Lakewood’s Community Collaboration, made up of over 200+ human service organizations, service clubs, businesses, individuals and public entities each month presents a “Caught in the Act-of Keeping Lakewood’s Promise” Award to an individual or organization that has quietly performed an outstanding deed for a family/child in the City of Lakewood. The October 2008 recipient is Hally Phillips for her involvement in youth theatre in Lakewood.
 
Hally works both in the schools and as a Youth Director for Lakewood Playhouse Theatre. Her job description would say that she assists children of all ages to become budding actors and actresses and learn all aspects of the theatre. However, behind the scenes Hally is building self esteem and confidence in youth; developing responsibility and teamwork, and providing a place to have a lot of fun in a safe, caring environment. Hally has been able to see the fruit of her hard work as many of the children she’s directed have gone on to work and act in main stage productions at Lakewood Playhouse Theatre, as well as other local theatres, high school and college productions. Hally also supervises the “Drama Dragons” through the Lakewood YMCA, a theatre program for home-schooled students in the Lakewood community. Additionally, for the last 9 years she has co-designed, solicited donations and decorated a tree for the Festival of trees, raising thousands of dollars for Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.
 
Here are what some Hally’s students had to say about her:
“Hally is very nice, has a fun sense of humor, is caring, generous and thoughtful.”-Kassie Lauritzen,12.
“She is willing to give up her time to help others.”-Josh Coleman, 12.
“She is a nice person who can spice up a play with her sense of humor. She puts in time and effort to everything that she does.” -Shawnee Smith, 13.
Hally is a great person and passes that quality on to her two daughters.” –Joie Sullivan, 13.
 
Hally Phillips, recognized by Lakewood’s Community Collaboration has been “Caught in the Act” for being a caring adult, providing a safe place, a healthy start, marketable skills and an opportunity for youth to serve in their community.

 
Lakewood’s Promise mission is to mobilize people from every sector of life in Lakewood to build the character and competence of our youth by fulfilling these Promises:

• Caring Adults-Provide ongoing relationships with caring adults-parents, mentors, tutors and coaches
• Safe Places –Provide safe places with structured activities during non-school hours
• Healthy Start-Provide all the elements leading to good physical/mental health for a healthy future
• Marketable Skills-Provide marketable skills through effective education
• Opportunities to Serve-Provide youth with opportunities to serve in their community.

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