FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date:            October 15, 2008 Contact:       Alice Tennis                    Vice President of Senior Services                    Volunteers of America-Minnesota                    612-617-7812, atennis@voamn.org

Mary McGurran and Anita Raymond Honored with Shelley Joseph-Kordell Award for Service to Older Adults

(Minneapolis, October 15)—Volunteers of America-Minnesota’s Anita Raymond and Mary McGurran are recipients of the fourth annual Shelley Joseph-Kordell Award, which honors “unsung heroes” who embody three broad criteria: a willingness to go the extra mile in working with older adults; a demonstrated passion for senior issues; and a clear impact in the senior community. 

The Award is named for Shelley Joseph-Kordell who was a geriatric care manager and a pioneer in the field of advocacy for seniors.  After her death in 2003, family, friends, colleagues and Hennepin County established the annual ceremony to honor her legacy of advocacy for the elderly by recognizing professionals or agencies who help seniors navigate financial, health care, and social service systems; identify and overcome barriers to community living; and coordinate community resources and support services.
Presentation of the Award will be made at the Senior Workers’ “Fall Aging Conference” which will take place at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center on October 30. 

Jennifer Kordell, Ms. Joseph-Kordell’s daughter and Co-Chair of the Award Steering Committee, explained, “Anita and Mary really stood out as the ones that would make everyone say ‘I couldn't imagine anyone more deserving to receive this honor!’  They have a broad impact, reaching over 800 seniors each year through referrals, case management, and consultations.”  Ms. Kordell continued, “The Committee was impressed by the work they do protecting vulnerable adults, providing competent, dedicated services on very tough cases to those who most need it.  [Their] nomination highlighted the role they play in making Volunteers of America’s Protective Services what it is, and the Committee enthusiastically agreed as Anita and Mary's reputation is well-known in the senior worker community.”

"Mary and Anita are exemplary employees,” reported Alice Tennis, Vice President of Senior Services for Volunteers of America-Minnesota.  “They have positively impacted the lives of program participants, our community and our employees. Their knowledge, passion and professionalism are an asset to Volunteers of America-Minnesota."

Mary McGurran is a licensed social worker for Volunteers of America-Minnesota’s Protective Services and Geriatric Care Management and Consultation Services.  She has been a social worker for more than 20 years and is a member of the National Guardianship Association (NGA) and serves on its Ethics and Standards Committee.  Ms. McGurran is certified as a Registered Guardian and is a guardianship trainer for the NGA Foundation’s national certification program.  She serves on the Conference and Member Services committees of the Minnesota Association for Guardianship and Conservatorship (MAGiC), and is a past board member.

Anita Raymond is a social worker for Volunteers of America-Minnesota’s Protective Services and Geriatric Care Management and Consultation Services.  She has both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, as well as more than 20 years of professional geriatric social work experience.  Ms. Raymond is an active member of MAGiC and currently serves on its executive board, is the Standards Chair, and is an Associate Editor of the quarterly MAGiC Journal.  Her past MAGiC board positions have included President, Conference and Journal Chair.  Ms. Raymond is a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.

Mary McGurran and Anita Raymond were also recipients of the Governor of Minnesota’s 2004 Age Odyssey Award for exemplary service, leadership and advocacy.

VOLUNTEEERS OF AMERICA- MINNESOTA
Volunteers of America-Minnesota is a nonprofit organization founded in 1896 which offers a wide variety of services to more than 27,000 children, adolescents and their families, students, older adults, persons with disabilities and special needs, and ex-offenders each year.  It is one of the oldest, largest and most comprehensive human service organizations in the state and has more than 60 programs, 700 employees and 4,000 volunteers.  Volunteers of America has a rich history of developing innovative, quality programs to meet emerging social issues and prides itself on sponsoring programs which are able to articulate explicitly the outcomes achieved in its program participants' lives.  For more information about Volunteers of America-Minnesota, visit www.voamn.org, or call (952) 945-4000.

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