WFHB

Rebroadcast date: 12/04/2017

Joy Bhattacharya, a dedicated local, high-school age volunteer, was awarded the Youth Volunteer Award at the Serve Indiana Awards for Excellence on Nov. 9th, 2017 in Indianapolis. The awards, presented by Serve Indiana, are Indiana’s most prestigious annual awards celebrating the accomplishments of dedicated volunteers and service members.

Joy Bhattacharya is a volunteer any organization would be lucky to have. She is curious, hardworking, and can be counted on to go the extra mile. She has dedicated over 60 hours to Wonderlab alone. Her work with Global Gifts Fair Trade store, Habitat for Humanity, and Wonderlab shows only one small part of why Joy can give us all hope for her future. Joy balances her dedicated volunteerism with a strong academic standing. Her thirst for knowledge extends to all aspects of her life, as does her passion for engaging others in learning processes. This thirst makes her a better volunteer and an amazing member of the Bloomington community. Joy’s maturity and engagement are rare to witness in a person her age.

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Activate is a co-production of WFHB Community Radio and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.

Rebroadcast date: 11/27/2017

Reova Meredith, volunteer founder of the Center for Women’s Ministries, was awarded the Faith-Based Volunteer Award at the Serve Indiana Awards for Excellence on Nov. 9th, 2017 in Indianapolis. The awards, presented by Serve Indiana, are Indiana’s most prestigious annual awards celebrating the accomplishments of dedicated volunteers and service members.

Reova Meredith began the Center for Women’s Ministries, offering Bloomington women 30 years of excellent, free counseling. Having experienced the value of professional counseling herself, Reova was struck by the unfair reality that many others do not have the financial resources to access this type of care. By founding and supporting this organization, Reova has allowed countless women access to the counseling they sought. The course of women through the program provides an opportunity for them to give back through volunteer counseling. Reova has expertly designed a pairing system that other professionals in the field refer to and utilize. Reova sets a beautiful example for others in the Bloomington community to step up and address a need they see. Her hard work and innovative approach have allowed many women to get the assistance they desire.

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Activate is a co-production of WFHB Community Radio and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.

Rebroadcast Date: 11/20/2017

Jennifer Perry has served as a volunteer librarian and program assistant at the Banneker Community Center since June 2014. Her involvement has stretched over 13 programs, always committed to early childhood programming there. Her focus has been to create an inclusive environment in which participants feel they can have positive interactions within their own families, as well as with other families in the community. Her success is reflected in the soaring numbers of participants; many families have made Jennifer’s programming a part of their weekly schedules! Jennifer’s ability to engage participants, partners, and volunteers is invaluable. Her vision and work for the Banneker Community Center has shaped its future and made Bloomington a better place to raise children.

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Air date: 11/13/2017

If one inquires for the names of people to contact for service or for great advice about service, Michael Shermis’ name will come up. It’s clear from his long track record as a volunteer that he is committed to strengthening the capacity of our nonprofit community. He has a broad reach, from arts to social services, criminal justice to health and education, with organizations that also have an international reach. He teaches organizations how to sustain themselves, grow wisely, and think strategically. Michael bridges the roles of a volunteer “on the ground” and as a non-profit consultant with ease and impact.

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Air date: 11/6/2017

Susan Ashburn’s commitment to the Cuddler Program at IU Health Bloomington has helped establish a pool of well-trained and reliable volunteers. Babies born addicted to drugs experience extreme pain and distress in their first days, and their mothers, experiencing the same unbearable withdrawal, are unable to be with them through recovery. The Cuddler Program allows volunteers to hold and comfort these babies, offering them connection, love, and security that they truly need in the first days of their lives. Susan has been smart about formalizing the volunteer training process and organizing volunteers to meet the diverse needs of the Cuddler Program. Susan’s efforts have been formative for the program, and her continued involvement is critical to maintaining the high quality care that community members can offer these babies.

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Activate is a co-production of WFHB Community Radio and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.

Air date: 10/30/2017

How does Julie Gray volunteer at the Animal Shelter? Let us count the ways. She is an adoption counselor, helping 180 patrons and well-suited animal companions; an office assistant, assisting with clerical and administrative needs; a graphic designer, crafting the bi-weekly adoption posters or her “Lost Pet Brochure”; and a photographer, capturing engaging images of the animals available for adoption. Julie is truly selfless when it comes to the welfare of animals and assisting the staff at the Shelter. She is a calming and kind presence to everyone she interacts with – whether for patrons searching for a lost animal, families adopting a new pet, or staff members who need an extra set of hands. Julie is there for the Animal Shelter in so many ways.

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Activate is a co-production of WFHB Community Radio and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.

Air date: 10/23/2017

Camille Vanden Dries’ commitment to the Talkline at All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center is inspiring. Camille is able to balance a full time job and time with her kids, and still keeps her commitment to women facing difficult pregnancy situations. Callers need a compassionate ear, and Camille is happy to comfort and listen for as long as it takes. She has spoken to 40-50 callers from across the U.S., and her calls frequently last over 90 minutes. Her commitment to each caller is inspirational. Camille’s energy and kindness help break stigma and judgement with each moment she spends on the phone with a caller. She is truly making a difference in each caller’s life by being a positive, kind, and listening ear.

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Activate is a co-production of WFHB Community Radio and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.

Air date: 10/16/2017

Ruth Richardson’s work through Volunteers in Tutoring Adult Learners (VITAL) at the Monroe County Public Library is a welcoming embrace to new members of the Bloomington community. After 30 years as a public school teacher, Ruth continues to live her passion by teaching adults English. Ruth’s work with these adults affords them not only increased self-sufficiency, but also removes barriers to their full participation in the community. Ruth’s incredible teaching and personality are encouraging and empowering to her students. Ruth also creates teaching materials and offers invaluable advice to VITAL staff and volunteers. Her efforts make VITAL a better program and encourage participation in Bloomington’s civic life by its new citizens.

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Activate is a co-production of WFHB Community Radio and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.

Air date: 10/09/2017

Valerie Merriam’s work with the food pantry at Monroe County United Ministries has been nothing short of foundational. Her tenure, efforts, and experience is second to none. Through more than a decade of institutional change, Valerie has been a constant, carrying forward programmatic and institutional knowledge that continues to inform their staff. Her service is almost immeasurable, as the role she fills is equal parts manager, advisor, and program specialist. Valerie spends about ten hours each week supervising the pantry’s structure and services. Through its dynamic and changing volunteer base, Valerie ensures that the food pantry is reliable and helpful to families. Valerie’s commitment allows the pantry to serve 2,500 Monroe County families each year.

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Activate is a co-production of WFHB Community Radio and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.

Air date: 10/02/2017

Initially fueled by her son’s utilization of services, Vonnie Peischl’s long-standing involvement at LIFEDesigns has been instrumental in improving their visibility and development efforts. Vonnie’s perspective as a devoted parent is highly valued – from small committee meetings to representing LIFEDesigns to the general community. Vonnie’s talent for fundraising has produced some of the most successful events in town—especially the Week of Chocolate. Her hard and smart work is matched by a disposition exuding kindness, humility, and optimism. Simply put, Vonnie’s contributions have been transformative for the LIFEDesigns community.

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LIFEDesigns

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Great Glass Pumpkin Patch – Oct 14

Reality Store® at Tri-North Middle School

Nonprofit Board Certificate Seminar

Activate is a co-production of WFHB Community Radio and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.