2012 Volunteer of the Month Archives
Volunteer of the Month - March, 2012
Yoko Takahashi
This month we honor an amazing woman, Yoko Takahashi, who has permeated our program on many levels with her big heart and unending talents. A wife and mother of two, Yoko came to us in December with a keen interest to serve in a variety of ways and is now volunteering in both our Residential program as well as our Runaway & Homeless Youth program. An accomplished cook, Yoko provides nutritious Japanese-style meals for our kids and quite often delivers gifts of food for staff. In addition, she supports our homeless outreach program with the preparation and serving of a Friday meal on the street. Long term Yoko is hoping to broaden her service to include life coaching to our youth as a way to help them set realistic goals on a path to success. We're so thankful for her organizational skill, kind-hearted nature and cooking talent. Congratulations Yoko!
February, 2012
Boulder Flatirons Rotary Club
This month we honor the Boulder Flatirons Rotary Club. Together we embarked on a $3,000 grant to support our Runaway and Homeless Youth Program. We were able to purchase much needed food and emergency supplies for our outreach team in addition to procuring community tables at Boulder County Farmers Markets and fall festivals to raise program awareness and distribute materials. Numerous members have gone through our RHY volunteer training in order to cook meals in our shelter, participate in street outreach efforts, attend community events on our behalf and support our youth and the staff in The Source - our daily drop-in center. We are so fortunate to have their support and assistance and very grateful for their many hours of service.
January, 2012
Fred Smith
This month we honor Fred Smith as our Volunteer of the Month. Fred came to us a year ago and openly shared his challenge of living with a mental health disability. Unable to work full time, Fred has devoted his time to part-time jobs and volunteer opportunities that include the Odd Fellows Lodge in Boulder and cooking a weekly Friday lunch in our drop-in center. Fred's motivation to serve our youth stems from his belief that everyone has the time and the talent to give, no matter what their life challenge. Fred is a great volunteer with a surprising sense of humor. He is our master chef every Friday and can cook anything from turkey to a mean chili. Fred is an inspiration to our kids and staff and we look forward to sharing many more meals together.
2011 Volunteer of the Month Archives
December 2011
Vail Resorts Echo and Covidien Corporate Volunteer Teams
Two corporate volunteer teams generously gave of their time during the busy holiday season to spread good cheer.
Vail Resorts (pictured left) brought its human resource team of energetic workers led by Mark Gasta to our runaway and homeless youth shelter. They trimmed a tree, decorated the home, insulated our windows and gave the entire house a deep clean. We loved their energy and good humor!
For our residential program, the kids were treated to a beautifully decorated home courtesy of Covidien and Barbara Hey, internal communications director. Her team surprised our staff and residents not only with the sights and smells of Christmas but also donated an Xbox, gift cards and delicious treats. It was a great surprise for our kids to come home and witness the generosity of others on their behalf.
Attention Homes welcomes the opportunity to host corporate and service teams for rewarding and productive team building experiences. To both Vail and Covidien, thank you for shining a bright light during what can be a difficult time for our kids during the holiday season.
November 2011
Thanksgiving Day Volunteers
A heartfelt thanks goes out to the numerous volunteers and staff who made the first Annual Thanksgiving Buffet at our runaway and homeless shelter a whopping success. Without their support, positive energy and giving hearts, we never would have been able to pull off this incredible feast. Our awesome lead staff person, Katie Green, led the charge (with her whirling dervish of a mom Molly) and together with numerous volunteers helped to create a most memorable event. Jim Rianoshek, our Executive Director, commented that it was days like that which reinforce the meaningful work we do and the giving strength of our community.
In honor of their contributions of both time and talent, our November Volunteers of the Month are all of our Turkey Day Supporters who large and small made decorations, scrumptious food and served selflessly to our delighted kids and young adults. The clean up crew was amazing and packaged leftovers while at the same time reorganizing our cabinets. It was an Extreme Thanksgiving Makeover!
Thank you to all of the following volunteers for your spirit and various contributions:
The Bagget Family, Lynda Bell, Paul Brooks, Bitsy Carlson, The Dannelly Family, Rachel Dietz, Francoise Dimapulas, The Doyle Family, The Evenson Family, Edmund Ha, Chihiro Izumi, Alexis Khan, Judy Knapp, Kerrina Kuhns, Ryon Layser, Melissa Monforti, Daryl Ogden, April Oliver, Colleen Ostlood, Lars Parkin, The Shockley Family, Wanyu Sim, Yuan Sui, Cecelia Swanson, Donna Tuttle, The Webb Family, Patricia Williams, Molly Allen
October 2011
Danny San Filippo
A senior at CU, Danny came to us 8 months ago interested in exploring some career opportunities. He quickly endeared himself both to the kids and staff and is a consistent bright light in our program. The kids anticipate each and every weekly visit. Danny will play basketball for hours, easily engages in conversation and will support staff in whatever way is necessary. His great sense of humor and natural ability to lend a listening ear and bring a smile to a sullen teen's face is beloved by all. In addition, Danny recently added street outreach in order to further his experience in working with kids less fortunate. A smart and compassionate young man, the future holds many wonderful possibilities for Danny and we're grateful for the time that we have with him before he attends graduate school. Congratulations Danny!
September 2011
The Trekking Chefs
“The Trekking Chefs” is a special group of women who not only hike weekly as friends but also cook one Monday a month in our Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter kitchen. This month we honor them not just because of their cooking skills but also for their jumping into action for our “Cause Mob” breakfast held September 14. Together they put out a breakfast spread of pancakes, eggs, bacon and more for a large group of 50 attendees who performed en masse earlier in the day to raise awareness of homeless issues in our community. A big shout out goes to Lisa Wade, Pam Nichols, Pam Mayer, Bonnie Smith, Susan Yates and Lyla Herman, and Mary Donn Jordan.
August 2011
Covidien
This month we honor Covidien, a global provider of healthcare products, and nine of their Boulder employees who came to execute the unimaginable: painting our Chase Court home in four hours! As part of Foothills United Way’s Day of Caring on August 19, Covidien signed up to tackle our “home makeover” project. In addition to painting our home, this hearty group also did yard work and prepared dinner for our happy and surprised kids that evening. Many thanks to: Erik Arentzen, Martin Coe, Randy Good, Sarah Hayman, Jason Kemp, Khoi Le, Mani Venkatesh, Sarah Williamson, and Alissa Wong.
July 2011
Jane Whittlesey
Jane Whittlesey has been an amazing addition to our residential volunteer staff. An accomplished fine artist who teaches art classes in Boulder County and owns pARTiculars Gallery in Lafayette, Jane devotes two evenings each month to inspire our kids with various art projects and develop their artistic talents. With her busy life, we're so grateful for the time and positive energy that she brings to our program. "I LOVE all "my" teenagers at Attention Homes," says Jane. "They are energetic, creative, funny, loving...everything I wish for in a teen art group. The fun times I get to spend with these amazing kids makes my whole month better!" For all her wonderful contributions, we honor Jane as our July 2011 Volunteer of the Month. Congratulations!
June
Phillip Nordeck
We’re thrilled to honor Phillip Nordeck as our June Volunteer of the Month. A senior at CU and part of our street outreach team, Phillip came to us with two objectives: to gain volunteer experience and see life through a different lens.
In his own words Phillip says “Participating in Street Outreach for Attention Homes has been an invaluable personal experience that has allowed me to connect with a divergent spectrum of individuals in my community, with whom otherwise I would never have met. I look forward to hitting the streets every Tuesday because I know that someway, somehow, the information we impart upon the streets positively affects those who are in need of help. Even if we do not speak directly to someone who can use the teen facilities, it is comforting to know that the word is being spread, and that our drop in center
“The Source" is resonating throughout the community. There is nothing better than knowing firsthand that you have made someone's day; whether it be by providing them with food, water, or socks, or by referring them to that night's community table or our overnight shelter. When I make someone's day that, in turn, make's my day; and that's when I feel most centered in my community.”
Thank you Phillip for making a difference in the lives of our youth and congratulations!
May
Emily McCarthy
After six years of service, Emily McCarthy, one of our most cherished volunteers is leaving Attention Homes and returning to Vermont after graduating this past May from CU Law School. We honor her this month as our Volunteer of the Year.
From her first year as a CU undergrad, Emily has been a mover and shaker as a National Honor Society Member, U.S. House of Representatives Page, participant in the Juvenile Law Clinic, Justice High intern and a GAL for kids in dependency and neglect proceedings. As a direct care intern who volunteered weekly, Emily distinguished herself as a great listener who puts kids at ease, making them feel safe and cared for. She has a deep commitment to those youth who are struggling to find their voice and self-esteem in a way that gives them hope and a rightful place in society. She has made a tremendous difference on the nights she is here for both the residents and staff. Emily is simply a remarkable individual and we will miss her greatly.
April
Kiwanis Club of the Golden Nuggets
Kiwanis International held a “Kiwanis One Day” celebration on April 2nd. Members of the Kiwanis Club of the Golden Nuggets volunteered at our Chase Court home. Club members sanded and stained two dining tables, raked the lawn and a path, washed windows, cleaned the house and sanded unfinished lumber that will be used to construct a table.
Thank you to Charles Hadley, Ken Fowler, Jess Kadel, Kirsten Cox and Rogers Coke! Our April 2011 Volunteers of the Month.
March
Miriam Sproul
A unique volunteer who serves in our Runaway and Homeless Youth Drop-In Center. Miriam Sproul consistently rises above and beyond the call of duty. Miriam comes each week to cook a hot meal for our kids and mentors in a way that practically sets our youth on a path towards a better life. When a former resident had hand surgery and was somewhat incapacitated, with staff approval, she arranged to take him food and offered guidance and counsel when he endeavored to start his own car detailing business. We are lucky to have Miriam on board and congratulate her as our March Volunteer of the Month!
February
John & Vicki Griffin
Attention Homes extends a huge thank you to John and Vicki Griffin for their recent volunteer efforts. In December, the Griffin’s alerted our staff of an opportunity to apply for window shades from Hunter Douglas. Shortly following the application, Attention Homes learned that Hunter Douglas would be providing our Broadway Avenue facility, where our teen shelter and our office are located, with window coverings for every window in the home. That’s 46 windows!
John and Vicki were part of the installation process from start to finish. They measured windows, ordered the shades and installed all of the coverings, spending 3-4 full days completing all of this work.
The shades add to the home-like feel of our shelter. They provide privacy from the outside, help insulate the home and finish off our windows.
Thank you so much to the Griffins for making the shade donation possible and doing all the work to make sure they were properly installed!
January
Kate O'Brien
Kate’s dedication and commitment to helping our teens is impressive! She has been generously volunteering her time on a weekly basis to Attention Homes’ development department for more than three years, only missing weeks around the holidays when her kids return home from school. Her volunteer work has included many research and prospecting projects, assisting with grant writing and research and, most recently, she is helping Attention Homes enhance its donor recognition and appreciation program.
In addition to a law degree, Kate also recently graduated with a Masters in Nonprofit Management from Regis University. She is now looking to immerse herself in the local nonprofit community as a full time employee.
We are so thankful for Kate! Attention Homes has greatly benefited from her efforts!