By Erin Faulk

for the Observer-Reporter

newsroom@observer-reporter.com

Washington Communities That Care presented its annual Community of Caring Awards to recognize local groups and individuals who have shown exceptional dedication to their community.

The awards were presented June 11 at Washington School District's public meeting, held in the Wash High gymnasium.

"These awards help us recognize people who are doing some really good things," said Charles Drubel, director and community mobilizer for WCTC.

Recipients were nominated by the Washington Communities that Care Prevention Board and were recognized in seven different categories for their service in 2007.

First Lutheran Church received the Caring Congregation Award, Neighborhood Drug Awareness Corps received the Caring Agency Award and Rhodes Carpet received the Caring Business Award.

Carla Dunlap-Spinks received the Caring Citizen Award for her work with the youth of the community. Esther Cardillo, an educator in Washington School District, received the Caring Educator Award and Sarah Dane, a recent graduate of Washington High School, received the Caring Youth Award.

The category of Caring Civil Servant was awarded posthumously to Jeremy La Bella, a Washington firefighter who was killed in a fire on Feb. 4, 2007.

"All of these winners are recognized for their reputations and what they've been able to do for the community," Drubel said.

Washington Communities That Care was founded in 2000 to identify risk factors affecting local young people and to implement research-based programs and strategies to address the issues.

It follows the national Communities That Care model and exists to promote the healthy development of youth and prevent such problems as substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school dropout and violence.

CTC initiatives are in place in 47 Pennsylvania counties.

Currently, WCTC focuses mainly on juvenile delinquency issues and community improvement projects, but family management problems are also addressed as risk factors. WCTC works to build and strengthen protective factors, such as family attachment and prosocial involvement.

"The idea here is that if you can improve the community, you can improve the relationships of people within the community," Drubel said. "We're working to expand what we do into problems that face the community at large."

Drubel said WCTC has developed five goals that will lead the planning of future events and projects. These include supporting local community initiatives, building interagency collaborations, providing citizens with needed services through those collaborations, giving community members a voice and bricks and mortar redevelopment.

It is collaborating with Washington Intervention Network to support the fifth annual Prevention Fair on Aug. 5, and with Washington Area Neighborhood Watch for a community festival in Washington Park on Aug. 17.

Washington Communities That Care invites volunteers from the community to be part of the organization. Board meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at noon in the Washington School District Administrative offices. For more information, call Charles Drubel at 724-225-9730.

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