KANSAS CITY NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE

KCNA, whose motto is “because strong cities are built on strong neighborhoods,” will celebrate 25 years of service in the Urban Core of Kansas City. This year it has focused on the low- to moderate-income families. KCNA staff and board are constantly seeking additional ways to fulfill its vision and mission. KCNA’s vision is that Kansas City’s neighborhoods are safe, strong, stable, and attractive places where people are proud to live. This is done by following is mission of strengthening the social, financial, and physical infrastructure of neighborhoods through programming, education, and housing opportunities.

In 2004, KCNA has increased its use of volunteers to help fulfill its vision. A brief summary of some of the volunteer activities that have been coordinated by KCNA to mobilize different segments of the population from the community to improve Kansas City’s neighborhoods follows.

Neighborhood mobilization of resident volunteers has always been encouraged, promoted, taught, and assisted by KCNA. Some of the 2004 volunteer activities that KCNA has partnered in organizing within urban core neighborhoods include the following: neighborhood clean-ups (trash, hazard waste, tree limbs, tires), neighborhood fundraising to meet a specific need within the neighborhood, surveying the housing conditions of the houses within a neighborhood to assist in developing a plan to address the unfavorable housing conditions. KCNA also helped volunteers to organize neighborhood crime patrols, and organize systemic ways to address code violations within neighborhoods.

LEAH SHRUM

Leah Shrum has donated countless hours with the Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship organization since its inception four years ago. The main focus of her work is to provide people living with disabilities the opportunity to ride horses. Ms. Shrum meets with riders and instructs them for up to six hours at a time. She also trains the animals, cares for them and coordinates the veterinarian and farrier care.

Through Ms, Shrum’s work, she has touched the lives of countless children and adults who would not have the ability to ride horses without this outstanding program. She has also deeply impacted the lives of the families who commonly cry out in joy when they see what their loved ones can accomplish on horseback.

Ms. Shrum continues to work hard to advance this program even in the face of adversity. There have been two other programs like this that have failed before, but her dedication and hard work have made the Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Organization an amazing success. The program began with only one rider and now has blossomed to 15 with 45 additional students on the waiting list. In light of this, Ms. Shrum is pushing ahead to expand the program to let others with disabilities take advantage of this wonderful program.

While spending an enormous amount of her time with the Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Organization she has also found time to volunteer in countless other programs. Ms. Shrum is currently the President of a School Board, an assistant basketball coach, a minister, a volunteer school nurse and she works with a local junior youth group and helps assists other organizations in writing grants. Her boundless energy and willingness to help the community has been an inspiration to everyone she meets.

SUMTER SENIOR SERVICES

Sumter Senior Services was established in 1968 as a private nonprofit organization to promote the social, mental and physical welfare of elderly citizens in Sumter County, South Carolina. They are a part of a statewide network of service providers for older adults working under the Lieutenant Governor’s Office – Office on Aging.

The Agency’s guiding philosophy is that everyone has an obligation to assist the seniors. These older Americans have spent their working years building our communities and providing programs and services. We would not have what we have today had it not been for the struggles of the seniors. It is time for us to assist them in living a dignified life in a home setting for as long as they can.

Sumter Senior Services provides a variety of services to the senior population. The primary services are home delivered meals, noonday meals at Senior Centers and transportation. The other services include the operation of 7 senior center that provide a congregate meal for seniors as well as activities, computer classes, ceramic classes, arts and crafts and games. The transportation services provide seniors with a way to get to the senior centers, doctor appointments and recreational trips.

In addition, Home Care and Respite Services including light housekeeping and respite care for caregivers are offered. They also offer a Health/Wellness Program, which includes health screenings, health education and fitness training. The seniors receive information on resources and services available within the community and are referred to appropriate agencies if needed. They also offer Public Benefits Counseling and Assistance. These services include information on supplemental insurance policies, housing assistance, living will and health care powers of attorney.

The Agency also sponsors the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). RSVP has volunteer opportunities that are offered to active and retired seniors residing in Sumter County at a variety of settings located throughout the community.

Last year, the Senior Services provided in excess of 127,000 meals and traveled 114,474 miles to provide senior adult services. They also provide more than 13,000 hours of Homecare and Companion services as well as 4,357 hours of Fitness/Wellness training. The Sumter Senior Services provide seniors with a place to enjoy fellowship, share a meal, activities, and learn new skills and physical fitness programs.

JANE METZLER-POTZ

Jane has served as an important volunteer for the March of Dimes Connecticut chapter through the Willimantic Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition, since 1990. Windham is an economically distressed municipality and is one of the top 5 poorest towns in the state. As coordinator, Jane organized local health care providers and institutions across racial/ethnic boundaries to address teen pregnancy prevention, provide community baby showers, and trainings for health care providers. For 14 years, in her statewide role as Advisory Committee member, she helped plan and execute both quarterly trainings on significant maternal/child issues and an annual conference on prenatal health, i.e. substance abuse and pregnancy.

In addition, Jane has served on the Willimantic WalkAmerica volunteer committee since 1999, mobilizing diverse community volunteers to enthusiastically raise funds, to disseminate March of Dimes folic acid, prenatal and immunization materials, and to help raise premature prevention awareness.

In 2000, she received a community grant to conduct bilingual outreach to pregnant women, and those planning pregnancies, in public housing projects, achieving 110% of project goals. By calling her initiative, Safe Pregnancy Parties, a word acceptable to community residents, and by conducting trainings in both English and Spanish, she successfully engaged teenagers and Latinas with positive self-care and birth outcome messages. Some of the parties were co-conducted with WIC and community health center staff, thus ensuring health care access for pregnant women who had delayed prenatal care entry and a healthy start for their infants.

In Jane’s professional life, she has been a key staff member for the Windham Regional Community Council, Inc. (WRCC) since 1983 when, in response to a community needs assessment, she was hired as the Director of the agency’s Youth Services Bureau, which provides 24-hour crisis hotline substance abuse prevention, AIDS risk reduction, teen pregnancy prevention, Juvenile Justice Center, and a host program serving over 5,000 youth and families each year in the Town of Windham.

For 11 years, Jane has served as Associate Director of the agency where she has been the key person responsible for the development of an Infant Mortality prevention program, an immunization-tracking program for children, oversight of the Windham AIDS Counseling and Testing, prevention services and a care treatment program. She also led the agency expansion into housing emergency and assistance services, further demonstrating community solution finding and connection building.

PABLO MEDINA

Beautiful, safe and peaceful neighborhoods are universal and legitimate requests for any community. However, few are those who dedicate their lives to working to make these ideals a reality.

In Humboldt Park, Chicago, everyone knows of a man who has given himself fully and with no regrets to the community. His passion, humbleness and wisdom are transmitted from his persona the minute you reach out to greet him. His commitment to selfless volunteerism has made him a symbol of outstanding leadership and a familiar face at community clean-ups, festivals, and neighborhood meetings.

Few have managed to mobilize people the way that Pablo Medina has. His example has impacted people in such a way that when Pablo speaks, they listen. He has connected the lives of those living inside the neighborhood to those outside in a personal and diplomatic way; always seeking middle ground from which to build on. His actions have inspired many to become involved in direct service…something seen by Pablo as an act of love.

Having migrated from Puerto Rico in 1968, Pablo quickly awoke to the harsh realities that face immigrants and surrounding communities of the poor. Most importantly, he became conscious of the power that people have to, as Ghandi once said, “be the change they wish to see in the world.”

Since his college years, Pablo has been visible in advocating, through civic participation, for those who have been disconnected from a larger community at both local and international levels (as has been the case with the people of Puerto Rico and other minority populations). He worked to establish the Rafael Cintron-Ortiz Latino Cultural Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, now home to many events held by students and other organizations.

As a long-term board member of the Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center and the Institute for Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, he has helped strengthen families by providing them with positive outlets, such as the appreciation of and engagement in the arts; as well as a sense of volunteerism to keep them alive. In 1983, he was commissioned to the Mayor’s Advisory forefront. Later, he was instrumental in a victory lawsuit that sought to ensure long-term quality/access to housing. He has served as a strong bridge between local government and community. As co-founder of the Humboldt Park Vocational Center, he has made education a key focus. And in co-founding the Puerto Rican Agenda, he has led numerous initiatives for the economic, social and political development of the community, and to establish what his son describes as the concept of “creating a space that’s ours.”

Pablo Medina, a leader in his own right, will always continue to take every moment to create positive social change by teaching others to give with generosity and change the world.

CONNECTINC.

Connectinc. Combines skilled counselors with sophisticated computer and communications technologies to help rural residents of North Carolina find and keep jobs, develop career and build assets. Connectinc.’s success has meant greater economic security for thousands of low-income families, scattered across a dozen rural counties.

When Jackie Savage envisioned a state-of-the-art communications center turned into a human services delivery system, she knew that highly trained counselors would be essential.

One woman who called, and stayed on the line, is Sue Troublefield, a mother of seven who found employment in rural Scotland County, N.C., through Connectinc. “Around here, job leads are slim to none,” says Troublefield, who praises Work Central for calling her almost daily with information about local jobs that could improve her financial future.

Though most of her grown children have left home, two teens and a seven-year-old grandchild depend upon Troublefield’s earnings at a convenience store. Her Work Central counselor has made sure Troublefield, who quit school in the eleventh grade, has access to services that will help her acquire a GED, plus asset-building supports such as a checking account and applications for tax credits.

Through the call center, Connectinc.’s creators knew they could reach virtually all families without requiring them to travel long distances. Instead of spending hours arranging childcare and then transportation to access services, clients can get support via phone to fulfill their roles as parents and earners. Counselors use three-way calling to help clients set up interviews; the call center faxes or e-mails resumes and job applications to potential employers while the call takes place.

“We are customer-driven and always checking in to see what we can do to help. “We work with families until they say they no longer need us, and then we ask if we can call back in six months because, you know, life changes.”

Founded in 1999 to support former welfare recipients making a transition to the work force. Connectinc. encourages families to thing long-term. Among 4,400 former TANF clients who entered Connectinc’s program between 2000 and 2002, 84 percent remain employed and their combined earnings top $41 million. Several hundred Connectinc. customers have opened bank accounts, and customers referred to free tax preparation have claimed more than $250,000 in tax refunds. Connectinc.’s unique delivery system has helped 1,000 displaced tobacco workers apply for unemployment benefits, and a pilot program is now supporting low-income textile workers in applying for IRS health coverage tax credits. Connectinc. has also launched Teach Central, a program designed to help rural communities retain teachers by using three-way calling to connect first-year novices with experienced classroom mentors. “Strengthening education is one way to support economic development in rural communities,” Savage contends.

MARTHA REIERSEN

Martha Reiersen is a beacon of inspiration and motivation to all who meet her. She is never too busy to assist someone in need. Ms. Reiersen’s selfless dedication to her community and beyond has won her countless friends and made a difference in her Alamogordo community. Diagnosed with stage four cancer in 1995, Ms. Reiersen has fought and won the battle. She has an amazing ability to look for the positive in a negative. Her enthusiasm for life bubbles over and makes others want to make this world a better place also.

Ms. Reiersen is a founding member of Cancer Awareness, Prevalence, Prevention and Early Detection (CAPPED). She served in an advisory capacity in the development and launching in this much-needed program. From her determination and contacts, a building to house CAPPED was also donated. The Otero County Contractors Association donated the complete remodeling of this historic 1905 building; the community also rallied behind this huge undertaking with financial support and in-kind services.

Because of Ms. Reiersen’s dedication to CAPPED, there have been 119 free mammograms provided for low-income women from the Com Alma Foundation. She also participates in weekly support groups in English and Spanish. The CAPPED organization continues to grow to meet the needs of the people with an excess of 60 volunteers. Her energy and direction keeps all involved on the move, focused and committed.

In addition to her service with CAPPED, Ms. Reiersen was a participant in the American Cancer Society’s first Relay For Life in Otero County, New Mexico. This event broke all records and set precedence for participation in the county. She has also served as an advocate to promote better health care and cancer research. She participates in rallies in the State Capitol, Earth Day functions, county fairs, area festivals, business presentations and any other opportunities to educate the community on cancer awareness.

In addition, Ms. Reiersen has been Past President of the Otero County Federated Republican Women (NFRW), Vice President of the same organization for five years and chair of the NFRW Mamie Eisenhower Library Project. She has also been a member of the Lincoln County New Mexico Federated Republican Women – Americanism, was active in Desert Basin Toastmasters for five years and she supports her local Knights of Columbus.

Ms. Reiersen has the ability to get to the core of an issue and follow through on a solution, whether that is a cancer attacking her body or educating a community about the deadly disease. She is a concerned community member that put her idea into action. Ms. Reiersen also has no qualms with calling her Congressmen to request help on behalf of constituents that need assistance. Her dedication and commitment has kept her alive and helped her to win her fight against cancer; it has also inspired and educated others in cancer prevention.

SIERRA HEALTH SERVICES

The partnership between Twin Lakes Elementary School and Sierra Health Services has been ongoing for the past 13 years. They wee matched through the Clark County School District Partnership Focus Schools Project. Mentors spend one hour each week with the child they are partnered with. This relationship helps build the children’s trust and acceptance while they are also helping the children build on other skills.

During the time this partnership has been established, Sierra Health Services has assisted Twin Lakes with meeting needs that would have been impossible to do on their own. One of the most important contributions has been human resources to provide quality one-on-one time for many of the students. Because a majority of the students at the school have few responsible adults to depend on, interact with, or serve as positive role models, the volunteers from Sierra Health Services has met a great need.

Recent studies show that mentoring results in positive behavior changes for the children. These changes include but are not limited to improved interpersonal skills and relationships, increased self-control and increased academic achievement. Aggressive behavior and truancy have also been reduced.

As the only elementary school with an official mentoring program, Twin Lakes has had an average of ten volunteers annually to volunteer their time and love to the children. This past year, through the encouragement of the Community Relations Office, Twin Lakes was pleased to have an excess of 20 volunteers to work with the most at risk children.

The one-hour per week makes a great difference in the children’s lives. They see that the adult really cares because they commit their time to their mentees, and they always show up. Relationships are built, and the children also learn. They learn academically, receiving individual assistance with homework or other school projects. They also learn socially by relating with adults in a positive and respectful way. For many, the social skills are invaluable, but the confidence inspired is priceless.

The difference for many of these students is apparent. The truancy rate has decreased and there are less frequent referrals to the office for disciplinary reasons. The mentors’ dedication is evident in the children’s progress. They are also careful to call if an emergency comes up and there are going to have to miss their scheduled time so they can reschedule and let their buddy know what is going on.

Because of the success of the program, more than half of the mentors return each year. In addition, dozens of students have requested to be included in the program to work with the volunteers from Sierra Health System.

KRISTIN FINDLEY & AZIZA ABA BUTAIN

Kristin Findley and Aziza Aba Butain have readily participated in every community service opportunity offered by the Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada as well as educating their peers and the community about the importance of volunteer work.

Both Kristin and Aziza have been exceptional students who put 110% effort into every endeavor. Both students recognize the necessity of community service for the spiritual growth of each individual. Because of their intense appreciation for The Make-A-Wish Foundation and its mission, they have also formed The Make-A-Wish Club at The Meadows School in November of the past school year.

The duo has been diligently creating and supervising fundraisers throughout the year with the specific goal of earning $5,000 to grand a child’s wish in April. The unfortunate situation of these terminally ill children has made Kristin and Aziza realize that by granting a special with, they have the special ability to give hope, courage and a bit of happiness to these children and their families.

After their first fundraiser, the girls had raised $2,700 for their club. The girls provided games, food and other entertainment for younger children for seven hours. A small donation was the entrance fee for this fundraiser, and the girls not only earned money; but they were able to inform the children of the need for their involvement in their community.

In addition to their own fundraisers, the girls support the 5K Make-A-Wish walk. Because of their encouragement, a significant number of their fellow high school students enthusiastically agreed to attend the event. So their peers could fully understand the impacts of their efforts, Kristin and Aziza invited Paige Candee, the head of the Southern Nevada Make-A-Wish Chapter, to share information about the organization at their high school assembly.

The Las Vegas community would not be the same without the diligent efforts of Kristin and Aziza. They serve and have also made it a priority to ensure a strong foundation in their club so students at Meadows can continue to give aid to the community even after they have graduated.

PIKE COUNTY AGENCY FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COMMUNITY LIVING SKILLS DAY PROGRAM

Pike County Agency for Developmental Disabilities, located in a small, rural Missouri county, operates the Community Living Skills Day Program. This program provides persons with developmental disabilities the ability to give back to their communities and increase their self-confidence and self-esteem through volunteering.

Through 14 sites throughout the county, the Community Living Skills Day Program has established an accepted presence for the individuals with disabilities. They have also built a number of ongoing relationships between the volunteer with developmental disabilities and the staff of the agency where the volunteering is being provided.

The individuals who volunteer have mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, or other developmental disabilities. They have varying abilities and varying interests. An attempt is made to match the abilities and interest of each individual to the needs of the nonprofit organizations.

Staff of the Community Living Skills Day Program support the individuals with their volunteering to the extent required by the needs of the individual. Staff works hard to make sure the volunteers know this is their volunteer job. They embrace it and do their best in their job. This has led to the employment of six individuals for one to two hours per week at separate businesses.

The different volunteer sites include the YMCA, a high school, two Head Start programs, a hospital, a county home health and hospice agency, an early childhood program, a senior citizen nutrition center, a nursing home and 5 churches. The now 22 volunteers look forward to coming in weekly for their ‘job.”