USSN: In the News

Five Receive Achievement Awards

By Jennifer Upshaw

Five Marin groups - including a program aimed at introducing a diversity curriculum in Novato's schools - received the Marin Community Foundation's Fall Neighborhood Achievement awards, foundation officials said.

United for Safe Schools in Novato, a grassroots effort to gain approval of a diversity curriculum, was among the award winners. The group has been at the center of a contentious debate over diversity materials to be used in the classroom. In August, the school board approved five of the six materials proposed.

"We were so pleased," United for Safe Schools in Novato's Lynne Wasley said. "It was really a lot of individuals coming together and working very hard. The other part was to better the community, and I think we have - I think we've made some headway bringing this issue out."

For a group with no money, receiving a $5,000 check is great, she said, but the award means more than that. "The money is wonderful, but the acknowledgment ... for me it really affirms what we are doing," she said.

Marin City Mothers Awareness Program, a group of neighborhood parents who get together once a week, also was honored. Mothers concerned about the health, safety and education of their children have been meeting for about a year to brainstorm ways to get involved in their kids' lives.

"Some kids fail because they didn't have the encouragement," founder Rhonda Douglas said. "As a mother, I'm real sensitive to it."

The group plans to put the money back into the program, which has already sponsored community forums on higher education and parental involvement, hosted a sober graduation event for Marin City students, and participated in workshops on children and families with mental health issues.

Other winners included:


	Five Receive Achievement Awards By Jennifer Upshaw Marin Independent Journal Five Marin groups - including a program aimed at introducing a diversity curriculum in Novato's schools - received the Marin Community Foundation's Fall Neighborhood Achievement awards, foundation officials said. United for Safe Schools in Novato, a grassroots effort to gain approval of a diversity curriculum, was among the award winners. The group has been at the center of a contentious debate over diversity materials to be used in the classroom. In August, the school board approved five of the six materials proposed. "We were so pleased," United for Safe Schools in Novato's Lynne Wasley said. "It was really a lot of individuals coming together and working very hard. The other part was to better the community, and I think we have - I think we've made some headway bringing this issue out." For a group with no money, receiving a $5,000 check is great, she said, but the award means more than that. "The money is wonderful, but the acknowledgment ... for me it really affirms what we are doing," she said. Marin City Mothers Awareness Program, a group of neighborhood parents who get together once a week, also was honored. Mothers concerned about the health, safety and education of their children have been meeting for about a year to brainstorm ways to get involved in their kids' lives. "Some kids fail because they didn't have the encouragement," founder Rhonda Douglas said. "As a mother, I'm real sensitive to it." The group plans to put the money back into the program, which has already sponsored community forums on higher education and parental involvement, hosted a sober graduation event for Marin City students, and participated in workshops on children and families with mental health issues. Other winners included: Mar-Val, which includes neighbors from the Marin Valley Mobile Country Club, a low- to moderate-income senior mobile housing neighborhood in Novato. Point Reyes Community Garden, a vacant lot in downtown Point Reyes that was changed into a community garden by neighbors. San Geronimo Valley Farmers Market, whose organizers rallied to coordinate a central location for music, crafts, food and a once-a-month flea market. The awards are aimed at honoring groups who improve their local neighborhoods. Each group will receive a cash award of $5,000. To date, the foundation has distributed $562,900 through the program. Contact Jennifer Upshaw at jupshaw@marinij.com
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