Carson City ESL program founder among 4 picked for prestigious Manhattan Institute award

A Carson City-based nonprofit that teaches the English language to those preparing for U.S. citizenship — and whose founder was recognized in December 2018 as a finalist for the CNN Hero Award — has been picked to receive a national recognition award from the prestigious Manhattan Institute.

Florence Phillips, founder of ESL In-Home Program of Nevada, will be recognized as one of four nonprofit organization leaders in the U.S. to receive the 2019 Civil Society Award at an Oct. 16, 2019 ceremony and dinner in New York City, organizers said Tuesday. Each of the recipients will receive a $25,000 cash award.

Carson City is home to the English as a Second Language, In-Home Program of Nevada, which uses hundreds of community volunteers to teach English, citizenship preparation, and other workplace skills at no cost to its students, who are seeking to provide a better life for their families.

Since 2004, volunteer tutors have empowered more than 5,000 immigrants and refugees to learn English and the cultural skills necessary to lead a successful and productive life in America. Originally serving only northern Nevada, today the ESL In-Home Program has expanded its reach to learners living in other states around the country.

On Dec. 9, 2018, Phillips was honored as being one of the TOP 10 CNN Heroes in an award ceremony at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

She will return to the Big Apple in October for the Manhattan Institute ceremony. As part of its longstanding effort to reinvigorate public understanding of America’s civil society and the important role it plays in improving our communities, the Manhattan Institute will host the 2019 Civil Society Awards, formerly known as the Social Entrepreneurship Awards.

This award program recognizes nonprofit leaders who bring together volunteers and private philanthropy to address social challenges and work toward a common purpose in their communities. This year, the Manhattan Institute received more than 100 nominations from 26 states and 56 cities around the country.

The "inspiring individuals and their organizations" work outside of government to empower the poor and disadvantaged, build caring relationships to support those in crisis, prepare the next generation to realize their full potential, restore and revitalize struggling neighborhoods, and more, said the Manhattan Institute’s Howard Husock, who leads the award program’s selection process.

“Our history of a strong civil society makes this country special — it’s critical to the future of our democracy and the well-being of all Americans,” said Husock. “It’s an honor to recognize those who take it upon themselves to keep our social fabric from fraying, assist those who need it most, and help people change the course of their lives.”

Based in New York City, the Manhattan Institute is a think tank whose mission is to develop and disseminate new ideas that foster greater economic choice and individual responsibility. For nearly 20 years, the Institute has sought to support and advance America’s long tradition of civil society organizations and leaders who, with the help of volunteers and private philanthropy, help communities address and prevent our nation’s most serious public problems.

Award winners demonstrate the capacity of civil society to prevent and solve some of our most pressing public problems. The three other nonprofit leaders to receive the 2019 Civil Society Award are:

Megan Rose, Better Together:
Located in Naples, FL, Better Together strengthens families and communities by promoting work, protecting children, and supporting families in crisis.

With the help of hundreds of compassionate volunteers and church communities, Better Together builds lasting support systems that help families cope with hardships — job loss, substance abuse, homelessness, and even jail time — and make sure children are cared for in a safe home until the family can be reunited. By providing a voluntary and preventive alternative to foster care, the organization has served more than 1,500 children, keeping 96 percent out of the system.

Steve Shelton, Trade Institute of Pittsburgh:
The Trade Institute of Pittsburgh provides training and employment opportunities to both ex-offenders looking to rebuild their lives and at-risk high school graduates. With a growing local need for skilled workers in trades like masonry, carpentry, and welding, TIP has helped nearly 400 people gain a solid pathway to a steady job and livable wage.

In the last 10 years, more than 90 percent of TIP graduates have been hired, allowing them to provide for themselves and their families, positively contribute to society, and avoid activities that would lead to prison time.

Kim Turner and Kevin White, Newburgh Performing Arts Academy:
Newburgh Performing Arts Academy provides professional dance, music, theater, and visual arts instruction to children in one of the region’s most dangerous cities, Newburgh, NY. Through its pre-professional training and community arts programs, the academy educates approximately 800 students each year — serving more than 10,000 young people over the last 15 years. These programs help at-risk youth build self-esteem, improve their academic performance, and develop the discipline necessary to achieve success in all areas of life.