Henry Dempsey is a busy man.

He works full-time as a licensed practical nurse, goes to school part-time to become a registered nurse and teaches Sunday school at his church. But in spite of all those commitments, Dempsey, 48, makes time every Sunday to visit some juvenile criminal offenders in South Dade, and teach them about health, nutrition, sexually transmitted diseases and caring for their bodies.

"It's been a great experience because I get a chance to give something to these kids that nobody gave me when I was coming up" he said.

"I try to consider myself as a role model to these kids."

For his efforts, Dempsey received an award this week from the Arise Foundation, which coordinates volunteers, such as students like Dempsey, who donate their time to area youths.

Dempsey was honored for staying with the foundation's volunteer program even after he completed the 15 hours of service hours required by his nursing program at Miami-Dade Community College.

While the nurse stood with his students at Everglades Academy, a youth correctional facility south of Florida City, he learned first-hand what an impact he is making by just giving two hours every week.

"We've learned a lot when we talk in our group discussions," said Randy, 18, who has been at Everglades Academy for about a year. "You put it in terms we can understand," he told Dempsey. Dempsey's commitment means even more because he is one of few people who bother to visit them at Everglades Academy, Randy said later.

"Everybody else came one time. It's a one-time thing and then they don't come back," he said.

William Jones, a youth counselor at the academy, said he sat in on several of Dempsey's sessions and was impressed.

"His presentation to the class is outstanding," he said. "He makes it a game so the students are having fun as well as learning the material."

Dempsey received the award Monday from Susan Benson, cofounder of the Arise Foundation. Cora Mazzagatti, dean emeritus of nursing at the MDCC Medical Center also attended. Volunteers like Dempsey need to be encouraged, Mazzagatti said.

"You are not going to have every student make an additional commitment to the community," she said. "But it's the Henrys of the world who make it a success."

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