Liberty Bank Presents Local Youth with Awards for Community Service

June 15, 2016

Theodora "Teddi" Stanley of Guilford, was chosen as one of two recipients of the 2016 Liberty Bank Youth in Action Award for her countless hours of volunteerism dedicated to helping those in need.

Established in 2011, Liberty’s Youth in Action Award is designed to recognize students in grades 6-12 within the bank’s market area who have distinguished themselves through volunteering, fundraising, and advocating for nonprofit organizations. Two recipients were selected from among many students who were nominated for the award by schools and youth organizations in their communities. The two awardees were Theodora Stanley of Guilford, and Ryan Bell of Wallingford. Each was able to direct a $1,000 donation from Liberty Bank to a nonprofit organization of their choice. Stanley chose to direct $500 to Columbus House, $250 to New Reach, and $250 to the Amistad Catholic Worker.

Liberty Bank President and CEO Chandler Howard praised all of the award nominees for their community service, saying: “As young as the nominees are, they’ve learned something very important: that everyone has something to give, no matter how small it is. You just have to do two things: care about something and then do something about it.”

“Teddi Stanley exemplifies stewardship and social change among our youth. Under her direction and leading by example, she brings awareness and action into focus on such issues as homelessness that affects our neighbors,” said Sheree DiMario, Volunteer Coordinator, Columbus House. “She helps Columbus House forward our mission to end homelessness.” DiMario nominated Stanley for the Youth In Action award. Finishing out her junior year at Guilford High School, Stanley was offered the opportunity to complete a Capstone Project. She decided to do her project on people who are homeless in her quest to break down the stereotypes fixed to homelessness. The Capstone Project theme was inspired by her work at Columbus House through her interaction with the clients of Abraham’s Tent, a program where-by numerous faith-based organizations provide shelter for one week each to Columbus House clients throughout the winter months.

Stanley is dedicated to giving back to her community, both as the Junior class president at Guilford High School, and on her own time. She is active in the Guilford High School Interact Club, Youth Advisory Group (YAG), Field Hockey team, Guilford High School drama department playing the cello in the pit, and Best Friends club. She has volunteered numerous times for Special Olympics, DOMUS, Life Haven, Yale New Haven Hospital, and the Community Dining Room. She is involved in countless activities and programs through Columbus House including Abraham’s Tent, organizing collections for the Middlesex Family Shelter over the years, and baking for Apple Rehab through Olivia’s Cupcakes. An annual backpack drive under the direction of Stanley benefits nonprofits including New Reach, Columbus House, Amistad Catholic Worker, Clifford Beers, and Liga Hispana.

Liberty Bank President and CEO, Chandler J. Howard, himself a longtime volunteer with many awards for community service, praised the award winners and nominees, saying “We want to honor you for everything you’ve done to make people’s lives better. You’ve proven to us that it doesn’t matter how young you are—you CAN make a difference.”

Established in 1825, Liberty Bank is Connecticut’s oldest mutual bank, with almost $4.4 billion in assets and 55 banking offices throughout the central, eastern, and shoreline areas of the state. As a full-service financial institution, Liberty offers consumer and commercial banking, home mortgages, insurance, and investment services. Named as a “Top Workplace” by the Hartford Courant for four consecutive years, Liberty maintains a longstanding commitment to superior personal service and unparalleled community involvement.