The Rotary Club of Juneau presented their annual Vocational Service Awards for local programs, individuals and employers who demonstrate high ethical standards and standards of conduct. These awards are presented each November in recognition of the organization’s Vocational Service Month, the time in which Rotarians concentrate on their own ethical commitment to both their work and lives in general.
This year’s awards were as follows:
Vocational Service Award to a Business: Cruise Line Agency
Cruise Line Agency is a local business that has given many local high school and college students a first job, enabling them to acquire and develop skills for their future careers. Drew Green, the manager for Cruise Line Agency, hires those who either need a job for college or who are wanting one before starting down a career path. He always gives them a chance and has even helped many of them get their lives back on track.
Vocational Service Award to Individuals: Washington Parks
Washington Parks, district manager for the Social Security Administration, works as a leader in his office and represents the agency in the community. As someone who does more than just manage his office, he truly cares about taking care of the agency’s clients. For example, he attends each naturalization ceremony in Juneau, registering new citizens for Social Security services to ensure they are immediately available. Parks makes the connection between the public and private sectors with work, volunteerism (in local social service agencies) — and a helping hand with a smile.
Vocational Service Award to a Non-Profit: Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is an organization that helps people in all walks of life to make sure their needs are met. Locally, the Salvation Army has been working to help people develop job skills. They employ people from Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, MAST, Reach, Polaris House and the transitional program at the high school to help those with disadvantages or disabilities learn job skills that will help them be more successful in the future.
Vocational Service Award to a Public Sector Program: Juneau School District “House Build” Program
The “House Build” Program is a partnership between the City of Juneau, the Juneau School District, and a variety of community partners. The goal of the house build program, which takes place annually, is to engage students in an authentic, community-based project and provide students with hands-on workplace skills that prepare them for jobs in the construction industry.
The Rotary Club of Juneau has been presenting Vocational Service Awards each November for more than 10 years. For more information about the Club, the awards and other projects, visit www.juneaurotary.org.
