Voorhees student receives a Merit Award

Denmark, S.C.– Voorhees College student Stacia Townsend, who attends the Charleston off-campus site campus, recently was awarded the Merit National Community Service Award for 20 hours of community service. The Merit National Community Service Award recognizes exceptional students who make service a priority for motivating community involvement. These awards have a special emphasis to connect personal and collective service with progress toward the United Nations (UN)Global Goals.Townsend said she is very humbled to receive this recognition. “I am glad that I have the opportunity to represent Voorhees College with the Merit National Community Service Award,” Townsend said.She completed 20 hours of community service volunteering with B.E.T.(Bringing Everybody Together) a non-profit organization that mentor sat-risk elementary and middle school students within her community. In addition, she established an after school BET Kid Café program sponsored by her local food bank to ensure that at-risk students from low to moderate income families would have access to hot nutritional meals and academic assistance.Also, Townsend participates in food distributions at her church and teaches, “My Plate,” in order to combat childhood obesity by incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables, in addition to exercise. “I love the kids in my community, and I believe no child can learn on an empty stomach,” Townsend said.She was employed with Charleston Police Department for 24 years and began her career as a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Cadet Trainer, a Corrections Officer, NCIC Duty Officer Trainer, and an ATAC in the warrants division. She was certified by South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy as a Class #2 Law Enforcement Officer, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) as a POC/ATAC, US Department of Homeland Security FEMA (NIMS), the Bureau of Justice Administration, and NCIC 40 hour certified by SLED.Townsend is a senior criminal justice major who aspires to become a social advocate with National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release July 1, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Stacia Townsend www.voorhees.edu For more information, contact the Office of Communications, at 803-780-1191 or at communications@voorhees.edu.