Wednesday, April 11, 2007
CONTACT: Norris P. West
Phone: 202-606-6840
Email: nwest@cns.gov
Washington, D.C. – President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation members honored six young District of Columbia-area youths this week for contributing to the welfare of their communities as part of a volunteer showcase.
Five Council members greeted Washington-area teenagers who serve as mentors and tutors to younger children in their communities at the District of Columbia Jewish Community Center, which hosted the Council’s Volunteer Showcase on Monday. Council members recognized the young volunteers by presenting them the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). They also heard reports on how volunteering is making a difference in the nation’s capital.
Millicent Williams, president of Serve DC, told the Council about the extraordinary growth of its programs, particularly the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, which expanded from 1,500 volunteers in January 2006 to more than 10,000 three months ago. Jason King, co-founder of the educational program Turning the Page, discussed how his volunteers seek to develop a “love for learning,” and a young man incarcerated as a teen said involvement with Earth Conservation Corps has helped turn his life around.
“It’s always wonderful for us to come into the community to see powerful examples of how people have transformed their communities and transformed their lives in the process,” remarked Jean Case, chair of the President’s Council. “As volunteers, you are the heart and soul of solving community problems and changing lives.”
Council member Mary Jo Myers presented the PVSA Gold Awards to Darnell Valentine and Issa Ouedraogo, of the Friendship Collegiate Academy; Ruthie Yow, of City Year DC; and the Friendship Collegiate Academy Leadership program, an intensive high school level academy that exposes students to service learning and improves academic achievement. The academy’s students have contributed a combined 4,047 hours of service this year, visiting elementary schools to tutor and mentor children in junior achievement, life skills and leadership service.
Silver awards went to Mohamed Ouedraogo, of the Friendship Junior Academy; and Daniel Austin, of IDEA Public Charter School and the JROTC. Frankie Moore, of IDEA, was presented with a Bronze award.
David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, said he was pleased that the Volunteer Showcase brought together “incredible” volunteer programs and the President’s Council.
“These programs are changing the trajectory for individuals from being at the risk of failure to a position whether they have an opportunity to succeed,” said Eisner, who heads a federal agency with a mission to improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through volunteering and service.
Other council members attending the Volunteer Showcase were Volunteer Florida CEO Wendy Spencer; Evern Cooper Epps, of Georgia, former president of the UPS Foundation; and actor Stephen Baldwin, of New York.
The Volunteer Showcase was part of two days of President’s Council activity in Washington. At their daylong retreat yesterday, Council members discussed the upcoming National Volunteer Week – April 15-21, recent volunteer research reports by the Corporation, and Summer of Service programs for youths. In addition, Anita McBride, chief of staff to First Lady Laura Bush, swore in two new council members: Angela Baraquio Grey, Miss America 2001 and the founder of the Angela Perez Baraquio Education Foundation, and philanthropist Ray Chambers, who is chairman of the MCJ and Amelior Foundations.
While in Washington for the meeting, council members NASCAR racing driver Kasey Kahne and Baldwin were guest readers at the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday. This year’s version of the annual event, with a theme of exercise and health, drew 18,000 visitors.
“Council members are bringing their passion for service and expertise in many fields to support President Bush’s call to service,” said Desiree Sayle, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of USA Freedom Corps.
The 25-member President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation was given a charge by President Bush to promote an ethic of service and to recognize the millions of Americans who are giving back to their communities through generous acts of service. More than 23,000 organizations are part of the Council’s network, and together they have honored America's volunteers with more than 560,000 PVSAs. Administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Council brings together leaders from the worlds of business, entertainment, sports, education, government, nonprofits, and the media to promote their efforts. To learn more about the Council, its members, and the President's Volunteer Service Award program, please visit http://www.volunteer.gov/.
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