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Polsky Series Examines Benefits of Voluntarism
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Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

4/01/08
Story by Peggy Graham

Polsky Series Examines Benefits of Voluntarism

Lisa Adkins
Lisa Adkins
Trudi Grin
Trudi Grin
Laura McKnight
Laura McKnight
Elaine Perilla
Elaine Perilla
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. ­ – The Polsky Practical Personal Enrichment Series will present Why Becoming a Grantor or Volunteer Is Beneficial to You from 7:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, in Polsky Theatre of the Carlsen Center, Johnson County Community College. Speakers are Lisa Adkins, president, YouthFriends, Inc.; Trudi Grin, M.D., private practitioner and Medical Missions Foundation volunteer; Laura McKnight, president and CEO, Greater Kansas City Community Foundation; and Elaine Perilla, executive director, Volunteer Center of Johnson County.

The seminar is free, but seating is limited. Reserve tickets by calling the JCCC box office, 913-469-4445. Reserved covered parking is available. Refreshments and networking are offered one-half hour before and after the program.

Credentialed speakers will discuss the following topics:

  • Being a Volunteer Can Develop Your Capabilities and Relationships
  • When and Where You Can Volunteer
  • What Volunteers Do
  • How to Build Your Community as a Grantor
  • Pool with Other Grantors to Support Charities You Care About
  • Why Being a Grantor Can Save You Tax Dollars

The speakers are:

  • Adkins, an attorney, has been president of YouthFriends since 1996. YouthFriends serves nearly 20,000 young people each year by matching them in one-to-one and small group mentoring relationships with approximately 4,000 mentors. Youth participating in YouthFriends demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in school and community connectedness and, for those with low academic achievement at the beginning of the relationship, an improvement in academic performance. At least 75 percent of participating youth, school staff and parents report improved interaction with peers and adults, improved attitudes and behaviors and greater aspirations for the future.

  • Grin, who specializes in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, has been involved in medical missions worldwide. She has participated in medical missions to Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, 2005; Bohol, Philippines, November 2004 and November 2006; Chitre, Panama, 2007; Greater San Jose, Mexico,  2003; and Botosani, Romania, 2001-2005. Most recently, she inaugurated the U.S. Department of State’s Citizen Diplomat Program with a visit to Nigeria, 2004.

    She received the Humanitarian Award for Service within Medical Missions Foundation in  2007, having served as the co-president of its board, past director of missions and chair of Art for the Children, the Foundation’s largest fund-raising event, with a net profit of more than $229,000. She has served many other organizations, raising donations and coordinating medical care to underserved parts of the world.

  • In 2001, after spending more than six years as a tax attorney at a Kansas City law firm, McKnight joined the staff of the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, serving as senior vice president of development and executive director of the Community Foundation of Johnson County before assuming the role of president and CEO in 2006.

    The Foundation connects donors to community needs and increases charitable giving throughout the region. With more than 2,000 individual funds under its umbrella –­ ranging in size from a few thousand dollars to tens of millions of dollars – the Foundation and its donors are a driving force to improve the quality of life in Kansas City through charitable investments that achieve results. The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation ranks in the top 10 among the more than 650 community foundations in the country, a position it has held since 1999. 

  • Perilla has been the executive director of the Volunteer Center of Johnson County since November 1998. The Center recruits and mobilizes volunteers, ages 18 to seniors, to meet community needs. The Center connects volunteers with ongoing and special event volunteer opportunities and provides training in volunteer management. Perilla also served 12 years as chair of the JCCC board of trustees.

This series of educational presentations is underwritten by the Norman & Elaine Polsky Family Supporting Foundation within the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation in partnership with JCCC. The series includes a number of topics which are not now being offered elsewhere. Successful local professionals share their knowledge to benefit you. Each event is free and open to senior citizens, students and the general public.

Polsky Series seminars can be viewed at http://video.jccc.edu anytime or on Channel 17 (Everest or Time-Warner ) or Channel 22 (Comcast), Johnson County only, on Tuesday and Saturday.

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