Volunteer / Intern Spotlights
EFR welcomes three new interns! We are so excited to have all three interns on board and we thank them for helping further EFR's mission in the community!
Deaf Services Sign Language Interpreter Interns
Danja Hirsch and Jen Kelch started on January 13, 2010 as the sign language interpreters from DMACC for Deaf Services. This will be a great learning experience where they will have a unique opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge about the field by assisting staff with sign language interpreting assignments in various settings—social, medical, and at other community events.
Community Service Intern
Rich Robson comes to us from The University of Iowa. He started on January 7, 2010 as a Community Services Intern and will be working under various areas such as the Drop Out Prevention groups and the Restorative Justice programs—Chance 4 Change, Rethinking Drinking and Theft Solutions. Rich offers a unique perspective to the Restorative Justice programs with his past experience in law enforcement. One of the creative projects that he is working on is to develop a "Getting to Know EFR" game with the goal of helping volunteers and new employees become more familiar with the organization's programs and services.
EFR's 1st Ever Signature Event "Every Family Rocks" Music Festival
On September 27, 2009 EFR hosted its signature event “Every Family Rocks” at Blank Park Zoo. Because our community is becoming more enriched through its diversity—new cultural experiences, foods, music, arts, even values and beliefs, EFR's intent was to bring a festival to life that would celebrate all the families and all the richness of our community.
Dan Zanes and Friends, Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players, Mr. Baber's Neighbors were just some of the amazing entertainment acts for the day. The festival also included music-oriented workshops, children's activities, games, food vendors, merchandise vendors and much more!
With over 3,500 families and individuals attending this event, it was a ROCK'N success thanks to our solid partners, generous sponsors and volunteers, and committed staff:
- 50 volunteers were part of the planning committee
- 6,240 volunteer hours in planning the event
- 224 volunteers total
- 1,230 volunteer hours on the weekend of the event
Thanks to everyone who made this a very successful event! Hope to see you next year!
