Peete named YCC development director
The Youth Crisis Center has named Pepper Peete as director of development. She has 12 years of nonprofit experience with The First Tee of Jacksonville. She will be working to attract new donors and strengthen relationships with current supporters as the center grows its donor associations, support programming and outreach in Jacksonville. The center provides services to children and families in crisis. That ranges from emergency shelter to counseling to long-term housing, all of which are designed to keep at-risk youth off the streets.
Crowley awards scholarships
Crowley Maritime Corp. has awarded two University of North Florida students with $2,500 Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships. Brandon Little and Aquiles Rodriguez both have backgrounds in transportation and logistics with the university. Little is president of the school's Transportation and Logistics Society and took part in representing the school at the Intermodal Association of North America Logistics and Supply Chain Management Case Competition this year. Rodriguez is part of the society's board of directors and a member of Rotaract, the student Rotary Club. Since 1984, Crowley has provided more than $3 million in scholarships for more than 1,000 students.
Downtown shopping campaign started
The Downtown Marketing Collaborative has started a #shopdtjax social media campaign to raise awareness for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday deals for Downtown shops and boutiques. The goal is to educate shoppers about Downtown as an alternative weekend shopping spot. The information will be tagged #downtownisonfire and #shopdtjax, in addition to being posted on downtownisonfire.com.
Florida's Children First to honor 2
Florida's Children First, a statewide child advocacy and watchdog agency, will honor Jacksonville child advocates at its annual fundraising and awards event 5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 4. The "Child Advocate of the Year" award will be presented to Valerie Stanley, team coordinator of the University of Florida First Coast Child Protection Team, which serves as an emergency intervention agency. The team medically examines and intervenes for physically and sexually abused children. The "Foster Parent of the Year" award will go to Devera Decosta, "one of the few foster parents" who will take teenage boys, according to a news release. For more information about the organization, visit floridaschildrenfirst.org.
Senior center unveils drapery project
The Mary L. Singleton Senior Center Site Council raised more than $6,700 to replace the center's 30-year-old stage curtains that were unveiled last week. The money was raised during the past year. The center is the largest and most widely used senior center in the city. It provides hot meals for senior citizens and can be used by the public during the weekends.
HandsOn Jacksonville receives state award
HandsOn Jacksonville has been selected as the recipient of the 2013 Innovative Program Award. The award was presented by the Florida Association for Volunteer Resource Management — the Governor's Commission on Volunteerism and Service, for the organization's "A Visit from St. Nicholas" program. Since 2003, HandsOn Jacksonville staff and volunteers have brought the program to more than 89,000 area students, providing more than $4 million worth of goods and services into challenged schools.
Jacksonville joins Global Cities Initiative's New Exchange Network
Mayor Alvin Brown (at podium) was joined by economic development, port, banking and education officials Thursday to announce that Jacksonville is joining an exchange network created by Global Cities Initiative, a project of Brookings and JPMorgan Chase. The network consists of metropolitan areas committed to establishing plans to promote greater global trade and economic competitiveness. The city is one of eight in the inaugural exchange, joining Atlanta; Greenville, S.C.; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Phoenix; Sacramento, Calif.; and Wichita, Kan. They will work together over the next four years to establish metro-to-metro relationships and share ideas. It will expand over time to include other U.S. and international cities.
Scott appoints Gooljar to state board…
Gov. Rick Scott has appointed Ruphlal Gooljar to the state Board of Orthotists and Prosthetists. Gooljar, of St. Augustine, is the director of orthotics and prosthetics for Nemours Children's Clinic. He is filling a vacant seat and is appointed for a term that ends Oct. 31, 2014. The board was established to ensure every orthotist, pedorthist and prosthetist practicing in Florida meets the requirements for safe practice.
… and 3 others to Early Learning Coalition
Scott also appointed three Northeast Florida residents to the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida to fill vacant seats. They are: Cranford "Ron" Coleman, of Orange Park, the CEO of BARONCO Management Consultants, for a term that ends April 30, 2016; Brian Graham, of Middleburg, a managing partner of Dixie Strategies, for a term that ends April 30, 2015; and Nancy Pearson, of Ponte Vedra Beach, a real estate broker with Prudential Network Realty, for a term that ends April 30, 2017. The coalition is one of many throughout the state that are tasked to administer state and federal early learning education programs.
Paul Davis Restoration adds Machia
Paul Davis Restoration of North Florida has hired David Machia as a company estimator. He will be responsible for estimating and overseeing residential and commercial restoration projects along with emergency mitigation, cleanup and reconstruction of property damage from water, fire, smoke, vandalism and mold insurance claim losses. He has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance restoration field. For more information, visit pdresorationnf.com.
Middleton joins Community Hospice
Community Hospice of Northeast Florida has hired Mindy Middleton as director of advance-care planning. She will be responsible for overseeing development and implementation of a communitywide advance-care planning initiative the organization will offer through its Neviaser Educational Institute. The multiyear program will include participation by the area's hospital and health systems and health care providers. For more information, visit communityhospice.com.
iStart Jax launches E-Mindset
iStart Jax, a nonprofit businesses accelerator for technology-based startups in Northeast Florida, has launched its E-Mindset program focused on engaging and inspiring underprivileged women and young adults in entrepreneurship. In association with the Kauffman Laboratories for Enterprise Creation and local sponsors, iStart Jax is seeking to reach a goal of 1,000 participants. The program will be offered in a five-weekend format with participants taking hands-on curriculum. For more information, visit firstgiving.com/istartjax/emindset.