Winifred “Winnie” Hoots named Catholic Charities Volunteer of the Year

Hoots will receive the 2012 Helen Shea Service Award at Catholic Charities’ Paths to Hope Breakfast on May 10

PHOENIX (April 19, 2012) – Winifred “Winnie” Hoots of Prescott has been named Volunteer of the Year by Catholic Charities Community Services. She will be presented the 2012 Helen Shea Service Award at the agency’s Paths to Hope Breakfast on May 10 held at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort.

“I believe in the infinite value of every human being. No life is beyond hope – only, perhaps, in need of the opportunity to reach their full potential,” said Hoots. “The larger community has an impact on people’s lives and on their opportunities for achievement. We have a responsibility to be co-creators of opportunity within our community.”

She lives her philosophy, helping others reach their full potential through her volunteer efforts. Hoots volunteers with Catholic Charities’ EmpowerU program as a Getting Ahead facilitator, leading a workshop series to help participants improve their financial situations and their lives by building their skills and resources and helping them to create their own plan for a bright future.

“What I love about my work with EmpowerU, is that it does not absolve participants of responsibility for personal choices, but neither does it absolve us from responsibility for the community that gave rise to those choices,” said Hoots. "Ultimately, this work is about empowerment of the individual and providing opportunities for growth that build self-esteem and promote human dignity.”

Hoots believes in the program so much that she became a volunteer trainer to help increase the number of facilitators within Yavapai County. In addition, Hoots volunteers as mentor in Circles of HOPE, a team of mentors who help EmpowerU participants realize the plan they created in Getting Ahead. Since Hoots became a mentor, 100 percent of the Getting Ahead graduates from her classes go on to participate in Circles of HOPE, receiving up to two years of guidance and support as they work towards a brighter future.

“Winnie truly embodies the spirit of the Helen Shea Service Award and it was my pleasure to nominate her,” said Haley Hyatt, relationships manager for Catholic Charities’ EmpowerU program. “In the two years that I’ve worked with Winnie, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to civic engagement, accessible education and the vastness of human potential. Her work is a testament to the impact one committed individual can have on the lives of many.”

The Helen Shea Service Award is named in honor of a former executive director at Catholic Charities, who in her 23 years with the agency, greatly expanded its services to the poor and vulnerable. Each year, the award is presented to an outstanding volunteer whose service truly honors Shea’s commitment to the community’s most vulnerable.

The Paths of Hope Breakfast is emceed by Arizona Cardinals President Michael Bidwill. The inspirational morning is free and an opportunity to learn about the work of Catholic Charities and how to become part of the hope that is rebuilding lives and strengthening communities. The breakfast is free, but reservations are required by May 1. For more information, contact Donna Rodgers, development manager, drodgers@cc-az.org or 602.650.4827.


About Catholic Charities Community Services

Catholic Charities Community Services helps our community's most vulnerable with solutions that permanently improve lives. We help people of all faiths, backgrounds and abilities. Last year, we touched 90,715 lives in Central and Northern Arizona. We are accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Children and Family Services and are a member organization of Catholic Charities USA. To learn more visit CatholicCharitiesAZ.org.

Media Contact:
Laura Toussaint-Newkirk
Communications and Marketing Manager
602.650.4830
ltoussaint@cc-az.org