05 Nov Park Springs’ Jennifer Durham Named 2013 Volunteer of the Year
On November 4, Jennifer Durham, the Director of Community Life Services at Park Springs CCRC, received the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s 2013 Volunteer of the Year award for her service at the Decatur Family YMCA.
“For the past nine years, Jennifer has been involved in a volunteer-run program called the Happy Club,” says Bill McKoy, executive director of the Decatur Family Y. “She has been the Happy Club coordinator for the past three years and is an outstanding, detail-oriented leader. She always is willing to go the extra mile for the club.”
The Happy Club is an enrichment program for adults with physical and developmental disabilities. It is solely run by volunteers. Durham coordinates the Decatur Y chapter, which is one of four in the Y.
Happy Club members meet twice a month on weekends and go to the movies, restaurants, sporting events, museums, theater, and many other recreational activities. The most anticipated event is the annual beach trip, a long weekend filled with camaraderie and fun for 60 members.
“Families and caregivers really appreciate the program,” says Durham. “Success is when parents entrust us with their child’s care. Some members have become independent enough to ride MARTA to attend Happy Club activities.”
“There is a real sense of community and family at the Y, and I have made many lifelong friends throughout the years.”