Youth Connect Workers Receive Velma Award

Floyd Faulkner wasn't expecting Youth Connect to receive an award for its accomplishments in the Quaker Valley area during the opening-day ceremony on Tuesday for new and returning district staff.

 school nurses, who received the award last year, presented it to Faulkner, a community youth worker, and to Joan Murdoch and Susan Kaminski, who run Youth Connect. The volunteer community organization is committed to the safety and welfare of local kids.

"Well, this comes as a surprise," Faulkner said after the group was presented with the Velma Award. The giraffe trophy encased in glass is a reference to the award's mission to honor people who stick out their necks for others. 

Kaminski and Murdoch have been instrumental in raising money to support Faulkner's salary, his role and the Youth Connect program. 

The two women downplayed their role, saying it is Faulkner who sticks his neck out for kids in the district.

The Velma Award is named for Velma Saire, former QV assistant superintendent. Saire, who attended the presentation, said she used to hand out giraffes to recognize staff for "sticking their necks out."

The idea was so well-received that the award continued after Saire's retirement 10 years ago and honors an individual or group annually. The award is usually presented at the beginning of every school year and is never awarded to the same person twice. The names of those who receive the award are added to a plaque displayed in the district office. 

According to school officials, Faulkner's position is administered by the district, housed at the and advised by a committee consisting of representatives from the community. During the past two years, officials said, Faulkner has developed helpful relationships with students, parents and community resources.

Kaminski and Murdoch said Faulkner does a wonderful job with Youth Connect. They said he collaborates with all child-oriented organizations in the area while building relationships with kids and helping to provide students with opportunities and resources they need to succeed. 

"He's connecting everybody," Kaminski said. 

In presenting this year's award, the nurses said Youth Connect has gone above and beyond, doing everything from securing competitive grant funding to delivering pizza to hungry teens at the .

Most importantly, they said, the group has shown that "each and every child is valued in this community." 

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Students and parents can contact Floyd Faulkner at faulknerf@qvsd.org or call the Laughlin Center at 412-741-4087.