HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-140 (Human Rights Award – Ben Welshons, Sr. – Posthumously ) ti11water
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FEB ATHA A E 0, M i 0 0 F S 0 A
RESOLUTION 2017-140
STILLWATER HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD
BENJAMIN WELSHONS,SR.
Whereas,the Stillwater Human Rights Commission requested nominations for the 2017 Stillwater Human
Rights Award. Again, we had two winning candidates this year; and
Whereas, BENJAMIN WELSHONS, SR. has been nominated posthumously for working to build an
environment that promotes fair and equal treatment for everyone. Both his education and vocation deepened
his compassion and understanding for the humanity of the homeless, the mentally ill, and guided his life long
actions to be useful; and
Whereas, BEN was a psychologist choosing to work with youth in corrections because their needs were
the greatest and too often neglected.From the early 1970's until 1997,he partnered with a public school principal
to change Boys Totem Town from a warehouse for young offenders to a much healthier interactive program
where the youth were involved with their own growth and change. He was a pioneer of developmental
psychology and resiliency, mentoring the staff to support the Positive Peer Culture program; and
Whereas, the WELSHONS' home was never locked. The sign on the door read: "This is an island of sanity
in a sea of madness. No holding, no using, no dealing." Many young people found welcome acceptance at their
kitchen table. Many were experimenting with drugs and very few adults were aware of them or their dangers,
but in 1971 Ben, local school staff, community clergy, and friends created the Olive House (All of Us, Inc.),
which was a crisis intervention and education facility lead by Ben as program director, and trainer of volunteers;
and
Whereas, many young adults were drawn to BEN seeking his guidance as they worked with at-risk youth
as mental health counselors, drug/alcohol counselors, corrections officers, and teachers. Ben always took time
to listen, advise, and provide the right readings and research; and
Whereas, BEN and his wife Margaret had four biological children, and their family expanded to include
foster children - both long term and emergency placements, including a teen Native American girl at a time
when little community support existed; and
Whereas, mentoring and philanthropy were life-long for BEN and are ongoing today, practiced by his
family and many friends in Stillwater, The Twin Cities, and elsewhere in the U.S. and the world. The principal
beneficiaries of this advocacy and actions are people who felt they were "outsiders," "invisible," or "thrown
away"by society.
Now Therefore,Be It Resolved,by the City Council of the City of Stillwater, Minnesota,one 2017 Human
Rights Award is presented to BENJAMIN WELSHONS, SR. in appreciation of his outstanding leadership and
dedication to human rights, and is hereby commended for those efforts.
Adopted by the City Council this 18th day of July, 2017.
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TED KOZLOWSKI,MAYOR