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A Benton High School senior’s volunteer service has been acknowledged in a special way: Mayor Rick Holland proclaimed Monday as Emily Noles Prudential Spirit of Community Recognition Day in the city.  Emily Noles accepts her award at Monday night’s City Council meeting in Benton after being honored for her volunteer work with Safe Haven, a local shelter for victims of domestic abuse.
The honor stems from Noles’ volunteer work with Safe Haven, a local shelter for victims of domestic abuse. Her service earned her state and national recognition by being named a Distinguished Finalist in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards competition.
Noles, 17, raised funds and volunteered for this shelter that serves as a refuge for abused women and their children. After undergoing 12 hours of training, she began working seven-hour shifts at the facility, preparing and serving meals, playing with the children there and comforting the adult residents.
A framed copy of the city proclamation issued in her honor was presented to Noles in the council session, where Noles briefly described her concerns about domestic violence and her impressions of the Benton shelter.
The proclamation notes that “however effective government may be in serving the needs of its citizens, the soul of our city and its vitality as a place to live and work depend on the relationship of families, friends and neighbors.”
He called Noles and others who volunteer to help others the “unsung heroes of our society.”
“Strengthening those [government] bonds is not as much in the hands of institutions or governments as it is in the hearts of the people individuals who volunteer to help people of all ages, races and religions cope with illnesses, overcome hardships and barriers, adjust to social changes and fulfill their potential.”
Holland pointed out that Noles “exemplifies the value of volunteer community service” and called her a “role model to other youth as well as adults in our community.”
“A surprising number of volunteers in communities across the nation are like Emily, a student contributing time without expectation of reward, other than the gratification that comes from helping others,” Holland said. “Some of these young people work in established groups; others seek new and unique ways to help others on their own.
“Recognizing these young volunteers and encouraging others to follow their example is the aim of this nationwide program conducted by Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals,” the mayor noted.
Noles briefly explained why she focused on her work at Safe Haven when applying for the Prudential Spirit award.
“The project I felt most inspired by was my time spent working with Safe Haven,” she said.
“It all started about two years ago when the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council was connected with Safe Haven. A few of us volunteered to through training a 12-hour introduction to the statistics, stories and policies of the program.
“On our first day, Amanda White (a domestic abuse victim who has spoken publicly about her circumstances) came to share her story with us, and that is what sparked my interest. After training, I became a certified ‘angel’ who can work seven-hour shifts in the shelter.”
Noles said many people would be surprised to learn how many women and children occupy the small quarters of the local shelter. “I was inspired by the courage and truth I saw in the works of Safe Haven. As our trainer told us, it has never been about the money, only the people we save,” she said.
She pointed out that the Youth Council members decided to form a committee specifically for Safe Haven and she was chosen as a leader of the panel. This led to the youths assisting at Safe Haven fundraisers, including an annual candlelight vigil and a concert at Sharon Missionary Baptist Church.
“Currently, the committee is trying to integrate these ideas into our school systems,” Noles said. “We have discovered that aggressive behaviors leading to domestic violence start when relationship start around the seventh and eighth grades.”
She said the group plans to hold a rally, similar to a Red Ribbon Week rally, to “warn teenagers about domestic violence.”
“We have yet to get it approved, but we would also like to hold an assembly in which we would put on skits to show the signs of domestic violence. So far, we have managed posters around the high school and a table with information in the cafeteria. It’s not much, but every little bit counts.
“I for one think it is vital to introduce this information to teenagers, for otherwise their view of love will forever be tainted.”
Noles said her experience at Safe Haven has “taught me a lot about life and love. The stores I have heard and the miracles I have seen will forever shape who I am.
“More people need to know about domestic violence and more people should care because it is happening right here in Benton. All I ask is for your support and courage to do the right thing. As my committee might tell you, ask yourself, ‘Where is the love?’”
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honors young people in middle level and high school grades for outstanding volunteer service to their communities. This year, the program honored 102 state honorees and 234 Distinguished Finalists.
Created in 1995 by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the awards constitute the United States’ largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteering. In the past†13 years, the program has honored†more than 80,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national levels.
The program’s aim reportedly is to reach into every community, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, to identify and honor these youths locally, state by state and then nationally in the hopes that their recognition will serve to stimulate others to volunteer service.
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