Council on Aging named Nonprofit of Year by Albany Area Chamber

ALBANY — An Albany Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast on Wednesday recognized area nonprofit organizations, including one committed to the battle against poverty.

The breakfast, held at the SOWEGA Council on Aging, included recognition of its host as the 2017 Nonprofit of the Year. The program also included an update on Strive2Thrive.

Alvita Swain, executive director of Strive2Thrive, presented a number of awards while also giving an update on her organization’s fight against poverty.

“Our mission is to change the face of the community, from a face of poverty to a face (of opportunity),” she said.

Sharon Davis, a single mother of two, was presented the Jane Willson Family of the Year Award. Misty Shinard received the Commitment Award, Ashley Wilson was honored as Youth Volunteer of the Year, Patricia Clay was recognized as Volunteer of the Year, Brianna Register was the Pathways to Wholeness Award recipient, and Rochelle Bush was named the Volunteer Facilitator of the Year.

Ben Barrow, board chairman of Strive2Thrive, made mention on how contributions from the community help to keep the organization moving.

“There is no greater calling than God being able to touch others through us,” he said.

Swain noted that, since 2010, 400 men, women and children have been impacted by the first phase of the Strive2Thrive program. This year, 70 families have been through both phases with the help of more than 100 volunteers.

“We are no longer worried about teaching a man to fish, but to own the pond,” Swain said.

Nine organizations were presented as finalists for the Nonprofit of the Year, with the honor ultimately going to the Council on Aging.

Among the accomplishments the council reached in recent years is the Kay Hind Senior Life Enrichment Center, named for the current SOWEGA executive director, which opened on West Society Avenue in early 2014 after several years of advocacy, mostly by Hind.

“This was something we really wanted for this community,” said Hind.

The Council on Aging director, who is set to retire from her position in March, has also been named a recipient of the Servant’s Heart Award by Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal. State Department of Human Services Commissioner Robyn Crittenden said at the breakfast that Hind will receive the award on Jan. 23 in Atlanta.

The other eight finalists for the chamber award were Albany Area YMCA, Alzheimer’s Association, Aspire Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Challenger League, Family Literacy Connection, Lily Pad Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Center, Horizons Community Solutions and Open Arms. Aspire was the second runner-up for the top honor, Albany Area YMCA was the first runner-up, and Challenger League received the Rising Star Award.

Albany State University President Art Dunning, who commented on the consolidation of Albany State and Darton State College expected to be complete next month, offered remarks at the breakfast.

“The train has left the station and is 50 miles down the road,” he said of the planned merger. “If you are still at the station and discussing it, you are behind.”