2016
Thursday, June 16
Marion County Sheriff’s
Office Multi-purpose room
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C FC A A
PARTNER OF THE YEAR AWARDS LUNCHEON
WELCOME
In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared an “unconditional war on poverty.” He called
the nation to work together in order to improve the lives of families an citizens suffering from
poverty.
One result from this movement was the creation of Community Action Agencies as well as
organizations and institutions that shared the goal of alleviating the burden of poverty and
help families reach their highest potential. Every day, these agencies work diligently to better
themselves, as well as their communities.
No matter how hard these agencies work, the impact and success of each office, each
organization, depends heavily on the continued cooperation of other organizations and
institutions.
It is due to the hard work and dedication of every organization and especially the paternships,
that we can help each other help others.
“There are no problems we cannot solve
together...
and very few that we can solve by ourselves.”
-Lyndon B. Johnson
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AGENDA
Welcome
Presentation of Colors & Pledge of Allegiance
National Anthem
Introduction of Dignitaries, Board of Members
and Staff
Recital- “The Promise of Community Action”
Self-Sufficiency Success Story- “Return on
Investment”
Invocation & Blessing of the Food
Buffet Lunch
Memorial Tribute- Robert Bradley “Brad” Nimmo
Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
Freddie L. Warmack Community Partner of the
Year Awards
Recognition of Sponsors
Closing Remarks/Adjournment
Kent Guinn, Mayor of Ocala
Marion County Sheriff Department
All
Lena R. Smith, CFCAA Board Chair
Caronne Rush, CFCAA Board Member
Herman Washington, FSSP Client
(2015/2016)
Toni Wilson, Pastor of The Pressing Place
All
Charles J. Harris Jr., CFCAA Chief Executive Officer
Lena R. Smith, CFCAA Board Chair
The Honorable Senior Judge Sandra E. Champ
Charles J. Harris Jr., CFCAA Chief Executive Officer
Monica Bryant, CFCAA Board Secretary
Charles J. Harris Jr., CFCAA Chief Executive Officer
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Keynote Speaker
The Honorable Senior Judge Sandra E. Champ
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Sandra Edwards Champ, Circuit Judge (RETIRED November 1, 2013), Marion County Fifth Judicial Circuit
(Elected Marion County Judge in 1990, appointed to Circuit by Gov. Jeb Bush in 2000); J.D., Nova University Law
Center; B.A. Southern Illinois University; Florida Department of Transportation Senior Attorney ( Eminent Domain)
1987-90; University of Central Florida, Associate University Attorney 1985-87; Private Practice, Elmira T. Conley &
Sandra E. Stephens, 1984; Greater Miami Legal Services, Staff Attorney (Certified Legal Intern) 1982; Broward County
School Board, Teacher 1972-79; US Judicial Delegation to Russia & Estonia, 1992; Budapest, Hungary & Prague, Czech
Republic, 1994; Florida Judicial College, Faculty 1993-2007; Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies 1995; Mentor
Coordinator (New Judges), Fifth Circuit 1995- 2013.
Memberships: Florida Bar Association, Editorial Board 2000-03; National Bar Association Judicial Council,
Marion County Bar Association (Honorary member); National Association of Women Judges, Past member, By-law
committee chair, 1993; Florida Conference of Circuit Court Judges (2000-2007);Master of the Bench-D.R. Smith
American Inn of Court, 2007-2008; Florida Court Education Council, Member 1996-98; American Judicature Society
(past member); Florida Conference of County Court Judges (1990-2000), Education Chair, 1998; Vice-Chair 1996-97;
American Judges Association (1997-98); Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity; St Paul AME
Church Ocala, FL (Missionary society, Connectional Constitution & By-Law committee, Episcopal Chair, Constitution &
By-Law 1988-96); NAACP (inactive); West Central Florida Driver Improvement Board, (past member), Vice-President,
1994, 1997, 1998); YMCA Marion County Branch (Past Board Member), YMCA/Black Achievers, Council of Elders (past
member);2006-2007 Vice-Chair of: Community Housing Council; 2001 - 2007, 2008; 2010-2013 Board of Director of
Public Policy Institute.
Judicial: Presently serving as a Senior Judge (State of Florida). Last full time judicial docket assignment was in
2011-2013 presiding over the Felony Criminal Docket, Jimmy Ryce and Mortgage Foreclosure Cases; Presided over all
docket assignments at the Trial Court level; Served as an Associate Judge for the 5th District Court of Appeals; Served
as Bar Referee in Florida Bar disciplinary matters; Florida Judicial College Faculty (1993- 2007); Florida College of
Advanced Studies, Faculty (1995); Florida District Court of Appeals Workload & Jurisdiction Assessment Committee
(2006); Gender Bias Implementation Commission (1996); New Judges Mentor Coordinator, Fifth Judicial Circuit, (1996present); U.S. Judicial Delegation member to Russia & Estonia (1992); U.S. Judicial Delegation Leader - Budapest
Hungary & Prague, Czech Republic (1994); Florida Court Education Council (Florida Supreme Court appointment, 199698); Florida Judicial Management Council (1998- 2001); Participant in the 2007 Robert Orseck Memorial Moot Court
Competition; 2007 Justice Teaching Institute (Teaching Constitution to Elementary); Judicial Panelist “What Family
Court Judges Want You to Know”, Orlando, Florida March 2011
Continuing Education: Presently enrolled in the Master’s Program in Biblical Studies, Moody Bible Institute
(Chicago, IL)
Honors: First Woman, 1st African-American Judge, (Fifth Judicial Circuit); Howard Academy Archives Inductee;
Distinguished Service Award (Florida Council on Crime & Delinquency); YMCA Black Achiever Award; Leadership &
Historical Achievement Award (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority)
Citation of Merit ( Florida Bar Journal Editorial Board); History Maker Award (Lake Weir High School); Student
Shadowing Program (Forest High School); Dedicated Service (Marion County Court Alternatives Programs; Service
Award (Marion County Guardian Ad Litem Program); Boss of the Year 2005 (Marion County Legal Support Association);
2006 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Faith, Service & Leadership Award; 2006 FLA State NAACP-Freedom Fund Award;
13th Annual Delta Days at the State Capitol: 2007 Carrie P. Meek Servant Leadership (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Incorporated); Florida State Conference NAACP Freedom Fund Awards 2006: Florida’s African American Judiciary
Certificate.
Freddie L. Warmack
Partner of the Year Awards
Freddie L. Warmack, Jr., served on the Central Florida Community Action Agency (CFCAA), Inc.,
Board of Directors between 1981 and 2009. He became a board member shortly after CFCAA was incorporated in 1981. Mr. Warmack held officer positions as Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer
on multiple occasions during his tenure. His unparalleled commitment to CFCAA can best be summarized in the words of The Honorable Thomas Pelham, Former Secretary, Florida Department of Community Affairs, who stated in a letter to Mr. Warmack on October 30, 2009, that:
“The Department of Community Affairs has worked closely with CFCAA, an agency with whom
you have played an integral role in shaping and one which has positively impacted countless citizens
in Central Florida. Your contributions to CFCAA have been instrumental in taking it to new heights as
evidenced by the fact that it has been recently recognized by both statewide (Florida Association for
Community Action) and regional (Southeastern Association of Community Action Agencies)professional associations as ‘Agency of the Year.’ Despite the economic stress of our times, you remained a
champion for those served by CFCAA. By pledging your own personal assets to secure lines of credit
for CFCAA and by taking vital leadership roles in local fundraising endeavors, the agency’s solvency
was maintained.”
Mr. Warmack served a number of years as Mayor of the City of Newberry and he led the efforts
in acquiring funding from the city commission for a “Meals on Wheels” program to serve its senior
residents and/or disabled persons which is administered by CFCAA and continues to this day. For his
burning loyalty to CFCAA and unparalleled commitment to helping those in need, the CFCAA Board
of Directors and staff were proud to honor Mr. Warmack by naming its partner of the year award the
Freddie L. Warmack Community Partner of the Year Award.
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Freddie L. Warmack Community
Partner of the Year Award Recipients
Corey Harris
Executive Director - Neighborhood Housing & Development Corporation
Alachua County
Corey Harris, Executive Director of Neighborhood Housing and Development Corporation, is what some would
call a true “People Person” and is willing to do whatever it takes to meet the needs of people-especially those who
are less fortunate. Corey by all accounts was groomed to be a nonprofit leader. His father, Oscar Harris, led Central
Florida Community Action Agency (CFCAA) for over 20 years. Corey spent time in his childhood and professional
career shadowing his father. After graduating Florida State University, where he double majored in Psychology and
English, Corey began his professional career as an Educator in the public school system. Then he went on to serve as
an Admissions Coordinator/Academic Recruiter at the University of Florida. Corey became a realtor and as fate would
have it was introduced to NHDC by the Sales Manager of Trend Realty who also served as NHDC ‘s Board President.
A true educator at heart, Corey started working as a Housing Counselor facilitating Homebuyers Education courses.
After several years, he was promoted to Deputy Director and then to Executive Director upon the former Executive
Director’s retirement. As the Executive Director of NHDC, Corey embodies its mission to improve the quality of life
and economy opportunity of low and moderate income persons by providing programs and services which address
community needs. As a leading affordable housing organization, NHDC provides an array of programs and services
designed to provide families with quality affordable housing including: Housing Development; Rental Properties;
Financial Fitness programs; Homebuyer Education courses; Mortgage Delinquency/Foreclosure Intervention
Counseling; and Pre-Purchase Counseling. Corey still resides in the City of Archer with his wife and three girls.
Beverly Goodman
Manager - Tri-County Community Resource Center
Levy County
Beverly Goodman has a Masters of Human Sciences in Child Protection and is Manager of the Tri-County
Community Resource Center (TCCRC), which is the most recent addition to Partnership for Strong Families’ network of
resource centers. TCCRC is a connecting hub between families residing in a rural tri-county area and local resources and
supports, many of which act as preventatives to formal child welfare involvement. Beverly is responsible for developing
the center programming and service array, establishing relationships with community partners, and meeting with
clients to assess and address both immediate and long-term needs. She began her career in 1997 with the Department
of Juvenile Justice’s Teen Court program and has been involved in child welfare in a variety of roles since that time,
including Case Management Supervisor, Family Team Conference Facilitator, Child Protective Investigator, and Guardian
ad Litem. Beverly is enthusiastic about engaging families in the development of strengths-based plans that utilize a
creative array of supports, and is passionate about educating others as to the specific challenges facing families residing
in rural areas.
Ramona Williams
Customer Service Supervisor - City of Ocala Utility Services
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Marion County
The Marion County Office of Central Florida Community Action Agency would like to nominate Ramona
Williams as our Partner of the Year recipient for Marion County. Ramona began her career at Ocala Electric in 2013
as a customer service representative. Her hard work and dedication in the customer service department paid off and
she was promoted to Customer Service Supervisor. Ramona works very hard to assist the residents of Marion County
by assisting them with their electric accounts. Although her job is to collect monies owed, she has a heart and a
passion for the people and goes above and beyond the call of duty to find ways to help people who need assistance
with paying their electric bills. She reaches out to agencies in Marion County such as ours to try and get assistance for
them. As we know customer service is mostly cut and dry but there are those special people that will go above and
beyond to help others and she is that special person.
In Loving Memory
Robert Bradley“Brad” Nimmo
Brad Nimmo was the loving husband, father and grandfather
to his wife Lorna, son Sean and daughter-in-law Elizabeth
and their daughters. Brad dedicated his life to serving the
community. With over 23 years of military service, Brad
retired as an Air Force Sergeant and then worked with the
Habitat for Humanity for over 20 years. During that time, Brad
also worked with many non-profits including the CFCAA. His
presence will forever be missed among the CFCAA team.
CFCAA Board Member 2007-2016
“Honoring a Life Dedicated to Serving Others”
A Special Thanks
To Our Sponsors
Making a difference
in the communities
we serve
(352)793-3801
SECOEnergy.com
SECO Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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Great Homes, Great Communities, Great People, Great Prices
Duration Builders, Inc.
congratulates
Central Florida Community
Action Agency
for hosting an outstanding 2016 Partner
of the Year Awards Luncheon
Duration Buiders, Inc.
527 Turkey Creek Alachua, Florida 32615
[email protected]
386-462-0511
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Charles and Dale
Harris
congratulates
CFCAA
for hosting an outstanding
2016 Partner of the Year
Awards Luncheon
WASTE PRO
RB Lithgow LLC
congratulates
congratulates
CFCAA
CFCAA
for hosting an outstanding
2016 Partner of the Year
Awards Luncheon
13331 Southern Precast Drive
Alachua, FL 32615-8548
800-337-2863
for hosting an outstanding
2016 Partner of the Year
Awards Luncheon
9 Hemlock Loop Trail
Ocala, FL34472
352-775-0532
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The CFCAA TEAM
Board of Directors Staff & Consultants
Private Sector
Monica Bryant, Secretary (Marion County)
Dick Trummond (Levy County)
VACANT (Alachua County)
Community Sector
Lena Smith, Chair (Marion County)
Caronne Rush (Alachua County)
Eddie Jean Williams, Treasurer (Levy County)
Public Sector
Alena Lawson (Alachua County)
Marlon Gayle, Vice Chair (Levy County)
VACANT (Marion County
Charles J. Harris Jr., Chief Executive Officer
Amy Tyson, Chief Financial Officer
Stacy Swartout, Chief Operating Officer
Tiffany McKenzie, Director of Community Development
Monique Harrison, Director of Family Services
Teresa Salinas, Assistant Director of Family Services
Stephen Kay Jr., Director of Housing Initiatives
Casey Birmingham, Fiscal Assistant
Lori Keef, Alachua County Site Manager
Katrina Bowers, Levy County Site Manager
Davida Randolph, Marion County Site Manager
Sharon Thames, Senior Case Manager
R. DePoress Thomas, Case Manager
Levy Jones, Case Manager
Dori Faust, Administrative Assistant
Donna Cross, Receptionist
Sara Rios, Receptionist
Anna Jackson, Intern
Our Locations About us
Alachua County Office
1405 N.W. 13th St., Suite B
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 373-7667
Levy County Office
215 S.W. 5th St.
Chiefland, FL, 32626
(352) 493-1734
Marion County Office
2320 N.E. 2nd St.
Ocala, FL 34470
(352) 732-3008
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Promise
“Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of
hope, improves, communities and makes America a better place to
live. We care about the entire community and we are dedicated to
helping people help themselves and each other.”
Vision
“We envision the future when a minimum of ninety percent of the
citizens we serve in Alachua, Levy and Marion counties achieve and
maintain a standard of living about the established federal poverty
guidelines.”
Mission
“Our mission is to implement programs that focus on achieving
outcomes by engaging community partners in helping people living
in poverty strengthen their lives.”
To Donate:
If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation in the future, please
donate by mail or visit www.cfcaa.org.
Please make checks or money orders payable to CFCAA and mail to:
Central Florida Community Action Agency, Inc.
Attn: Fiscal Department
1405 N.W. 13th Street - Suite B
Gainesville, FL 32601
Central Florida Community Action Agency (CFCAA), Inc., is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization. No
goods or services are provided in exchange for donations. Therefore, donations to CFCAA are tax
deductible in accordance with applicable laws.
Emergency Energy Assistance
(33%)
Home Emergency
Assistance
(23%)
SelfSufficiency
and
Emergency
Assistance
(14%)
Weatherization
(21%)
Administration
Other (8%)
(1%)
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Thank you to our Bronze Sponsors:
Robert Wilford Campaign Account
City of Ocala
John Edwards – The Edwards Group Florida, Inc. (TEGF)
Ocala Housing Authority
CDS Family & Behavioral Health Services, Inc.
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