THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 31, 1995 TAG: 9503290124
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
Community activist Dorita Epps has been named Virginia Public Citizen of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers.
Epps, a resident of Swanson Homes, was recognized for her contributions to the community.
They include:
Starting an after-school tutoring program at the Swanson Homes community center
Sponsoring field trips for children to expose them to theater and the opera
Encouraging high school drop-outs to return to school for their diplomas or to attend special programs to earn their General Equivalency Diplomas
Organizing sports teams to keep children off the streets and out of trouble.
``Basically, the award recognizes someone who's had a profound effect on the public community,'' said Sandy Stipp, who nominated Epps for the award. ``She's made a visible difference.''
Stipp, manager of the public housing complex, said Epps ``leads a life that's a very good example of morality.
``Her constant attitude is that you are your brother's keeper,'' Stipp said, ``that we all need to take care of each other.''
Epps was presented with a quartz clock, ``which was kind of nice because she gets so many plaques there's no room for them on her wall,'' Stipp said.
Prior to receiving this award, Epps was most recently recognized by The Volunteer Connection of South Hampton Roads as one of 16 individuals honored for outstanding volunteer service.
In February, she received the Community Service Award from the Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals.
Last year, Epps received the Jefferson Award for volunteerism, one of five national honorees in Washington. The award is given annually to recognize the country's most outstanding volunteers.
Epps works as a developmental disability specialist with Southeastern Virginia Training Center in Chesapeake. ILLUSTRATION: Dorita Epps
by CNB