State Senator Valerie Wiener introduced legislation to create the Nevada Youth Legislature (NYL), a program supported through volunteer resources and expertise. Nominated for Nevada Youth Legislature: Extended Training Program, the initiative encourages youths from the state to increase their commitment to civic engagement. As a result, youth legislators appointed by their state senator are required to conduct at least one town hall meeting. One youth legislator held an emergency meeting to gather young peoples’ input and concerns regarding (potential) budget cuts to education. A Communitas Award winner for Community Service/New Category, Senator Wiener brought the binder from that youth legislator’s emergency meeting to a special session and shared its input with her legislative colleagues as they processed their state’s budget bill. Please visit www.communitasawards.com for printable nomination forms and information on how to nominate a deserving individual and/or business.

The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, PA) is convinced that even as a small 188-employee company, it can make a large impact on the environment. Nominated for Giving Back to the Community Through Volunteerism, The Board of Pensions formed an internal team to identify methods of recycling and conservation, including electricity consumption reduction, water consumption, and decreasing use of paper. Recycling cans were placed in every office, cubicle, and conference room, and employees were encouraged to turn off lights, monitors and printers when appropriate. Incoming packing materials is used for outgoing shipping needs, and duplex printing and electronic file sharing also are included in the firm’s green initiative. In addition to earning a Communitas Award for Company Sponsored Volunteer Project Community, the firm used this initiative to embrace a cultural change affecting the firm’s business practices – creating a foundation that incorporates sustainability into its future decision making. Please visit www.communitasawards.com for printable nomination forms and information on how to nominate a deserving individual and/or business.

Ciber DTS Customer Training Practice (Newport News, VA) employee Evelina Johnson established a volunteer team with her colleagues. Nominated for its participation in The American Cancer Society’s 2009 Relay for Life, Ms. Johnson rallied the firm /with her passion and dedication. The lead volunteer also hosted several local fundraisers, placed American Cancer Society donation cans in the company’s lobby, held raffles and designed and sold T-shirts to raise money. Ciber DTS Customer Training Practice employees earned a Communitas Award for Specific Volunteer Project as a result of their efforts. Please visit www.communitasawards.com for printable nomination forms and information on how to nominate a deserving individual and/or business.

Ciber DTS Customer Training Practice (Newport News, VA) employee Evelina Johnson established a volunteer team with her colleagues. Nominated for its participation in The American Cancer Society’s 2009 Relay for Life, Ms. Johnson rallied the firm /with her passion and dedication. The lead volunteer also hosted several local fundraisers, placed American Cancer Society donation cans in the company’s lobby, held raffles and designed and sold T-shirts to raise money. Ciber DTS Customer Training Practice employees earned a Communitas Award for Specific Volunteer Project as a result of their efforts. Please visit www.communitasawards.com for printable nomination forms and information on how to nominate a deserving individual and/or business.

2010 Communitas Award Nominee Kimberly Kanary of premier apartment management company Associated Estates understands the sacrifices that our service men and women provide to our country — her brother-in-law is currently serving in Afghanistan. She was nominated for the award because of her diligent efforts to support those troops that began with a call to Adopt a Platoon Soldier Support Effort (a non-profit that ensures that there are no forgotten U.S. Service members). After locating the platoon, Kim engaged both employees and customers in Associated Estates’ markets within seven different states by preparing campaign materials. These materials helped facilitate firm’s on-site property and regional office efforts. The property team and office team that that collected the most items (averaged per team member) for the overseas platoon earned a team lunch, a feature story on the company’s website, and recognition in the employee newsletter. Please visit www.communitasawards.com for printable nomination forms and information on how to nominate a deserving individual and/or business.

2010 Communitas Award Nominee AARP VIVA TV has submitted “Condición Crítica con el Dr. Elmer Huerta (Critical Condition with Dr. Elmer Huerta)”, an hour-long television special that spotlights the disparities in health status and healthcare in the Hispanic community, and the importance of prevention. Hosted by renowned prevention specialist Dr. Elmer Huerta, the show tells personal stories of Hispanics who live with disease and chronic health problems, struggle to pay for medications or bills, or are unable to visit a doctor. Additional stories identify those who have “fallen through the cracks” because – despite having insurance — their out-of-pocket medical costs are too high. The six segment show, which was nominated for MAKING A DIFFERENCE, aired on Telemundo in 14 markets during the month of May, and will continue to be featured on AARP’s website. Please visit www.communitasawards.com for printable nomination forms and information on how to nominate a deserving individual and/or business.