[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Columbia Values Diversity Award Winners

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Division of Human Services
573-874-7488

Columbia Values Diversity Award Winners

COLUMBIA, MO (January 12, 2012) - Dr. Ellis and Pamela Ingram & Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital Equal Employment Opportunity Program

The 15th Annual Columbia Values Diversity Awards were presented at this morning's Columbia Values Diversity Celebration at the Holiday Inn Select Expo Center.

Dr. Ellis and Pamela Ingram were named the winners of the individual award and the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital Equal Employment Opportunity Program was the winner of the group award. The awards are given to an individual and a group that have made significant contributions in promoting appreciation for diversity and cultural understanding in Columbia.

 

Dr. Ellis and Pamela Ingram

 

Dr. Ellis and Pamela Ingram were presented with the 2012 Columbia Values Diversity Award for individuals/families. Few people in our community embody Dr. King's legacy of empowering others to overcome adversity like the Ingrams. Together Ellis and Pamela Ingram reach countless children in our community through their tireless volunteer efforts in providing much needed opportunities for young people to achieve. 

 

One such program is Granny's House, a non-profit after school program of which Pamela is the founder and director. For over ten years, Granny's House has provided a safe and encouraging environment for children living in public housing. The program focuses on positive youth development and academic achievement. Pamela also leads G.I.R.L.S, a program which offers a safe place for teenage girls to discuss the challenges they face in their day to day lives.

 

Ellis is the founder of CALEB-The Science Club which is an extracurricular club intended to spark students' interest in science, medicine and education. Under his guidance, high school, college and medical school students develop mentoring relationships with younger CALEB participants.  This has a ripple effect as these young people achieve and in turn become mentors and leaders to others. Ellis also organized and participates in Excellence in Learning, which exposes high school seniors to anatomy and medicine. In addition, he serves as an advisory member to Higher M-Pact, a group whose mission is to transform today's high risk urban youth into leaders.

 

These are but a few examples of the numerous activities through which the Ingrams touch the lives of young people in our community.

 

Dr. Ellis and Pamela Ingram exemplify the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by empowering young people to achieve in spite of adversity. Dr. King stated "Everybody can be great because anybody can serve." The Ingrams give young people the power to be great by teaching them the value of service to others and the joy of improving the world around them. 

 

Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital Equal Employment Opportunity Program

 

The 2012 Columbia Values Diversity Award for Groups is presented to the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital Equal Employment Opportunity Program, an active community partner that strives to promote an inclusive, supportive environment that embraces and reflects the community's diversity. Since its inception more than 20 years ago, the program has embraced an ongoing commitment to the principals of diversity and cultural awareness. To achieve its goal, the Equal Opportunity Program has pursued partnerships with local schools and community-based organizations in order to offer career awareness opportunities to persons who have been historically excluded from the workplace.

 

The Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital Equal Employment Opportunity Program exemplifies the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by fostering strong community partnerships in an ongoing pursuit of equal opportunity for women, minorities, veterans, people with disabilities, and other traditionally underrepresented populations.


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