***For Immediate Release***

May, 7, 2008

Re: Dorchester Honors Its Model Citizens

(Dorchester, MA) On Friday May 2nd, 2008, SCI Dorchester celebrated its 3rd Annual Model Citizens Awards Ceremony at The Historic Great Hall in Codman Square. This year we honored seven individuals for their exemplary service and commitment to their community. This event was held in conjunction with National Volunteer Week (April 27th- May 3rd) as a way to show appreciation for all the good work our volunteers do everyday.

Model Citizens is an annual award that celebrates volunteers who have contributed their time and talents to their community. An individual or organization nominates each Model Citizen and a review committee consisting of community volunteers then chooses the award recipients. The 2008 Model Citizens Awards recipients included: Dynell Andrews-Blake, Byron Beaman, Marion Bowden, Jamarhl Crawford, Vivian Girard, Arlene Lopes, and Jeff Smith. Ron Bell, Director of the Office of Civic Engagement, was the special guest speaker for the event and he was presented with a special award for his activism and accomplishments in increasing voter registration in our communities.

The event was a fantastic celebration of volunteerism in the Dorchester community. Every volunteer who came to the event received an official certificate of appreciation. In addition to recognizing the Model Citizens, SCI Dorchester and DotWell gave awards to its seven AmeriCorps members: Grace Ejiwale, Jennifer Gerber, Kathy McKenzie-Johnson, Joao Ramos, Carlotta Richardson, Carla Smith, and Kelley Winters.

For more information about the Model Citizens Awards Ceremony please contact Kelley Winters at 617-822-8297 or kwinters@scidorchester.org.

****FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE****

May 1, 2008

For More Information, contact: Kelley Winters, Volunteer Coordinator, SCI Americorps Member kwinters@scidorchester.org, 617-822-8297

(Dorchester, MA)

In celebration of National Volunteer Week (April 27th-May 3rd), SCI Dorchester will be recognizing those individuals who have helped increase social capital and civic engagement in Dorchester at the 3rd Annual Model Citizens Awards Ceremony on Friday May 2nd, 6:30 p.m. at The Historic Great Hall in Codman Square. This year we will be honoring seven individuals for their exemplary service and commitment to their community. In addition, we are pleased to have Ron Bell, Director of the Office of Civic Engagement, as the special guest speaker for the ceremony.

Model Citizens is an annual award that celebrates volunteers who have contributed their time and talents to their community. An individual or organization nominates each Model Citizen and a review committee consisting of community volunteers then chooses the award recipients. The 2008 Model Citizens Awards recipients include: Dynell Andrews-Blake, Byron Beaman, Marion Bowden, Jamarhl Crawford, Vivian Girard, Arlene Lopes, and Jeff Smith.

In addition to recognizing the award recipients, SCI Dorchester will be acknowledging all community volunteers by providing an official certificate of appreciation when they arrive to the event. SCI Dorchester encourages all organizations to show gratitude to their volunteers during National Volunteer Week.

For more information about the Model Citizens Awards Ceremony please contact Kelley Winters at 617-822-8297 or kwinters@scidorchester.org.

SCI Dorchester cordially invites you to their annual volunteer recognition and award ceremony on Friday, May 2nd at the historic Great Hall in Codman Square.

This year we will be honoring seven individuals for their exemplary service and commitment to building social capital and civic engagement in Dorchester.

We are excited to have Ron Bell, Director of the Office of Civic Engagement, as our special guest speaker for the event.

Space is limited, so please RSVP by April 30.
Contact: Kelley Winters, kwinters@scidorchester.org or 617-822-8297

Global Youth Service Day at Franklin Park
SCI Dorchester, The Franklin Park Coalition, and Boston Cares will be celebrating Global Youth Service Day by hosting a youth led spring clean up event on Friday, April 25th  from 1pm-4pm.   We will be providing the tools and refreshments.  Participants will learn about the history of Franklin Park and why environmental stewardship is important.  After the clean up there will be food and fun social activities!  Teens and all ages are welcome.  To learn more about the Franklin Park Coalition please visit www.franklinparkcoalition.org.  If you are interested in volunteering for Global Youth Service Day, contact Kelley Winters at kwinters@scidorchester.org

Dancing with the Stars
Volunteer for an exiciting celebrity filled fundraiser! Dancing with the Stars is a gala event for Fields Corner Main Street where Boston celebrities are paired with professional dancers in a fun competition. There will be a volunteer orientation on Wednesday, April 23rd, 6:30 p.m. at the Dorchester House Multi-Service Center, for prospective volunteers to learn about the event and the various exciting volunteer positions.

Trees for Dorchester
Volunteer your time and help plant trees in Dorchester parks. Grow Boston Greener is organizing three planting events this month. The first will be on Thursday, 4/24, from 9am-1pm in Harambee Park. Also the next day, Friday 4/25 in Franklin Field from 9am-1pm. And finally on Saturday 4/26, at Hemenway Park from 9am-12pm. To volunteer for a tree planting contact Gretchen Folk , 617-442-1059.