For the past 11 years, Pima YOUTH Partnership has endeavored to create healthy and safe environments for children, youth, and families in communities around Pima County.
In the course of our work, we have met a wonderful group of community members of all ages and backgrounds, who have made outstanding contributions resulting in change. The community members that make these changes, not as part of a paid job, but as part of a lifestyle and personal commitment to improving conditions within their neighborhoods.
As a community development prevention
organization working to build on the strengths of our communities, we realized
a need to acknowledge these outstanding Agents of Change in each of our communities
and some of our programs.
Ajo
Elsa
Peterson
Miss Elsa Peterson is 15 years old, and despite this being her first year
of involvement with PYP, she has been a great role model for other youth in
the community. She has helped with organizing and recruiting for teen dances,
and is always available to help when needed. She is also involved in the Parent-Teacher
Organization, providing daycare so parents can attend the meetings. Miss Peterson's
outgoing personality and her willingness to help others make her a great Agent
of Change.
Laurie Ann Repondek
Since moving to Ajo from Florida a year ago, Ms. Laurie Ann Repondek has been
very active in the community. Her dedication to the youth in Ajo is unsurpassed.
She helped to develop a soccer league for youth ages 5-12 and recruited and
trained volunteer coaches. She served as president for the Parent-Teacher
Organization, starting the Ajo Student of the Month program at the Ajo Unified
School. She also organized the "Box Tops for Education" program
throughout the school, making it possible for the school to raise some extra
money. Despite this busy life, Ms. Repondek can always be counted on to volunteer
for PYP and other community events.
Catalina
Daniel
Morehouse
Mr. Daniel Morehouse has been the president of the Catalina Youth Advisory
Council for the past year and an active member for three years. Under his
leadership and guidance, the Youth Council has been very active in planning
and implementing community service projects, like designing and running the
game booths at the Annual Catalina Heritage Day (a fundraiser for the Catalina
Village Council), running an aide center for the Tucson Marathon, and creating
and circulating a petition for a new recreation center to present to county
officials. Youth Council members continue to be seen as a positive asset to
the community, lending their energy and enthusiasm to various community activities
and their voice to Village Council meetings. Mr. Morehouse's leadership and
energy is what makes him a great Agent of Change.
Jan
Johnson
Ms. Jan Johnson has always been a positive force in Catalina. She served the
community as a past member of the Catalina Village Council, and continues
to lead the fight to keep equestrian trails open and led and mobilized residents
into a "Steering Committee". Her voluntary role as mediator for
the Mainsail/Forecastle road improvement proposal was invaluable, as well.
She, and the rest of the Steering Committee, devised three alternatives; one
of which was chosen as a viable alternative by community vote. This issue
would not have been resolved without her tact, skill, and patience. She is
again volunteering her time for the community on the Edwin Road development
issue, serving as a liaison between residents, developments, and county officials.
These qualities and more make her a great Agent of Change.
Flowing Wells
Kristina
Ascarate
Miss Kristina Ascarate has been involved in PYP activities for a couple of
years. She originally started out as a participant in the Pages & Pizza™
program and the youth life skills program, Choices and Challenges. Over time
she has become more involved in her community and this year, along with her
sister, Jennifer, started the Flowing Wells Youth Advisory Council. When funding
was discontinued this year to continue Pages & Pizza™, she decided
to put on the program as a community service. Miss Ascarate enlisted the support
of their mom, Stacey Chappell, who volunteered to open up her room at the
Junior High for the program. She worked hard and committed time, energy and
ideas to provide activities for her peers and did a great job recruiting participants,
one of the hardest tasks in community work. Miss Ascarate continues to be
a role model in her community by serving as youth aide at Burgers & Books™
and the Success After School computer lab at Walter Douglas Elementary.
Jim Terrell
Mr. Jim Terrell's commitment to his community and the youth in Flowing Wells
is apparent. He serves his community as an employee at Centennial Elementary
and as part of the Flowing Wells Community Juvenile Justice Board. This past
year, he saw that the computer labs were under-utilized and suggested an after
school program as a way to address numerous community concerns. Thanks to
his vision, the program that resulted from his idea was the Success After
School computer lab at Walter Douglas Elementary. This program served over
75 youth that were in need of extra academic support. The results were staggering
-- all of the program participants showed improvement in the targeted
subject areas of language and math. Mr. Terrell is a great example of the
many ways one can act as an Agent of Change in their community.
Marana
Meg Macleish
Ms. Meg Macleish has consistently exhibited genuine care and concern for the
youth and families of Marana and has been an active supporter of the efforts
to serve them. Her participation in the Burgers & Books ™ program
at Yoeme Pueblo went above and beyond her job as Marana Public Library librarian.
She brought the gift of literature to youth by bringing them books, but also
conducted arts and crafts activities when needed. She is actively involved
in bringing positive programs and activities to the youth and families of
the community and supportive of those who work for such. Ms. Macleish continues
to be a valuable resource for PYP in Marana by promoting PYP and its programs
and activities to patrons of the library.
Our Elders' Truth
Denissia
Valenzuela
Miss Denissia Valenzuela is a role model and an honor roll student in the
6th grade at Hohokam Middle School. Her academic commitment is only surpassed
by her commitment to her community: she volunteers 3-4 times a week and has
been an active participant in the SMART Moves program for two years. In addition
to volunteering for community projects and fundraisers, she also enjoys teaching
drug prevention skills and working with the younger groups of youth. Because
of her positive attitude, warm and friendly personality, and compassionate
nature, the youth look forward to spending time with her. Her long-term goal
is to become a doctor.
Vincent Valenzuela
A graduate of PYP's Strengthening Families program, Mr. Vincent Valenzuela
now co-facilitates it, and provides leadership and organization to PYP workshops
and events. His participation in Our Elder's Truth CORE Coalition provided
the Coalition with guidance, vision, and focus throughout the year. In addition
to his work with PYP, he also teaches catechism, assists his wife with the
Pascua Yaqui Dialysis Support Group and is a community health representative
for Pascua Yaqui Health programs. His extensive training in all areas of health
including men's health and women's health, attention deficit/hyperactivity
disorder, juvenile diabetes, and epilepsy make him an invaluable resource.
Southern Pima County
Karen
Rans
Ms. Karen Rans is involved in PYP events at the schools, such as Spring Fling
and Grad Nite. She partners with many community leaders on other community-
and youth-oriented events on her own time, providing leadership, organization,
and enthusiasm. She is an active member of the Community Justice Board, the
STOP Committee, and the Youth Services Team. Ms. Rans has the ability to motivate
those with whom she works to take action in addressing the issues at hand.
She is a great role model, not only for the youth, but also for the adults
that work with her. She is innovative and energetic and truly believes in
what she does, so her willingness to help with the community is invaluable.
Tohono O'odham
Rosanna
Juan
Miss Rosanna Juan, a 13-year old Tohono O'odham girl, is always willing to
volunteer in her community and district. Stepping outside traditional roles,
she volunteered to lead youth in sports activities at the Tohono O'odham Truck
of Love Summer Camp and helped to construct the fence for the Community Garden
project. She uses her natural leadership and enthusiasm to recruit girls from
other communities to participate in PYP activities. Ms. Juan is also involved
in the Pisinemo District Youth Council.
Mr. Johnson Jose
Mr. Johnson Jose is a valuable member of the Pisinemo Community. His concern
about the Pisinemo youth was the catalyst for an innovative Community Garden
project. Through coordination with elders and adults in the community, as
well as PYP, and Save the Children, Mr. Jose made his vision of connecting
youth with the elders in the community became reality, through the community
garden project. He and others preserve traditional gardening methods and share
their collective knowledge with the youth. The youth also learn O'odham words
related to gardening - sustaining the traditional language. His vision, leadership,
and commitment to reviving and preserving traditions enriches every activity
in which he takes part.
After School (Catalina)
Kristina Soukup
Miss Kristina Soukup enrolled in the Catalina after school program in 1997
and soon began participating in other PYP programs, such as Choices and Challenges,
Burgers & Books™, and Teen Nights. For the last year, she worked
as an aide in the same after school program. As a volunteer, Miss Soukup has
demonstrated great leadership and mentoring skills. As a person, she is a
shining example of what PYP is all about. She has striven to take full advantage
of PYP resources to reach her dreams. She works a second job at a supermarket
so she can afford to buy a car and plans to go to college. Miss Soukup's contagious
smile and fiery spirit are now showing younger children that PYP is a great
place to find support, fun and reach for your dreams. There is no doubt that
this wonderful young woman defines the term "Agent of Change".
Connect the Spirit (Ajo)
Juanita
Cabrera
Miss Juanita Cabrera, a middle school youth, has been an active participant
in PYP's Connect the Spirit program. As a SMART Leader participant, she volunteers
for many extra curricular activities such as day trips and fundraisers. In
the SMART Leader sessions, she shows initiative by active participation in
discussions and role-plays. She has also shown great leadership skills and
motivates other youth to join the SMART Leaders program. Whenever you need
a hand, Miss Cabrera is always there to lend you hers. Her spirit and commitment
to PYP has changed those around her for the best.
Amy
Runge
Ms. Amy Runge is an amazing person who cares very much for the youth of our
community. She is an active FAN Club parent and has been instrumental in organizing
fundraising events for the SMART Leaders program since it began. She has attended
and actively participated in almost every Connect the Spirit activity. She
is always a willing volunteer at any PYP event. She encourages the attendance
of other parents, by being a great role model for other local parents. Her
wit, charm, and sparkling personality enhance everything she does. Since Ms.
Runge always strives to better the future for our youth and families of Ajo,
she is a great Agent of Change.
Families for Families™
Louise Williams
As Families For Families™ progressed this past year, Ms. Louise Williams
has stood out as an exemplary community leader. Ms. Williams has effected
change for her individual network, as well as other networks. She initiated
an orientation session for the Families for Families™ program that recruited
several other families and generated community interest in the program. She
has also coordinated multi-network trainings, and facilitated parent workshops
in her home. Recently she took the initiative to "break the silence"
about depression, by asking a speaker to come to her community to provide
depression education. In addition, she shows vision and leadership, organizing
a unique father/son campout and volunteering to coordinate the all-site Families
for Families™ annual picnic. Ms Williams' initiative, energy, and outstanding
facilitation skills make her a great Agent of Change.
Strengthening Families (Our Elders' Truth)
Lupita
Pallanes
Ms. Lupita Pallanes lives in the New Pascua Yaqui community and involves herself
in many issues she cares about. Her involvement with youth as part of the
Strengthening Families program illustrates her commitment to her community.
She is also a Eucharistic Minister, an Epilepsy Advocate, and a member of
the Our Elder's Truth CORE Coalition. Because her efforts are tireless and
her concern knows no boundaries, Ms. Pallanes is truly a great Agent of Change.
Tobacco-Free Ways/ Teen Pregnancy Prevention
William
(Bill) Rowe
In partnership with the Tobacco-Free Ways Cessation program and the Teen Pregnancy
Prevention program, Mr. William (Bill) Rowe has been presenting prevention
programs to incarcerated boys for the last three years at the Catalina Mountain
School. These programs would not have been possible without his leadership
and association. Mr. Rowe believes that there is no challenge that can't be
met when it comes to getting the boys support, respect, and education to face
life with new skills. His patience, charisma, sense of humor and dedication
are inspiring. For this reason Pima YOUTH Partnership honors Mr. Rowe as an
Agent of Change.
Wake Up!
Douglas H. Scoopmire
Mr. Scoopmire has been a vital part of the Wake Up! program for three years.
His knowledge and experience as a Medical Investigator in the Forensic Science
Center in the Pima County Health Department is an important educational component
of the Wake Up! program. Despite a busy workload, he has volunteered his time
to reach out and help youth truly understand that death can and does happen
from the use of drugs and alcohol, and that drug and alcohol abuse is far
from glamorous. His genuine intent and the honest and respectful way with
which he approaches this ugly side of life shows his commitment to improving
the quality of life for youth.
Pima YOUTH Partnership (PYP) was incorporated in 1990 by a group of concerned citizens that wanted to connect rural communities with the same programs, services, and activities available to youth and families living in the metropolitan Tucson area.
As a prevention agency, PYP works with youth and families in rural and Native American communities to reach its mission, "In partnership with communities, develop resources to promote the positive growth of their children." Since 1990, PYP has grown from its original three (3) communities of Ajo, rural Marana, and Sahuarita, to include Catalina, Flowing Wells, New Pascua Yaqui Reservation, and the Tohono O'odham Nation.