Posted November 20, 20146:23 pm
From The Plain Dealer and Cleveland.com:
CLEVELAND, Ohio - - Recently, nine Northeast Ohioans received "MTV" awards, but the honors had nothing to do with splashy music videos.
The individuals were named "Most Treasured Volunteers" for their dedication to societal needs that they feel strongly about and act on, from tutoring children who need academic help to counseling rape victims, to tackling what needs to be done to improve the lives of homeless people.
The group's "MTV" status was bestowed upon the group by The Center for Community Solutions, a nonprofit think tank that focuses on solutions for health, social and economic issues. Since 1984 the Center has honored Northeast Ohio volunteers by soliciting nominations from health, social service, civic and cultural organizations.
"Daily we hear about our region's problems," Barbara Bellin Janovitz, board member of the CCC, said at the awards ceremony on November 13. "Today we honor and thank people who are creating solutions by giving of their time, talent and treasure, by giving of themselves.
Here are the honorees and edited versions of the praises that nominators submitted:
Jessica Baaklini, Parma Heights. Baaklini volunteers two days a week with the Legal Aid Society. She also has done lectures for medical residents about civil legal issues their low-income patients face, and how residents can advocate for their patients. She also did special education training for Mom's First, a program of the Cleveland Department of Public Health, and is currently creating training about the educational rights of homeless youth for a local homeless shelter.
Chris Bartel, Shaker Heights: Bartel has volunteered at Judson at University Circle for eight years. He initiated a Men's Club to create an environment in which male residents could comfortably communicate with one another.
Lisa Buescher, Bentleyville: Buescher has been involved with Adoption Network Cleveland for 11 years as a fundraiser and in other roles. She also has mentored a foster youth for five years and maintained their relationship despite her mentee moving from home to home, the last of which is more than an hour away from Buescher.
Scott Gloger, Solon: More than 24 years ago, Gloger jumped at the chance to take pictures, free of charge, for New Avenues to Independence's first annual Holiday Ball. New Avenues to Independence provides opportunities for people with disabilities and special needs to become more independent. Scott has donated thousands of dollars and hours of high-quality photos and served as a DJ at the dances. His photographs make people with disabilities feel like stars and give them memorable lifetime experiences.
Becca Huntington, Bay Village: Huntington volunteers at Providence House, a crisis care center for at-risk children. She has been instrumental in organizing the center's family holiday party, turning what started out as a small idea into a big event. Recently, she organized a back-to-school supply drive.
Michael Lee, University Heights: Lee regularly volunteers more than double the required monthly service hours at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. He allows those needing help to lead the conversation and manages to create a safe and supportive environment.
Sarah Malue, Parma: Malue has been a volunteer at Cogswell Hall since the 1970s. Cogswell is a facility that provides housing for the homeless and the necessary tools to improve their lives. Malue has impacted hundreds of lives over the years with everything from cooking Christmas dinner to initiating major fundraising. She engages with each resident and, having overcome a poor childhood, she instills hope in others.
Vivian Miller, Garfield Heights: Miller is a literacy tutor with Greater Cleveland Volunteers' AARP Experience Corps program. Kids that she has worked are so fond of her that have been known to call her their "school mom." Although Miller is a student at Ursuline College and will be graduating in a few months, she still finds time to spend 20-to-25 hours a week with her students. But the 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds at Harvey Rice Elementary School aren't the only ones benefiting from Miller's tutoring. "I love being around the kids because they have this unrestricted expectation that things are going to be good," said Miller. "It brings out the kid in me."
Patricia Mulder, Grafton: On any given day, when homeless, exhausted women with nothing but the clothes on their backs come to the Clothing Room of the City Mission's Laura House, Mulder's is the face that they see. She has been volunteering there for three years and recently took over as coordinator, showing the women and children who come through the doors the utmost support and respect, and have fun. "She wants the women and children to feel they are getting a 'boutique' experience so that they feel special, valued and self-confident," wrote the nominator. "