2016 Leonard Dawson Award Recipient
|
“Family means the world to me and that was my motivation”
Leonard Dawson, a motivating leader, strongly believed in “Helping People Help Themselves.” His untiring drive to improve the quality of lives of the citizens of Georgia, this region, the nation and the world was magical and evident in everything said and did. He was a true visionary, advocate, and mentor whose compassion for human-kind positively impacted the lives of many individuals, families and communities and will continue to have lasting effect for many years to come.
Like Dawson, Emily Reynolds exudes the drive and tenacity needed to improve the quality of life for her family. While rearing her three children and attending the College of Coastal Georgia as a full-time Psychology student, Emily found the help, support and services needed to complete her degree and sustain her family at Coastal Georgia Community Action. The Early Childhood Education and Weatherization Division provided a safe place Emily’s youngest daughter to grow, learn, and play. Because Emily is extremely family-oriented is committed to keeping “families” together, she became interested the foster care program because of relatives --two nieces and a nephew--and her aim keep them together. Emily complied with the requirements to become a foster parent but again there were obstacles. Community Action’s Weatherization Division responded. The home was weatherized; reconfigured to create additional bedrooms to accommodate all children. Because of Community Action, Emily was able to rear her children, foster her relatives and complete her degree. Against all odds, Emily has been persistent and remains determined “beat all odds.” The recipient of the Leonard Dawson Achievement Award is Emily Reynolds Recent News
|