Ready, Willing & Able | The Doe Fund

As part of a broad-based awards program for formerly incarcerated individuals who have dedicated their lives to service, Citizens Against Recidivism has selected The Doe Fund's own Thomas Popowich, Rapid Rehousing and Diversion Specialist, to receive their 2012 "Bridge Builder" Award.

Mr. Popowich was recognized for the award due to his success in building strong partnerships and his instrumental role in creating relationships with outside organizations in the early stages of Operation Opportunity, The Doe Fund's Veterans program. The program now serves 135 veterans out of The Peter Jay Sharp Center for Opportunity in East Williamsburg and is slated to grow by an additional 200 beds.

Mr. Popowich's creativity in identifying programmatic opportunity directly led to the creation of a therapeutic veteran's photography class featured in the New York Times in October 2011. He also implemented a successful partnership between The Doe Fund and the East Coast Assistance Dogs program, enabling The Doe Fund's Veterans Program clients to serve as mentors for formerly incarcerated and at-risk youth who train service dogs to assist wounded veterans.

Mr. Popowich gives all of the credit to his credits and colleagues. "Most social workers spend their careers wondering if they're really making a difference," he reflected. "As a social worker with The Doe Fund, I know what I do makes a difference because I see transformation and empowerment happening in real time."