BY BARRY WARNER
The Rockland County Youth Bureau held the 33rd Annual Youth Forum and Awards Dinner on Thursday, May 16, 2013. Two Rockland teenagers were among those being honored for their exceptional volunteer efforts and community service.
County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef said, “Congratulations to this year’s honorees for their dedication to their communities, as well as the citizens of Rockland County. May they serve as role models for others, both young and old, to follow in their footsteps.”
Director David K. Farrison said, “The purpose of the Rockland County Youth Bureau Dinner is to let people know of the tremendous contributions of this agency to changing the lives of Rockland youth. The T.E.E.N. Works Program teaches life skills and workforce preparation training for paid employment. The strengths of our program are the staff members who train the youth to become contributing citizens of Rockland County.”
The Joseph A. Myers Service to Youth Awards were presented to Anthony Nunez, a senior at North Rockland High School and Marie Daphney Joseph, a senior at Nyack High School. Both winners received a plaque and a $1,000 check in recognition of their selfless commitment.
Anthony Nunez said, “I have been a volunteer EMS participant with the Haverstraw Ambulance Corps and it has been a great influence in my life. Serving my community is something that I enjoy doing. Recently, I have become a firefighter at the Thiells and Roseville District 26 Fire Company.”
Marie Daphney Joseph said, “I feel complete as a person when I give back. I was born in Haiti and the people at the Nyack Library were very helpful and supportive in helping me overcome the language barrier when I was young. Years later, I have been volunteering at the library by giving back as a homework mentor in the children’s room, involvement in the Summer Reading Program and as a Book Buddy to help youngsters improve their reading skills.”
Assistant Director Marianne McCarney-Haesche said, “It is great to honor two young people from our schools for their community service. The youth have a voice in making this a healthy community and they act as role models for others. Young people have positive attitudes and skills to give back.”
Other honors presented included: The Father F. Peter Malet Award to Peggy Zugibe, North Rockland School Board Trustee; The Dennis J. Fleming Award to Jerry Staller, Jawonio and The Youth Forum Business Award to LensCrafters, West Nyack. In addition, awards were given to Regina Warren, Ellen McGuire, Miriam Lachenauer, Anita Agarwal, Kelly Quartironi and Joann Saunders in recognition of two plus years of Americorps/Literacy Corps service and support of the Family Resource Centers. Sister Joseph Mary was awarded for thirty-two years of dedicated service to the Rockland County Youth Bureau Volunteer Board of Directors.
The Rockland County Youth Bureau indicated that applications for the T.E.E.N. Work Program (Teen Employment Education Network), a workforce preparation and placement program funded by the County of Rockland, are due on Friday, May 24, 2013. For further information contact 845-638-5166 or www.rocklandgov.com/departments/youthbureau.
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