Name: Kelly DeGance
Age: 38
Family: Husband, Chris, and two children, Mandy, 11, and Christopher, 10.
Education: University of Florida, BS in Psychology, 1992; University of West Florida, MA in Psychology, 1994; Florida Coastal School of Law, JD, 2002
Admitted to the Bar: October 2002
Employed by: Holland & Knight
Field of practice: Labor & employment law
Professional Organizations: • Jacksonville Bar Association, • The Florida Bar, • Federal Bar Association, • Society for Human Resource Management, • National Association for College and University Attorneys
Community Involvement: Board of Directors for The Sulzbacher Center
How did you get involved?
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to provide pro bono services to The Sulzbacher Center. Through that experience, I came to know the wonderful people working there. For others who want to become involved, there will be a “Fall in Love with Sulzbacher” fashion show fundraiser on Oct. 19, at the Roosevelt Square Stein Mart beginning at 7 p.m.
Why did you get involved?
I was looking for a volunteer opportunity within the community and when I saw all that The Sulzbacher Center was doing to help the homeless, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Many people do not realize that The Sulzbacher Center offers much more than meals and shelter for the homeless; it also provides health care, job placement, life skills training, and children’s programs. The people and the programs are simply amazing and every time I visit the Center, I leave feeling inspired.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
I have learned that homelessness is all around us and we are all just a few instances of misfortune away from experiencing it ourselves. I have also learned that the ability to offer hope to people the way The Sulzbacher Center does is priceless.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
Just finished “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert and still reading “Contempt of Court” by Mark Curriden and Leroy Phillips.