Tyrone Thompson

While working full-time as a Program Manager with Clark County Social Services-Ryan White Title I Program, Tyrone Thompson also works tirelessly on behalf of foster children by serving as a CASA Volunteer. Thompson is not only an asset to the CASA Program, but to numerous agencies in the Las Vegas community, which he continuously impacts. Thompson is a Volunteer Mediator with Neighborhood Justice Center and has served as a licensed foster/adoptive parent. While advocating for CASA children, Thompson also assists the CASA Program by participating on panels to share his experiences with newly trained volunteers, and occasionally serving as a “mentor” to new CASA volunteers. Thompson’s primary goal as a CASA is to help achieve permanency for CASA children. He does this by visiting the children regularly and working with social workers, foster parents and other professionals to address the children’s needs. Thompson also submits detailed court reports and appears in Court on behalf of children to make recommendations about what is in their best interest.

Over the past nine years, Thompson has advocated on behalf of seven children . Thompson has not been afraid to take on the challenging cases, which primarily involved African American adolescents and teenage boys, who also had behavior and emotional issues. Even though six of the seven CASA children have achieved permanency and have exited the system, either through Reunification with their parents or Adoption, Thompson has maintained a relationship with some of the children and the adoptive family. Thompson has also agreed to serve informally as a mentor to a 17-year-old young man who continues to remain in the system. This young man needs lots of guidance and support as he gains independent living skills and prepares to exit the foster care system.

Foster children often “slip through the cracks,” due to extremely high caseloads of social workers, which are constantly “putting out fires.” CASAs try to prevent this slippage. CASAs also fill in many gaps that occur in foster children’s lives and help to push the system to meet these children’s needs and find permanency as quickly as possible. CASAs are strong advocates, who strive to ensure that “no child leaves the system without a future plan.”

Thompson is an active child advocate, who serves as a “front line” volunteer in the fight to save foster children from being lost in an ever-changing system. The nature of a CASA Volunteer’s job requires individual who are self-starters and great time managers, especially those with very demanding F/T jobs. Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and professionalism to the volunteer arena and exhibits a positive, “can do” attitude.

An often-repeated phrase is “children are the keys to our future.” CASA’s work is like building a house, one brick (child) at a time. CASAs make a vast impact on the future lives of children by providing them with support long after they exit the system. CASAs also provide continuity in the lives of children who often have changes in social workers, foster homes and schools.

Stephen Bennett

There are not many places left in America that can boast of being crime-free. Unfortunately, with increased growth in the Moapa Valley, there has been increased crime and drug abuse. It is possible, however, to look ahead with a bright hope for the future as we work to preserve the peaceful environment we have enjoyed for so many years. The best fight against crime is an awareness of how to prevent becoming victims of crime. That does not mean bars on our windows or isolation within our homes. It means taking simple measures to deter potential perpetrators of crime. It is easy to think that if you have not been personally victimized by crime that you are not affected, especially in a rural community. However, everyone is affected by crime. Each time a crime is committed; numerous professionals are required, such as police, detectives, judges, probation officers, and others. Taxpayers pay these salaries and more professionals are needed as crime and drug abuse rise.

Valuable information was given out at the Crime Prevention Fair that Stephen Bennett organized for the entire community in collaboration with the Cappalappa Family Resource Center (CFRC). In addition to the Crime Fair, a dinner and a variety of other fun activities and programs for kids and adults were presented, such as K-9 and self-defense demonstrations. It was Bennett’s desire to create a positive atmosphere where people came together as friends and neighbors to unite in the fight against crime. This fair united the community in a positive, proactive approach to fighting crime.

Crime prevention can be defined as trying to address crime problems at their source, rather than waiting for offenders to reach the criminal justice system. It is an attempt to stop crime or anti-social behavior before it occurs. The causes of crime are complex, involving a wide range of immediate and longer-term social factors. Some of these relate to family violence and neglect, difficulties in school, poor housing, peer pressure and blocked social opportunities. All of which are prevalent in a rural community. Bennett decided to take on this responsibility after his brothers were part of a youthful prank (peer pressure) that damaged a neighbor’s pool. After witnessing the entire process his brothers went through, Bennett felt strongly about laying the foundation for a safer community. Community crime prevention has emerged as a major alternative and supplement to the criminal justice system.

The emphasis of crime prevention is on maximizing the health and well being of all members of a community, and enhancing their opportunities to partake in community life as fully as possible. Bennett encourages citizen participation, as well as the role of the community as a whole in crime prevention efforts by Preserving Peace in Moapa Valley.

Amy Rosenthal

Amy Rosenthal started Club READ at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in September 2005. The club currently has 15 active student members whose mission is to bring the pleasures and enrichment of reading to children in underserved populations. Members present reading programs to children in public libraries and homeless shelters. They also collect and donate good-quality, appropriate children’s books in both English and Spanish to the nonprofit group, Reach Out and Read, which places the books in the waiting rooms of public health centers in low-income areas of Washington, DC. The children who visit the doctors at these centers can then select a book to take home.

There is a profound need for literacy-building activities among lower income and underserved children in the Washington, DC area. Literacy is essential to success in school and in the job market. Children from the populations served by Club READ are vulnerable to the problems of under- and unemployment created by low literacy. The Washington, DC area has literacy levels that are substantially lower than those in the nation overall (DC State of the Workforce Report, 2003). According to the 2003 Mayor’s Literacy Initiative, literacy programs in the district are serving only 10% of the target population. Club READ both supports an existing network of literacy initiatives and contributes unique literacy-building activities for at-risk children.

Club READ’s 15 members meet on a regular basis, and since September 2005 have collected and donated approximately 2,000 books by gathering unsold books from used-book sales, conducting neighborhood book drives, and collecting donations from Montgomery County public libraries. In addition to the reading programs they present, members bring related craft projects for the children to create and take home. Club READ has established collaborative working relationships with Reach Out and Read, public libraries, and the Green Tree homeless shelter.

Each of the 2,000 books donated by Club READ will become the property of a child in the population most vulnerable to low literacy. In addition, the club’s programs at libraries and the Green Tree shelter bring the social, cognitive, and emotional benefits of literacy activities to numerous children. The working relationships that Ms. Rosenthal and her team have established with these organizations are the basis for the club’s productive first year and its expansion in coming years. Because Club READ is school-based, it has a ready supply of volunteers and can continue to build its book supply sources, its donations to and bonds with community groups, and its repertoire of instructional activities for children.

Baby Find Resource Mothers

In 1993, Fran Courtney, then Chief of Nursing for the Clark County Health District, noted the startling rate of low infant birth weight and the lack of nutritional education for pregnant mothers in parts of Las Vegas. She recruited clients in need of this vital information, as well as volunteer Mentors: Resource Mothers (RM), capable of providing the guidance that could directly help to change this situation. Her efforts resulted in the creation of the Baby Find Program and Smart $hop Program, which in turn empowered the clients with the knowledge that enabled them to give birth to normal-weight babies and establish improved lifelong nutritional habits.

Since 2001, the Baby Find Program, under the new umbrella of Courtney Children’s Foundation, a United Way-accredited and funded 501 (c) 3 organization, has mentored over 500 at-risk pregnant teens and women in the North and old West part of Las Vegas. Each Resource Mother (RM) has donated her time to make sure that her client “daughter” receives the health care she needs during pregnancy, mother-to-mother support before, during and after the birth of her baby, advice on nutritional and health-related issues, encouragement in completion or pursuit of educational goals, help in developing parenting skills and a hand when times get tough.

Each Resource Mother contacts her client at least once a week by phone to check on the above, or just to see if there is anything she needs, how she is doing, etc. In turn, her client is able to contact her RM any time of the day or night just to talk about anything or receive additional community resource referrals.

Each RM makes at least one home visit per month, depending on her client’s needs. As you see, each RM volunteers anywhere from one to four hours a week depending on her client’s situation. The RMs are known to take their clients to doctor’s visits, grocery shopping, even the hospital when the time arrives. All of these 25 women are absolutely amazing in their ability to understand, relate and show compassion to all with whom they come in contact. Some have even become their clients’ Godparents as well as a lifelong friend. Because of this effort, they now have more than 500 healthy babies and their mommies living in the community.

United Way Youth as Resources

United Way of Central Minnesota’s Youth as Resources (YAR) volunteers are an excellent example of the positive impact youth and adult partnerships can have in a community. The current YAR board has ten high school youth and three adults that meet monthly to review grant proposals written by youth. YAR offers grants up to $1,000 for youth aged 5-21 who want to make a difference. The board members have the important task of allocating $15,000 annually to youth-led service projects.

The Youth as Resources board members carefully read the proposals reviewing each with a checklist of criteria to ensure the projects are youth-led, provide an opportunity for learning, and meet a community need. They discuss the proposals in a respectful manner, taking each person’s perspective into account. This past year, they funded 27 unique projects impacting residents of central Minnesota.

The board members also promote the program in their schools and communities. They talk with fellow students about the grant funding that is available. They write articles for their local newspapers sharing the story of YAR. They also work to raise funds for the program through staffing events and writing appeal letters to local service clubs. They are the leaders of YAR and determine the future direction of the program. They empower their peers to become active in community service. This program would not be viable without their enthusiasm and energy.

Here are some examples of the amazing projects they have funded during the last six years of the program’s existence:

Crafts for Meals on Wheels A group of middle school students regularly volunteer at the ROCORI Senior Center. They decided to make special monthly gifts to include with the meals delivered through the local Meals on Wheels program to bring joy to recipients.

Cheese Wagon Players High school students performed plays educating 713 elementary students about bullying and harassment, and how it can be addressed. The youth learned how to make positive decisions regarding their treatment of others.

Blankets for Anna Marie’s Students made 27 fleece blankets for residents of Anna Marie’s, a shelter for battered women and their children. This classroom consisting of students with disabilities had a fellow student sheltered at Anna Marie’s for a time and made the blankets to provide warmth for the residents.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day for Youth Area youth planned an event for January 17 to touch on the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy of working towards achieving equality through non-violent means. The day included activities and conversation on ways area youth can work towards achieving equality in their community.

Crystal Ingle

In June 2002, Carbon Hill High School was destroyed by a demoralizing fire, which left the small community reeling. Just as they were recovering, another tragedy struck their educational structure when a tornado damaged the elementary and junior high schools that November, leaving Carbon Hill with very little space and resources to educate their students. Their need was great and their sadness palpable.

Crystal Ingle, known for her giving spirit and extensive volunteer work, wanted to help. So, after visiting the site and talking with students and teachers, she decided to concentrate on an area close to her heart. With an intense interest in education and literacy, Crystal focused on restocking the libraries of all three schools, establishing the Carbon Hill Library Replenishing Book Drive in an effort to rebuild a part of what was lost.

Crystal was tireless, visiting over a dozen schools and participating in hundreds of events to share her mission and to encourage students and adults of all ages and all backgrounds to come together for a great cause. She wrote letters to local and state representatives and set up boxes in different locations throughout Walker County before extending the drive into the surrounding counties, eventually taking the effort statewide. A school in Florida even heard of Crystal’s attempt to help Carbon Hill, and after getting in touch with her, they worked together to send books toward her goal. In less than a year, over 10,000 books had been donated, worth approximately $50,000, and the schools were well on their way to having full libraries once again.

In an attempt to further include students in the drive’s goal, she also handed out book tags to allow those who donated books to feel like a part of the process. She wanted them to know and to be able to see what they were doing and to realize a part of them would go with the books.

In the meantime, Crystal was trying to continue her own education. As a full-time student at the University of North Alabama, she was busy balancing her volunteer work and her other responsibilities, using her free time, including her Christmas break, visiting local schools to read and talk with the children and to encourage participation in the book drive. She stressed the importance of literacy and community involvement, even to the younger students. She encouraged them all to continue their volunteer efforts beyond the book drive, just as she had been doing for years and has continued to do.

Although Crystal was the spokesperson for the drive, spearheading the effort and working diligently to see it succeed, she was always quick to appreciate everyone who played a part in the endeavor, making certain they realized what a difference they were making in the lives of those affected by such tragedy. By bringing together businesses, schools, and individuals in a common goal, she was not only replenishing the libraries but also helping to rebuild a broken community.

Johnson County RFD #1 Fire Safety Team

According to the US Fire Administration, Arkansas has one of the highest numbers of fire-related deaths in the US, with most of those being young children and the elderly. Children playing with fire accounted for 4% of residential fires and deaths in the state. The Centers for Disease Control report that Johnson County is between the 75th and 90th national percentile in fire- and burn-related deaths.

One group determined to change this is Johnson County RFD #1’s Fire Safety Team in Clarksville, Arkansas. The team comprised of the department’s firefighters and Fire Corps (University of the Ozarks Phi Beta Lambda students) has made a commitment to reduce fire deaths, civilian injuries and economic losses by increasing fire safety awareness by creating either a behavioral or environmental change to the public, not only within the district, but also throughout the county, state, and nation. Through innovative fire safety programming, there’s been a decrease in residential property loss each year.

Activities ranging from installing smoke alarms in low-income families’ and the elderly homes, to helping host a free safety fair to the entire community, RFD #1’s Fire Safety Team works year-round to reach as many people as possible, especially those most at risk, by conducting a variety of activities. If those in the community cannot make it to the activities, they make it a point to go to them. Since its inception, fire safety activities have reached over 42,000 people.

The Fire Safety Team has been in existence since September 2003 and continues to grow each year. In 2003, the department participated in 24 programs and activities, 40 in 2004 and 115 in 2005. RFD #1 is constantly working to improve its program and is following a five-year strategic plan for fire safety improving programming, not only locally and statewide, but nationally.

In November 2003, RFD #1 was notified by a parent of a six-year-old child that a presentation made to her son save his life. The child knew how to stop, drop and roll in an incident as a result of participating in the department’s fire safety programming. Furthermore, the mother stated that she “felt that had he not learned that behavior, he surely would have suffered severe injuries.” The child was accidentally touched with a burning marshmallow by another child, and she stated he immediately knew what to do, thus suffering only minor burns. His parent stated that the child said he “remembered what to do if my clothes caught on fire, the firefighters taught me.”

Through the involvement of the RFD #1’s Fire Corps and Firefighters, the department has seen a 287% increase in fire safety programming over the previous year. Innovative programming, such as the “Reading with Sparkles,” and the “Don’t Burn It, Recycle It” programs are just a few of the fire safety programs the team presents. The “Reading with Sparkles” program reinforces fire safety messages taught during Fire Prevention Week. Members take Sparkles, the department’s Dalmatian mascot to Clarksville Primary School each week and read fire safety books. RFD #1 Fire Safety Team is committed to keeping everyone fire safe.

Keith Anderson

Mr. Keith Anderson is a veteran who has been volunteering at the Buffalo Veterans Administration (VA) medical Center since April 2002. During these four years, Anderson has accumulated over 4,000 volunteer hours.

Anderson has taken an active role during his volunteering time. He goes above and beyond of what is asked. He is always smiling and eager to help others, while expecting nothing in return. He has a positive attitude and epitomizes the term “volunteer.”

Anderson packages and hands out “welcome kits” to new patients that are admitted into the VA Medical Center in Buffalo on a weekly basis. These kits have personal care items that patients can use to freshen up. On Thursday s, he sets up and pops popcorn to raise money for the Volunteer Recognition Program and Awards Ceremony in May. Additionally, he is an active volunteer in the No One Dies Alone Program (NODA). Through this program, he serves as a compassionate companion to those patients that have 48-72 hours left of life.

Anderson goes above and beyond regular volunteer assignments. He helps with the set-up, service, and cleanup of refreshments during ceremonies, which are often held mid-afternoons. During weekends, he will take groups around to assist with various recreational activities and tours. This year, he took a student group to visit the patients for Valentine’s Day. He is an active volunteer for our annual Re-Entry Support Team (REST) picnic and helps with food distribution as well as greeting people.

Anderson helps to transport supplies throughout the hospital. He keeps track of the supplies and lets them know when they need to order more. He also serves as a mentor for the new volunteers and is always making them feel welcomed and assists them in any way that he can. He often asks, “How can I help you?” or “How are you today?” and will check in every day with the members of the Voluntary Service Staff to see what their needs may be for that day. He truly cares about people and his community.

Anderson is an active volunteer with his church and the community. He works with troubled youth through his church, serves as a mentor and role model for them, and volunteers as a security guard with his church congregation. In addition he transports his friend for chemotherapy three times each week. Anderson is reliable, dependable, friendly and truly an asset to the veterans, their volunteer programs, and his community.

Children’s Family Center Grand Bears

In 1978, Children’s Family Center opened its doors on the campus of Messiah Village retirement community. The presence of a child-care center located within a retirement community was a new idea. Since its opening, Children’s Family Center (CFC) has encouraged the residents of Messiah Village to volunteer with the young children they serve. Now, over 27 years later, the relationship continues with 26 regular senior volunteers. These volunteers are known as Grand bears. The Grand bears come from all levels of care, including independent living, assisted living, nursing care, adult day services, and the Alzheimer’s unit.

The Grand bears are matched with the age of children that best suit their interests. The Grand bears volunteer with each one of CFC’s children, who range in age from 6 weeks through 12 years. The Grand bears can choose from activities such as reading to the children on a weekly basis, serving on the CFC Board of Directors, swimming with the Kindergarten class, rocking the babies in the nursery, chaperoning field trips, serving snacks, helping with arts and crafts, or periodically sharing their hobby with the children. Throughout the year, the Grand bears spend more than 600 hours of their time volunteering at CFC.

Another way that the Grand bears serve CFC is by helping the staff by giving individualized attention to the children. Grand bears fill in a gap by playing or working with the children in small groups or individually. Recently, one of CFC’s 3-year-olds told a Grand bear a long, drawn-out story about his family’s car breaking down on the highway. The teacher in the class would not have had the time to intently listen to this detailed story. The Grand bear, however, gave her undivided attention through the entire saga. This Grand bear’s presence met the immediate emotional and verbal needs of this child. At other times, Grand bears are available to comfort a crying child, teach a child how to use a glue stick, or help a small group with their puzzle.

The benefits of this program for both the children and Grand bears are numerous. However, the most important aspect of this program is the overcoming of age barriers that is a serious social problem that we in America face today. Through close interaction with the Grand bears, the children are able to form accurate views of older adults and the aging process. The Grand bears also serve as positive role models for the children.

CFC’s Grand bears consistently face challenges that are common for older adults. Several of the Grand bears are living with very serious diseases: congestive heart failure, depression, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease, to name just a few. In addition, they experience visual and hearing difficulties, lingering illnesses, and lots of aches and pains. Not only do they deal with physical problems, but also many of CFC’s Grand bears have recently experienced major life challenges, such as the death of a spouse, loss of driver’s license, and family conflicts. Despite these challenges, the Grand bears are very dedicated to fulfilling their commitments to CFC and share their unconditional love with the children.

Jaye & Mike Joseph

Early in 1980, Jaye Joseph began volunteering at the Jewish Home and Care Center every Tuesday with her mother, Lee Singer. These two ladies made Tuesday’s special with their visits and smiles, and their warm hearts were reflected in the faces of every person they visited. They helped with the monthly birthday party and other special events, and visited residents in their rooms.

It wasn’t long before the Women’s Service Auxiliary discovered Jaye’s talents. She agreed to serve as Volunteer Vice President in the early 1980s and has served continuously since then, including not one, but two terms of office as President! Jaye has done everything from coordinate the annual volunteer luncheon, to stuff envelopes for this organization. Jaye also quickly recruited husband Mike to join her as a direct service volunteer.

Jaye has shared her talent with countless Home special events, sharing her creativity and energy as a member of many planning committees throughout the years. She not only regularly attends meetings, but also is always one of the first to volunteer to help with the myriad of tasks needed for a successful event. During the event, she works at the registration table, greets people, and is the consummate hostess on behalf of the Home. Jaye also volunteers in the Village of Fox Point’s Stormonth School, where she is a weekly reading tutor.

Mike Joseph is the other half of the “dynamic duo.” He began at the Home calling Bingo and flipping pancakes, but soon was recruited for the Home’s Board of Directors. Mike has served on their Legal Committee, spent four years as Chairman of the Board, and recently completed four years of service as Chairman of the Board of the Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation. No task is ever too small for Mike, and he gives the same single-minded focus to listening to a resident as he does to making long-term plans for the Home. There are almost no limits to his availability as a board member, and his wisdom and commitment have been demonstrated time after time. Mike also has served on countless Home committees, including planning committees for annual dinners and other special events. He was a crucial member of the Jewish Home and Care Center team planning the recently completed Sarah Chudnow Campus in Mequon, and continues to be of help whenever asked to further the mission of the Home.

Mike has served on the Board of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, and has served the Diabetes Foundation both in a leadership role and as a direct service volunteer.