TBS PATHFINDERS
The TBS Pathfinders program honors and recognizes people in the Atlanta Metropolitan community who volunteer their time and effort to make a difference in the lives of others. We profile 12 individuals and organizations whose spirit of volunteerism and commitment to the community has surpassed the ordinary. The TBS Public Affairs Department has conducted mass mailings soliciting nominations for the Pathfinders program. TBS relies on you to identify these inspiring volunteers by nominating them for a TBS Pathfinders Award in one of the following categories:

- Education
- Health
- Environment
- Family
- Economic Empowerment
- Arts

2006 PATHFINDERS HONOREES

Economic Empowerment
Bruce Deel - founder, City of Refuge
Bruce sees potential in every individual and considers no situation impossible. He consistently develops new programs and ideas to address the needs of Atlanta's most destitute individuals and families. By offering life saving resources and life building tools, dozens of addicts and alcoholics are now free from their addictions and are leading normal lives. Thousands of meals are also provided each month to people who would otherwise go hungry.
http://www.cityofrefuge.cc

Tyronda Minter - volunteer, Community Opportunity Center, Inc.
Having worked for over a decade as an employee of the Housing Authority of Fulton County, Tyronda has helped more than 100 low-income families become employable. As a young woman who grew up in one of Atlanta's toughest public housing neighborhoods, she knows firsthand the level of guidance and confidence needed to move people into the realm of economic self-sufficiency. She now volunteers her time providing services to help families improve their quality of life.
http://www.hafc.org/

Family
Jama Hedgecoth - founder, Noah's Ark Animal Rehabilitation Center, Inc. and Noah's Ark Children's Care Home's Inc.
As a young girl, Jama would bring home injured and orphaned animals, nurse them back to health and find homes for them. She had a vision to open a facility for abused, orphaned, and troubled children as well as a rehabilitation center for wildlife orphaned animals. Her goal; to bring children and animals together to provide a unique approach to rehabilitation for both.
http://www.noahs-ark.org/

Rhonda Mincey - founder, Made 2B More
Seeing a need to help young girls within her community, Rhonda began Made 2B More which assists at-risk girls ages 8-16. She wants girls to understand who they are, and to choose the correct path in life. Through team building, self-esteem, decision-making, and career exploration, Rhonda has helped more than 25 girls identify and strive towards their goals.
http://www.made2bmore.org/

Health
Joanna Griffin-volunteer, MUST Ministries (Ministries United for Service Training)
Having volunteered for over a decade, Joanna has worked hard to provide on-going, preventative healthcare to clients, many of whom are Hispanic. Spending the last four years as coordinator, she schedules nurses and volunteers to help those who come to MUST Ministries for food, clothing, and financial assistance. Joanna willingly sacrifices her time in effort to make a difference in a harsh environment.
http://www.mustministries.org/

Dr. Alan Kozarsky- volunteer, Georgia Eye Bank
Alan has devoted more than 20 years volunteering with the Georgia Eye Bank. He has helped surgeons throughout the state provide the Gift of Sight to thousands of Georgians through the miracle of cornea transplantation. He willingly volunteers hundreds of hours a year and makes himself available 24 hours a day for consultation.
http://www.georgiaeyebank.org/

Arts
Roselynn Lewis and Elizabeth Remy - founders, Urban Youth Harp Ensemble
Their loves of music lead to the creation of the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble; a program for at-risk students in an urban environment designed to expose them to the harp and develop a premier performance ensemble. Now an after school program, it is one of only three programs of this nature in the United States.
http://home.mindspring.com/~roselyn/

Sue Landa- volunteer, Ida Cason Callaway Foundation, SPARK! (Special Program of Arts for Kids)
Sue's early career as a teacher and lifelong interest in art inspired her to volunteer more than 15 years at Callaway Gardens, the last 10 as chair of the SPARK! program. She strongly believes that art should be an integral part of a child's education. When asked to head a new art program, she gladly came up with SPARK! a two-day arts celebration where kids experience various art forms.
http://www.callawaygardens.com/

Education
Richard Goldsmith - founder, Hands on Atlanta Discovery Program
Richard always wanted to make a difference in the lives of children in his hometown of Atlanta. Through his tireless efforts and unfailing commitment, he has turned a dream into a reality. He started the Discovery Program 15 years ago and has spent his Saturday mornings leading over 50 volunteers as they tutor 75-100 students at Parklane Elementary School.
http://www2.fultonschools.org/school/parklane/DiscoveryProgramHOA.htm

Shanay Benton - volunteer, Create Your Dreams
From a participant in the program to an exemplary graduate and volunteer, Shanay has been with Create Your Dreams from the very beginning. Coming from a family familiar with hardships, she continuously helps nurture the talents and dreams of students in underserved communities through this long-term enrichment program. According to Shanay, "At Create Your Dreams, we turn white paper into wonderful colored pictures."
http://www.createyourdreams.org/

Environment
Roberta McCormac- volunteer, Elachee Nature Science Center
Her creative energy and organizational skills have given her a key role in designing 5 major exhibitions at Elahche. Volunteering for the past 19 years and serving on the board of directors for the past 12, she helps promote awareness and appreciation for nature and the environment through various programs.
http://www.elachee.org/

Walter Cook - co-founder, Sandy Creek Nature Center
As a Forestry professor at the University of Georgia, Walter has always been a strong advocate for the environment. Realizing the importance of educating citizens, especially children, he willingly shares his knowledge during classes, speeches, trail walks, and in articles and essays. While serving on the board for 32 years he has also helped build many miles of trail at the center.
http://www.sandycreeknaturecenter.com/