|
5 |
|
. |
|
|
|
|
Founding
Families 2009 Honorees Foster Care Family Sarita Stokes
When
“Jan” was ready to leave the group home, a foster care family was
needed. Again, Sarita stepped forward, took the required classes to
become a foster parent and welcomed “Jan” into her home. Sarita has
maintained her volunteer efforts at JGH and has gone on to foster two more
adolescent females from there. Sarita has positively impacted not only everyone at
Johnson’s Group Home but everyone she encounters. We applaud Sarita Stokes for her tremendous effort and commitment to
helping young women in need. Community Leadership Family Peyton
T. Hairston, Jr. Family
Peyton serves on the
Boards of Directors for Mercy Health Partners, Knoxville Tourism and Sports
Corporation and Knoxville Chamber Partnership. He is the Chair of the Board of the
Knoxville Area Urban League and Vice-Chair of the Board of the East Tennessee
Foundation. Peyton earned his
bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University and his law
degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law. Peyton and Tanya J.
Hairston, both natives of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, have been married
for nearly 29 years. Tanya is a
graduate of North Carolina A&T State University and has worked in public
education. For the past ten
years, she has owned and operated WindowScapes,
Inc., which fabricates window treatments and other soft home
furnishings. Tanya has served as
a volunteer for Second Harvest and Webb School of Knoxville. Tanya and Peyton have two
children, Ashley and Peyton III.
Ashley is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, and she is
currently a graphic designer with Morris Creative Group. She will begin graduate school at the
School of the Art Institute of Chicago this fall. Ashley, along with her father, is a
member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and she is a mentor in the Circles
of Support program through the Ten Year Plan to End Chronic
Homelessness. Peyton III will
graduate from Elon University in May 2009. As a student, Peyton has volunteered
with Habitat for Humanity and supported other charitable efforts. He is also a member of the Alpha Phi
Alpha Fraternity. We commend this
family for their service to the community and for passing the tradition along
to the next generation. Inspirational Family Phil
Babelay and the Clear Springs Baptist Church Mr. Phil Babelay is known by the youth served by Child &
Family Tennessee as “Mr. Phil”. “Mr. Phil” is a
member and representative of the Clear Springs “Mr.
Phil” is for Child & Family Tennessee the “face” of the
Clear Springs Baptist Church family. His volunteer work has given a unique
and irreplaceable blessing to the youth served by Child & Family
Tennessee, in that he has been consistent for more than fifteen years with
his commitment of time and service.
Consistency may be the most valuable contribution a volunteer working
with our youth can make. Many of the youth in our programs have been hurt by
the adults in their lives who have disappointed, abandoned, or even harmed
them. Due to “Mr. Phil’s” dedication and discipline,
gradually and over time our kids have been able to experience a relationship
with an adult which is safe and reliable. They thus
have learned in an unforgettable way from “Mr. Phil” that not all
adults are untrustworthy. “Mr. Phil”
freely gives of his time with grace and compassion, and this is the gift that
only a volunteer can give. For while our staff cares a great deal about our
kids, and works very successfully to help them heal from their trauma, the
kids clearly understand that “Mr. Phil” does not receive a
paycheck for his time with them, and that makes his efforts all the more
special to them. Our kids eagerly
anticipate “Mr. Phil’s” visits twice a week. His love and
joy shine brightly and he makes himself available when the kids are
interested in discussing spiritual matters. “Mr. Phil” always has a
kind word for our hardworking staff as well and this brightens
everyone’s day. His caring and helpfulness have made him an important part of our
team. Over the years, “Mr.
Phil” has volunteered at many of Child & Family”s
group homes and programs for youth, including most recently Cooper House and
the Runaway Shelter.. “Mr. Phil” is a quiet and
humble man who would never sing his own praises. It is fitting that we celebrate the
service of love and commitment he has tirelessly given to these youth, the
many lives he has touched, and the important contributions he has made to the
mission of Child & Family Tennessee through the years. Thank you,
“Mr. Phil”! Who do you know that should be
nominated? Click here to
enter their story into consideration for the 2010 Founding Families Awards. |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|