Northeast Communities Against Substance Abuse (NECASA) announced the winners of the regional Volunteer with Youth Award and the Judith Nilan Award for Community Service to Youth. 

The 2014 recipient of the Volunteer with Youth Award is Albert Cormier. Al is a resident of Putnam and is being recognized for his exemplary volunteerism with the Putnam Leo’s Club, the youth program of the Lion’s Club.  Al is a former educator and guidance counselor from both Putnam Schools and Woodstock Academy, who has continued to work with youth in his retirement. He is also recognized for his work with the student leadership training program which is attended by many local high school students. 

The Volunteer with Youth Award recognizes one volunteer from the Northeast corner for their volunteerism with youth. It is part of NECASA’s effort to promote adults working with young people and being role models and mentors, which is a preventative to destructive behaviors including substance use. 

The 2014 Judith Nilan Award for Community Service to Youth is awarded to Elizabeth Scheff, the school social worker at Windham Regional Technical High School.

Elizabeth Scheff greets every student when they arrive for school in the morning, she sponsors yearly food drives, organizes the homecoming dances and powder puff football games, she is the student council advisor, runs many of the schools clubs and groups and has coached girls volleyball for seven years. Elizabeth is always thinking of new ways to teach kids about acceptance, empathy and how to embrace the high school experience.  Her passion for her job and her professionalism is a testament to her character. It is safe to say that the students, staff and school are better off because of her.

The Judith Nilan Award was established by NECASA in 2006 to honor the work of the late Judy Nilan, the school social worker at Woodstock Middle school who was murdered in 2005. Judy was a compassionate individual who respected and nurtured all of her students. The award is given to one school social worker or counselor who promotes positive youth development, substance abuse prevention and anti-violence and who best represents the giving and loving spirit of Judy Nilan.