The Presidents Volunteer Service Award
With great pride and honor Epoch Publications is proud to share with you the following press release concerning one of our feature writers, Joseph Chiappetta Jr.
For Immediate Release:
Florence AZ May 2009- The President’s Volunteer Service Award has been awarded to the Arizona State Prison Complex Eyman/Meadows Unit inmates by SJM Family Foundation, As one of thousands of Certifying Organizations participating in the program, SJM Foundation confers the award to recognize the outstanding achievements of volunteers. Established in 2003, the President’s Volunteer Service Awardis Available on an annual basis to individuals, groups and families who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering. The President’s Volunteer Service Award is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group created by President Bush to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making to our Nation. Chaired by two-time Super Bowl Champion Darrell Green, with former US Senator Bob Dole and John Glen as honorary co-chairs, the Council comprises leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofits and volunteer service organizations and community volunteering.
Of all the people (staff and inmates) who supported these activities, the first credit must go to Deputy Warden Curran. Nothing happens in a prison without the support of its warden. In this case, Deputy Warden Curran has gone above and beyond with support of community betterment and volunteer activities. Most notable was a food drive which earned nearly $2000 dollars for hungry families. this was DW Curran’s idea and he allowed the inmate Peer Educators to facilitate it. All of the Meadows Unit inmates who volunteered in community betterment activities were motivated by a sincere desire to help people in need. The Meadows Staff were instrumental in providing the opportunities for these inmates to participate. Without their help none of these activities would ever take place. Meadows Unit inmates owe their success to DW Curran, COIV Cottrell, COIV Savinen, LT. Ping, SGT. Moreno, COIII Sauceda, COIII Kraicinski, Health Educator O’Donnell and all of the other Meadows Unit COIIs. All the Meadows Unit Uniformed Staff supported these activities and deserve praise as well. Staff and inmates worked together to give back to the community, this cooperation is what made everything possible.
The inmate volunteers facilitating these community betterment activities are Peer Educators and Peer Mentors. Three-time NFL Pro Bowl Offensive Tackle Luis Sharpe is one of these volunteers. A few of the other volunteers include:
Steve Warner:a Peer Educator and Mentor who is returning to the community after 25 years in prison. Warner is an inspiration for all who know him. He is one of the original volunteers and has participated and worked in hundreds of charitable fund raising events and activities. He is one of the original Peer Educators from the pilot program.
Muktar Najee Ullah:A Peer Educator and Mentor who has been participating in an d facilitating programs for over 30 years. He is a volunteer who sets a positive example within the prison community and is always mentoring the younger inmates around him.
Troy Froehlich :A Peer Educator and Mentor who teaches and facilitates several different programs and classes. After turning his life around during his 18 years in prison, Froehlich encourages others to change their thinking, volunteer, and helps others.
Gary Shepard: A “success story” who has literally gone from being one of the worst to one of the best. He continually encourages those around him to turn away from criminal thinking and uses his reputation and respect to help his fellow inmates change their lives.
Chris Jenkins: Jenkins is currently working on a PhD in Psychology and Christian Counseling. he works as a chaplain’s assistant and is one of the original Peer Educators from the pilot program.
Joseph Chiappetta Jr: A Peer Educator and Mentor who is also a published author and an inmate facilitator for pre-release and transitional programs. With the help of his family Chiappetta created a website that provides useful resources to inmates and their families.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award was presented to the Meadows Unit by Allee Simmons, Board President, SJM Family Foundation on April 23, 2009.
