Volunteer Recognition Reception 2009

COSI Franklin County Children Services recently celebrated the 25th annual Volunteer Recognition Reception. These volunteers provide not only the gift of time, but the gift of friendship to youth who need that special person in their lives. The theme was Celebrate the Kid in You to honor the 478 volunteers who dedicate their time to the children of the agency.

Volunteers and mentors were recognized from five programs: Friendship Volunteers, Crisis Volunteers, Simba Mentors, Malaika Mentors and College-Bound Mentors.

The Malaika program is a culturally specific mentoring program matching African American women with African American girls. Janet George, who has been mentoring Deyonna for four years, was recognized as an outstanding Malaika Mentor.

Crisis Center Volunteers provide support, activities, and supervision to youth who come into the Intake and Investigations office. Katelin Faulkner has been an excellent Crisis Volunteer for just over 6 months.

“It takes a man to teach a boy to be a man,” is a statement that speaks to the heart of the Simba program. Kenneth Golden, has been a Simba mentor for the past five years and currently is matched with two young men.

Going to college can be a bit daunting for anyone, especially for the young people involved with Children Services. The College-Bound Mentoring program matches mentors with agency teens who are beginning that process. Sue Frost is a College-Bound Mentor, who has been matched with Michael for two years.

Friendship volunteers provide one-on-one guidance and support to an individual child. Lisa Hunt (pictured right) has been a Friendship Volunteer for Charmane for just over a year.

Each of these volunteers were honored for the amazing dedication they show their mentees.

Volunteer of the Year

Phil Dietrich, a Friendship Volunteer, was honored with this year's Volunteer of the Year award. Dietrich goes that “extra mile” because he truly cares. He has taken a young man under his wings and become a strong advocate for him not only by introducing him to some much needed fun activities, but by helping him face other realities of life like doing well in school and making right life choices.

Most Inspirational Volunteer

Winner The Most Inspirational Volunteer Award went to Margie Davenport. For almost 12 years, Davenport has been an enthusiastic, caring and compassionate friendship volunteer. While Davenport has been a consistent, caring mentor and friend to her mentee, Tyler, she’s also been a constant source of support and encouragement to his entire family. Her dedication to Tyler’s family was most apparent in the summer of 2006, when the family tragically lost everything in a house fire and their home was destroyed. Going above and beyond, Davenport came to the rescue, helping to organize donations for the family and watching the kids while the family sought housing.

Necol Russell-Washington, chair of the Franklin County Children Services Board of Trustees, presented a Special Recognition award to two of our now retired CAC members, Jerry Chase and Sara Chase. Jerry has been a dedicated member of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for 13 years serving in a leadership capacity as well as on many committee projects. Franklin County Children Services also honored Martin Burns as this year’s Outstanding Advisory Committee Member. Booker T. Washington said, “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” This outstanding mentor has been lifting up youth in the Simba program for the past 22 years.

Winner Volunteers with 3,5,10,15, 20, and 25 years of service were also honored. These included: 15 years- Darla Bolon, Mary and Phil Brunney, Keith Millhone, Dan Trevas; 20 years - Jan Gale , Debbie Sartori; and 25 years of service - Gwen Abbot (pictured left).

Children Services appreciates each one of the volunteers who make a difference in the lives of children.