Dr. Sharon Young, one of the founders of CooperRiis Healing Communities, at left, former Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) volunteer Cassidy McFadden, now a member of the CooperRiis staff, center, and current BVS volunteer Amanda Strott, right, accept the Brethren’s Partners in Service Award on behalf of CooperRiis.

The award was presented recently during a community meeting in the Mill Spring Healing Community of CooperRiis. Brethren Volunteer Service is a full-time volunteer program that places volunteers in a one or two-year long assignment in the United States and some locations around the world.

This ministry of the Church of the Brethren has been a major program in this Christian denomination since 1948, and was the inspiration for President John F. Kennedy when he formed the Peace Corps.

BVS has worked with CooperRiis since its inception in 2003, placing many dedicated and talented volunteers with CooperRiis where they can serve in the mission to help individuals with a mental health challenge or emotional distress learn new ways to gain coping skills, learn to become independent and attain fulfillment in life through a comprehensive program that addresses mind, body, spirit and heart.

– article submitted by Jeff Byrd