The Barnabas Connection

Volunteer News

FALL 2009

Crisis Center FB:
Bob Powell
Jeanie Sanders
Wanda Simmons
Jack Dickison
Jane Dickison
Greg Neuman

Crisis Center Hilliard:
Deborah Blair
Jessica Miller
Vivian Ritsma

Samaritan Clinic
Diane Roberts
Dee Young
Margo Walton
Susan Miller
Susan Carmichael
Linda Palin

Dental Clinic
Jamielyn Craft

New to You
Kathie Foster
Ann Collins
Annie Magan

Special Projects
April Rodgers 
 

Volunteers Live Longer

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Good Deeds Lead to Great Deals

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Keep Nassau Beautiful

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IN THIS ISSUE:

It is hard to believe that the fall is upon us... the summer seems to have flown by! I hope this note finds you all well and looking forward to a fun filled fall. We have been staying very busy at all of the Barnabas Center locations. At the Crisis Center FB, the calendar is booked up for two full weeks!

So much happens at the agency on a regular basis; occasionally, in retrospect, I find myself thinking WOW... it's amazing the amount of work that gets done at this agency by a large body of caring, generous volunteers.  Sincerely, on a day to day basis, I recognize everything that each of you accomplishes for Barnabas; but, I am still amazed when the reports come out at the end of the month and we look at the number of people that have been served.  We couldn't do it without you!

As part of the effort of the Board of Directors to complete the Barnabas Center Strategic Plan, we are in the process of writing Standard Operating Procedures for all functional areas of the agency. I would personally like to thank each and every one of the volunteers that has verbally provided supportive feedback on this effort, and a special thank you to those who have actually written documents. Your help has been invaluable, and your flexibility with the ongoing change that the agency is experiencing, as a result of the SOP's, is truly appreciated.

Last, but certainly not least, we have had several staff changes throughout the Barnabas organization. At the Dental Clinic, we have said good-bye to Chelsea Leeper who has relocated to North Carolina. Here at the main office, Mary-Rose Marstellar, our former Communications Coordinator, has left to follow her passion of rescuing animals while Tara Stuart, former Office Coordinator, had to unexpectedly move to western Florida this summer. We have combined these 2 vacancies to form the position of Operations Coordinator for the Barnabas Center. Stephanie Navarro joined us in July to fill that role.  To lead implementation of our new ESHC grant, we have brought on Lauren Thompson. While we are sad to see our former employees leave, we have been blessed with our new additions and are glad to welcome all of them into our Barnabas family.

As always, I am available anytime to all volunteers for questions or just for a chat.  Feel free to call me at 261-7000 ext 102 or e-mail me at maryann_ambramson-blackall@comcast.net.  I look forward to seeing all of you at the Volunteer Appreciation event in November.

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Hello! My name is Stephanie.  Hailing from, well, everywhere, I am a navy-brat, now residing in Yulee with my husband Brad, my baby son JC, roommate Onyx and two dogs, Amos & Andie. A not-so-recent graduate of Georgetown University, I discovered a love for non-profits and grassroots initiatives while in college and have worked in several non-profits since graduating. Still undecided about what type of non-profit I want to devote my life to, I am excited about joining the team at Barnabas and learning more about a non-profit that focuses on an adult population in crisis. I also enjoy reading and movies, and will never say no to candy! I look forward to working with all of you!

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While born and raised in Missouri, I moved to Amelia Island with my family in 1987. I raised 3 children here and have sent them out into the world. I graduated from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville with a BS in Mass Communications and a minor in Psychology. After coming to Florida, I went to work for the Department of Children and Families first in Foster Care and then later as a Supervisor for Child Abuse Investigations in Nassau County. I later accepted a position as Director of C.A.R.R.T., a child advocacy agency with the Nassau County School District. During those years, I have volunteered with Barnabas and the Samaritan Clinic. Life changes, I am happy to say, have brought me to Barnabas as the ESHC Coordinator. Please take a look at our Annual Report which all of you will be receiving in the mail in the next few weeks to learn more about ESHC. I look forward to meeting all of you!

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Volunteers! We have several volunteer opportunities open. Please recommend anyone to us that you feel would be a good fit at Barnabas. Interested individuals can call Stephanie at 261-7000 ext 104 or e-mail her at stephanie_navarro@comcast.net. PAP Volunteer: the Samaritan clinic is looking for a volunteer to help clients apply for discounted prescriptions through the Prescription Assistant Program. An understanding of medical terminology is helpful, but not required, and training will be provided. Dental Intake Volunteer: the Dental clinic needs a volunteer to hold Intake meetings with clients which would include interviewing clients, verifying their paperwork and writing case notes.  Training is provided. Crisis Center FB-Pantry: the Crisis Center FB is looking for people willing to learn the Pantry system and be available to work as a "pantry sub" or occasionally come in to stock shelves. There is one available shift open for the Winter months only.

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New to You Needs You- that is... your furniture. The store is very low on large furniture items right now (mattresses, bed frames, sofas, etc.). The Crisis Center FB has had to stop taking appointments for furniture while we are in this slump. Please encourage anyone you know to donate any items, but especially furniture, to New to You. If needed, you can call Carol at 321-2334 to set up a pick-up for your furniture. Thanks for your support!

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