Gwinnett Daily Post 

Lifestyle Section

By: Jackie Watson, Staff Correspondent

Editor's Note: "Helping Hands" runs each week in the Lifestyle section in recognition of local individuals who volunteer their time to the community.

August 31, 2002

Busy teen finds time to tutor and volunteer

Lilburn - Helping others is second nature for Amanda Dean. The 17-year-old senior at Shiloh High School has been involved in volunteer work for as long as she can remember.

The active teen, who is the daughter of Sheila and Donald Dean of Lilburn, stays busy with cheerleading, cross country and the Beta Club.  Her studies, which have a earned her the no. 2 spot in her class, are important to her.  But yet, it's the work she does to help others - particularly children - that gives her the most satisfaction.

"I like working with kids," said Amanda, who plans to attend Emory University next fall for pre-medicine.  "I've always enjoyed helping people."

For six months, Amanda has been tutoring a 12 year - old girl in a therapeutic foster care program at Creative Community Services (CCS), a nonprofit organization that places special needs foster children in homes while offering support services for adults with disabilities.

Each week, she drives to the young girl's foster home, and helps her with academic weak spots.   "She needed help with multiplication tables, so we made flash cards together," said Amanda. "During the school year, I help her do her homework."

With her academic agility and love for serving others, tutoring is a natural way that Amanda can give back to the community.  "I like tutoring.  The foster mom of the girl I tutor says she talks about me all the time so I hope I'm doing something good," She said.

Amanda has been a volunteer for Creative Community Services (CCS) since she was 10 years old.  She has assisted with the non-profit agency in a variety of ways.

"My mom works at CCS, and I've been going there since I was young.  I've helped a lot of times with decorations, making signs, and working at parties for the little kids," she said.

A couple of summers ago, Amanda took on a steady volunteer position at the organization's office, working through the school break by filing, mailing and answering phones.

She has also worked on volunteer projects for homeless shelters through her church, Smoke Rise Baptist, and assisted in Vacation Bible School this summer.

In addition, the teen lends a hand with the Lilburn Cooperative Ministry, where she helps to gather food and school supplies. 

"I'm very proud of her and the decisions she makes," said her mom Sheila.

"She works hard at a  commitment and always follows through with it."

HOW TO HELP

Creative Community Services is looking for loving families to open their homes to special needs foster children.  Free training and monthly financial assistance are offered.  The organization is also looking for volunteers to work with mentoring, teaching, administration and special activities.  For more information or to volunteer, call 1-866-618-2823

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