went alone. He purpose in visiting was to let the children know that they had options. She told them they could do well in school, go to college and become what they chose to be.
When she graduated from Whitman College in May of 2000, another student approached the Center for Community Service Office and suggested that the office continue the link that Griselda had forged by creating a formal program that brought Whitman College students together with the children from the farm labor camps.
At that point, the Cross Cultural Outreach Program was created. It consists of several student coordinators who are responsible for the vision and planning of the weekly activities. They then recruit other Whitman students to attend with them on Saturday mornings and be involved with the children. Students and student groups are encouraged to share with the children their passions and to actively engage them in activities. Events that are sponsored are intended to be much more than just a weekly activity program to give the children something to do on Saturday mornings. The focus of the program is to broaden the children’s experiences and let them know that the world is filled with opportunities for them by actively involving them in the weekly theme.
The Cross Cultural Outreach Program also includes field trips. The student coordinators felt that it was important for the children in the farm labor camp to be more involved in the local Walla Walla community and to explore some of the resources available to them. One such trip will have the children traveling to a local ice chalet to play broomball with the Whitman students. This is a favorite event for the college students, and they wanted to share the experience with the children. In addition to playing and interaction with older college students, this exposes the children to the entire college campus and atmosphere.
The Cross Cultural Outreach Program is a success. It is a model that shows motivated young adults making a positive difference in the lives of children. It also shows young adults living in a community and taking responsibility for making that community a better place while they are there as opposed to being disconnected from what is around them. The students, the community and the children are enriched by the experiences of this program.
JOY READY
Joy Ready is the founder and director of King’s Club International Ministries. Ready founded this inner city ministry eight years ago. She quit a successful bridal shop business to make this vision a reality. Although her private business provided ample financial security, she wanted to impact the lives of the community around her.
Ready decided to start King’s Club to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the underprivileged and at-risk children in Urbana-Champaign. After taking the big step of selling her business, she decided to dedicate her life to reaching out to the poor. In achieving this goal, she had to sacrifice; however, she is happy with the choice she made. Though her current income actually is well below that of the people she now ministers to, Ready will continue her service with the King’s Club.
The King’s Club is reliant on private donations for funding. Since its inception, it has grown to become the most prominent inner city program in Urbana-Champaign. Each week, a Sidewalk Sunday School bus visits the areas and provides a time of fun and excitement for the children. Games, prizes and food are given out along with a weekly bible lesson in the form of skits and examples.
King’s Club is the only organization in town that goes out to the inner city every week and personally visits each home of every child that attends the Sidewalk Sunday School. The number of children in the program has grown steadily annually, and today the organization reaches out to nearly a thousand children in the Urbana-Champaign area. Most everyone in the inner city knows about the King’s Club and “Sister Joy.”
From the Thanksgiving boxes of Love to Easter Egg Hunts to Christmas stockings and presents, Ready’s vision has been to partner the Urbana-Champaign community with the underprivileged. Every year she has mobilized radio stations, local churches and even college organizations like the Asian American Association, to donate their time and money to help make the lives of the youth a little better.
During that process, the King’s Club promotes awareness of the plight of the inner city children. It has also helped to better knit the community into one working unit. They have made the neighborhoods safer and most importantly, changed the lives of children. Many of the youth that have been a part of the Club from its inception are now teenagers, and they are making decisions that will positively impact their community and the rest of their lives. They are able to make more informed decisions as a result of the ministry of the King’s Club.
Ready made personal sacrifices to meet a need in her community. Her sacrifice has resulted in the founding of King’s Club, and now the Club has expanded as far away as Africa. King’s Club Nigeria now meets with more than 300 children in Nigeria. There are plans to expand to South Africa and Brazil also.
WHITMAN COLLEGE MENTORS PROGRAM
In 1993, Jamey Wolverton was a senior at Whitman College and had a passion for academic excellence as well as community service. He designed a program that matched 23 at-risk elementary school children in the third, fourth and fifth grades with Whitman College students who served as their mentors. The program was designed to discover if an ongoing mentoring relationship would positively affect attendance rates, academic performance, behavior and self-esteem for the children.
When Wolverton graduated from Whitman College in May 1994, he was asked by the College President to coordinate a newly created office called the Center for Community Service. It was at this time that the Mentors Program became officially affiliated with Whitman College. In the past eight years, the program has continued to grow, while remaining true to its original purpose.
When the Mentors Program started, students mentored in one local elementary school. Today, the Whitman Mentors Program is actively involved in all six public schools located in Walla Walla, Wash. Transportation is provided so that elementary schools located some distance from Whitman College can also benefit from this program. In the beginning, there were 23 students serving as mentors. Today, more than 100 Whitman students participate as mentors each year.
Originally, one person easily handled all the logistics, as there were a limited number of elementary school children and mentors participating in the program. Today, there are two college students who serve as Center for Community Service Interns that invest 17 hours per week coordinating all aspects of the program. They advertise for mentors, host informational meetings, attend staff meetings at the local schools to keep teachers up-to date, select the mentors, train the mentors, interview all the elementary school children participating in the program, match the elementary school children with a mentor, communicate with parents, arrange transportation, handle all aspects of the evaluation process and deal with any issues or concerns.
Though the program has grown, the most fundamental aspects of the program have not changed; and the program is still effectively meeting the needs of local school children. Its mission remains that college students reach out to local elementary school children and give them hope for their future. While attending college, it is very easy to be self-focused and forget about the community in which you live. The Mentors Program engages college students to meet the community children’s needs of encouragement, companionship and tutoring.
GIRL SCOUTS OF TRAILWAYS COUNCIL TROUP #146
Girl Scouts of Trailways Council Troop #146 is a group of nine first-grade girls from Joliet, Ill. They collected new and used children’s books from November 1-25, 2002 (which coincides with National Children’s Book Week) and gave them to Will County area agencies to help promote reading in children. The motto of “Together we can make it happen” was used to help pull the troop members and their community together.
The troop contacted three agencies in Will County that provide services for children. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Catholic Charities Headstart Mobile Library and the Guardian Angel Home. To help support the drive, and involve the community, the troop contacted the Cunningham Grade School Principal, the Joliet Public Library, the City of Joliet and the Joliet Police Department. They then contacted a local storage facility business and received boxes with which to make receptacles. The designed flyer was given to the Principal, who had them copied and sent to each student as a home handout. A press release was given to the local paper and an article ran in the community section on October 27,2002.
On November 26,2002 the troop counted and sorted all the books received. The final count of books collected was 1,981. They sorted the books into two categories of easy and hard readers and boxed them for distribution. While delivering the books, they talked with individuals in charge. They wanted to know what the books would be used for and if there was any other help needed. They discovered that DCFS is using the books to start a new reading room and distribute amongst their day care centers. Catholic Charities is using the books to start up a mobile library program and a young reader’s program. The Guardian Angel home is using the books for several programs such as tutoring and after school reading programs. A new press release was given to the local paper and an article was published December 15, 2002.
This project brought a community together to help fight illiteracy. They thanked the Joliet Public Library who donated books from their basement collection, Joliet City Hall who handled all questions from the public, the Joliet Police Department who helped by loading the books when they were picked up by the troop, Cunningham Grade School, their classmates and the community itself. Through this drive, GSTC Troop #146, the City of Joliet, and Will County showed that reading does matter. By putting books into the hands of kids and helping implement current and new reading programs the whole community benefits.
Today they are still receiving book donations. To date the number of books collected is 2,258 books. Each member of the Troop #146 has given 15 hours of time towards this project and the troop intends to follow up by visiting the places that received the books.
MONTAUK POINT LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM
The Montauk Historical Society Lighthouse Committee is active in the Montauk, New York community. Their dedication to lighthouses has resulted in a complex of historical buildings being saved and the education of many school children and adults.
In 1986, the Historical Society petitioned the U.S. Coast Guard to open a museum at “The Montauk Point Lighthouse.” No governmental agency from federal to local jurisdictions wanted the responsibility; however, this committee saved the historic and beloved complex from being boarded up and abandoned.
Since the late 1980’s, the Historical Society has restored additional buildings, created educational exhibits and programs and celebrated Long Island, local and maritime history. In addition, they have served more than 1,500,000 visitors. Operating as volunteers during the past 18 years, they donate countless hours to the stewardship of this nationally significant historic site. President George Washington initially commissioned this site in 1792.
The Montauk Lighthouse is the fourth oldest working lighthouse in the United States and the oldest in New York State. Until construction of the Statue of Liberty, this beacon symbolically marked many immigrants’ arrival into our country. Today it still remains as an important aid to navigation and mark of arrival by sea to the U.S.
WALTRAUD VALERIO
Waltraud “Ruth” Valerio is a symbol of success to clients and students at The League for People with Disabilities and an enduring light for the Learning Center. Ruth is a volunteer tutor for The League and has shown extraordinary commitment to helping others learn.
Valerio came to The League as a client when her employer closed their Baltimore factory. Although she earned a high school degree in Germany, she needed an American degree and attended pre-GED classes at The League. She worked hard in class and with a volunteer tutor. Eventually, she attended Fairmount-Harford High School and earned – not her GED, but – her American high school diploma, which is a great source of pride.
Since coming to the League for People with Disabilities, she has been a dynamo, constantly searching for and absorbing information to help her teach. She works one-to-one with clients at The League. All of her students have some type of disability, which requires her to find unique approaches in her teaching. In her studies, she has learned to do research on the Internet. She is constantly using this skill to help her find teaching materials and techniques to help students with learning disabilities and other impairments caused by stroke.
Besides her own research, Valerio has sought out other opportunities for learning. This past fall, she attended Power Through Participation, a 3-day conference convened by and for people with disabilities. She volunteered to help a client attend the conference; although the client was unable to attend, Valerio accompanied the Executive Director and was exposed to many issues affecting people with disabilities.
Valerio has also completed three tutor-training programs outside of The League. Three of The League tutors attended trainings at Baltimore Reads, Inc. Valerio also participated in an extensive training program through Volunteers-in-Progress, a program through the Community College of Baltimore County and Literacy Works, Inc. She uses these experiences to help her students and shares information with The League’s volunteer tutor program and classes run in the adult medical day program. In addition, she has recently started volunteering in the community as a tutor in an ESOL (English as a second language) class.
DR. KEVIN FULLIN
Dr. Kevin Fullin dedicates his life to helping individuals to heal and lead healthy lives. A cardiologist by day, thousands of local folks have found a new lease on life in his skillful hands. Since 1991, Dr. Fullin has been helping individuals to heal from wounds to their psyche and self esteem caused by domestic abuse. Dr. Fullin serves as medical liaison for the Pathways of Courage, a hospital based advocacy program for victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
Representing and working with victims of domestic abuse, Dr. Fullin was instrumental in the development and implementation of guidelines and protocols for healthcare workers to recognize and effectively work with victims of domestic abuse. This information was published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal in 1992.
In 2001, Dr. Fullin learned that WoMen and Children’s Horizons, the local advocacy center and emergency shelter for victims of domestic abuse, offered programming to stop men from abusing their partners. He contacted the agency and was trained to work with abusive individuals. Since then Dr. Fullin has volunteered as one of the group facilitators in the program that is known as Circle of Change. Dr. Fullin is one of two facilitators who meet with a group of 20-30 men, many completing the program as part of the conditions of their parole.
Through the 26-week Circle of Change Group, men who have been controlling and abusive in their relationships learn to identify the issues surrounding domestic abuse in their lives, become accountable for the things they say and do, get in touch with their own issues of child abuse or witnessing violence as children, begin to heal and express themselves emotionally, face the consequences of past abusive behavior and choose non-violence each day.
Several men have graduated from the Circle of Change Group and have encouraged the development of an “after care” group that helps them to maintain the healthy environment where they can discuss relationship issues. Dr. Fullin facilitates that group. He is a crucial element of the Circle of Change Group. He presents a positive image of what it means to be a man that the program participants can use in the development of their new violence-free lifestyles.
Dr. Fullin has been a leader in the movement to stop family abuse not only in Kenosha, but the entire medical and domestic abuse communities. He has been the President of the Board of Directors for Columbus Park Housing from 1992 to present and has served as medical Liaison and been a speaker at National Domestic Violence Project from 1991 to 2003. In addition, he is a member of the Senior Action Council Ad Hoc Committee Elder Abuse and Neglect, the National Coalition of Physicians Against Family Violence, Physicians for a Violence-Free Society and Physicians for Social Responsibility.
ROSE PIERCE
Rose Pierce, 84, has provided dedicated volunteer service to the veteran community in Poughkeepsie, New York for 54 years. She takes the time to organize and facilitate social activities for veterans, visiting others in local hospitals and visiting veterans who are nursing home residents.
Pierce is a lifelong resident of the City of Poughkeepsie, and she has spent her entire life assisting those less fortunate. During her career at the United States Post Office, Pierce was known for her willingness to always go beyond the ordinary call of duty. Since her retirement in 1979, Pierce dedicates her days to volunteer service.
Pierce works to bring sunshine into the lives of other senior citizens. She takes neighbors to the doctor’s office, grocery store, or out for entertainment. She is also active in community affairs and has been Treasurer and Leader of the Dutchess County Chapter of Statewide Senior Action Council, a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and Chairperson for Voice of Discovery and Arts for youth groups. In addition, she has just completed two terms as President of the Poughkeepsie Area Chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons.
Pierce spends many hours on the telephone making contacts to various groups to assist veterans. She also helps with the Parades at the City of Poughkeepsie for Memorial Day, VFW Day at Castle Point and Loyalty Day at the VA Medical Center procuring musical units. In addition, she works at the Castle Point Medical Center putting on monthly birthday parties, distributing birthday cards and gifts. She also bakes homemade cakes and cookies for patients. She sings, dances and visits with the wheelchair and bed-ridden patients along with feeding those who needed assistance. Recently Pierce has started a program called History of the Flags. She speaks on the history of flags in various schools and organized activities.
The Dutchess County Legislature designated Pierce as a Dutchess County Senior Citizen of the Year in 1988. Mayor Robert A. Bleakley gave a Proclamation to Pierce on March 4, 1989 because of her service.
CODY FREAS
In the fall of 2000, Cody Freas founded a nonprofit agency called Operation Paws. Inspired by his love of animals and his commitment to teaching children community service, Cody developed and implemented a fundraising project to benefit the homeless animals of Operation Kindness.
After volunteering for the National Honor Society and learning the value of community service, he began to realize that are many young children that never have the opportunity to contribute to their community. Cody started Operation Paws to bring children and animals together. His idea was to offer elementary school children the opportunity to sponsor or “adopt” an animal at Operation Kindness for a $12 donation. Every child received a personalized adoption certificate and a photo of the dog or cat that they “adopted.” The children also receive a goodie bag which contains a bio specifically about their animal, dog bone candy, a dog or cat bracelet and an invitation to the Adopt-A-Paws Parents party at the shelter. They are also listed on an Honor Roll. By giving something back to the children for their participation in Operation Paws, Cody hoped that he could emphasize the value of community service at an early age.
Cody had to convince many schoolteachers and administrators that he was committed to this project. One teacher told him that she believed he could never make the project work and gave him a list of volunteer opportunities that would be better. He faced resistance, but persevered. He created displays, photographed the animals, negotiated prices for his supplies, and marketed the final product to schools. Cody also recruited members of the National Honor Society and the Environmental Club at his high school to volunteer to help make the bags. In all, he has 100 volunteers working with him on this project.
Operation Paws has been a great success. Cody teaches many children about community service and helping others. Eleven Plano schools have participated in his project thus far. He has raised approximately $10,000 for animals. In addition, Cody has raised community awareness of the shelter and the plight of homeless animals. His organization donated more than 200 stuffed animals to the Plano Children’s Medical Center for children without medical insurance.
President Bush sent pictures of his pets, Spot and Barney, to be Operation Paws mascots. Cody has also just recently been chosen one of three international winners for the “Yes, I Can! Foundation for Exceptional Children Award for his service to young people and community service and will be honored in Seattle, Washington in April. He was recognized as the Dallas Youth Volunteer of the Year in 2003.
Cody is a true inspiration. Although he is learning disabled, he does not allow that to be a deterrent to him. He is truly passionate about his project and is a role model for volunteers of all ages.
