Robert Anis/President, a board member since 2000 has been Director of Mental Health Services at Columbia Hospital Pavilion since 1997, a Community Mental Health Center Administrator for 15 years and a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center Director for 10 years. Mr. Anis also serves on the Board of the Mental Health Association, Emergency Grants Advisory Board and the Homeless Advisory Board of Palm Beach County.
Dr. Dorothy M. Walker/Vice President, a board member since 2003 is founder and Executive Director of We Help Community Development Corporation in Belle Glade. With an Associate Degree in General Studies from PBCC, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology from FAU and a Law Degree from the University of Miami Law School, Dr. Walker has been a great contributor to her community. Early in her career she was elected and served as the City Commissioner of Belle Glade. During that time she was also a Senior Partner in the Law Offices of Walker & Vetrick. She then moved to Africa for eight years accepting the position of Executive Assistant to the President of Dan Musa Group Companies of Nigeria.
Shandra Dawkins, a board member since 2006 is a co-founder and Executive Director of Florida Resource Center for Women and Children, Inc., a non-profit organization that advocates for battered women and children. Ms. Dawkins has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Development. Ms. Dawkins has been working with women and children for over 20 years to help them lead safe and productive lives. Ms Dawkins holds many awards and accomplishments including the prestigious Women’s Chamber of Commerce Giraffe Award that honors the accomplishments of women who strive for personal success, are dedicated to improving their community and for “sticking their necks out on behalf of women. She was also a finalist for the Athena Award, honoring women who have demonstrated involvement, leadership and accomplishments within their communities. She was appointed to the Governor’s Task Force on Domestic Violence & Served on the Governor’s Implementation Task Force – recommending 225 laws – all of which were passed into legislation. Ms Dawkins holds many other titles and accomplishments too numerous to mention.
Sgt. Mark Essary, a board member since 2007 is a Law Enforcement Officer in Palm Beach County for twenty-six years currently serving with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Along with his wife he has served as a Foster Parents for six years and championed for many foster children during that time. He currently serves as the Youth Activities Directors at Palm Springs Baptist Church and has been a member of the Homeless Outreach Team for eight years, the last four of those as the Director for the Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Essary has conducted numerous homeless outreach projects and participated in many feedings and services for the homeless and sits on the Leisure Services Board for the Village of Palm Springs. “I have always tried to be a voice for those less fortunate such as the children and the homeless”.
Stacey LaMotte, a board member since 2006, is business community leader and a volunteer in the homeless community. A graduate of the University of Florida School of Journalism, Stacey has been in the Film and Television Industry for over 24 years. Owner of Serenity Productions, Stacey produces television advertising with clients from all over the world. She has started a local program within the film community in collections for the homeless and would like to see it expand to local schools and business. “It is important that my life is well rounded in work, family and giving back to this world.”
Maite Reyes-Coles, a board member since 2007 is the Coordinator of Independent Living Services at the Coalition for Independent Living Options, Inc. The Coalition’s mission is to promote independence for people with disabilities. In her capacity as Coordinator, she actively advocates for the inclusion of people with disabilities in the housing climate of Palm Beach County, advocating for affordable and accessible housing options for the disabled community. Maite has over 10 years of experience advocating for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in their respective communities in Palm Beach County, FL and New York, NY. She is an active member in the County’s Continuum of Care, known as the Housing and Homeless Alliance. She contributed to the County’s 10- year Plan to End Homelessness ensuring the special needs of persons with disabilities are addressed in the plan. She currently serves as the Chairperson of the Advocacy Committee. In addition, she serves as Member of the Board of Directors for the Emergency Food & Shelter Program which provides direct funding for emergency food, shelter and utilities assistance to agencies in Palm Beach County. [These funds prevent homelessness stemming from unforeseen emergencies.] Maite is a graduate of New York University’s Draper Program. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on juvenile delinquency.
Yanick Gribkoff, a board member since 2007 is the Homeless Program Coordinator for the Palm Beach Department of Health. Having been on staff since 1999 she is also the Acting Nursing Director for the West Palm Beach Clinic. Ms. Gribkoff has an extensive background in nursing both in Oncology and primary care. She is a holds a masters degree, is a nurse practitioner and also works as an adjunct instructor at South University. She currently also serves on the Board of the Salvation Army Advisory Council.
Joseph D. Tuzzio, Jr., a board member since 2008, is an officer and Branch Manager for the North Palm Beach Commerce Bank since 1998. Tuzzio is responsible for business development, consumer lending, and community relations in the North Palm Beach area, as well as the overall supervision and professional development of his staff. In addition, he is responsible for the promotion of the “Community Bank” presence in which he participates in local community organizations such as the Quantum House Board of Directors, Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County Board of Directors, Kiwanis Club of Singer Island Board of Directors, the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, and the Palm Beach Gardens High School Five Star Magnet Program Advisory Board.
Judith Gibson, a board member since 2008 has been working with homeless, poor and needy for over 30 years in New York and Florida. An Interior Designer by trade Ms. Gibson is currently involved with building Elder Day Care Centers in Stuart and soon in Palm Beach County. Ms. Gibson started her non-profit career doing whatever she could including making sandwiches and collecting clothing and goods from personal friends and local faith based churches and starting an age appropriate “dignity drive” and suitcase/duffle bag program for the homeless in June 2007. Among her many other philanthropic ventures she personally spread the joy of Christmas to 37 children of Westgate Tabernacle last year and serviced over 350 families and individuals of North County for the Jupiter Medical Center’s Thanksgiving Drive. An Executive Board member of Quantum House, Ms. Gibson also serves on the Advisory Board of the Junior League of the Palm Beaches She is now working on a public service awareness initiative to “further advance acknowledgement of our county’s homeless crisi”s. Recently she visited Tallahassee to discuss the plan at the State level with local House of Representatives and Legislative members who since have offered cooperative assistance in attending and supporting fundraising efforts. “My deepest desire is to see a homeless shelter/recovery center in our county and my long term plan is to develop lower income housing in the Belle Glade area utilizing private, corporate, and government funding”.
Mindy Garvey, a member since 2008, retired as Account Executive, Media Buyer, and Production Manager from Harte-Hanks, a worldwide direct and targeted marketing company in. She has worked mentoring children in reading and in after school programs as well as well as volunteering at Quantum House. Ms. Garvey, a philanthropist, is a long time advocate for St. Mary Medical Center Foundation in Langhorne, Pa. where she served on the Steering and the Dimensional Mailing Committees for the centers Capital Campaign. It is obvious to anyone who knows her, that the core principals that drive community projects in fund raising and volunteerism are foremost in Mindy's intensions. “Simply put, it is a matter of caring. Caring enough about others to give the time, knowledge and resources to get the job done”.
Cassandra L. Scott, LLMSW, became a member of the Board in July 2008. She is currently Executive Director of The Salvation Army Center of Hope in West Palm Beach, a 95-bed transitional housing program for homeless men and veterans. Ms. Scott is a native of Michigan, where she received a non-baccalaureate Master of Social Work degree in Management of Human Services from the University of Michigan. Ms. Scott was one of two graduation speakers at her commencement. She has been an Executive or Deputy Director of several nonprofit providing state-wide anti-hunger advocacy services, community-based corrections, and legal aid, child care, domestic violence, and personal protection order programs. Cassandra is also well versed in homeless and housing issues, having began as a Housing Clinical Supervisor of six federal, state and local housing contracts for persons with mental illnesses in Oakland County, Michigan. Ms. Scott is the mother of eight grown children and is now caretaker of her grandfamily.
Hong Phrommany, became a member of the Board in August 2008 is an owner of aVa Productions Incorporate and a partner of Samurai Entertainment with Robert Workens. Mr. Phrommany has a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy and Political Science (Pre-Law). He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Delray Beach, FL. Samurai Entertainment is currently opening an upscale restaurant lounge in Delray Beach and more venues in Palm Beach County. "It only makes sense that if we can offer the finer things in life to our community we should be able to offer bare necessities as well".