Dr. Jessica Griffen
Dr. Jessica Griffen is the CEO of The Urban Development Center and a United Way of West Florida Board member. Jessica says she is truly grateful and pleased with the work the Board of Directors does on behalf of United Way of West Florida. She also serves on the Community Investment Committee.
Jessica's connection with United Way began as a child at the United Way of Wilson County. She enjoyed volunteering for different events sponsored by United Way, as did her entire family. She says it was expected to volunteer. Many of the volunteers who supported United Way of Wilson County were members of Saint Theresa's Catholic Church and always encouraged parishioners to get involved with volunteerism.
Why are you involved with United Way?
I get involved with United Way of West Florida because it invests in issues that I am deeply concerned about as it relates to community. United Way has a way of bringing diverse communities together in such a unique way and improving the quality of lives for those they serve and support in the areas of education, health, and finance. Being a part of United Way of West Florida has allowed me to amplify my individual passion in such a significant way. I am able to be a voice for the voiceless in a multiplicity of ways that matter to those engaged in promoting the mission of United Way.
What other activities/organizations are you a part of in our community?
I am semi active in engaging in other groups and organizations in our community. I am a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Bible Discovery Hour Ministry and serve as the ministry's Technical Advisor for all technology activities. I serve as the Advisor for the Board of Directors serving Truth for Youth, I volunteer as an advisor and training facilitator to the Cantonment Youth Association, I serve as a mentor for The Spring Venture Mentoring Service (VMS) Mentorship program, which is a program connecting entrepreneurs with teams of carefully selected experts to help their businesses prosper.
How can other people make a positive impact in our community?
I would encourage others to make a positive impact in our community through giving their money, time, ideas and knowledge, skills, and abilities to be an asset to the evolution of all communities across Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. There is so much work that needs to get done and simply not enough people dedicated or committed to turning obstacles into opportunities. It is incumbent upon us to help those in need get to the next level. I find that helping someone else also helps me. Additionally, I would also tell someone that volunteerism is extremely rewarding: Don't knock it until you try it!
Dr. Barbara White
Dr. Barbara White is an Assistant professor of Accounting at the University of West Florida. She has served as a United Way of West Florida partner in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) efforts by coordinating and training UWF students to volunteer with the United Way to prepare tax returns for low to middle-income individuals since 2016. She has also served on the Community Investment Panel as a volunteer for over 5 years and as a Co-Chair of the Financial Stability Panel.
Why are you involved with United Way?
I believe all of us should give back to our community, and the United Way of West Florida is a trusted non-profit and the leadership has always been strong. I believe in the mission and work of UWWF, and am glad to help as much as I can serving in the community alongside this great organization.
What other activities/organizations are you a part of in our community?
I serve on the Audit Committee for the Escambia County School District. In addition, I am the Faculty Advisor for Beta Alpha Psi, which is the Accounting and Finance National Honor Society at UWF. I also volunteer in other capacities at UWF and have received multiple service awards at the university. I frequently review academic papers for both conferences and publications as a service to my academic community. I also have served as a Marathon Pacer and Training Coach for the running community here in Pensacola.
How can other people make a positive impact in our community?
I encourage the students I teach and others I know to get involved in a service activity in their community where they can lend their expertise or in something they have a passion for. I talk to them about their responsibility to not only serve clients and companies that can pay, but to also help meet the needs of the underserved population. I inform them that there are trusted agencies, such as the UWWF, that are always looking for volunteers and can get them plugged in.
Anything you would like to add?
All of us have unique God-given gifts that can be utilized to help others. We become better human beings when we work to serve others and to give back to those around us.
Lindsey Cannon
Lindsey Cannon is the Regional Executive Director for Children’s Home Society of Florida. United Way of West Florida provides funding for that agency's TeenSpace program that serves pregnant and parenting teens in Escambia County Public Schools. This is a service that is one of a kind and focused on ensuring pregnant and parenting youth have the right supports at the right time to ensure they graduate high school. This program can only be provided in the quality way it is provided with United Way’s support. Linsey is also the Chair of the United Way Agency Director’s Association that gathers UWWF's certified partner Executives together to tackle important issues, increase collaboration amongst non-profits, and further our education together.
Why are you involved with United Way?
United Way is not only a funder but an important part of our continuum of care in our local community. As the provider of 2-1-1 services, they ensure we have access to the most updated resources locally that ensure our community and our non-profit employees continue to have what they need to do their jobs well. The mission of United Way is also aligned with the great needs in our community, so I personally give to the campaign every year to ensure programs remain stable in our community.
What other activities/organizations are you a part of in our community?
I am first and foremost a mom, so most of our community activities revolve around the latest sports my children are participating in such as Pensacola Youth Soccer and I9-Sports Flag Football. We are active members and serve at our church First Baptist Church of Pensacola.
How can other people make a positive impact in our community?
Creating partnerships with other local/statewide/national organizations to bring collaboration of resources, programming or support is vitally important to me. My organization has our specialty areas that we work within, but we know we are not the “holders of all things to all people”, that is why I am a firm believer in strategic partnerships that enhance the whole of what we want to accomplish. Working in silos does not move the needle for our local families.
Anything you would like to add?
If you want to learn more about our programming and how we work strategically with partner like United Way, please visit us at www.chsfl.org
Grace Resendez McCaffery
Grace Resendez McCaffery publishes La Costa Latina, a bilingual newspaper, and organizes cultural events for Northwest Florida and South Alabama. Grace is involved with United Way of West Florida as a volunteer, bringing a perspective from the Hispanic Community to our work.
Why are you involved with United Way?
I am very aware of how the United Way unites the community by supporting organizations that provide vital services to people and affect lives. Organizationally, it is an example of what everyone in the community should be. As a former board member and employee of non-profits (American Red Cross, Independence for the Blind of West Florida) that received such funds, I have seen firsthand how this support has affected individual lives.
What other activities/organizations are you a part of in our community?
I publish the bilingual Latino newspaper and provide information, services, and events prioritizing our Spanish-speaking community to help families and individuals adjust after immigrating to NWFL, make decisions and, in some cases, even survive. I constantly remind community leaders of the vital need to do this for residents of our immigrant community regardless of their immigration status.
How can other people make a positive impact in our community?
Be aware of the diverse community Pensacola has become in the last 15 years and respect people of varying cultures and backgrounds. This comes from learning about people who are different from ourselves. Immigrants have incredible stories to tell and play a significant role in our community and world history.
Anything you would like to add?
I truly appreciate the efforts the United Way makes to be inclusive.