30 Jan 2017 Rutman presented award

Neil Rutman, award-winning pianist and professor at the University of Central Arkansas, is the 2017 recipient of Deliver Hope’s Dare to Dream Award.

Rutman received the award Jan. 28 at the Dare to Dream Banquet at Conway Church of the Nazarene.

It was Deliver Hope’s second Dare to Dream banquet and award presentation. Community residents submitted nominations for the award and a committee from Deliver Hope selected the deserving nominee.

Rutman was recognized for his work with the juvenile court system. Since 2009, Rutman has been the coach for a court-appointed boxing club, where young men in the court system learn fundamental skills in boxing and positive behavior. They also have the opportunity to interact with role models in the community.

Rutman also oversees the Achievers Club, an appendage program of the boxing club to help the young men in the support system improve academically.

Deliver Hope was excited to recognize Rutman for his work in the community.

“Coach Rutman, as the kids call him, routinely appears in court to show his support, ensures that the young men buy a Mother’s Day card for their moms, attends church with the young men and provides incentives for raising their classroom grades,” said Faulkner County Circuit Judge Troy Braswell. “Visit one session and you will quickly see the true teachings: self-control, determination, teamwork and leadership.”

Deliver Hope is a registered 501(c) 3 nonprofit in Arkansas in Faulkner County. Its mission is to deliver hope to at-risk youth and underserved young people through mentoring, tutoring, juvenile justice and life-skills coaching.