FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 24, 2005

Media Contact:
Rhonda Carpenter
Corporate Communications Specialist
727-461-2990
rhondac@eckerd.org

McCorvey and Kirkham are Honored for Fellowship

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Two Eckerd Youth Alternatives’ (EYA) employees have completed the organization’s Presidential Fellowship, and were honored for their research by President and CEO Karen V. Waddell June 9, during the organization’s Board Development Conference June 8-10.

AndraLica McCorvey, social services coordinator for Camp E-Tu-Makee, and Paul Kirkham, superintendent of Eckerd Youth Development Center (EYDC) completed yearlong research projects.

“AndraLica is a caring, nurturing employee in the fabric of EYA,” Waddell said. “Her tireless devotion to youth and their futures makes her an integral part of our organization and we celebrate her contributions.”

“Paul’s support goes beyond his own program to all arms of our organization,” Waddell said. “He is such a strong supporter of the youth in his care, and is committed to staff and EYA with the highest degree of integrity.”

McCorvey researched diversity in the workplace, which will help guide EYA’s future.

“Diversity is not just about race, gender, disability or ethnic background. It’s really about thinking differently,” said McCorvey. “Embracing the diversity of our employees, clients, families and stakeholders will help us to provide the best quality of care to all youth we serve.”

Kirkham studied EYA’s re-entry model, which helps youth transition from an EYA residential program to home or community.

“I chose to research our re-entry model’s best practices because I believe the more we can do for youth while in residential programs, and once released, the better chance the youth has at succeeding when returning to his or her community,” Kirkham said.

McCorvey joined EYA in 1992 as a family worker at E-Tu-Makee. In her role, McCorvey manages referrals, coordinates admissions and discharges, oversees quality improvement and special events, and collaborates with program leaders on youth treatment. At Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, she received her bachelor’s degree in social work and her master’s in social sciences, with an emphasis in public administration.

Kirkham, who joined EYA in 1999 as the program’s assistant superintendent, is a graduate of Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s in agency counseling. He is also a member of the Okeechobee County Children Services Council. In 2000, he was promoted to superintendent, achieving modeled success for his youth program and leadership qualities.

About Camp E-Tu-Makee
Camp E-Tu-Makee was established in 1983 and is located in Hendry County. As a year-round, outdoor therapeutic program, E-Tu-Makee helps at-risk boys ages 10-17 by providing behavioral treatment with a fully accredited educational component. It is one of five Outdoor Therapeutic camps in Florida and one of 25 residential programs Eckerd Youth Alternatives operates. In the Muskokee Native American language, E-Tu-Makee means “Side by Side.”

About Eckerd Youth Development Center
Established in 1982 at the former site for the Florida School for boys in Okeechobee, Fla., Eckerd Youth Development Center offers boys ages 13-19 a structured, caring environment that emphasizes positive change to break the cycle of delinquency. Privatized under contract with the state of Florida in 1982, the center is accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA). EYDC’s accreditation award scored within the top percentile in the nation for its ACA standards and was first ACA accredited in 1985. Eckerd Youth Development Center helps approximately 272 troubled males and their families each year.

About Eckerd Youth Alternatives
Eckerd Youth Alternatives (EYA) is one of the nation's leading providers of services for at-risk and troubled youth. As a private not-for-profit organization, EYA serves more than 9,900 youth each year. Since 1968, more than 63,000 young people have been helped through a range of 40 residential and community-based programs: outdoor therapeutic treatment, juvenile justice, ReEntry programs, and youth foster care, and early intervention and prevention services. Headquartered in Clearwater, Fla., Eckerd Youth Alternatives has 1,400 caring employees and provides youth programs in eight states: Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio, Vermont, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. To learn more, call 727-461-2990 or visit our Web site at www.eckerd.org.