volunteer of the month

Kay Tawney "About 8 years ago, I retired from the healthcare field. My time is spent reading, gardening, travelling, and enjoying the birds who come to my feeders. In this time of conflict in our country and in the world, PLC's mission as a catalyst for peace, equity and justice is severely needed. I am proud to do my part in small ways that help administration contribute to that cause. It's been wonderful to watch spring unfold at Eagle Creek." Kay, Peace Learning Center thanks you for helping us strive towards our mission.

Roger Frick Roger Frick is our Volunteer of the Month. Roger is a Peace Learning Center Board Member and volunteers with youth programming. Jay Horan, Director of Engagement works closely with Roger and says, "Roger is a bright light of positivity. He is always ready to help out and does so with a kind smile and positive attitude." Roger, thank you for everything you have done for our organization. We are very grateful to have you on our team!

Becca Gratch Becca Gratch is our Volunteer of the Month. Becca has been interning with our youth programs and has had a huge impact on the youth she serves. Natalie Spriggs, our Youth Programs Director has worked closely with Becca and says, "Becca is a truly a team player. She is willing to jump right in and support the youth team however needed. Her go-getter attitude maker her a perfect fit for the work that we do!" Becca, thank you for everything you have done for our organization. We are very grateful to have you on our team!

Maria Ruiz is our Volunteer of the Month. Maria has been interning with our Youth Programs for the past year and has had a huge impact on the youth she serves. Natalie Spriggs, Youth Programs Director, has worked closely with Maria and says, "Maria has been such a joy to work with. She is now one of our meditation experts in teaching children how to take peace breaths and meditate. She has a wonderful calming effect on children. She is out in our schools doing restorative practices each week, as well as at Peace Learning Center helping lead field trips for schools that visit us. We truly could not do the work we do without her!"   Maria, thank you for everything you have done for our organization. We are very grateful to have you on our team.

Lexie Brown is our Volunteer of the Month. Lexie is a senior at Franklin College and is spending her January term volunteering at the Peace Learning Center to help with Special Events. Lexie helped us prepare and manage our 19th Annual Martin Luther King Community Festival. Jay Horan, Director of Engagement, has worked closely with Lexie and says, "Lexie is a hard worker and a joy to be around. She came into PLC and jumped right into her duties without hesitation. I wish we could have her for more than just a month!"   Lexie, thank you for everything you have done for our organization. We are very grateful to have you on our team!

Barbara Oberreich is Peace Learning Center's Volunteer of the Year and an incredible supporter of our work. She has been integral in implementing restorative practices in our schools and ensuring volunteers are used and engaged wisely. Kristina Hulvershorn, Director of Youth Programs has worked closely with Barbara and said, "Barbara is an incredible volunteer for so many reasons. Her persistence, patience, and wisdom have allowed us to build new and meaningful programs and partnerships where there were none before. She has helped bring together a group of dedicated and wonderful volunteers who are helping build peace in some really significant ways. She is always there when we need her (whether it is to help  us by bring soup to feed a group in training, to help mobilize a large volunteer group, to learn about another training, or to help kids in need). Barbara is such a selfless and wonderful person. We are so lucky she is on our team!" Thank you Barbara for all you do for the Peace Learning Center! You are forever a member of the PLC family!

The Public Defender’s Office is our Volunteer Group of the Month.  Public Defender members spent a full Friday working with youth from a local elementary school.   After being trained in peace education lessons the volunteers mentored students as they went through rotations.   The volunteers were welcoming and friendly.   It was clear that they cared about the  youth and were happy to be spending their time with them.  Many of the volunteers said they couldn’t wait to come back! To the Public Defender’s Office, thank you for everything you have done for our organization. We are very grateful to have you on our team!

Our “Peace Mentors” are our Volunteers of the Month.  Peace Mentors are committed to helping Peace Learning Center by receiving training to become facilitators for PLC field trips.   Jay Horan, our Director of Engagement has worked closely with the group and said,  “What a beautiful group of people!   They are kind and caring.  They believe in our mission and want nothing more than to have an impact on children.   We are so lucky to have them.”  Peace Mentors, thank you for everything you have done for our organization. We are very grateful to have you on our team! Interested in becoming a Peace Mentor?   Please email Jay Horan for more information at jhoran@peacelearningcenter.org.

Ari Cruz is this month's Volunteer of the Month. Ari spent the summer as our Communications & Marketing Intern. She created our annual review, a new brochure and was incredibly helpful when it came to events. Tiffany Tibbot, Director of Operations worked closely with Ari and said, "Ari dove right into every project we gave her and went above and beyond. She was a self-starter who needed little guidance and got things done!" Volunteer Opportunities As always, PLC volunteers are busy making a difference every day! Thanks to all of you who have helped support our mission to educate, inspire and empower people to build peaceful communities this past month. To learn about other volunteer opportunities, contact Jay Horan or visit our website to complete an online volunteer application.