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Grid of select Champions of Change

Champions of Change

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Promoting Comtemporary Jesuit Education Locally, Internationally and Globally

Friar Charles Currie, exudes leadership and encourages education. Serving as the president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU), Currie influences the hearts and minds of students and faculty from 28 collges across the country.
January 25, 2012 at 1:30 PM ET by Rev. Charles L. Currie, S.J.

Start Over? Rebuild? Yes We Did

After the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, Sister Jones -- a lifelong educator, and the students of Saint Mary's Academy, found renewed faith in their ability to rebuild.
January 25, 2012 at 1:30 PM ET by Sister Jennie Jones, SFF

Making Catholic School: A 'Second Home for Students'

A 2011 National Distinguished Principal Award Winner, Yvonne Schwab has served as the principal at St. James the Less Catholic School for the last eight years.
January 25, 2012 at 1:30 PM ET by Yvonne Schwab

The Cristo Rey Network: Graduating Scholars and Granting Dreams

Father Foley, as president of the Cristo Rey Network, empowers inner-city Catholic, college preparatory students to grasp their potential -- their future.
January 25, 2012 at 1:30 PM ET by Rev. John P. Foley, S.J.

On the Reservation and Beyond

As the fire chief for the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians, an American Indian Nation located in Southern California, Michael J. Smith doesn't just fight fires-- collaborating with local communities, tribes and organizations, empowering citizens, implementing technological strategies and answering the call of duty for national emergencies.
January 20, 2012 at 9:00 AM ET by Michael Smith , Michael J. Smith

In Case of Emergency: A Journalist's Perspective

An accomplished journalist, John Solomon touched the world with his analysis and reporting. His blog “In Case of Emergency, Read Blog: A Citizen’s Eye View of Public Preparedness” (www.incaseofemergencyblog.com), was launched in March 2008 as research for a book he was writing. He passed away Nov. 1, 2010.
January 20, 2012 at 9:00 AM ET by John Solomon , John D. Solomon

Creating a Culture of Preparedness

As an American Red Cross Outreach Coordinator, Martin Makowski ensures a constant presence of educational programming in Illinois and Indiana--especially for youth and families.
January 19, 2012 at 1:30 PM ET by Martin Makowski

Strength in Numbers

Recognizing that pooling resources together creates strength, David L. Maack, Racine County Emergency Management Coordinator, works to organize faith-based communities and community organizations into disaster relief efforts.
January 19, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by David Maack

Translating Science into Safety

Taking the information from scientists and ensuring the public is aware is Mark Benthien's main job. As Director for Communication, Education and Outreach for the Southern California Earthquake Center, he oversees the Great Californian Shakeout which saw 8.6 participants in 2011.
January 19, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Mark Benthien

Understanding the Value of Volunteer Resources

With her grandmother's motto of "“if you can’t take care of yourself, how you expect anyone else to take care of you?” Brenda Gormley has taken care of her family and community serving as volunteer CERT Coordinator for Denton County Texas for over 6 years (and counting).
January 19, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Brenda Gormley

Disaster Preparedness Is a Partnership Effort

Earthquakes and seimisic activity isn't restricted to California. As the Earthquake Program Coordinator with the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC) in Memphis, TN, Brian Blake promotes awareness and preparedness in unexpected parts of the country-- overseeing the Central U.S. ShakeOut.
January 19, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Brian Blake

Taking Community Emergency Response Teams to the Next Level

As a former First Responder, Michael Ripley now serves as program manager for NBCUniversal's Community Emergency Reponse Team (CERT), providing prepardedness trainings to the community.
January 19, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Michael Ripley

Empowering Communities through Engagement

Herman Schaffer's brings his Peace Corps experience in Zambia--improving water and sanitation conditions and educating the community-- to New York City. Schaffer now serves as the Director of Community Outreach for New York City's Office of Emergency Management, overseeing the Citizen Corps Council.
January 19, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Herman Schaffer

Working Together Toward Disaster Prepardedness Awareness

Wendy Freitag, External Affairs Manager for the Washington State Military Department’s Emergency Management Division, works toward fostering private and public partnerships in emergency prepardedness and increasing public awareness.
January 19, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Wendy Freitag

Finding New Ways to Engage our Residents

Jodi Simpson, Homeland Security Planner for the St. Clair County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, works with her team and community to develop dynamic ways to engage the community--with social media, print ads, a website and even a video-PSA contest.
January 19, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Jodi Simpson

Utilizing Interactive Technology to Teach Our Children about Public Health

With more than 20 years of expertise, Master Sgt. Darlene Foot, U.S. Air Force (retired) now brings her communications and public affairs skills to Cobb & Douglas Public Health (District 3-1), developing and launching the district’s strategic communications objectives.
January 19, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Darlene Foote

Denver Is Only as Strong as Its People and Communities

For the past five years Carolyn Bluhm Community Relations Specialist for the City and County of Denver, Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security has been the driving force behind the Denver Community Emergency Response Training (Denver CERT), dedicating thousands of hours to training diverse communities.
January 19, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Carolyn Bluhm

Using Media Strategies to Boost Public Preparedness

A former reporter, Tod Pritchard continues to make the public aware-- devising media strategies to increase public awareness and prepardedness for emergencies as the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for Wisconsin Emergency Management.
January 19, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Tod Pritchard

Making Real Changes One Family at a Time

Venus Majeski, Director of Development & Community Relations of the New Jersey Institute for Disabilities, oversees a specialized, personalized emergency prepardness program to diverse communities--with the ultimate goal of having "a truly responsive and embracing community."
January 19, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Venus Majeski

The Importance of Community Preparedness and the Whole Community

As the Deputy Branch Chief for Homeland Security and the State Citizen Corps Coordinator at the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, Chad Stover manages Ready Arkansas, a program that provides emergency preparedness training to local communities.
January 19, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Chad Stover

Critical Literacy Development in Children of African Descent

Gevonee Ford, Founder and Executive Director of Network for the Development of Children of African Descent (NdCAD), a non-profit family education center located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that was established in 1997 and is focused on education and community revitalization in communities of African descent.
January 12, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Gevonee EuGene Ford , Gevonee Ford

Actively Serving Neighborhoods in Need

As a minority business owner for 20 years, David W. Brown found his gift for writing and continues to strive to help high school students from his old Philly neighborhood
January 12, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by David W. Brown , David Brown

Harness the Power of Service to Address Community Concerns

Rachel Turner, Outreach and Programs Manager at Global Citizen and AmeriCorps Alumni, explains how volunteer projects illustrate the value of service in its ability to address needs and speak to the value of programs whose missions are to carry out service
January 12, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Rachel Turner

Protecting a National Hero

A former Marine in World War II, Edwin Fizer joined the Chicago Police Department where he was assigned to a detail that protected Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
January 12, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Edwin Fizer

Service as a Life and Legacy

Maureen Roche answers Dr. Martin Luther King's question, "What are you doing for others?" on a national day of service
January 12, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Maureen Roche

From Civil Rights to Silver Rights

James Bailey, Market Vice President of the Southeastern region for an Economic Empowerment non-profit organization, personal passion is to ensure that lives of those who need it most are given a hand-up and not a hand-out
January 12, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by James Bailey

Not Just Another National Holiday

Todd Bernstein, Founder and Director of the Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service, explains why Dr. Martin Luther King Day shouldn't be just another 'day off' for Americans
January 12, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Todd Bernstein

Faith Moves Mentoring

Stephen Powell explains why he wants his legacy to be defined by the love for my community in his role as the Executive Director of Mentoring USA
January 12, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Stephen Powell

Champions of Change: A Latina in STEM

Judit Camacho is honored as a White House Champion of Change for her work with women and STEM.
January 5, 2012 at 1:52 PM ET by Judit Camacho

Be Ready When Disaster Strikes

Greg Strader, Executive Director of the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies, helps Florida communities establish a "culture of preparedness" so they are ready when disasters happen.
January 1, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET by Greg Strader