Category: Creating Quality Educational Opportunities
Honoree: Patricia DeOrio Riverside School, Inc. Her work with LD students began on a small scale through personalized tutoring in her Chesterfield home during the early 1970s. Since 20 percent of the general population has learning disabilities, it was no surprise that requests multiplied for her highly skilled educational assistance. In response, DeOrio founded the Riverside School in 1974—one of the first schools in the nation specializing in services to young children with learning disabilities. Her invaluable contributions to the field of dyslexic education had just begun. Two years later, DeOrio founded the nationally recognized Riverside 's Teacher Training Program, which improved educators' understanding of dyslexia and strengthened teaching abilities. Other noteworthy programs were established under her direction, including launch of a summer school LD program for central Virginia students representing 18 different counties and towns, as well as 31 different public and private schools. Riverside also offered an Occupational Therapy Program and became one of the first schools of its kind to develop an Art and Music Therapy Program for all its students. During its 30 years of existence, Riverside School has fostered remediation of language skills for approximately 1,000 children. In addition, DeOrio and her team of dedicated educators have served as mentors to their LD students, nurturing self-esteem, self-confidence and self-advocacy. The statistics prove that DeOrio is truly a Richmond History Maker: 100 percent of the Riverside students matriculate to local high schools or progress to higher grade levels at specialized schools. According to Patricia Ramsey, “Words cannot express what Pat DeOrio has done for the lives of children with learning disabilities. A dyslexic herself, Pat took a leap of faith to try to help those who needed her and she has not stopped her efforts for this worthy cause. How can one not be inspired by her life?” Category: Demonstrating Innovative Solutions
Honoree: Napi Ippolito Circle School Cooperative More than a decade ago, Ippolito noted that Richmonders lacked safe and legal access to James River Park and Belle Isle from the north side of the river. In that area, dangerous railroad tracks and murky waters in an abandoned portion of the Kanawha Canal precluded visitation of one of the nation's largest inner city wilderness areas. Ippolito, who is a grandmother and school principal, became determined to provide a safe and scenic passage not only for the children in her care, but also for neighborhood residents, VCU students and Richmond tourists. She envisioned an inviting, natural pathway that would be enhanced with educational interpretations of the richly historic area. The history along this route includes all three of the significant landmarks of this area's long-neglected abolitionist and free black heritage. By building a coalition of civic associations, politicians, historians, educators and environmental advocates, Ippolito spearheaded creation and endowment of one of Richmond 's first Greenway Parks: a connector between Monroe Park and the James River Park system. Ippolito successfully raised funds exceeding a half million dollars, including significant grants secured from the Virginia Recreational Trails Fund Program and the Virginia Department of Transportation. In addition, Ippolito's enthusiasm and spirit of volunteerism enticed many residents to provide labor for related construction projects and clean-up work parties. Today, bicyclists, hikers, mothers with strollers and city visitors benefit daily from Ippolito's significant initiative. Ippolito has earned the honor as a Richmond History Maker. “Napi is an inspiration for her vision and persistence in uniting VCU, Oregon Hill, environmental organizations, and historians in finding an elegant and educational solution to a serious problem,” states Charles Pool. “Lives will be saved…and the quality of life enhanced by a well-funded Greenway path with historical interpretation and scenic beauty.” Category: Fostering Regional Cooperation
Honoree: Tinh Duc Phan Asian American Business Assistance Center Predominantly, Phan has worked tirelessly and passionately on behalf of refugees and minorities. He founded the first Vietnamese Volunteers of Virginia in Richmond , helped numerous Vietnamese refugees, and consistently advocated for Asian immigrants and African American workers. Phan recognized a need for free business consulting, technical assistance and continuing professional development for Asian American small business entrepreneurs and multi-racial professionals. As a result, this visionary developed the Asian American Business Assistance Center (AABAC). Its Board and Advisory Council of appointed leaders represent businesses, institutions and public/private entities from various regions of the commonwealth who work through a coordinated grassroots effort. Other business accomplishments include organization of the first Asian American procurement trade show and conference, as well as successful lobbying at the General Assembly for the Virginia Asian Advisory Board (VAAB) to the Governor and the Department of Minority Business Enterprise (DMBE). In an effort to link communities with various languages and ethnic backgrounds, Phan also created “Asia Speaks.” This resource program, which broadcasts on WRIR, focuses on social and educational issues of a multi-ethnic nature. In the area of philanthropy, Phan and the Asian American Business Assistance Center helped the American Red Cross – Richmond Chapter with a significant public fundraiser to benefit survivors of the 2004 Tsunami quake and currently, Hurricane Katrina. Earlier this year, he was honored as the first Asian American to receive the Princetta Cannon Good Neighborhood Award. Margaret Tchen suggests that this former Vietnamese refugee is an American “business leader with a strong civic mind…which has made an impact to the Greater Richmond area….helping our region move forward, toward the 21st century.” Category: Improving Racial Equality and Social Justice
Honoree: Marilyn Breslow Refugee & Immigration Services Marilyn Breslow has devoted her career and her talents to these immigrants. As executive director of Refugee and Immigration Services, she has strived to create a welcoming atmosphere and a community climate of acceptance for persons of different cultures. Professionally, she has worked with staff and volunteers to provide immigrants with the comprehensive counseling, resources, training and physical needs that might empower them to build new lives founded on dignity and self-sufficiency. At the local, state and national level, Breslow has advocated for immigrant and low income Americans' rights. And in the area of funding, she has secured grants that support these humane efforts. Breslow seldom stops at the end of a normal work day. She has personally provided childcare and transportation for refugees attending classes, in order for them to obtain employment and develop self-sufficiency. Many evenings she also speaks to local groups and organizations, fostering their understanding and garnering their support. In return, Richmond 's refugees have demonstrated the strength of the human spirit and taught our community the value of hope. Breslow is indeed a Richmond History Maker. As Peggy Johnston summarizes, “Marilyn Breslow has worked tirelessly for over twenty years as Executive Director of Refugee & Immigrations Services…[and] is truly an advocate for racial equality and social justice.” Category: Promoting Stronger Communities
Honoree: Deedee Goldstein and Ann Eisenberg These ladies have been instrumental in introducing Hadassah's Check It Out® health care program to the Greater Richmond area. To date, this educational awareness initiative, which focuses on breast and testicular cancer, has been presented to more than 12,000 Richmond area public high school and college students. Goldstein and Eisenberg have accomplished this feat with a small team of volunteers and invaluable healthcare partnerships. By working with Massey Cancer Center , Check It Out® has received training, nurse services, teaching models and shower cards for public distribution. And, in cooperation with VCU's Life Skills Center , Check It Out® has expanded to Chesterfield County . Understanding the ever-growing need for cancer awareness, Goldstein and Eisenberg also helped launch Check It Out® programs in Charlottesville , as well as Greensboro and Charlotte , N.C. Therefore, Goldstein and Eisenberg's passion for cancer awareness and testing has positively impacted countless Richmonders and those in sister cities. Debra Friedman also notes that “Deedee, age 79 and a cancer survivor, has persevered in spite of numerous personal health issues, including two hip replacement surgeries and four operations in 18 months. “There are two instances where this education resulted in a person getting early treatment that potentially saved their lives,” continues Friedman. “Goldstein and Eisenberg are an inspiration to us all.” |
