Spotlight of the Week: Honoring Outstanding Volunteers and Nonprofits
Alison Smith
R Place & Orange County Department on Aging
Alison Smith launched Orange County Department on Aging’s revitalized “R Place”, which was placed on pause during the pandemic. She is the only paid staff involved directly with the operations of R Place, a respite program for people living with dementia.
Founded in 2018, the Durham Public Schools Foundation (DPS Foundation) was born from a shared vision among community, education, and private sector leaders: to create a dedicated nonprofit that could raise funds, build community support, and advocate for Durham Public Schools (DPS). Since its inception, DPS Foundation has worked hand-in-hand with students, families, and educators to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Benita Wall-Johnson has volunteered with UCAN at the Catawba Trail Farm since 2018, assisting in the reclaiming of the old farmstead, a former plantation. She assisted with each of the nine monthly food distributions where UCAN provided fresh vegetables to feed over 400 individuals.