The recipient of this week's Ben's Bell is Deborah Rosas, program assistant for Primavera's PREP program.
She was nominated by Kristina Lunde, a case manager for Primavera, who said: "Deborah brings a straightforward approach to the table that is appreciated by so many of our clients here at PREP."
PREP - Prisoner Re-Entry Partnership - is an employment program for non-violent, recently released prison inmates.
"When potential clients walk through our door, many conflicting emotions walk in with them. Those feelings are dispelled upon reaching Deborah's desk," Lunde wrote in her nomination. "Deborah, also a former PREP client, acts like a one-woman welcoming committee, putting clients immediately at ease."
Recently Rosas joined Lunde at community outreach events.
"Deborah is a fantastic speaker and a wonderful advocate for our organization. When we go to the Tucson Indian Center to speak to potential clients, Deborah, a Native American herself, is particularly adept at making everyone feel comfortable, respected, and empowered," Lunde wrote.
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Rosas has worked at Primavera for three years.
"I was really shy as a kid, but now, as I've become older, speaking to groups I really enjoy it. This job has really blossomed into more than just answering the phones," she said. "The job has been immensely rewarding, because I've been to prison and I've gone through recovery. I know where a lot of these people are. They're apprehensive; sometimes they're angry; they're afraid; they're feeling defeated.
"It's scary starting over and trying something new."
Contact reporter Kimberly Matas at kmatas@azstarnet.com or at 573-4191.