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The 2009 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards Finalists
James Carroll,
15, from Cloneen in Co. Tipperary, a third year student at Scoil Ruain in Killenaule, is a volunteer at P.A.W.S. animal rescue centre. James' love for animals prompted him to volunteer at P.A.W.S. together with the feeling of giving something back to the community. With 32 dogs at the centre James is kept busy taking them for walks, feeding them and cleaning out the kennels. He is also involved in rescuing dogs who are involved in accidents or who are abandoned.
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James' true motivation for volunteering at P.A.W.S. however, is in memory of his friend Michael who was killed in an accident on his way home from school. Michael was an avid animal lover and James feels his work keeps his friend's memory alive.
15 volunteers started out in P.A.W.S. but only two remain on including James. His dedication and spirit for the work makes him an invaluable member of the team. After finishing school James hopes to work as a vet or with the ISPCA.
Julie Comyn,
18, from Mallow in Co. Cork, a sixth year student at St. Mary's Secondary School in Mallow, is a humanitarian aid worker with the Belarussian Orphanage Project. Julie is also a Drama Assistant with the Cope Foundation.
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Julie always wanted to become a volunteer and so when she reached Transition Year she put her dream into action. After becoming aware of the Belarussian Orphanage Project Julie went for interview and passed. She has now been to Belarus three times and to date has raised over €8,000. The money has been used to build an art therapy room, buy medical supplies, toys and has even been used to employ special teachers.
Julie's work with the Cope Foundation promotes expression through drama and involves working with people of all abilities. Her drama group, Kaleidoscope, put on at least four performances a year with the biggest one being held at Cork Opera House to celebrate 50 years of Cope.
Despite not being able to travel to Belarus this year because of her Leaving Certificate commitments, Julie is already planning her next trip. She has raised sponsorship to enable her to return to Belarus for three weeks and she is also planning to visit Sri Lanka. Julie is also recruiting new volunteers for both the Belarussian Children's Project and for Kaleidoscope and is spreading the word about volunteerism. One day Julie hopes to be able to retire and volunteer on a full-time basis.
Robert Cosgrove,
17, from Tallaght in Dublin, a sixth year student at St. Aidan's Community School Brookfield in Tallaght, dedicates all his spare time to working with young people in an effort to keep them off the streets. Robert's volunteering is wide-ranging and he is chairperson of the local Health Café, a Youth Leader in his local Youth Club, the information officer for his native Brookfield, and is a member of Tallaght Youth Forum.
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The Health Café takes up much of Robert's time and he spends three nights a week there working with, and building the trust of, his peers aged from twelve to eighteen years. Because of Robert's experience in this field - he has spent four years at the Health Café - he is now effectively the first point of contact for many young people who are experiencing problems. Such issues are bullying, self-harm and violence which are resolved in conjunction with professional counsellors. Robert is an important conduit between parents and their children and an important confidant to his peers.
Robert is choosing a career in Social Work after his Leaving Certificate, using the communication and caring skills he has learned over the past number of years to continue helping others. His motto in life is, 'don't curse the darkness, but rather, light a candle."
Sean Duffy,
16, from Skibbereen in Co. Cork, a fifth year student at Schull Community College, is heavily involved in volunteering projects in Africa. Struck by the poverty in the third world country following a family trip, Sean was determined to return as a volunteer to improve the lives of those less fortunate but also to broaden his own perspectives on life. The Lesotho Project fulfilled both of these objectives so Sean got involved. His volunteering was divided into planning, fundraising and two trips to Lesotho.
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The Lesotho trips, two weeks in April and two weeks in August, involved physical work and challenging emotional visits to schools and orphanages. Despite this Sean is planning a further trip to Ghana this summer along with some of his friends where they will work in hospitals, orphanages and schools. With 25% of the population in Lesotho affected by HIV/AIDS many children are left without parents and some have the disease themselves. As a result of his volunteer work, Sean has now decided to train as a Medical Doctor and he intends to devote more time to volunteering when he is qualified.
Hannah Frister,
17, from Callan in Co. Kilkenny, a fifth year student at Scoil Ruain, Killenaule, works with people with mental and physical disabilities. She spent 10 weeks last summer away from home and lived in Camphill Duffcarraig, a residential home for adults with special needs. Hannah worked six days a week from early morning to late at night. For two and a half months Hannah immersed herself in the needs of others. She helped the residents get dressed, prepared their meals, and undertook various activities in daily workshops.
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Hannah had a particularly close relationship with a lady called Dorothy who needed lots of help and support. Despite the challenges of living, working, eating and sleeping with special needs adults 24 hours a day, Hannah plans to return to Camphill this summer. Principal Collette Treacy describes Hannah as "a truly amazing young woman, which sits her apart from the ordinary student." Hannah has a real appreciation for the value and importance of service to others and plans to continue her volunteering work into the future.
Jonathan Guckian,
18, from Derry, a student at Lumen Christi College in the city, is a volunteer at Nazareth House Care Home for the elderly and at Altnagelvin Hospital. Jonathan's awareness of the value of volunteerism to society is evident in his desire to give something back to those less fortunate than him.
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Jonathan works closely with patients on the Neurological Ward at Altnagelvin Hospital, carries out administrative duties, acts as a porter and help's run children's parties at the children's ward. He has also been asked to mentor other volunteers at the hospital, evidence of his commitment to volunteerism. Jonathan was nominated to represent Ireland at the Carnegie UK Trust Future of Civil Society in 2007 where he joined other youth leaders to develop strategies to help young people who face personal challenges. He subsequently made a presentation on this work to the Minister for Education at the Millennium Volunteer Award ceremony in 2008.
Jonathan intends to continue his volunteering activities allowing him to build on his experience year on year. He also intends to become a medical Doctor allowing him to draw on his experience within Altnagelvin Hospital. Jonathan's Principal Patrick O'Doherty describes his commitment to volunteerism, as "a genuine and deeply-held concern for the social and personal well-being of others and the level of that commitment is exceptional."
Louise Hegarty,
15, from Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, a fourth year student at Royal and Prior Comprehensive School in Raphoe, teaches people how to play the bagpipes. Despite being only 15 Louise teaches 10 people each week in her local Church Hall, aged from seven to 27.
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Louise is also attending Magee College in Derry where she is studying to get her teaching qualifications. As part of her volunteering Louise and her band mates have performed at various events including the St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Flight of the Earl commemoration and Special Olympics. She has also played alongside the Chieftains.
Her motivation for her volunteerism stems from her strong beliefs that young people should be offered a variety of activities in the community in order to keep them away from the threats of drink and drugs. Louise is also aware that in many communities sport is the only extra-curricular activity on offer and that many young people are not interested in sport. Hence, she decided to offer an extra outlet for young people in her area. Louise is also planning to teach the bagpipes to the young people who attend her local Sunday School.
Sarah Marie Keane,
18, from Ballina in Co. Mayo, a sixth year student at St. Tiernan's College, Crossmolina, developed an innovative way to attract young people to mass. Sarah Marie established a gospel choir at her local Church resulting in a dramatic increase in the numbers of people, both young and old, attending Sunday mass. The fruits of this volunteerism were exceptional and went far beyond Sarah Marie's initial aim of attracting more young people to Church. The gospel choir helped with issues of self-esteem and also helped develop the musical skills of those involved. Sarah Marie is now intending to put together a band that can fill in for the gospel choir when they are not available.
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Despite initial disapproval among some members of the community to the gospel choir, Sarah Marie did not let this stop her dream. Instead she found a compromise to keep consensus in the community and it was agreed that the gospel choir would play every other Sunday at Mass with the traditional choir playing the other weekends.
She is also broadening her volunteerism skills this year and is planning a trip to Lourdes to act as a pilgrim's assistant and is hoping to convince her colleagues in the gospel choir to join her. Sarah Marie is also going to use the choir and their talents as a way of fundraising for the trip.
Jason Laverty,
14, from Lifford in Co. Donegal, a third year student at Finn Valley College in Stranorlar, is a mentor to fellow students with physical disabilities. Throughout his school-day Jason helps students to get to their class and at lunchtime. In this role Jason has to put himself second and think about his friends needs before his own. He has also become aware of access issues and ensures that those in wheelchairs are helped out. As well as giving practical help to those students with special needs, Jason has also become their friend.
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His work is also acknowledged by the Special Needs Assistants in the school and by the parents. The school has also publicly acknowledged Jason's volunteering by honouring him with a trophy at the annual prize-giving day.
Jason intends to continue his voluntary activities right through his years at Finn Valley College and even afterwards when he enters the workforce. He is especially interested in working with people with special needs as he finds this type of voluntary work extremely rewarding.
Hannah Love,
16, from Bangor in Co. Down, a year 12 student of Glenlola Collegiate in Bangor, uses music and conversational therapy to help enrich the lives of up to 40 elderly residents of a care home. Hannah visited the Sunnyside Nursing Home weekly and entertained residents by playing the cello and piano. She also actively engaged in conversation with the residents and formed close relationships.
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Hannah's music offered more than entertainment and in fact her ability to play all genres including folk, hymns, jazz and classical proved to be relaxing and therapeutical. The communication and the friendships formed between Hannah and the residents also had an impact on them as they realised that someone cared enough to listen to their stories of days gone by.
Hannah intends to continue her volunteering at Sunnyside Nursing Home and is now involved in her local Sunday School caring for younger children. Initially Hannah was unnerved by her volunteering activities because of her lack of confidence and her fear of playing music in front of a large group of people. However, with the resident's encouragement Hannah overcame her own battle and now considers her new-found confidence a personal victory.
Katie Lynch,
15, from Dublin, a third year student at Loreto College in Swords, spent last summer volunteering at Hamilton Park Care Facility for the elderly in Balbriggan. The centre specialises in Alzheimer's care. Katie's motivation for volunteering comes from her own sense of values and her own gratitude for the things she has in life.
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As the Assistant Games Co-ordinator, Katie spear-headed the activities for the day including painting, poetry, music and ball games. Despite the challenges of working with people with an illness, Katie managed to overcome these by showing her determination and interest to give to others. In fact her biggest challenge was to convince the Director of the centre to take on a 14-year old!
Katie is also involved in numerous other voluntary activities. She has volunteered at the local children's summer project, has recently undertaken a youth leadership course, is a member of the Scout's and she is doing a first aid course. Katie dreams of going to Africa or India one day to help the poor but in the meantime is planning to spend next summer volunteering with the St. Vincent de Paul.
Kate Molyneaux,
17, from Mungret in Co. Limerick, a sixth year student at Salesian Secondary College in Pallaskenry, is heavily involved in fundraising for the Marie Keating Foundation and for communities in South Africa.
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Kate's inspiration for her charities comes from her own personal experiences. Kate's mother died from breast cancer when she was just nine years old and after this loss she decided to fundraise for the Marie Keating foundation. The charity supports cancer research and promotes cancer awareness among women of all ages. Kate persuaded 25 girls to take part in the Dublin mini-marathon as part of their fundraising activities. She also organised 20 girls to take part in the Limerick mini-marathon to raise funds for an orphanage in Johannesburg.
The money raised for the orphanage paid for expensive medication to treat HIV/AIDS, children's education and meals. Ultimately it will give the children a better quality of life and improve standards of living. Kate is also the chairperson of her school's fundraising committee and she is currently planning a series of events to build on her South Africa activities. Kate intends to take a year out after her Leaving Certificate to spend volunteering in Africa.
Gary McHale,
16, from Castlebar in Co. Mayo, a fourth year student at Davitt College, Castlebar, is a volunteer to his elderly neighbour who lives alone. Gary was prompted to volunteering when he witnessed his elderly neighbour struggle with daily chores and saw the loneliness he suffered.
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By virtue of his volunteering Gary has now become an important part of his neighbour's life. Every day he cooks him his evening meal, puts on his fire, feeds his dog and secures the house before he goes to bed. Apart from the practical side to his volunteering, Gary also has become a friend to his neighbour. He takes time to talk to him and reminisce about his own life.
Gary will continue with this volunteering this year as he is in Transition Year. He is already planning a trip to Knock Shrine for his neighbour as well as a Christmas Shopping trip.
Joseph McGowan, the School Principal describes Gary as, "an exceptional person who has the capacity to blend a deep, quiet sense of caring with intelligence and commitment."
Miriam Teehan,
18, from Tullow in Co. Carlow, a sixth year student at Tullow Community School, dedicates her spare time to working with adults with physical and mental disabilities. Miriam responded to an invitation which read: 'Want to cheer yourself up? Why not cheer up some people and see what happens.'
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She accepted the challenge to volunteer at her local Cheshire Home and went further when she undertook to fundraise and recruit her friends to make a wish come true for one of the residents. Jim wanted to go to Lourdes and so Miriam set about making his dream come true. She helped raise €6,000 for the trip and recruited 12 friends to join her as carers.
Miriam's volunteering extends to other projects also. She was involved in a Committee which raised €8,000 for the Patrician Brothers' Missions in Kenya; she volunteered on Daffodil Day to raise funds for Cancer Research, sold Russian Dolls for the Chernobyl Children's Project and volunteered in summer camps for disadvantaged children.
Miriam's exemplary acts of volunteerism resulted in her being chosen to participate in a Meitheal Leadership Programme which has added to her level of experience as a leader and volunteer. Asked why she takes on the role of volunteer Miriam says simply, "it is in giving that we receive."
Christina Wylie,
18, from Newry in Co. Down, a year 14 student at Newry High School, works with people of all ages with disabilities and acts as a carer for the elderly. Christina became interested in volunteering six years ago when her cousin, who is disabled and blind, came to live with her family, following the death of his parents.
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Her cousin attended Newry Gateway Club and so Christina decided to get involved. She is now a core part of the team and is involved in the STOP programme, which involves Christina visiting an elderly lady once a week. She is also involved in the Befriending Role whereby she visits elderly people. Christina became particularly close to a lady with dementia and who had suffered a stroke. Christina created a memory book for this lady in order to help her remember things about her life which she found extremely fulfilling. Unfortunately the lady died a short time ago.
Christina has overcome many challenges in order to pursue her passion of volunteering. The communication problems she encountered with her elderly friends were very frustrating, however with patience and perseverance Christina made huge inroads.
Christina is well aware of the impact her volunteering has made at the Gateway Club. The members love the club and it is an important part of their lives, but without the volunteers it could not continue. Christina's volunteering accolades to date include the Millennium Volunteers Award, the Diana Princess of Wales Award and the Innovation Award. Christina is currently completing her OCN in Youth Work and a Trainee Leaders Programme. She plans to go to University to study Community Work or Social Work so that she "can help people for the rest of her life."
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