[JHeath]

http://www.michigancityin.com/articles/200.../news/news2.txt

Head of Dunebrook receives Athena Award

By Amanda Haverstick, The News-Dispatch

A woman who has spent her career helping families in Northern Indiana is the recipient of the 2007 Athena Award.

The Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday announced Diana Dibkey was the 20th recipient of the award. The award was presented in conjunction with the Women In Management Symposium held at Blue Chip Casino and Hotel.

Dibkey, the executive director of Dunebrook, was nominated by Pamela Henderson.

“I just want to say thank you very much. For those who know me, know this is really uncomfortable,” Dibkey said. “I'm in very good company,” she said, referring to those who have been selected in the past.

The Athena Award is given each year in recognition of an individual who has made significant accomplishments in their profession, contributed substantially to the Michigan City area through community service and provided outstanding assistance to women in reaching their full leadership potential.

Henderson said she felt Dibkey was a boss deserving of the award.

“I thank you ... for everything you do for us,” Henderson said.

LaPorte County Superior Court 1 Judge Kathleen Lang said Dibkey has spent years on Prevent Child Abuse Indiana and made many trips back and forth to Indianapolis.

“I worked with Diana when I was in the prosecutor's office as deputy prosecutor and she was an investigator,” Lang said. “The thing we really equate with Diana is Dunebrook. She's a leader.”

At speaking engagements Dibkey focuses on the prevention tactics and success of programs at Dunebrook rather than rattling off child abuse statistics - information that may only lead an audience to a sense of hopelessness.

Dibkey co-founded Dunebrook in 1989. She envisioned Dunebrook as a place where children who allege abuse could tell their story. Over the years Dunebrook has grown in its programs and is recognized statewide as a model family resource center.

Lang recalled how Dibkey found a way to expand the building, which was once a small house on Johnson Road.

“The community came together ... and built that incredible building that serves our county and a good part of Northern Indiana,” Lang said. She added that outside of her professional relationship, she is proud to call Dibkey her friend.

“You'll never know a more loyal friend ... someone who will stick by your side,” Lang said. “I think that's something that's been reflected in her life work.”

Also nominated for the award were Judy Jacobi, marketing director of Purdue University-North Central, and Rachel Saxon, president and senior trust officer of Horizon Trust and Investment Management.

Author and Loyola University law professor Laura Caldwell, the event's keynote speaker, spoke on networking.

“When we think about networking we think it has to be this forced ... go up to people sell yourself kind of thing,” Caldwell said. “I have not found that to be the case.”

Caldwell said there are more effortless ways to network such as starting a conversation with someone or sending a thank-you note.

[Max Main]

Good job there--and a worthy cause, if anyone can donate.

[Ang]

Good job there--and a worthy cause, if anyone can donate.

The nice thing about Dunebrook if you want to donate, they don't just take money. I used to donate all my kids's stuff after they out grew it. Clothes, books and toys. The Dunebrook people were always appreciative for the stuff and offered me receipts for tax purposes.
I also would give stuff to the women's shelter on the west side. They like clothes, shoes, and any other women's stuff. They will take children's things, too, but not too often.

[Max Main]

Bunk beds, washers, dryers...they can take a lot of things.