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NRTA: _AARP’S EDUCATOR COMMUNITY_ creates real possibilities to strengthen America’s working and retired education community by protecting its financial security and fostering collaboration

and volunteerism. The NRTA With Our Youth! Program was established to provide opportunities for retired educators and youth to work together to address the needs of youth and the broader

community. State and local retired educators association (REA) volunteers use the resources provided by NRTA to organize local self-sustaining service projects. In 1997, NRTA made a

three-year pledge at the President’s Summit for America’s Future to serve 1.5 million youth in 2,000 communities, with a total of 45 million service hours through the REAs. That goal was

exceeded, and the program continues today. Each year, the organization provides national NRTA With Our Youth! volunteer awards to recognize the outstanding work of state and local REAs as

well as individual volunteers. More information is available here. The recipients of NRTA’s 17th Annual With Our Youth! awards were chosen by an independent selection panel for their

outstanding service to youth in the state, local and individual categories.   Alfred Campos, Director for NRTA: AARP’s Educator Community, said about the award winners: “I am always amazed

by the great work that retired educators do in service of our nation’s children, individuals, and families. A spirit of volunteerism is very much a part of the retired educator community and

the 2017 NRTA With Our Youth! winners best exemplify that spirit. The 2017 awardees have enriched the lives of all they have served and NRTA is honored to celebrate their accomplishments.

2017 EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENTS INCLUDE: INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY GLORIA JEAN WILLIAMS of the ALABAMA EDUCATION RETIREES ASSOCIATION won first place for the SKIP program. While still teaching,

Gloria Jean Williams saw a need to help children whose parents were in prison and created this non-profit. The SKIP program helps stop the cycle of incarceration through education, training,

mentoring for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. The program helps with academics, social skills, behavior modification, self-esteem and job skills. Volunteer mentors work with

the SKIP youth and their caregivers to establish a supportive "circle" of positive relationships around every child. This program is vitally important given that more than 2.7

million children have incarcerated parent(s). For the past five years, 750 families have been involved in the program. For the families that stayed with the program, no student dropped out

of school or was imprisoned. Four students graduated high school in May 2017, and many more will further their education and skills training or enter the military.