Community Care Services held their thirteenth Volunteer & Intern Appreciation Event on Monday, April 4, at the agency’s 70 Main Street location in Taunton.  Board members, staff, volunteers and interns enjoyed a lunch, followed by a special recognition of nominees for Volunteer of the Year and Intern of the Year.

Jim Keiper, who was named our Volunteer of the Year, assists at our Total Achievement Program (TAP) in Attleboro.  Angelica Pyott, a Bridgewater State University student intern at Southeast Alternative School (SAS) in Sandwich, MA is our Intern of the Year.

Excerpts from nominations written by staff of Total Achievement Program (TAP), Attleboro for Jim Keiper, Volunteer of the Year:

“The TAP team has had the pleasure of working alongside Jim for the past four years at the TAP program in Attleboro.  Jim truly embodies the spirit of volunteerism by giving his time, energy, and expertise every afternoon he spends with us.  The children know that ‘Mr. Jim’ would readily help them with their homework or play a game with them during free time.  He’s the staff member the children prefer to play football or soccer with!  He always has a kind word to say even to the most troubled children in our group and asks each of them for a smile and a high five every day.  This small gesture to extend his hand and ask for a high five and a smile is probably the first positive thing being asked of the children each day and it has proven to be a great way for them to feel good and connect with another person in a simple, non-threatening way. 

He has attended staff meetings and trainings to better understand the children we serve and the challenges we face.  He is always giving feedback, making suggestions, and inquiring about why we do the things we do.  Many of his suggestions have impacted the program in such a way that we make successful changes that benefit the children.  He puts effort into making sure kids get help with their homework, clean up after themselves, use their manners, get their snacks, and understand their group work.  He is a part of our team; and we’re not complete without ‘Mr. Jim’.”

Jim, a retired nuclear engineer, also volunteers through the Literacy Center as a tutor for Bristol Community College Adult Basic Education, and as a volunteer docent at Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro.

Excerpts from Traci Wyse’s nomination for Angelica Pyott, Intern of the Year:

“As the director of Southeast Alternative School, Cape Cod, I have had the opportunity to work closely with Ms. Pyott for the past two school years; and have become familiar with her personally, as well as in a professional capacity.

(Angelica) has given all to her role as an intern, and has developed into a model team member.  At times we forget that she is an intern, and not an employee, of Community Care Services.  She comes in on her non-internship days to help at the school; she has participated in conferences, helped research ‘best practices’, helped our senior students apply to college, and volunteered to escort students on their college visits. 

She is always willing to help and stands available and approachable to members of my staff as well as the students, many of whom seek out her understanding and counseling.

Perhaps most impressive is her dedication to the students of our school.  She has mentored several of our students, formed a women’s group for our female students, tutored students with academic difficulties, and volunteered for other assignments.

One could not, however, assess Ms. Pyott’s time with us without mentioning the one factor that, while intangible, is the hallmark of her success in counseling - her love and concern for our students.  I have seen students vie with each other to be near her.  She is greeted respectfully and affectionately throughout the school; and I have never seen a student reluctant to speak with her.

Add to this the accuracy, professionalism, and effectiveness with which she performs her assigned tasks, and you have someone especially worthy of your consideration. I wholeheartedly recommend to your attention and consideration - someone I am personally happy to call my colleague - Ms. Pyott.