Woodruff Prize
This video was produced by Second Story Productions to illuminate the Woodruff Foundation's history and interests, and to honor the 2008 Woodruff Prize award winner, EDEN, Inc.
- Woodruff Prize to an individual - $10,000 award, which will be designated to the mental health or substance abuse nonprofit of the winner's choosing.
- Emerging Practitioner Leader - Recognition at the Woodruff Forum and associated publicity.
- Woodruff Prize to an organization - $10,000 grant, and being featured in a video production commissioned by the Woodruff Foundation.
- Emerging Volunteer Leader - Recognition at the Woodruff Forum and associated publicity
Background
The Woodruff Foundation was established in 1986 to enhance, through financial support, the development and delivery of mental health services. In addition to their traditional grantmaking, the Trustees of the Woodruff Foundation has sought to recognize and honor those organizations and individuals doing superior work in the mental health and/or chemical dependency fields.
From this objective, the Woodruff Prize Awards were established in 1989. Each year one nonprofit organization in Cuyahoga County, Ohio and one individual, either a professional or a volunteer, are awarded the Woodruff Prizes, each with a prize of $10,000. In 2008, the organization winner will be honored by a Woodruff-commissioned video production featuring the agency which will be shown at the Woodruff Forum (see the 'Special Initiatives' tab for information on the Forum Luncheon) and may be used thereafter for the organization's own publicity, marketing, or other purporses. The winner for individual achievement designates a nonprofit, tax-exempt mental health or substance abuse organization in Cuyahoga County to receive the cash award.
In 2008, Foundation Trustees decided to encourage exceptional work at earlier career stages. Two new categories of winners will be recognized at the 2008 Woodruff Forum, Emerging Practitioner Leader, and Emerging Volunteer. No monetary awards are associated with these prizes.
Criteria
An advisory committee comprised of Foundation trustees, community leaders and experts in the fields of mental health and substance abuse will choose the winners from among those nominated.
Woodruff Prize Award (Individual and Organization) winners will be characterized by:
- Consistent and superior work in the treatment of mental health and/or chemical dependency
- Innovation and/or high achievement
- Significant impact on the community
- Collaboration or partnership with others in the community to advance program goals and objectives
Emerging Practitioner Leader and Emerging Volunteer winners should have been in the field for fewer than 5 years, and display:
- Commitment to the field
- Demonstrated or potential leadership at the agency and/or community level
- Creative approaches to problems or constraints
2008 Woodruff Prize Winners
Individual Prize - Robert Weiss, M.D., Director, Psychiatry Consultation Service, MetroHealth Medical Center. Award: $10,000 to be designated to the nonprofit of his choice.
Organization Prize- EDEN, Inc., a nonprofit housing development agency devoted to increasing the number of decent and affordable housing untis for the disabled, low-income population. Award: $10,000 unrestricted grant and production of a video about the agency.
Emergencing Practitioner Leader Award - Agneline Sulak, Child/Adolescent Specialist, Domestic Violence Center.
Emerging Volunteer Leader Award - Harvey Kotler, Vice President, Board of Trustees, PLAN of NE Ohio, and Board Member, Hopewell and Jewish Family Service Association.
Special Recognition for Extraordinary Service - Senator Bob Spada and Jim Spada.
Finalist for Individual Prize - David Muzina, MD, Psychiatrist, Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute.
Finalists for Organization Prize- Beech Brook-ACT Team, Center for Families and Children-Club CFC and PLAN of NE Ohio
