Howard Nelson

Howard Nelson has dedicated himself to coach the children in Montgomery County, Maryland for the past twelve years. In 1996, he began coaching t-ball during both the spring and fall seasons. A few years later, this evolved into coach-pitch, then machine-pitch, and ultimately kid-pitch baseball. In between baseball seasons, Howard also coached winter basketball.

Coaching has always been a labor of love for Howard. He loves sports and as a father to three boys, has always enjoyed teaching kids how to play sports. What makes him unique is that he not only wanted to teach the kids how to play the game, but even more so, he emphasized the importance of sportsmanship. He insisted that the kids on his teams support one another, regardless of how they are doing as a team or as individuals. No one was ever made fun of or left out. No matter how good or bad the children were athletically, they were all given equal playing time on the field or basketball court. Even when they were getting trounced, Howard resisted putting in his best players and instead, played kids equally. Even when other teams played their best players throughout a game, he refused to do the same.

At the end of every baseball and basketball game, Howard would gather the children for a post-game talk. The team members and their parents would gather around him. In a low and calm voice, he would review the game highlights and lowlights. Regardless of whether they won or lost, Howard was always able to point out a few lesions that could be learned from the game. Before wrapping up, he would present two or three of the children on the team with “Sportsmanship Certificates.” These certificates were given to the children who, during that particular game, did something outstanding. In some cases, they made a winning play. In other cases, they may have assisted with a play. Howard rotated the certificates to ensure that by the end of the season everyone had been awarded at least one certificate. He always had a positive spin and reason why every child had contributed to the team and should be honored.

When each spring season draws to a close, the baseball team holds a dinner. During that time, Howard speaks about each of the children individually and recaps the highlights of their year. He does this after reviewing notes that he takes at each game throughout the year on how each child played. When he does this, not only is the child and his parents feeling pride, but the entire team sits and cheers for each player. This is the feeling of sportsmanship and team play that Howard has sought to inspire in these children when he started coaching them as five year olds.

Until you have coached a team, it is hard to understand the amount of work that goes into establishing a roster, setting up plays, rotating players and coaching a team through games, holding team practices and working with all the parents and/or guardians. Howard has excelled in all these areas and his dedication to sports and to teaching future generations how to play baseball and basketball competitively but fairly will be a part of his team forever.

Elvis Cintra

Mr. Elvis Cintra and his wife, Victoria Cintra, have served MIRA since late 2005, when Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, leaving them and countless other immigrant families homeless. While other Coastal families were attempting to distance themselves as far away from the harm and destruction being experienced, Elvis and his wife answered the call to return from refuge to help thousands of immigrants who had been unlawfully evicted from emergency shelters and denied emergency benefits. Victoria, or Vicky, was hired to MIRA’s staff and Elvis remained fighting tirelessly at her side as an interpreter, a comforter and a friend for the predominantly Spanish-speaking victims. He helped organize phone calls, meetings and demonstrations where necessary, to pressure abusive employers to pay immigrant workers who had been abandoned and robbed of their wages during the reconstruction of hundreds of homes, businesses and entire communities after the storm. Elvis assisted MIRA in recovering more than $1 million in stolen wages and unsettled money judgments and workers compensation benefits through his community organizing and mobilization efforts.

Elvis has championed the need for unity among communities of color and across ethnicities throughout Mississippi. He has provided radio and print interviews to keep the general public aware of the needs and concerns of a very vulnerable population in Mississippi – immigrant families and workers. He is a creative thinker, self-motivated and a coalition-builder for the good of the entire community. He is a spiritual individual, also committed to serving his community through his church on the Gulf Coast.

In 2008 MIRA responded to a crisis among documented, undocumented and U.S. Citizen Latino families who were targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a raid on Howard Industries in Laurel, Mississippi. The impact was felt by thousands of individuals in Mississippi and across Latin America. Elvis helped frightened immigrants contact detained workers and visit imprisoned family members while immigration cases were (and remain) pending. He helped distribute more than $40,000, raised by MIRA to pay the utilities, rent, food, and medical expenses of stranded spouses and children.

Elvis has continued to provide support for MIRA’s work for nearly four (4) years, three (3) as a Board member, giving a voice to the countless Latino families who experience discrimination because of their language, country of origin, and perceived immigration status. He is an outstanding community mobilizer with the respect of his peers and community because of his large and tender heart for those who are vulnerable and sometimes helpless. .

Indeed, Mr. Cintra has surpassed his commitment as a Board Member of MIRA, inspiring our staff and volunteers to remain principled and dedicated in our fight for the human rights of vulnerable communities. He has worked under very challenging and excruciating difficulties, including his own physical disabilities, yet he has never demanded attention nor recognition.

Kirsten Dively

Kirsten Dively has been a part of the high school Service Program since she was a freshman. She has accumulated more than 1,000 hours of service to her school district, church and community. Service is a family-inspired commitment of importance.

Kirsten’s volunteer work includes participation in many activities. During her freshman year of high school, she completed more than 126 hours of service. She was an active participant in Super Saturday for the Patriot News, Spring Musical decoration for the Dinner Theatre, World Strides raising money to combat hunger, inner-city house repair/painting/ cleaning in Pittsburgh. Kirsten also volunteered with GEMS, which is a program that mentored eighth grade girls to improve their self-respect and self-esteem. In addition, she participated in fundraising events that benefited the field hockey team and the Family Fund.

During her sophomore year, Kirsten continued to serve and donated more than 300 hours. She volunteered at an elementary and middle school girls’ basketball camp, refurbished poverty stricken homes in West Virginia, assisted the Student Council homecoming preparations and decorations and raised money through a cookie walk for a church mission trip. Kirsten also sold booklets at Bon Ton in Camp Hill to raise money for church mission trips, participated in famine relief fundraising for World Vision and was a second year mentor with the GEMS program.

Kirsten amassed more than 350 hours of service during her junior year. Her service activities included volunteering with girls basketball camp, her church’s vacation Bible School, Relay for Life, Cooking for Creation and she also went on a mission trip to New Orleans to help with clean-up efforts from Hurricane Katrina. In addition, Kirsten volunteered to escort new ninth grade parents on a high school tour, volunteered to fundraise for the high school Math Club, assisted the township Parks and Recreation Director in preparing for the annual township Pumpkin Fest and went on another mission trip to Pittsburgh.

Today, Kirsten is still volunteering as a senior in high school. She is actively volunteering as the fifth and sixth grade field hockey coach, a craft and group leader at Aldersgate and Wesley United Methodist vacation Bible schools, serving at a homeless shelter and she visits a juvenile detention center in Bronx, NY.

While she has been volunteering, Kirsten has been meeting a special need of serving as a youth role model. She provides the school district, township and county with human resources for nonprofit groups. Her service showcases her leadership skills and modeled service to adults as well as youth. Kirsten is aware of the importance of giving back for what she has so gratefully been given during her seventeen years.

Because of her service, Kirsten has been recognized in numerous ways. She has received the Tiffanie Salvadia Memorial Award in 2006-2007; she was a finalist in the 2007 Embarq/Sentinel Leaders of Tomorrow Awards. In addition, she also received the Outstanding Student Award from the West Shore Elks Lodge #2257 in 2008 and the Violet Richardson Award from the Harrisburg Soroptimist International Organization in 2008.

Joshua Williams

At the tender age of five, Joshua became passionate about assisting the needy after viewing “Feed the Children.” He was in disbelief at the suffering that children everywhere were subject to. His first solution to the problem was that his mother should adopt some of these unfortunate children along with sending money to help others. His mother felt touched by his compassion and promised that they would help in whatever ways they could. Weeks after his interest in helping the needy had been sparked, his grandmother gifted him some pocket money. Joshua’s true desire to help shined when he chose to give the money to a hungry, homeless person on a local street. Though his mother advised him that she would prefer to give the person food since he was able-bodied, Joshua insisted that it was his money and, therefore, his decision to give the man the money instead. Following this experience, Joshua’s idea to aid the needy started to blossom.

Though Joshua was eager to start his own company to fulfill his vision, he had difficulty getting others to make the move. He first sought the adult assistance he required from his aunts. However, months of inactivity forced Joshua to “fire” them and continue to seek help elsewhere. Joshua brought the situation to his mother’s attention. She had been unaware of the struggle he was having with getting her sisters to help him help the poor. Unfortunately, she too had an overloaded schedule and was unable to immediately assist him in his venture. Any other child may have become discouraged, but Joshua then resorted to new tactics. For several months, he nagged his mother daily for assistance, trying to impress upon her the importance of having his goal attained. Finally, he broke through to his mother and they began to give away food and other things to people in need. At this point, thought of opening a regular company took hold. One of Joshua’s aunts stepped up and pointed them in the direction of starting a non-profit organization as an alternative. Thus began “Joshua’s Heart.”

The title “Joshua’s Heart” clearly defines Joshua’s desire to “Help Stomp out World Hunger.” Joshua’s organization distributes food once a month and feeds the homeless weekly. They also deliver food to the sick, elderly and helpless. Currently, food is provided for over 100 homeless people and about 450 families on a monthly basis.

Joshua is now seven years old. He is very excited about the possibilities his organization is opening up. He enjoys meeting the recipients at the distribution locations, while supervising to ensure that things run smoothly. Once his duties are completed, he also takes joy in playing with the children of the families in need. Joshua is extremely passionate about his cause. He is currently writing a story about his foundation and hopes to use this money to assist more families.

Though it would seem that he is doing above and beyond already, Joshua has also been inspired by the documentary movie “War Dance,” which focuses on the atrocities that Northern Uganda children face. With rebels taking the lives of their own people and using children to perform terrible deeds, many children have been left orphaned. Joshua was exposed to the dependence these children have on outside forces to sustain them. In the documentary, the children performed in a dance competition in Southern Uganda and as a result dancing helped to heal the suffering of the children. This has motivated Joshua even more to help the less fortunate. Simultaneously, it has stirred a desire to visit Africa in the future.

Joshua has attributed his mission to a vision he says he received from God. He feels that God has a purpose for everyone and he has been given his. Joshua truly appreciates the assistance he receives from his family members, even his aunts he initially had to “fire.” Without them, he knows that his vision would not be as successful as it has become. Joshua’s humbleness and hopefulness is an inspiration to all. His heart has already begun to make a difference in this world.

Joshua uses some of his spare time to attend council meetings and make speeches to address the issue of poverty and hope that he will be able to get assistance to stomp out hunger. He does not understand why there is so much food and resources in out country and children, families and the elderly are still hungry. he hopes that by spreading the word more people will be able to assist and continue to make a difference.

Adam Macksoud

For the past five years, Mr. Adam Macksoud, Deputy Department Head of the Autonomous and Defensive Systems Department of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division, has not only been a strong supporter of the Division’s Educational Outreach efforts but also an active participant. He has taken a personal interest in many of its activities, has worked closely with Human Resources personnel and directed department resources in support of “Bring a Child to Work Day” and “Bring a Future Engineer to Work.” He supports local college hiring fairs by attending the events and answering questions from prospective employees and provides facility tours and presentations to visiting schoolchildren. One of the goals of the NUWC Division Newport Outreach Plan is to increase awareness of real-world science and engineering, and personnel like Mr. Macksoud are helping achieve that objective. In Rhode Island alone, only 3% of high school graduates choose engineering disciplines for their college career, which equates to only 300 of this year’s 10,000 graduating students who will receive engineering degrees. The Outreach Plan and its volunteers hope to directly influence the career path students choose and ultimately to increase the number of students who will pursue an engineering or science degree.

Perhaps Mr. Macksoud’s most significant contribution is his hands-on approach to engaging school children in the wonders of science and engineering. He is passionate about reaching out to youngsters and communicates his enthusiasm through his presentations to hundreds of elementary and middle school students. Working closely with Division Newport’s Educational Outreach Coordinator, Mr. Macksoud has developed numerous engaging presentations and exhibits, which include full-size and scale models of unmanned undersea vehicles, posters, overhead presentations and videos that feature submarines, autonomous undersea vehicles and torpedoes. While emphasizing the importance of these technologies to the U.S. Navy, Mr. Macksoud readily involves the students by personalizing his discussion. When he asked a group of students when they thought the newest version of PlayStation might appear and they answered “three or four years from now,” he pointed out that it was important to “realize that thousands of engineers are working on that right now.” He communicates the relevance of science and technology in “virtually all the products and mechanical devices used by today’s consumers.” The enthusiasm that characterizes the youngsters’ questions indicates that there may be a number of future scientists and engineers in the audience.

Most recently, Mr. Macksoud visited Edward R. Martin Middle School and St. Brendan Elementary School, both in East Providence RI; Friends Academy in Dartmouth, MA; and the University of Rhode Island Science and Technology Career Fair in Kingston, RI. More than 300 students in grades 7 and 8 at the Edward R. Martin Middle School were so enthralled with Mr. Macksoud’s support of their “Career Day,” that he was invited back and received a “Letter of Appreciation” from the Director of Guidance. During his visit, he presented a multimedia exhibit of slides and videos and showed models of unmanned undersea vehicles to over 30 elementary school children at Friends Academy, designed to inspire them, and to demonstrate how math and science can be fun and interesting. He was invited to return to Friends Academy and subsequently shared his presentation with over 60 middle school students, demonstrating portable unmanned vehicles, submarine videos, and provided engineering presentations geared toward careers in engineering.

In addition to his direct support of Division Newport’s Educational Outreach Program, Mr. Macksoud volunteers an extraordinary amount of time and energy in support of local nonprofit community organizations that benefit children. He has been a coach for the East Providence, RI, Central Little League (2003-2007), as well as a board member and fund raising chairman (2006-2007). In 2006 and 2007, he coached youth basketball at St. Martha Church in East Providence and was an active member of the Board of Management and Finance Committee of the Newman Branch of the YMCA in Seekonk, MA. He began a 2-year term as Board Chairman in 2007.

As a coach and as a father, Mr. Macksoud is a role model of the utmost integrity. As a volunteer in the Division’s educational outreach program, Mr. Macksoud demonstrates his commitment to reaching out to youngsters who might otherwise not have the opportunity to experience the excitement and enthusiasm of engaging in science and engineering activities. The enclosed supporting material is further evidence of the positive influence of Mr. Macksoud’s personal initiative and dedication to community and education. He is an inspiration, as demonstrated in a letter from a tenth-grade student who was motivated to write when he read an article in the New Bedford Standard Times about Mr. Macksoud’s visit to Friends Academy.

Elizabeth Kerns

From the nominator:

“Elizabeth Kern has been a mentor in the UMC Mentoring and Caring Program for three years. Initially, I matched Liz up with April, a 12-year-old girl. April’s sister and brother also were matched up with mentors. After her sister’s mentor accepted an internship in Kentucky, Liz volunteered to mentor both girls. During group events, I can see that all three children in the family know Liz well and feel very comfortable with her. She is always cheerful, full of energy and truly seems to love spending time with all three children.

In addition to her work with children in our mentoring program, Liz also volunteers to deliver meals to shut-ins; is the president of Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD), an honor society; is president of the Dairy Club; and organized a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to help fund a scholarship for another student to participate in an alternative spring break service trip. She also is a judge for regional high school FFA contests, works weekends at a transitional housing complex for adults with mental illness and volunteers in many other capacities at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

The UMC Mentoring and Caring Program began four years ago in response to a community outcry for positive role models and activities for children after school. The program has partnered with Polk County Social Services to identify children for the program. Many of the children in the program have learning disabilities or live in families dealing with difficult issues.

Liz has worked with this particular family for three years. The greatest difference I see in the children is a sense of self-confidence. April went out for track last spring, and it was so nice to see her communicating comfortably with other teammates. She is extremely shy but is learning how to feel more confident in herself.

Liz is always willing to volunteer to help someone. More importantly, however, is that she looks around and sees what needs to be done—and then does it. She is well connected to the students, the campus and the community.”

Carylsue Evanhoff

Carylsue Evanoff started volunteering at the Waterford Senior Center for the Focus Hope Food Program and Food Bank in 1991. For the past eleven years, she has supervised all the activities of the Focus Hope Food Program and the Emergency Food Program at this site. The Focus Hope Food Program distributes boxes of food to 124 clients each month. She will see that additional food is provided if circumstances warrant and it is available.

Carylsue orders and picks up the food, completes reports and coordinates volunteers to pack the food and deliver it. Carylsue commits 1,359 hours a year in assisting staff while supervising and additional 24+ volunteers. The Emergency Food Closet is for low-income seniors who need staple food items immediately for survival. Carylsue makes sure there is an adequate supply of food on hand in the pantry and advocates for donations to restock the shelves when necessary.

Carylsue is very frugal and is diligent about getting the most out each dollar available. She has become an advocate for the low-income senior by requesting help from local businesses. Carylsue organizes an annual bake sale to raise funds to offset the cost of both food programs. At Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, Carylsue has arranged for each of our clients to receive special holiday food boxes. Currently, Carylsue is arranging to get fresh fruits and vegetables for our clients. She will see that additional food is provided if circumstances warrant and it is available.

For the past five years, Carylsue has been working in conjunction with elementary school children in the Waterford School District to collect food for the pantry. She has mentored some school children by familiarizing them with the Waterford Senior Center and the inner workings of the food assistance programs for seniors.

Carylsue is a member of the Waterford Senior Center Advisory Board and the chair of the subcommittee for Human Services. She is also a member of the Waterford Senior Center Finance Committee. The members of these monthly committees assist the coordinator in setting the Center’s course for the future and making prudent financial decisions. Carylsue volunteers for the Waterford Aging Network whose mission is to expand services for local seniors. She works on their annual resource brochure, helps coordinate networking breakfasts and advocates for senior services within the Waterford community.

In addition, each fall the Waterford Senior Center hosts a Health Fair. Carylsue obligingly helps with the set up and volunteers her services in any way possible throughout the day.

Carylsue has a physical condition that prohibits her from lifting heavy objects. When the need arises, she calls upon her “resources,” other volunteers, to assist to get the task done.

Carylsue works tirelessly and is a very integral and vital part of the Waterford Senior Center. She has always demonstrated caring concern for low-income seniors. It is quite apparent that her area of interest is in helping with the community’s needs. Carlysue identifies seniors with special needs and seeks out additional assistance with outreach services whenever possible. It would be very difficult to replace such a caring and dedicated volunteer.

Haley Lynch & Katie Vahle

Haley Lynch, age 11, and her friend Katie Vahle, age 12, started a youth volunteer group called H & K’s Service Paws with the goals of providing service dogs free of charge to disabled youth and providing valuable information about service animals to their greater community.

Through their annual “Amanda’s Dog Festival” and various fundraising projects they provide children who are visually impaired or physically disabled with independence through the use of highly trained service dogs. Recipients of the service dogs have a wide variety of physical disabilities including muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders and more.

After they formed their volunteer organization, Haley and Katie, with proposals in hand and without an adult present, professionally approached businesses for sponsorship of their festival. They then contacted animal organizations and invited them to help develop an educational component of the festival. They set up educational demonstrations, including one using K9 Police drug dogs, advertised their festival using multiple forms of media and organized volunteers.

This past year “Amanda’s Dog Festival” raised $5,000 that was donated to KSDS, Inc., one of very few organizations across the nation to provide service dogs to children. The festival, with the help of several not-for-profit national animal organizations, also educated an estimated 1200 visitors on the invaluable benefits of service dogs.

Haley and Katie are exceptional young ladies. They are young girls who have learned the importance of giving back to the communities that help raise them. They are empathetic to the needs of others and are willing to spend many hours of their own childhood helping others. They have also inspired other young children to find their own ways to give. Two children launched their own additional volunteer projects at Amanda’s Dog Festival this past summer and one is now currently expanding and growing her own youth volunteer organization.

Oylan Dong

Oylan Dong founded Project Outstanding Youth (Project OY) and completed these projects, among many others. She is dedicated to serving disadvantaged children in Panama.

Inspired by her sisters who had done service in Africa, Oylan decided to work in a Spanish speaking country. A family friend introduced her to orphanages and youth centers in Panama. Over the past three years, she has visited Panama five times, spending most of her free time, holidays and vacations helping hundreds of poor children and families.

Malambo is the only orphanage in Panama that accepts and cares for babies with AIDS and Oylan was deeply moved by the experience of meeting a number of these children.

During her visit, Oylan learned that the orphanage’s goat farm, a major source of milk and protein for these children, was badly in need of renovation. The soil had become contaminated with bacteria and was infecting the goats. Oylan wanted to help with the renovation and raised $25,000 for Malambo by contacting hundreds of friends and family members. She was awarded a Certificate of Achievement by Malambo at a special ceremony last June. The new goat farm now provides milk and meat to 180 children, including orphans born with AIDS.

Ciudad del Nino (CDN) takes in boys from distressed families. They live at the facility during the week where there are teachers, coaches and mentors who help with homework and provide after-school activities. CDN also helps the families by providing vocational training to the parents and psychological counseling to all members of the family.

Oylan befriended two young boys from the Vasquez family. The social worker explained their plight. Oylan met the family of seven who had been living in a small shack made of metal sheets and cardboard, not big enough for even one person to stand up straight. They had no electricity, running water, kitchen or bathroom and only two small beds for the entire family. In addition, a visiting uncle had sexually abused the children, the mother had cancer and the father was unemployed.

Oylan went home and raised $4,000 to build the Vasquez family a new home. After the house was built, she returned to visit. The difference was amazing! The new house seemed to be a catalyst to the family’s turnaround. The mother’s cancer was in remission, the elderly father had gotten a job, the girls’ grades in school had greatly improved and the previously angry young boy had become happy and even playful. Motivated by this success, Oylan went back to CDN to do more volunteer work.

During another visit, she met a member of the Lozada family and was able to assist them also. The Lozado’s home was similar to the Vasquez family. The family is headed by the mother and there are five children. One of the daughters has cerebral palsy and is need of constant care. Because she is handicapped and the home is only accessible via a steep mountain path, the girl cannot attend school. Oylan could see just how much they would benefit from a new home in a flat area, near schools and clinics.

Oylan raised another $4,000 to build the Lozada family a home. On her visit during June of 2008, she accompanied the mother to review the construction of their new home. The school is within walking distance. The health clinic is next to the school and the village is nearby. Oylan hopes to return to see the completed house and would like to bring friends with her to help paint.

Over the past few years, Oylan found numerous projects to tackle, some successfully and others that will continue to succeed over time. These experiences have changes her; she is more empathetic towards the poor, the ill, and the under-educated, which is a source of continual inspiration for Oylan. She will continue to look for needs both domestically and globally, where she can utilize her skills and abilities to continue to make a difference in the lives of others.

Addie Mix

Addie is the co-founder and Executive Director of a voluntary organization titled “Reclaim A Youth” (RAY). She has been at the helm of RAY since its inception in 1993. Addie receives neither a salary nor a stipend. Her work is simply passion in action. Since 1993, she has worked tirelessly in providing community services to at-risk youth and conducting grief and loss group counseling. But that is not all, through her commitment to save a child from violence, teenage pregnancy and poor school performance particularly in the Village of Glenwood and the Glenwood school district, she has partnered with Glenwood School #167 to provide an early youth intervention program that meets regularly at the school district that emphasis conflict management, mentoring and leadership training at no cost to the district. Her love for children and passion to make a difference in a child’s life can be easily detected through her tenacity to bring caring professionals together to collaborate and lead efforts such as Ray’s James Mix & Sean Cater Memorial Scholarship Fund which has raised over $165,000 for young scholars, the College Orientation Program, which prepares young adults for the realities of living on college campuses, and the Grief & Loss Support Group held at Calvary Baptist Church of Glenwood which provides support and counseling to those experiencing difficulty and grief.

Reclaim A Youth of Illinois addresses the following problems that plague its community and surrounding communities; school violence, social forces that prevent males from achieving in school particularly the lack of positive role models to emulate, the absence of or insufficiency in adequate resources for grieving children and adults, and economic inequities that are responsible for many children not having financial support to attend 4 year colleges.

Every year 10-12 college age students receive money for college through Addie’s efforts to educate youths. Through RAY’s college orientation program and scholarships over 50 students have graduated from colleges such as UIC, DePaul, Northwestern, Morehouse & other HBCU’s.

The principal and social worker at Glenwood Junior High School report that the RAY youth intervention program has resulted in a decrease in the number of fights among students and that there is a noticeable change in students coming prepared to class after their participation in the youth program.

Utilizing a self-esteem assessment tool that measures the impact RAY facilitators are making on the students enrolled in the after school program, students feel good most of the time with feeling bad not lasting as long, smile more and have a better belief system, have more energy and are able to accomplish more goals, are friendlier, able to make long-term friendships, can look people in the eye, are becoming more independent and are demonstrating behavioral and academic success in school.

Through her grief at the murder of her only son on his college campus, Mix determined to shed a RAY of hope in lives of many children residing in her immediate community. She would accomplish her hope through the creation of youth recreation, mentoring, college scholarships and college orientation programs.