Rita Schnidt - DOVIA Exceptional Volunteer Board Member

Arvada resident selected for her tireless volunteer work with the mentally ill and the City of Arvada

September 17, 2008 - At their annual awards ceremony, Arvada resident Rita Schnidt, was awarded DOVIA's Exceptional Volunteer Board Member honor for 2008 for her tireless work with the mentally ill at Jefferson Center for Mental Health and her numerous Arvada community agency involvements.

"A force of nature!"

"A dynamo of action!"

"The lady who knows how to get things done!"

These are only some of the descriptions of Rita Schnidt, long-time volunteer for the Jefferson Center for Mental Health, a private, not-for-profit community mental health agency serving over 6,000 people a year. Rita has contributed her endless energy to Jefferson Center since the 1970's when she first lent her talents to helping the Jefferson Center achieve its mission of promoting mental health and providing quality mental health services to persons with emotional problems and/or serious mental illness in Jefferson, Gilpin and Clear Creek counties.

As the mother of a son who suffered from mental illness and received services from the Jefferson Center, Rita understands firsthand the struggles of the mentally ill. Even after his death in 2005, she has remained a tireless advocate for others, always willing to work constructively and collaboratively with treatment providers to build better systems and services

The Chairperson of the Jefferson Mental Health Foundation Board, Rita continues to be involved in nearly every aspect of the Center's outreach efforts. A member of the Foundation Board since 1998 and of the Jefferson Center Board for a number of years in the 1970's, Rita has been a major donor, as well as driving force behind major Jefferson Center events. Over the years, she has volunteered for most of Jefferson Center's programs with particular interest in programs serving individuals with serious mental illness, as well as prevention and intervention programs for youth.

Rita's resume of other community volunteer involvements is lengthy, as well. The mother of eight children, her many volunteer positions have included being a board member of Family Tree, the Ralston Creek Golden Kiwanis, the D.A.R.E. Foundation, the Colorado Alliance for the Mentally Ill, the Olde Town Arvada Association (Chair), the Denver Regional Council of Governments, the Alcoholism Council of Colorado, the Arvada City Council Planning Commission, and the Arvada Chamber of Commerce Community Development Chair-in short, almost every volunteer job available in Arvada and out!! Rita's list of awards is as long as her volunteer list, and includes Arvada's "Woman of the Year" (1983) and the Arvada Chamber of Commerce "Community Improvement Image Award" (1978).

The Recipient of the Jefferson County Democrats 2003 Eleanor Roosevelt Award, Rita is a dedicated lobbyist, committed to changing legislation to benefit her community. She has been an activist for democratic causes and candidates at both the county and state levels for many years. Combining her political savvy with her commitment to grass roots-level change, Rita remains a staunch advocate for battered women, low-income housing, those struggling with mental illness and alcoholism, and others who don't have any other voice.

DOVIA or Directors of Volunteers in Agencies, promotes professionalism in the field of volunteer management, advocating for issues concerning volunteerism and providing network and educational training opportunities for its membership.

About Jefferson Center for Mental Health
Celebrating its 50th year, Jefferson Center for Mental Health is the community nonprofit mental health center serving Jefferson, Gilpin and Clear Creek counties. Jefferson Center helps to bring hope for a brighter future for thousands of community members who struggle with mental health challenges. The Center serves the people throughout its three-county area with 300 staff in 20 locations. Its staff has expertise in numerous areas, including children and family issues, adults with serious mental illness, suicide prevention, early intervention, juvenile justice, and trauma treatment. Jefferson Center offers a full continuum of specialized behavioral health services for every age, including Wellness services and community classes. Last year the Center helped over 6,000 people facing some of life's toughest challenges-children with emotional problems as a result of abuse or trauma, youth struggling with depression or substance abuse and/or involved in the juvenile justice system, adults with serious mental illness like schizophrenia...and older adults who need help. For more information, visit www.jcmh.org