Hometown Hero: Rebecca Sussman

Rebecca Sussman does not like to toot her own horn. But the Bedford Hills resident manages to volunteer at the local prison and elementary school in town, on top of two part-time teaching jobs, and caring for her family.

She doesn't do it for the glory or the fame. To paraphrase a sneaker commercial, she just does it.

Sussman has been a regular in the infant care center at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women for the past three and a half years. She also serves as a member and treasurer of the parent-teacher group and as the co-chair of the enrichment program at Bedford Hills Elementary. The program works with teachers to bring in presentations and other educational events to supplement the school's curriculum.

Three years ago, Sussman learned that teachers at BHES were interested in painting a map of the United States on school grounds. She immediately organized the project, ordered supplies, and rallied a group of volunteers to to paint the map, transforming a large patch of blacktop into a geographical playground. A year later, she did similar project, turning a cement wall by the school into an outdoor mural.

"Becky is an extremely dedicated volunteer who works for the benefit of all the children at BHES," said Whitney Serrell Barbera, also a co-chair of the enrichment committee. For example, Sussman recently chaired the Silent Auction which is a vital part of BHESA's fundraising, Barbera said. "It was the most successful, lucrative auction in recent years!"

Why does Sussman volunteer at the prison? She does it partially because she feels lucky. "I feel strongly that my family and I are very fortunate. Not everyone has had the opportunities that we have had," she said.

Sussman's volunteer work at the prison started about 7 years ago a bit by accident, she said. She saw a sign at a local library asking for donations for a gift drive at the prison and she called to ask if she could bring sugar cookies made by her daughter, who was then aged 4.

"We had an abundance of cookies and we were able to bring them in for a party for children visiting their mothers," she said. That kind of a donation is no longer allowed, she noted, but it got her interested in volunteer opportunities at the prison.

"When I called, the person I spoke with mentioned all the other volunteer opportunities," Sussman said. There is also a program called Puppies Behind Bars that helps train service dogs for people who are blind or have other handicaps and writing programs.

The infant center has children up to about a year old. "This is a child care center where prisoners with infants can leave their children while they are assigned to programs or to work," Sussman said. Not all residents at the prison are allowed to keep their infants with them at the prison, she noted, but there is "amazing support" for the mothers.

Sussman has two children, aged 11 and 7 who attend BHES. She is also a part-time teacher at the Rippowam Cisqua School and teaches some courses online for the University of Phoenix.

Do you know of any other hometown heroes in your community? Email us your ideas: lisab@patch.com.