Salvation Army Presents Making a Difference Community Service Award to Ranita Norwood
Major Kevin Cedervall presented Columbia Public Schools Director of Student Services Ranita Norwood with the Making a Difference Community Service Award for her contributions to the community. Among many other things, Norwood serves as the school district's liaison to student's facing homelessness. Also a past employee of The Salvation Army Harbor House, Columbia's oldest homeless shelter and the only one that serves families with children, Norwood has a long history of working with kids facing homelessness and their families.
The following are Norwood's answers to a few questions, helping us get to know her just a little better.
What do you wish you knew how to do? I wish I knew how to play the piano. I can type well… I took 2 years of piano lessons in 5th & 6th grade, and my fingers hit the right keys, but I never could play in a faster rhythm.
What kind of kid were you? My siblings would say that I was ‘bossy.’ That is because I was a kid that did not want to get in ‘trouble – be on punishment,’ so I followed the rules. My siblings thought my constant reminders of the rules was me being ‘bossy’ to them. The outdoors did not like me – I was the kid that broke out with the poison ivy and oak every summer.
What is something fun on your bucket list that you want to make sure you do? Visiting somewhere in Europe is on my must do bucket list.
What is a community issue you especially care about? More shelters for families only, so they have a safe space to lay their heads, and receive community support as they maneuver to more stable housing for their family. Then our community needs affordable housing so that families can maintain stable housing.