On Monday, January 30, parents gathered at JWB with their little Babies New Year, joining state and local officials to raise awareness and announce the statewide expansion of locally born Sleep Baby Safely.

Dressed in the campaign’s Sleep Me This Side Up onesies, these babies represented the more than 7,000 born in Pinellas County each year. The goal is to ensure all babies can celebrate their first birthdays.

Thanks to the leadership and support of the Governor and Florida Legislature, the Florida Department of Health secured funding in this year’s budget to expand this proven prevention model to other counties across the state.

Watch the news segment covering this celebration and press event at https://www.wtsp.com/video/news/health/babies-should-sleep-flat-on-their-backs-in-a-crib-or-bassinet-local-group-advocates/67-56efc741-6217-426a-a7a7-aef6c0cfb8f8

Kirk Ray Smith, former president and CEO of Clearwater-based Hope Villages of America (HVA), resigned earlier this week. His departure follows an emergency board meeting to discuss allegations that he “ranted” at a volunteer committee after they raised $70,000 for an HVA women’s shelter. Melinda Perry, the nonprofit’s chief operating officer, will serve as interim president. The Juvenile Welfare Board stopped funding an HVA family homeless shelter in December 2020 due to management and financial concerns.

Read the article as originally published at https://stpetecatalyst.com/zaps/embattled-nonprofit-ceo-resigns/

The CEO and president of Hope Villages of America resigned this week, ending an often tumultuous seven-year tenure at the Clearwater nonprofit.

Kirk Ray Smith’s resignation came after board members held an emergency meeting Nov. 28. They met to discuss why all six members of a volunteer committee had resigned after raising $72,000 for The Haven, a women’s shelter run by Hope Villages. Committee members told the Tampa Bay Times in November that Smith “ranted” at them for 20 minutes during a video call, telling them that he should be respected and that he should be treated like the “president of a billion dollar company, or the sheriff.”

A statement released late Thursday from the nonprofit’s governing board said Smith had resigned to pursue other opportunities.

“On behalf of the board of directors, we thank Kirk for his service and wish him the very best in his future endeavors,” the statement read.

Smith could not be reached for comment late Thursday.

Melinda Perry, the group’s chief operating officer, will serve as its interim leader. A former executive at the St. Petersburg Housing Authority, she joined Hope Villages in 2017.

“HVA remains fully committed to those facing hunger, serving homeless families, supporting those in need of affordable housing, and addressing abuse,” the statement said. “We are excited to work with Melinda in a new capacity.”

After the resignation of the fundraising committee, the board appeared ready to continue to back Smith. A statement posted on the group’s website and attributed to the board stated, “We stand behind our CEO and executive management team.”

It included a statement from Smith that the comments made by the volunteers were not accurate and they had gone to the media to “tarnish his character.”

Smith was hired by the nonprofit, then known as Religious Community Services of Pinellas, in 2016. In addition to the women’s shelter, it also runs a food bank. It reported raising $11.1 million in contributions and grants in 2018, according to the most recent tax return available. Smith’s salary that year was roughly $117,000.

Under his leadership, the nonprofit was forced to close the county’s largest homeless shelter for families this year after it lost $400,000 in annual funding from the Juvenile Welfare Board, which awards property tax revenues to social service programs. The group voted unanimously in December 2020 to end the contract over concerns about finance and management, including high staff turnover, a lack of sound financial practices and two deaths of occupants from suspected overdoses.

This year, Smith and the group agreed to a confidential settlement after three former female employees claimed in a 2019 lawsuit that he frequently made sexually inappropriate comments. The lawsuit claimed that Smith told female employees they should wear lipstick and appeal to his ego by telling him how nice he looks.

Read the article as originally published at https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2022/12/08/hope-villages-of-america-ceo-resigns-controversial-tenure-clearwater-nonprofit/

Stacy Myers thought the video call with the CEO and president of Hope Villages of America was to thank her and other volunteers.

They had successfully organized a charity luncheon and raised $72,000 for The Haven, a women’s shelter run by Hope Villages of America.

But instead of praise, the Clearwater nonprofit’s chief executive officerjoined the Zoom call on Oct. 19 andwent on what some attendees described as a “20-minute rant.”

Kirk RaySmith said he should be treated like the “president of a billion dollar company or the sheriff,” Myers said, and he repeatedly demanded the committee respect him. Those on the call were baffled and asked him why he was upset. But he ignored them, said Myers, who spoke about the incident with the Tampa Bay Times on Friday.

The call prompted all six members of the volunteer committee to resign. The Clearwater nonprofit’s board of directors planned an emergency meeting for Monday night to discuss what happened.

“I’ve never been spoken to like that,” Myers said. “Ever. I was in shock.”

In a statement sent Monday from Hope Villages’ public relations firm,Smith accused committee members of verbally assaulting the nonprofit’s employees and body shaming a woman staffer. He also said the nonprofit has increased its volunteer pool, which has left long-time helpers feeling “unneeded and left grasping for power.”

“We were experiencing long-time volunteers pushing boundaries that were out of line,” he said in the statement. “There was frustration that we had to hold this group of volunteers responsible since their behavior was unfit.”

The issues Smith raised in his statement were not mentioned during the hour-long video call in October with the committee, according to Myers and Devin Pappas, who has served as chair of the Haven advisory committee for the past four years.

Myers said she received an apology from Seema Ramroop, chair of Hope Villages’ governing board. Ramroop confirmed that the board planned to meet but declined to comment otherwise.

The nonprofit group’s operations include a food bank and a center for women at risk of domestic abuse. It reported raising $11.1 million in contributions and grants in 2018, the most recent tax return available. Smith’s salary that year was roughly $117,000.

This isn’t the first controversial incident regarding Smith’s leadership and management style since he was hired by the nonprofit in late 2016.

In 2019, three former employees sued him and the nonprofit, which was then called Religious Community Services, alleging he made inappropriate comments, verbally abused female staffers and retaliated against them when they complained.

The two sides agreed to a confidential settlement this year, court records show.

In December 2020, the nonprofit lost $400,000 in annual funding for Grace House, the county’s largest homeless shelter for families, when the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County voted to terminate its contract over concerns about finance and management.

The Welfare Board awards property tax revenues to local social service programs. It had previously put Hope Villages on a corrective action plan after a review found the nonprofit did not have background screenings filed for all staff and volunteers, according to a 2020 memo. The review also found high staff turnover, a lack of sound financial practices and two deaths of occupants from suspected overdoses.

Without that money, Grace House closed in July with the nonprofit announcing plans to convert the shelter into affordable housing.

Pappas said she was berated and belittled by Smith on a separate phone call Oct. 12. She believes Smith was angered by comments made at an Oct. 11 committee meeting to review how the charity event went. Some volunteers were unhappy that Hope Villages employees did not help them clean up and that an award normally given to volunteers went to Smith. He was not at that meeting but two of his employees attended.

Under Pappas’ leadership, the committee has raised $240,000 for the shelter over the past four years, she said. Pappas doesn’t plan to volunteer for the group again while Smith is still in charge.

“It was horrible; it was intimidating,” Pappas said of her phone call with Smith.

Read the article at https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2022/11/21/clearwater-nonprofit-volunteers-quit-ceo-zoom/

Longtime Pinellas County Commissioner Karen Seel — jokingly referred to as “the queen of U.S. 19” for longstanding efforts to improve Pinellas’ main north-south roadway — has been named the Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year.

The chamber held its 69th annual meeting and awards breakfast on Oct. 18 at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort. It had been pushed back a few weeks due to Hurricane Ian.

“This year’s honoree has a history of community service that goes above and beyond in her contributions to the people of Pinellas County,” Chamber Chair Nate Cocco said. “Her work to improve U.S. 19 topped the list,” including creating a special task force and seeking funds to make the road safer, “which ultimately led to closed medians, construction on overpasses and connected sidewalks.” 

Cocco said Seel, who was appointed to the County Commission in 1999, “has also been influential in (improving) Roosevelt Boulevard, Gandy and the gateway extension that’s set to open in a couple of years.” She has served on numerous local boards and committees during her 26-year career, including the Juvenile Welfare Board, Forward Pinellas, and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, among others. 

“It gives me much pleasure, and it is my honor, to present our 2022 Citizen of the Year to someone who has had such a positive impact on Pinellas County,” Cocco said. 

After walking from her front row table to a standing ovation, an emotional Seel reflected on her career. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she said when the applause died down. “It has really been a privilege to be able to work with many of you and service with many of you, including my colleague, Pat Gerard. I bestow unto you making sure U.S. 19 gets finished!” 

Seel said the County Commission “cannot do our jobs without very, very superior city of Largo staff as well as county staff.” She also praised the Central Pinellas Chamber, noting her dad, former Clearwater City Commissioner Don Williams, once told her, “It’s the most hospitable chamber in Pinellas County, and he is absolutely correct.”

In closing, Seel told the group to keep up the great work. “Carry on,” she said. “This is a wonderful county, a great place to live, work and play. Thank you very, very much for this honor.”

The ceremony was attended by dozens of chamber members and local officials, including Largo Mayor Woody Brown and commissioners Jamie Robinson, Eric Gerard and Donna Holck; Pinellas County Commissioner Gerard; and Belleair Bluffs Vice Mayor Taylour Shimkus, Commissioner Suzy Sofer and City Administrator Debra Sullivan. 

Earlier in the program, Cocco and chamber president Tom Morrissette kicked things off by recognizing the recipients of the annual awards, including President’s Award (Mia Cloud); Ambassador of the Year (Kay McKenzie); Chamber Director of the Year (Karen Gonzalez); and Committee Leadership of the Year (Richard Boisvert). 

Morrissette presented the Business Member of the Year award to Debbie Jones of Regions Bank and the Mac Norcross Small Business Leader of the Year award to Tracy and Debbie Jackson of Jackson and Associates CPA.

During his opening remarks, Brown spoke about working together to achieve common goals. 

“Our mission is to be the community of choice in Tampa Bay,” Brown said. “And I think we’re on the right track. But we can’t do it without a strong business community. So, thank you all for investing in our city and making it a great place. Keep up the good work.”

The awards, speeches and passing of the gavel from Cocco to chair-elect Jake Prokop, director of Pinellas Technical College, were highlights of the morning. Prokop cited an African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” in describing the mission of the chamber.

After the meeting, Seel welcomed well-wishers and addressed being recognized by the chamber.

“I had to make sure I didn’t start crying,” she said. “It’s such a wonderful organization, friendly and hospitable. So, to have them give me this award is monumental and very, very special.”

When Seel was asked what’s next after she decided not to run for reelection in November following a change to a state statute that prematurely ended her career two years earlier than expected, the Belleair resident said she and her husband “plan to travel and live part time in California.”

“I’ve had a very long and fulfilling career and I didn’t expect it to end like this,” she said. “But I feel the county is in very, very good shape, in good shape financially, the road network is being finalized. So, I am very proud of what I’ve accomplished for the people of Pinellas County.”

Read the entire article and see photos from the event at https://www.tbnweekly.com/pinellas_county/article_f8da2024-53c3-11ed-8dd4-df7e3bf05335.html

After losing funding for its homeless family shelter that served domestic violence survivors, Hope Villages of America (HVA) has successfully transformed the facility into much-needed affordable housing.

Pinellas County-based nonprofit HVA announced its plans to convert Grace House, a shelter for homeless women and children in Clearwater, into housing for many of the same residents in July. The Juvenile Welfare Board decided to terminate its funding for the facility in Dec. 2020 due to “significant concerns regarding service delivery.” However, the organization still supports the Haven of HVA, which offers similar services.

Due to the lack of funding – and with a previously established strategy to provide more affordable housing options to an area desperately in need – HVA officials unanimously decided to refurbish 14 of the Grace House units and create the Oaks at Hope Villages.

“It’s bittersweet,” said Kirk Ray Smith, CEO of HVA. “I think the pros outweigh the cons because we know we’re preventing homelessness by providing affordable housing.”

The Oaks opened Oct. 1, and Smith said only one unit remains available. Another 11-unit HVA community, Goldsmith Gardens, is full, and the organization is working to acquire 20 more in Clearwater.

Multiple Grace House residents remained at the site and now live in the Oaks at Hope Villages, including Holly Johannes and her 17-year-old son. In addition to some remodeling, she said the atmosphere has also changed.

“I have noticed a sense of calm from the residents and kids now that everything has transitioned from the Grace House to the Oaks,” said Johannes. “I can finally breathe now, and I have no worries as to where I can call home.

“We didn’t know if we were going to be back on the streets or somewhere else.”

While the nonprofit offers several other services to Pinellas residents – and Smith hopes to soon expand throughout Tampa Bay – he said HVA takes pride in addressing area homelessness. According to Smith, 90% of families they help go on to find permanent housing.

He noted that domestic violence victims often stay with or return to their abusers as they cannot afford to live alone. Smith explained that HVA helps people at its shelters qualify for housing assistance and find a more permanent solution.

“And so, this was no different,” he said. “It’s just in this case – she could actually stay there. She doesn’t have to move.”

Housing vouchers, said Smith, allow residents to pay about 30% of their income towards rent, up to a certain amount. For example, he said, families could pay $330 per month for an apartment that would go for $1,700 on the open market.

In addition to thanking HVA’s officials, Johannes said she was also grateful for the case managers at Catholic Charities. She explained that her vouchers through the St. Petersburg Housing Authority ended earlier this year, but the local Catholic Charities affiliate ensured she remained in place.

Those case managers, added Johannes, want to support her success throughout the year and for the long term. While she endured many struggles while fighting to overcome homelessness, Johannes said the turmoil was also a “blessing in disguise.”

“I have built such great bonds with my case managers and other families that are currently living here at the Oaks,” she added. “I am so thankful for what we have received.”

The organization will continue striving to help reduce the number of people without a home by providing affordable options, Smith said. He relayed that HVA also provides wraparound services to the residents, including financial literacy training, workforce development and life skills.

Smith said the overall goal is to offer a self-contained source for everything a family needs to be successful. He expressed HVA’s intent to adding to more affordable units to its inventory in Pinellas and beyond, including through properties that may require some retrofitting.

“We know if we do that, then the need for shelters, although it may not go away, it would certainly be a lot less,” said Smith.

Johannes is on a one-year lease, but she is already looking to the future. She hopes to renew the agreement when it expires and remain in the place she and her son can now call home.

“I am wanting to be within this community and build deeper bonds with the staff and families,” Johannes said.

Read the article at https://stpetecatalyst.com/nonprofit-transitions-shelter-to-affordable-housing/

Girl Scouts of West Central Florida has received a $2 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

This gift is part of an $84.5 million donation awarded to Girl Scouts USA and 29 local Girl Scout Councils selected by Scott, making this unprecedented investment the largest donation from a single individual in the national organization’s history, according to a statement.

Locally, this gift will accelerate GSWCF’s equity initiative to deliver a high-quality Girl Scout leadership experience to more girls across the council’s eight-county footprint.

In the past year, GSWCF has generated nearly $1 million to fund Girl Scout programming and seeks to raise another $1.2 million in this fiscal year to support this equity initiative. Currently, major funders include Juvenile Welfare Board, Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, United Way of Central Florida, Publix Super Market Charities, Simply Healthcare, United Way Suncoast and United Way Pasco.

Read the article at https://tbbwmag.com/2022/10/18/mackenzie-scott-donates-2-million-to-girl-scouts-of-west-central-florida/

A few days ago, firefighters took time out of their busy schedules to volunteer and pack bags filled with items designed to save babies lives during sleep, which is all part of the Sleep Baby Safely Campaign.

Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Rebecca Albert, joins Gayle Guyardo, the host of the nationally syndicated health and wellness show, Bloom, to share more about the campaign.

Watch the interview in its entirety at https://www.wfla.com/bloom/sleep-baby-safely-campaign/

The Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County enlisted the help of St. Petersburg Fire Rescue to help babies sleep safely across Pinellas County.

September is “Baby Safety Month” and October is “Infant Sleep Awareness Month.” According to the JWB in Pinellas County, over a dozen firefighters with St. Pete Fire Rescue packed bags filled with sleep-safe items for babies.

According to the county, nearly 7,000 bags to parents of newborns were given out, including onesies imprinted with “Sleep Me This Side Up,” sleep sacks, storybooks and door hangers.

Thousands of the bags are given away annually and more information can be found online.

Read the article and view the news coverage in its entirety at https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/st-pete-firefighters-pack-care-packages-for-newborns/

Over a ten-year period in Pinellas County, there have been more than 100 babies lost from suffocation because of unsafe sleep practices.

Rather than responding to tragedy, firefighters in St. Petersburg are trying to prevent it.

On Tuesday, 14 firefighters packed bags with items to help babies sleep safely. There are onesies that say “this side up” which helps remind parents that sleeping on their back is best.

There are also sleep sacks and informational books in the bags as well.

This is all part of the “Sleep Baby Safely” campaign. The Juvenile Welfare Board, which created the campaign, has cut infant sleep-related deaths in half since it launched in 2018.

“Suffocation from unsafe sleep is the #1 cause of preventable child death, not just in Pinellas County but across Florida and the U.S.,” St. Petersburg Rescue Chief Ian Womack, who is part of the campaign, said in a statement. 

“It’s a tragedy that’s 100% preventable, and we’re committed to doing whatever we can to educate and prevent these needless deaths.”

Over a ten-year period in Pinellas County, there have been more than 100 babies lost from suffocation because of unsafe sleep practices, according to the JWB. This campaign is one way to help.

Read the article and watch the video here: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/pinellas-county-st-pete-firefighters-sleep-baby-safely/67-cf9f708a-3d76-4af8-9a99-6e024f741185