• July 9, 2018

LOS ANGELES COUNTY PROBATION RECOGNIZES AND THANKS ITS VOLUNTEERS

LOS ANGELES COUNTY PROBATION RECOGNIZES AND THANKS ITS VOLUNTEERS

LOS ANGELES COUNTY PROBATION RECOGNIZES AND THANKS ITS VOLUNTEERS 482 301 WPPRO Administrator

2018 Volunteers of the Year from L.A. County Probation (L to R): Ron Atkinson, Julie Napoleon and Leonor Lozano-Ramirez along with Chief Probation Officer Terri L. McDonald

Contact: Kerri Webb, Public Information Officer
kerri.webb@probation.lacounty.gov, (562) 315-3388

Media Release
April 27, 2018

LOS ANGELES COUNTY PROBATION RECOGNIZES AND THANKS ITS VOLUNTEERS

LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles County Probation Department celebrated “National Volunteer Appreciation Week,” by thanking the 1,800 active volunteers who serve in various probation facilities and work sites throughout Los Angeles County.

“I thank all our volunteers for rolling up their sleeves to partner with us in public service,” said Chief Probation Officer Terri L. McDonald.  “Those who choose to share their time, energy and resources without pay in service to our clients and employees should be recognized for their selflessness and their dedication.”

Volunteers are a vital part of Probation’s operation. Visiting artists teaching juveniles how to use art to work through their trauma, clergy and laypeople offering pastoral services and support to youth in juvenile halls and camps, and volunteers running addiction support meetings for Probation clients are just some of the services provided by Probation volunteers.

Three of Probation’s outstanding volunteers were recognized during the 36th annual County of Los Angeles Volunteer of the Year awards luncheon that took place April 23rd at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Chief Probation Officer Terri L. McDonald joined the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and other department heads at the luncheon to recognize L.A. County Probation volunteers Ron Atkinson, Julie Napoleon and Leonor Lozano-Ramirez as Volunteers of the Year, as well as other invaluable volunteers from across Los Angeles County.

Ron Atkinson serves as a chaplain during Sunday services and Tuesday Bible Study at Camp Joseph Paige. Mr. Atkinson has served as a volunteer for 18 years and is highly respected for being a model of compassion, understanding and kindness in his partnership role between the Catholic Church and the Probation Department.  He is an influential mentor and role model for incarcerated youth and is very committed to ministry.  He is loved by the youth he serves, as well as the staff.

“I am honored to share my Catholic faith with the youth at Camp Paige,” Mr. Atkinson stated. “I consider serving the youth a blessing and a privilege.”

Julie Napoleon serves as a volunteer for one year at Camp Joseph Scott where she leads weekly yoga and meditation classes for the young girls at the juvenile facility.  The young ladies have reported that the lessons learned from the courses have helped them manage stress, improved their mental focus, and have provided “a great workout.”  The young women have said that what they have learned in Ms. Napoleon’s classes will help them for the rest of their lives.

“Teaching yoga and Camp Scott has been truly my pleasure,” Ms. Napoleon expressed.  “…the girls and I consciously rejuvenate their bodies, minds, and spirits. It has been a blessing for me to get to know the girls and share this time with them.”

Leonor Lozano-Ramirez was honored by the First District Supervisor Hilda Solis for her volunteer work with the Healing Hearts Restoring Hope Organization facilitating healing circles with youth at Central Juvenile Hall and the Dorothy Kirby Center.  She also works with the youth at Central Juvenile Hall providing sacramental preparation and one-on-one visits.

The Probation Department salutes Mr. Atkinson, Ms. Napoleon, Ms. Lozano-Ramirez, and all who have chosen to volunteer with the Probation Department to assist in carrying out the Department’s vision to “rebuild lives and provide for healthier and safer communities.”

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