December 22, 2004
Peltola receives Zonta award
Coordinator of homeless student program awarded Zonta Woman of the Year honor
By
Herald staff writer
Members of the Zonta Club of Traverse City described Jean Peltola as an unsung hero when they recognized her as their Woman of the Year last week.
Peltola, coordinator for the Traverse City Area Public Schools STEP program, earned the award meant to publicly recognize the contributions of a woman in the areas of community service, outstanding achievement or special contributions to womankind.
"Her efforts will have a long lasting affect on many children in the community, not to mention the indirect impact these children will have on others because they were able to turn their lives around," said chapter president, Peg Jonkhoff as she praised Peltola for her work with at-risk children within the community.
"It would not be an exaggeration to say that her involvement in the lives of these at-risk kids - when no one else seemed to care about them - was instrumental in helping find their way in life," Jonkhoff said.
Peltola has been the coordinator for the STEP - Students in Transition Empowerment Program - since 1999. In that role she serves homeless students in grades kindergarten through grade 12.
"She took the idea of providing assistance to homeless students and ran with," said Jonkhoff, who outlined Peltola's contributions, including providing homeless high school girls with dresses, hair styling and make-up for last spring's prom.
"She has a tactful way of providing assistance while ensuring that the student maintains her dignity and self-worth," Jonkhoff said.
While Peltola was happy to receive the Woman of the Year award, she was quick to point out that she could not have earned the award without a great deal of help.
"None of this would have happened without the support of the people I work with. There are many dedicated people out there," Peltola said.