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VIP
Honors Friendship, Perseverance, and Achievement
Thursday, May 8, 2003 was scheduled to be my "opening" show as producer of the Volunteers In Parole (VIP), Sacramento-Yolo Annual Recognition Luncheon. Being new in my position as program coordinator, I had never witnessed first hand how the luncheon was supposed to proceed, and to intensify matters, I had nothing to measure it against. Was I nervous? You bet! Many of you are familiar with VIP and may have even attended one of these annual events. For those of you who are unfamiliar with VIP, each May VIP Sacramento-Yolo recognizes the outstanding efforts of the volunteers in the program, including attorney volunteers, parolee volunteers, parole agents, and local advisory committee members. This event is very important to the VIP community and the supporters of VIP, but Mr. Murphy made it difficult for me to see it as little more than one more heaping serving on an already over-loaded plate. Nevertheless, I juggled, wobbled, and shifted that plate so as not to drop it. I am very glad I managed my balancing act!
The day before the event, Murphy's ruling was overturned; the day of the event was not only beautiful, but it was rain-free, and the ambiance of the Delta King's Paddle Wheel Room made the beauty even more apparent. The guests began to arrive and socialize. I looked around the room and noticed the diversity of the attendees, people of varying professions and life experiences all gathered together to celebrate the success of those who have achieved their goals and those who gave of themselves. I thought to myself how awesome it was that the VIP program transcends the normal divisions of our society. The more than 100 attendees included: Peter Jensen, Undersecretary of the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency; Richard A. Rimmer, Deputy Director of the California Department of Corrections; Bonnie Long-Oliver, Region I Administrator for the CDC; Windie O. Scott, Division 2 Representative of the State Bar of California; Superior Court Judge Gary E. Ransom; Sacramento Superior Court Commissioner David Foos; Allen Hoang from Assembly Member Darrell Steinberg's Office; Sacramento County Assistant Public Defender Doug Welch; Yolo County Public Defender Barry Melton; Sacramento County Bar Association President Bion Gregory; VIP Local Advisory Committee Chair Linda Harter; and Federal Bar Association President Robin Taylor. Judge Thomas Cecil served as emcee for the event. As Judge Cecil and I presented the first award, it became very apparent to me that I would have to exercise unbelievable control to not begin crying. To witness the honorees sharing their stories of how their friendships developed with their mentees and mentors and the obstacles that had to be overcome is something that cannot adequately be told, but instead it is something that is felt. There truly was a very visible warmth, love, and happiness that saturated the room. There were few if any people whose eyes remained moist as each honoree shared very intimate parts of his or her life and how each life was changed by the interactions with the people in VIP. By the end of ceremony it took all that I am not to completely lose control. I immediately forgot all the stress, confusion and difficulties that went into planning this event. Just like childbirth, once I saw my beautiful "baby," I forgot that I was ever in labor. The feedback from the luncheon has been positive. In my opinion, however, the truest measure of success is George Yule. George was initially very guarded and skeptical of opening up to people. He would regularly extend his hand for help, and just as someone tried to grasp his hand, he retracted it. My instincts told me that if I could get him to the luncheon it would have a profound impact on him. After the luncheon, George called me and said, "Ange, I want to be like the people at the luncheon today. I want to change my life. I am cutting ties with all the negative people in my life." I let George know that what he said to me was the fireworks show at the end of the State Fair! George is doing very well and has met his new mentor, Alberto Roldan. They are both very excited about the new friendship they are forming. The most amazing aspect of VIP is not that it just salvages the lives of those people who are mentored, but its reach goes much farther, like a domino effect. Its success stories ignite courage in other parolees to change their lives and its representatives reach out to at-risk youth. The entire community benefits from mentoring. It is one of the most fulfilling experiences to witness people grow and flourish. I had heard that the annual VIP recognition luncheon is an event that is incredibly moving and very powerful, but having witnessed my first one, I completely understand now. Volunteers In Parole would like to once again congratulate the 2003 Annual Recognition Luncheon awardees: Outstanding
match partners Attorney Volunteer W. Gregory Day and Volunteer Mentee Todd Blevins Outstanding
Attorney Volunteers Diane M. Matthews Outstanding
Mentee Volunteers Maggie Ruiz Outstanding
Parole Agent Outstanding
Achievement Special
Recognition Immediate Past Sacramento County Bar Association President Mark Shusted Special
Thanks to: Parole Unit Supervisor Terri Turner and the Woodland Parole Unit for assistance with organizing, set up and check in The staff at the Delta King Restaurant If you would like to learn more about Volunteers In Parole, or you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact Angela S. Tillotson, Program Director, at (916) 324-4141, extension 259, by fax at (916) 445-8864, or by email at vipsacramento@earthlink.net. |
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"I
hope it doesn't rain," I thought to myself and
remembered hearing so many others say the same. I had been sentenced
under Murphy's Law about a week and a half prior; it seemed that
anything that could go wrong did, and if Mother Nature deemed
that rain was necessary, I was ready to chalk it up to part of
my sentencing. I was actually beginning to enjoy the humor in
trying to catch the wrenches that life was throwing at me.
July/August 2003