Local leaders earn Rasmuson sabbatical awards

MAT-SU — Two Valley women are among seven Alaska nonprofit leaders selected for the 2011 Rasmuson Sabbatical Program. Local winners are Mollie Boyer and Jennifer Burkmire.

The Rasmuson Foundation Sabbatical Program is designed to provide time away from the job for nonprofit and tribal leaders to engage in activities for personal renewal or professional growth.

Activities dedicated to personal renewal as defined by the recipient may include travel, study, time for reflection or simply rest. Awards will support sabbaticals of a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 180 continuous days.

The amount of each grant will be up to $30,000. Although grants are awarded to the organization, they are to be used specifically for the individual taking the sabbatical to cover salary and expenses during the sabbatical.

Boyer has been immersed in the world of trash for the past 12 years. As executive director of Valley Community for Recycling Solutions, she led a grass-roots movement committed to the s of recycling that have resulted in the recently opened Regional Resource Recovery and Training Park, a green building that functions as a collection and processing plant, recovered resources broker, and educational and training facility. During her sabbatical, she plans to travel and pursue personal interests.

Burkmire is executive director of Matanuska Community Health Care (The Children’s Place), where she has worked since 2002. The Children’s Place is a child-friendly facility where personnel from many agencies meet to coordinate investigations of child abuse. Burkmire plans to use her sabbatical to regain life balance so she “can continue to do the work I love for as long as possible.”

The next deadline to apply for a Rasmuson Foundation Sabbatical is Oct. 1.

For more information, visit rasmuson.org or call 297-2700.