Michael Belivaqua, of Norwell, has been awarded the gold President’s Volunteer Service Award, for his work as a Citizen Teacher with the national non-profit Citizen Schools.

Each year, the President of the United States recognizes volunteers throughout the country with the President’s Volunteer Service Awards. Belivaqua and other Citizen Teachers spend several hours each week sharing their expertise in their respective fields with middle school students in low-income communities as a way to help close the opportunity gap which exists between these students and their counterparts in more affluent communities.

Volunteer Citizen Teachers play a critical role in introducing students to engaging opportunities and diverse careers through 10-week apprenticeship programs. During the 2015-2016 school year, over 2,300 Citizen Teachers taught more than 1,000 apprenticeships, impacting over 5,300 students across our network.

Gold award level honorees show a significant commitment to service. Gold level recipients taught four of the past four semesters. Across the country, 67 Citizen Teachers were recognized at the gold level.

“Our gold and silver level Presidential Service Award Winners are all talented and dedicated volunteers who embody what Citizen Schools mission is all about,” said Citizen Schools CEO Emily McCann. “Not only do we congratulate them for this recognition, we also thank them for their commitment and passion they bring to the classrooms they serve.”