Illinois Departments of Corrections and Juvenile Justice name 2007 Volunteers of the Yea

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Departments of Corrections (IDOC) and Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) announced the recipients of the 2007 Volunteer of the Year awards at a recognition ceremony held today in Springfield.  Phillip L. McLaurin was named IDOC  2007 Volunteer of the Year and Tim Tomlinson at Illinois Youth Center - Pere Marquette was named as the 2007 Volunteer of the Year for IDJJ.  McLaurin and Tomlinson were among volunteers of the state's 28 adult correctional centers, eight adult transition centers and eight youth facilities who were being honored for their outstanding leadership and their efforts in providing positive change in the lives of inmates and youths.

"In the past several years, our nation has rediscovered that reaching out to help others is essential to our well-being," said IDOC director Roger E. Walker Jr.  "Volunteers are the ones who unselfishly give of themselves and step forward in times of need.  We saw it after September 11th, we saw it after Hurricane Katrina.  And, closer to the home front at Corrections, we see it every day in our prisons.  I am very proud of the agency's employees and volunteers alike.  Together, they stand strong as one family and move the department forward by providing positive change in the lives of inmates."

"Volunteers play a significant role in our agency through the mentoring of incarcerated youth," said IDJJ Acting Director Kurt Friedenauer.  "Their teachings and words of encouragement are important to the well-being of the youth.  Through their positive guidance, youths are able to gain valuable life skills that play a vital part when returning to their families and communities."

Phillip L. McLaurin
Phillip L. McLaurin, a college counselor for SIU-Edwardsville, has provided volunteer services at Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center in East St. Louis since 2004.  He assists offenders to achieve educational goals and develop self-esteem and vocational skills through various programs.  During this past year, he has given offenders the opportunity to become a positive asset to the communities they return to and has also increased their awareness of continued substance rehabilitation.  His professionalism and motivating attitude brings an enhancement to the programs established to help offenders become productive citizens upon their return to the community.     
McLaurin also participates as a volunteer in the Pre-Start program and illustrates various skills and techniques for successful job interviews.  Through his volunteer services, offenders have experienced a change in their attitude and outlook on life.  This has been evident by the increased number of men requesting information on various vocational programs and educational and job opportunities offered to offenders.  As stated in his nomination, he sets standards for others to follow.  His tireless efforts, genuine attitudes and concerns have made an impact in the lives of those who are less fortunate and have set standards for others to follow.

Tim Tomlinson
Tim Tomlinson is an Ivy League Emeritus Associate Director of the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania.  He began dedicating his time to IYC-Pere Marquette in March 2005 as an educational tutor.  Since then, a number of youths have graduated from eighth grade, high school or obtained their GED.  During graduation ceremonies, Tomlinson served as the center's guest speaker and encouraged youth to strive to be the best they can.

Tomlinson's passion of helping others is evident in the hours he volunteers weekly.  He was instrumental in serving as coordinator of the center's new program, GROWE (Garnering Responsibility, Ownership and Work Ethic), which is a horticulture program focusing on learning through the personal care of various trees, plants and flowers.  Tomlinson has students research the plants' origin and then empowers and encourages them to provide slide presentations to both youth and staff on the difference between annuals and perennials.  Tomlinson is a valuable resource for IYC-Pere Marquette.  According to his nomination, his passion, commitment and expertise are priceless.

More than 5,000 volunteers provide programs and services that otherwise would not be available to the incarcerated men, women and youth located within the IDOC and IDJJ.  During the past year, volunteers have donated more than $2 million in time and goods to the incarcerated.

At IDOC and IDJJ, volunteers assist in various ways ranging from mentoring and meeting the religious needs of inmates to offering alcohol and drug rehabilitation such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Volunteers tutor, hold church services and Bible studies and parenting, art, music, poetry and literacy classes.
IDOC operates 28 adult correctional centers, eight adult transition centers as well as various work camps and boot camps.  The agency is responsible for managing more than 80,000 inmates and parolees.

IDJJ operates eight youth centers and oversees 1,400 incarcerated juveniles.  By creating IDJJ in July 2006, young offenders receive individualized services including educational, vocational, social and emotional services that will help enable them to become productive adults.  In addition to the services provided inside juvenile facilities, the new department also provides transitional and post-release treatment programs for juveniles, including counseling, mental health and substance abuse services.

If you are interested in the Volunteer Services Program at IDOC, contact Marcy Nolan, volunteer services manager, at 217-522-2666 ext. 6101.