Virginia McKnight Binger Awards in Human Service Honor Outstanding Minnesotans

Contact info and related links

Six Minnesotans with long histories of service to their communities will receive the 2009 Virginia McKnight Binger Awards in Human Service. The McKnight Foundation will present the awards on Thursday, August 27, 2009, at a private ceremony in Minneapolis.

The $10,000 awards honor Minnesota residents who give their time to improve the lives of people in their communities. This year's recipients include a mentor and tutor to Minneapolis students; an advocate for victims of domestic abuse; a program provider to the Twin Cities immigrant community; a former POW who volunteers as a barber at a St. Paul homeless shelter; a public policy expert and advocate for indigenous language revitalization; and a dedicated social activist who uses storytelling to motivate and educate.

A committee of six people working in human service fields across the state selected the finalists from more than 100 nominations.

"This year, as community needs grow and resources shrink, the contributions of these six individuals have particular resonance," says McKnight's board chair Robert Struyk. "They demonstrate the human value of effective philanthropy and remind us that, often, the greatest resource we have to offer is ourselves."

Since 1985, The McKnight Foundation has given the awards each year to recognize Minnesotans who demonstrate the difference one person can make in helping others. The awards are named for the Foundation's former chair and president, Virginia McKnight Binger. Mrs. Binger served the Foundation for nearly 50 years as a board member, as president from 1974 through 1987, and then as honorary chair until her death in 2002. Although her parents, William and Maude McKnight, established the Foundation, it was Mrs. Binger's personal compassion and generosity that set the standard for the Foundation's work.

Candidates for the awards are nominated confidentially by someone familiar with their work. No one may apply for them directly. Counting this year's recipients, 253 individuals, including nine pairs, have received the awards.

ABOUT THE MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION

The McKnight Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for present and future generations through grantmaking, coalition-building, and encouragement of strategic policy reform. Founded in 1953 and independently endowed by William L. McKnight and Maude L. McKnight, the Minnesota-based family foundation had assets of approximately $1.6 billion and granted about $99 million in 2008.

2009 Awards in Human Service recipient profiles

Nancy Guenette of Minneapolis worked for nearly 20 years as a mentor to Minneapolis high school and college students. Before retiring in 2008, Nancy was an advisor with Minneapolis Community and Technical College's TRiO/Talent Search Project. She also served as a mentor for both the Page Education Foundation and the Wallin Scholarship Program, volunteering hundreds of hours to tutor students and help them apply for financial aid.

Mohamed Hassan Osman of Columbia Heights co-founded the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota, the Dugsi Charter School, and the Somali American Education Program. These organizations — which offer employment programs, social service offerings, educational support, and community events — have provided hundreds of Somali youth and adults with the foundational elements for lifelong success.

Ken Porwoll of Roseville has given free haircuts for the past 25 years to clients at the Listening House, a homeless shelter in downtown St. Paul. In 1942, Ken was sent to the Philippines during World War II and later spent three and a half years as a prisoner of war. It was this POW experience that led Ken to the Listening House, which he says gave him a natural affinity for those in need.

John Poupart of West Saint Paul overcame chemical dependency and homelessness to receive a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University. As facilitator of the Dakota Ojibwe Language Revitalization Alliance, John brought together American Indian elders, linguists, young people, public school staff, and others to develop one of the few statewide indigenous language revitalization efforts in the United States.

Linda Riddle of Duluth has worked tirelessly as an advocate for women and children in Minnesota since fleeing an abusive marriage in 1987. After a stint volunteering, Linda served for 15 years as director of Houston County Women's Resources. She moved to Duluth in 2007 to lead the Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs, an organization internationally renowned for its model of responding to domestic violence.

Renee Tomatz of Hibbing devotes herself to educating and motivating others, often using storytelling as a means to do so. The founder and former director of the Family Investment Center in Hibbing, Renee has helped launch dozens of programs during the past 15 years, including the Hibbing Soup Kitchen, the Hibbing Food Shelf, the Clothes Closet, and Project Warmth.

Contact information
Tim Hanrahan, Communications Director, 612-333-4220

Related news
WWII vet's service is a cut above, Star Tribune
Six Minnesotans win prestigious awards, MinnPost.com
Binger awards announced, MinnPost.com
Somali among six Minnesotans to win prestigious service awards, Somali Business Journal
Work on strengthening American Indian communities honored by McKnight, TCDailyPlanet.net
McKnight honors two Northland women for helping others, Duluth News Tribune

Related links
2009 Awardees (PDF, 869 KB)
About the awards