A researcher at the School of Public Health, a program
chair in the School of Arts and Sciences and a security
officer at JHH were among the 10 Johns Hopkins associates
presented this year with Martin Luther King Jr. Community
Service Awards, which honor unselfish volunteer work. The
awards were presented at the MLK Jr. Commemoration ceremony
on Jan. 19.
Nominees are evaluated by panels of faculty and staff
at their institutions and then are recommended to the
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration executive committee,
which selects the winners. A seven-member panel reviews the
university nominations, and a four-member panel evaluates
health system nominees.
In making its decision, each panel looks at five
criteria: how vital the project is to the well-being of the
community, how well received and well supported the project
is within the community, the impact of the person's
participation on the overall project, the impact on the
community and the person's commitment to the activity or
project.
Allison Barlow, director of Behavioral Health, Center
for American Indian Health, School of Public Health
When Allison Barlow joined Baltimore Station, an
organization that provides rigorous self-help programs to
men transitioning out of poverty and substance abuse, she
introduced innovative ideas such as the talking circle, a
communication concept that draws from the strength of
Native American communities. She is now considered both the
"heart and soul" and the "backbone" of the Station. Barlow
also contributes her leadership skills to SuperKids Camp,
an intervention initiative for disadvantaged children in
the Baltimore City public school system.
Sharon Baylis, case cart coordinator, Department of
Surgery, JHH
Volunteering is a part of Sharon Baylis' daily life.
She administers flu shots to seniors, teaches safe-sitter
classes, gives CPR training to non-health-care workers,
coordinates health fairs and presentations, teaches
aerobics at a church and serves on the committee of
Turnaround, a rape crisis and domestic violence center. She
formerly volunteered with the Associated Black Charities,
Special Olympics Summer Games and Baltimore chapter of
NAACP.
Matthew Haag, interim manager and senior associate
director for alumni and development relations, School of
Nursing
Matt Haag offers community service in numerous arenas
and brings his professional skills as a development officer
and fund-raiser to all. A member of the board of the
Southeast Youth Academy, an after-school program that
offers a safe and supportive place for Southeast Baltimore
teens, Haag has developed a comprehensive campaign to fund
a state-of-the-art facility to house the group. In
addition, he is serving his second term as president of the
Fells Prospect Community Association, where his priorities
are greening and improving the safety of the neighborhood.
Colleagues say Haag is "bringing quality-of-life and
community changes to Southeast Baltimore."
Janet Hicks, supervisor, Hopkins Access Line, JHH
Dedicating her time to education, Janet Hicks acts as
a mentor to children from two local elementary schools as
well as for a youth career development program. She also
serves the Johns Hopkins community by interviewing and
placing students in summer jobs throughout the JHMI system.
Hicks says that coming from a less fortunate background
herself, she knows the value of having someone to encourage
you to stay in school. She teaches students to first
respect themselves, allowing them to respect others more
readily.
Shawneen Kelley, insurance and referral coordinator,
Student Health and Wellness Center, Homewood Student
Affairs
Bringing energy, dedication and commitment to
everything she does, Shawneen Kelley volunteers her time to
the American Cancer Society. She serves as chair of the
Johns Hopkins Relay for Life, an annual overnight event to
raise money for the ACS, and as a counselor at Camp
Sunrise, a weeklong overnight camp for children who have or
have had cancer. In 2005, she chartered the Johns Hopkins
chapter of Colleges in Cancer.
Monica Maxwell, protective services officer, Corporate
Security, JHH
A quintessential volunteer, Monica Maxwell works with
Baltimore residents of all ages. For nearly a decade, she
has donated an average of five hours a week to the Monument
East Senior Center, assisting the elderly with cleaning,
shopping, picking up medications and other basic daily
errands, all using her own vehicle and fuel. Two years ago
she received certification for childhood early education,
and several days a week she helps young children at
Montebello Elementary School. Wanting to give her time to
the community in another way, Maxwell volunteers at polling
places for Baltimore City primary and general elections.
Anita McFarlane, EKG technician, Cardiology, JHH
At the end of each workday, Anita McFarlane goes home
to a house full of children--children from the community
who are in dire need of a good meal, tutoring and love.
These "Pan in the Community" children, ranging in age from
8 to 21, learn to put their energy into music, namely steel
drums. McFarlane organizes the band and takes it to perform
around the country as well as on educational trips. Lacking
a positive home environment, McFarlane's kids are
perpetually welcomed into her home to eat, learn and share
their issues. So far, she and her husband have been able to
send four of their mentees to college, providing the
financial backing themselves.
Jackqueline Meadows, premium billing specialist, USFHP
Premium Billing, Johns Hopkins HealthCare
When JHHC began a mentoring program with a local
elementary school four years ago, Jackqueline Meadows asked
to participate even though it was initially open only to
exempt employees. A nonexempt employee, she offered to take
paid time off from her job to volunteer. Today, she
continues to make a difference in the lives of children.
Also, as a member of the women's ministry of a local
church, Meadows is currently developing a project in which
volunteers will share their time with seniors in
assisted-living homes.
Kristina Obom, associate chair of the master's degree
program in biotechnology/bioinformatics, Advanced Academic
Programs, School of Arts and Sciences
Kristina Obom is dedicated to the Girl Scouts. A
leader for 11 years with two active troops, she has had
eight Scouts receive the silver award and four the gold
award, the highest Girl Scout honor. She also has served as
a board member of the Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church
Preschool, a Sunday school teacher, a children's bell choir
director and a volunteer at the Dorothy Day Shelter. One of
Obom's colleagues notes, "The Girl Scout Law ends with
'make the world a better place and be a sister to every
Girl Scout.' As an alumna, employee and parent of a current
JHU undergrad, Obom makes the world a better place."
Marvina Wright, quality control coordinator-supervisor
for the Cell Center of the Genetics Resource Core Facility,
School of Medicine
Believing that quality education is important and that
everyone can help to improve the education provided by
Maryland schools, Marvina Wright has mentored more than 30
students from two high schools, focusing on biotechnology
instruction. As a member of MdBio, she has been a speaker
at various schools to discuss her expertise in the field.
Wright also has established a team from her office to
volunteer at Our Daily Bread several times a month.
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