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Celebrating Our Pillars at the Museum of Appalachia | |
Pillars - do not miss out on a fantastic event! Mark your calendars to be at the museum on Saturday, July 16th, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Enjoy delicious hors d'oeuvres and beverages, as well as a tour of the museum. It's our way of saying "THANK YOU!".
Not a Pillar, but would like to attend? Membership in the Pillar Society begins at $1,000 and can be combined between spouses work place giving. Not only do you receive recognition in the annual Membership Directory and invitations to social networking functions, but you'll know that you are making a large impact in the community!
Thank you to our sponsor- SunTrust for helping make this event possible.
For more information to RSVP for the event by July 11th or on becoming a Pillar, contact UWAC at uwayac@bellsouth.net or call 865.483.8431.
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ADFAC Repair Fair
Submitted by Jamie Olson, ADFAC
For over 20 years, ADFAC's annual volunteer "Repair Fair" has helped hundreds of low-income homeowners receive much-needed assistance with home repairs.
The 2011 Repair Fair is poised to be the biggest event in the history of the program. From June 19 through July 2, 2011, approximately 850 teen volunteers and 120 adult volunteers from across the United States will arrive in East Tennessee with one goal: to help impoverished families live and thrive in safer and healthier homes.
Over the course of these two weeks, the teens will work (in groups of 8, plus 2 adult leaders and access to a trained troubleshooter) to resolve repair issues in the homes of nearly 100 low-income families. Common projects include access ramps, porches, minor floor and wall repairs, interior and exterior paint and weatherization. Contributions and grant funds pay for the building materials, allowing ADFAC to offer repair services that are truly affordable to needy families.
Most repairs will be completed in Oak Ridge and Anderson County, Tennessee -- an area where 36% of occupied homes are over 50 years old and 16.2% of individuals live below the poverty level (source: US Census -- American Community Survey 2005-2009). Some repairs will be also be completed in Campbell County, where the poverty level is 23%. Most families served by the program earn less than $15,000 a year.
The atmosphere of the Repair Fair is that of hard work, joy, generosity, gratitude, enthusiasm and celebration. It's quite an experience! For more information, please contact Service Coordinator Connie Ball at (865) 481-3837 ext. 101 or visit www.adfac.org.
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Two New 'Next Chapter Book Clubs' in Anderson County
Submitted by Lorrie W. Crockett, M.Ed. Assistive Technology Specialist, NCBC
The East Tennessee Technology Access Center has opened two Next Chapter Book Clubs in Anderson County, thanks to United Way of Anderson County and a grant from the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities. Next Chapter Book Clubs are designed to promote social connectedness, literacy learning, and community inclusion. A group of 5 to 8 people with intellectual disabilities and a wide range of reading skills gather with two trained volunteer facilitators in a local bookstore or café to read aloud and discuss a book for one hour a week. Much like members of any other book club, NCBC members choose the book they want to read and how they would like to structure their club. They focus on reading to learn so all reading levels are welcomed and accepted. They make friends and get opportunities to purchase snacks or beverages, thereby increasing independence.
One of the NCBC is made up of members from Emory Valley Center, and the other is from Ridgeview. Emory Valley group has read Black Beauty and is reading The Mouse and the Motorcycle. The Ridgeview group has read The Secret Garden, and they even had a party at one of the residences to watch the movie and eat scones! They are currently reading Black Beauty. One of the facilitators sent this email: "Everyone is excited to be reading it and one member purchased the affordable hardcover (children's classics) version from BAM before leaving."
We are very excited to be coordinating this program in East Tennessee. If you know someone with a disability who would be interested in book club, or know someone who would like to become a volunteer facilitator, please call Lorrie Crockett at 865 219-0130 at ETTAC for information on how to get involved with Next Chapter Book Club. We are not limited to how many clubs we can start and would love to see more clubs in Anderson County!
Special thanks to Books A Million in Oak Ridge for hosting both clubs in the café.
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CMS Celebrates 25 Years
Submitted by Ciny Helton, Executive Director CMS | |
Community Mediation Services of Anderson County, begun in 1986, is celebrating its 25th year of helping at-risk families and juveniles in Anderson County find solutions to their own issues through mediation. This week Representative John Ragan presented CMS Executive Director Cindy Helton with a Tennessee House Joint Resolution, which honors the positive impacts of CMS and its three programs.
The Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) was the first such program in
Tennessee. Studies have shown VORP to be extremely effective in preventing re-offending and completion of restitution. The Teen/Parent Mediation Program (1998) helps at-risk-youth and their
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Representative John Ragan &
Cindy Helton, CMS Exec. Director |
families develop positive communication and problem solving skills to address current and future problems. The Access/Visitation Program assists never married parents in creating a more harmonious atmosphere for their children. Our mediators serve as neutral third party facilitators as they assist the parents in reaching a mutually acceptable parenting plan that is presented to the Juvenile Court.
As family dynamics and issues continue to change, CMS is working with the Court to adapt the A/V model to different situations between family members and parents with the objective of facilitating positive family interactions and support for the children affected. Volunteer community mediators, trained through the on-going and well-developed CMS Training Program, are the strength and heart of CMS services. The next mediators training starts August 20th.
For more information on any of the CMS programs or to become a mediator contact the office at 865.463.6888.
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United Way Board of Directors
United Way of Anderson County has the privilege of having one of the hardest working Board of Directors in the community! They provide leadership and set policies for our organization. Board members serve as stewards of community dollars, they also understand United Way's legal responsibilities, review and approve annual budgets and oversee agency and program funding decisions.
These dedicated volunteers represent every facet of community life and are an invaluable asset to United Way and those we serve.
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Executive Board | |
Jimmy Stone
President
ORNL | |
Greta Ownby
Vice President
Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce |
Roger Kiger
Treasurer
Visionary Horizons, Wealth Mgt. Group |
Martha Drewry
Secretary
Y-12 FCU Retired
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Buzz Patrick
Vice President of
Fund Distribution
Omega Consulting | |
Board of Directors | |
Eric Abelquist
ORAU |
Mike Belbeck
Methodist Medical Center |
Karen Bridgeman
Anderson County Schools |
David Bradshaw
SunTrust Bank | |
Cheryl Cabbil
UCOR |
Edwena Crowe
B&W Y-12 |
Tiki Dixon
Tetra Tech |
Leslie England
Oak Ridge Utility District | |
Joseph Hedges
Pro2Serve |
Courtney Henry
WSI Oak Ridge |
Myron Iwanski
Anderson County Mayor |
Ed Kenik
ORNL Retired
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Bill Klemm
B&W Y-12 |
Gail Matson
PAI |
Betsy Prine
ATC Nuclear |
James Rackstraw
WSI Oak Ridge | |
Bob Smith
UCOR |
Ray Smith
B&W Y-12 |
Mike Twine
G2 Engineering |
Mike Vermeulen
B&W Clinch River | |
Mike Watkins
ATLC Representative |
Mark Watson
Oak Ridge City Manager |
Stephen Whitson
Whitson Construction |
Rachell Wilson
Community Volunteer |
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