Thursday, March 28, 5:45 pm
The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center
“I am honored to receive the VCIC Humanitarian award on behalf of the outstanding agencies whose endeavors I have been privileged to support,” says Patricia P. Wainger, one of this year’s honorees of the annual award.
The Humanitarian Award of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities is presented to individuals who have demonstrated a personal commitment to the promotion of respect and understanding among people of diverse racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.
“In recent years, my main affiliations have included Breakthrough at Norfolk Academy, Jewish Family Service and The Park Place School, housed at Congregation Beth El. As the founding director of Breakthrough, a college preparatory program for underprivileged Norfolk Public School students, I have seen hundreds of young people over the program’s 27 years go on attend to college and to become successful, productive individuals,” says Wainger.
“Most recently, as a member of Norfolk’s Congregation Beth El, I have been lending support to The Park Place School that serves underprivileged students. The individualized attention and enrichment opportunities provided these second through seventh graders is inspiring,” notes Wainger. Beth El congregants join community volunteers in helping nurture these students, many of whom have been through trauma and have special needs.
Forty-five years ago, Wainger’s father received the same humanitarian award in Birmingham, Alabama. “He worked until he was 90, always putting the needs of others first. I hope that I inherit his genes and will be able to perpetuate his legacy,” says Waigner.
Alvin Wall is chair of the evening.
In addition to Wainger, 2019 Humanitarian Award recipients are Regina R. Darden, Claus Ihlemann, Cassandra L. Newby-Alexander, Kevin H. Turpin, and Alok K. Verma.
To honor this year’s award winners by purchasing a seat at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater/Tidewater Jewish Foundation/Jewish Family Service community table, contact Tammy Mujica at tmujica@ujft.org or 757-965-6124.