Evelyn Morales – MORE THAN A SURVIVOR
Evelyn Morales has collaborated with Poverello for over 20 years in the various roles that she has held in South Florida in support of the HIV/AIDS/STD/Hepatitis communities. In 2017, while confronted with her own Cancer battle, she experienced firsthand the many services that Poverello provides as a client. With her Cancer fight behind her, she has picked up where she left off as an ardent cheerleader for Poverello in her new role at Care Resource.
Evelyn was born in New York City and spent her first school years alternating between Puerto Rico and New York. In Fifth grade she permanently moved to Puerto Rico with her grandparents where she would complete her secondary schooling allowing her to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences at the University of Puerto Ri
co.
Soon after graduation, Evelyn moved back to New York to start her career and to hone her English language skills (to this day her daughters tell her she speaks with a NY accent) and gain work experience with at risk children. She moved to Florida in 1988. It was in South Florida that Evelyn chose to get involved with the HIV/AIDS/STD/Hepatitis communities. Beginning in 1988, she held a number of roles at the Broward County Health Department including: Protective Investigator and then Supervisor of the Adult Protective Servi
ces Unit; Operations Management Consultant II for the STD program; Case Management Supervisor for the Ryan White Part A and Medicaid Patient AIDS Care Medical Case Management programs; CRUSHH Program Coordinator creating community tailored approaches to reduce substance abuse and transmission of HIV and Hepatitis; and Prevention Program Manager coordinating HIV/AIDS/STD testing and prevention initiatives. In 2012 she, joined Care Resource as a Senior Medical Case Manager where she served for five years. After a two-year absence battling Cancer, she is back at Care Resource in a new position as an Employment Specialist. In addition to her full-time work, Evelyn has been an Educational Speaker for Merck Global Human Health conducting educational programs for consu
mers.
Evelyn’s efforts in support of the HIV/AIDS/STD/Hepatitis communities have not gone unnoticed. She received numerous awards and public recognition, including but not limited to: Community Foundation of Broward Footsteps in the Sand Award for Outstanding Direct C.A.R.E.; she became the first female and non-HIV board member of the People with AIDS Coalition (PWAC); the Fulgencio Aponte Community Leadership Service Award; Bank of America and Latina Style Magazine 2013 Hispanic Woman of Distinction; and in 2017 The Juliette Love Humanitarian Award.
Evelyn can’t say enough about Poverello, she loves and respects the programs supporting good nutrition and people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses. The staff and volunteers take pride in the care that they provide. She does recognize the difficulty of securing and retaining volunteers whose hearts may not be in it but is encouraged by the many volunteers that she has interacted with.
When not at work, Evelyn enjoys spending time with her supportive close-knit family: husband Jesus and daughters Kiara and Briana. She and her husband purposely bought a round dining room table year ago to ensure that everyone seated could participate in conversation. Friday is family day in the Morales’ household, often culminating with dinner at the round table with “cell phone free” conversations.
“It’s not how long we live, it’s how we live.”
Evelyn Morales
Volunteers In Profile – VIP: May 1st, 2019.
Article written by Richard Smith, Poverello Volunteer
TEACHING THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL SERVICE – POVERELLO BECOMES A CLASSROOM FOR FAU STUDENTS
When Professor Precious Skinner-Osei brought 17 students from one of her Social Work classes to Poverello for the first time, she didn’t realize how impactful the experience would be for everyone involved. A firm believer in combining the study of social work in the classroom with work in the field, Professor Skinner-Osei now exposes her students to the work and mission of Poverello as part of their social work curriculum each semester.
A native of Pompano Beach and currently a Coral Springs resident, Skinner-Osei is an Adjunct Professor at the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work at Florida Atlantic University. She did her undergraduate work at Florida State University, her post-graduate work at the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, and received her Ph.D from Barry University. Her focus at FAU is in the areas of Community Organizing, Policy and Research.
For about a half day each semester, Poverello become a working classroom for Professor Skinner-Osei’s students. Through observation, questioning and participation, they learn about the vital services that Poverello provides to its participants, and how this important social services organization works with the community. “I keep bringing my students back and keep myself involved as well,” she commented, “because of Poverello’s strict adherence to its mission and goals. This is not always the case with social service agencies,” she continued. Professor Skinner-Osei, as well as her students, is also impressed by the dedication and hard work of Poverello volunteers. “If you didn’t know better, you’d think they were all employees, as they demonstrate such a high level of commitment to what they are doing,” she remarked.
In addition to using Poverello as a teaching “lab” for her students, Professor Skinner-Osei also gets them involved in some of Poverello’s fund-raising events and activities. For example, this past year 12 of her students participated in the annual Associated Grocers’ event at the Miami Merchandise Mart, joining Poverello volunteers and staff in collecting three truck-loads of food, diapers and household goods for those in need in various south Florida communities. Her students also joined Poverello volunteers this past summer in packing food bags for youths in Palm Beach County.
Precious Skinner-Osei’s husband is also an academic who is doing research in health. They have two children, a nine-year-old daughter (who she brought into Poverello this past summer to help pack food bags, “an experience she loved,” she related), and a five-year-old son who keeps them on their toes. And as if she wasn’t busy enough, Profession Skinner-Osei is also doing research on incarcerated fathers.
The relationship between the Professor and Poverello is yet another example of how the forces of good join together to benefit the community.
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
BARB & JOHN STAHURA – MARRIED TO A CAUSE
Barb & John Stahura (THE DOCTOR’S ARE IN-VOLVED)
For the past 12 years, Barb and John Stahura have been devoting a lot of their time to Poverello, and it appears there’s no end in sight for these two dedicated volunteers. They’ve devoted so much of their time, in fact, that they were nominated by Poverello in 2014 for the “Volunteer of the Year” award, which is presented annually by the Volunteer Broward organization. They clocked an amazing 2,000 plus hours of service to Poverello in that year alone.
Married for 43 years, Barb and John met in Columbus, Ohio, where they were both pursuing PhD degrees in Sociology at Ohio State University. That’s right…the two of them have PhD degrees in Sociology. Barb, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, retired early from her research position at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, where she and John, and their son, Matt, had a home. Looking to get out of the cold Indiana winters, they purchased a condominium home in Pompano Beach. Barb came down first and got a job at two dive shops (Barb is still an avid scuba diver), while John, a native of Whiting, Indiana (who prefers fishing), slowed down from a full-time to part-time position as a professor of sociology at Purdue. After a short time, Barb left the dive shops, but was looking to volunteer her time with a charitable organization. One of her neighbors was volunteering at Poverello, and suggested that Barb check it out. “From the moment I walked in the door at the Wilton Drive store and looked around,” Barb related, “I knew that this was the place for me. The level of activity was amazing,” she continued, “and I could see that they definitely could use some help.”
When John finally retired, they sold their home in Indiana and became permanent residents of Pompano Beach. This was just about the time Poverello was about to open its new facility at Equality Park on Dixie Highway. Before the current Thrift Store opened its doors, John and Barb got to work re-organizing the book and media department, creating a small “book store” within the thrift shop. To this day, John’s primary task is sorting through the thousands of books, CDs, DVDs and other media that are donated to Poverello each year, while Barb maintains the book and media department on the floor. This includes sorting and organizing magazines, CDs, vinyl, VHS tapes and DVDs. “We have an amazing selection of book titles in just about every category and genre, and a sizeable selection of media as well,” John pointed out.
While John is soft-spoken and very much “the professor,” Barb has a vibrant personality, often entertaining the Poverello staff and volunteers, and sometimes even the store’s customers, with her quick wit. She even has a following on Facebook with a feature she calls, “As Seen at the Thrift,” that features photos of some of the more unique and unusual items that come into the thrift store.
Barb and John love volunteering their time to Poverello’s cause, and they are often spending a few hours a day, seven days a week, doing so. “Something new happens around here every day,” Barb remarked. “There’s never a dull moment,” she added, emphatically.
“Whatever community organization, whether it’s a women’s organization, or fighting for racial justice…you will get satisfaction out of doing something to give back to the community that you never get in any other way.”
-Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Author: James Stoup
When Bert Fisher moved to Fort Lauderdale in 2010, after spending most of his career as a designer, he began looking for new pursuits. He eventually got a part-time job with the city of Wilton Manors, but still had time on his hands. That’s when his family and friends in the area told him about Poverello and the important work it was doing for the HIV/AIDS community. Wanting to give back and “do something productive,” as he put it, Bert came to Poverello in 2012 and started working part-time. In 2015, Bert accepted a full-time position with Wilton Manors, but he never stopped coming in to volunteer his time. His dedication to the Poverello mission continues to this day, as he still comes in and works as a cashier in the Thrift Store every Sunday, giving half his weekend to “the cause.”
Bert is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Building Construction degree from the UF College of Design, Construction and Planning. He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but grew up in Orlando. After graduating from college, he spent 18 years working in Orlando, designing homes that his father constructed in a design/build business. He also spent seven years in Atlanta working as a designer during this period. And then, in 2010, he relocated to Fort Lauderdale to be closer to his family. “My family is very important to me,” he related. Bert’s father retired to Fort Lauderdale, and he also has two brothers and sister living in the area.
From the very start of his involvement, Bert was impressed with the way the Poverello organization worked. Not only was he impressed with the level of dedication shown by the staff and volunteers, but also with the quality of the products and services that Poverello provides to its program participants. He was also amazed at the generosity of people who donate items to the Thrift Store.
“I enjoy working as a cashier, as it gives me the opportunity to interact with our customers,” he remarked. He pointed out that many are first time customers, and that they sometimes comment about what a great place it is, and about the vast selection and quality of items at the shop. “When I hear this I often ask if they know what Poverello is all about. Many of them don’t,” he continued, “so I give them an overview in the hopes they’ll pass the information on to their family and friends. Most are amazed to learn what goes on here,” he said.
Bert also remarked on how much he enjoys working with the volunteers. “It’s a real diverse group,” he commented. “Volunteers are here for a variety of reasons, and they come from so many different backgrounds,” he continued. “It’s a lot of fun working here, which is why, I guess, I keep coming back for more. Poverello is a great mechanism for a common cause,” he observed.
“If every American donated five hours a week, it would equal the labor of
twenty million full-time volunteers.” – Whoopi Goldberg
LAKEISHA WILLIAMS HAS FOUND HER HAPPY PLACE
To hear volunteer Lakeisha (Keisha) Williams describe it, working at Poverello might be the best job she’s ever had…and certainly the happiest. “I’m greeted with smiles and hellos from everyone when I arrive in the morning,” she remarked, “and that’s unlike any place I’ve ever worked. Everyone is so polite and friendly here.”
The mother of two young boys, Keisha has been volunteering at Poverello for about 7 months. She was sent to Poverello by Career Source Broward as a way to acquire skills and service experience that might help her find full-time employment in the community. “Working here has really brought me out of myself,” she related. “I have learned to trust people more, which wasn’t always the case with my other jobs. I can really be myself, which makes working here so much more enjoyable,” she added.
Keisha volunteers in the Eat Well Center, helping with the stocking and packing of food items as they come in to the Poverello facility. She also helps pack food bags for Poverello’s program participants, as well as youth “Fuel Packs” that go to the Boys and Girls Clubs for children in need. Keisha has also assisted with cooking classes that Poverello offers to its participants. Her dedication to her job speaks for itself, as she often volunteers her time from 22 to 35 hours a week.
Born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Keisha has worked at Walmart, Fresh Point, KFC and at the Cross Road Food Bank where she first heard about Poverello. But her experiences and the satisfaction she receives working at Poverello has by far been the most rewarding. She said she likes working with different kinds of people, which is one of the benefits of working at an organization like Poverello. “I tell my friends all time that if you are looking for something to do, why don’t you volunteer at Poverello. It’s a lot of fun, and giving back really makes you feel good,” she commented. The importance of “giving back” is something you hear Poverello volunteers mention all the time.
“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.”
-Helen Keller
The Poverello Center, Inc. Thanks James Stoup for writing this profile
A CARING VOLUNTEER FINDS A HOME AT POVERELLO
At just 43 years of age, Juan Barnett has already led a full and at times, tough life. He’s had some major ups and downs, but he has always maintained a sense of humility, compassion and caring for others. And that’s why he feels so at home at Poverello.
Juan, a native of Brooklyn, overcame adversity in his early years and eventually earned his GED. From there he went to college, worked as a barber, helped a friend promote a clothing line, and assisted with promotional events for New York’s HOT97-FM. In 2010 he moved to south Florida to be closer to family. But it wasn’t long before Juan found himself caring for his step-brother, who was in the final stages of a severe form of cancer. His brother’s passing this past December affected him deeply, and reinforced his desire to do what he could to help others afflicted with life-threatening illnesses.
Again facing adversity in his life, Juan ended up at the House of Hope, a social service facility in Fort Lauderdale that helps men in need transition back into society. It was there that he and Poverello found each other. Poverello was providing clothing to the men at the House of Hope, and they in turn were providing volunteers to work at Poverello. Juan began by volunteering for two hours a week, which quickly turned into eight hour days. He was immediately taken by the caring and humility of the many volunteers he met and worked with, and by the support that they gave to him and to each other. As he put it: “I have always been a very caring and compassionate person, and it didn’t take long for me to realize that this is where I wanted to be. I already feel like I’m a better person because of my experience at Poverello.”
Because of the hard work and dedication to the mission of Poverello that he displayed as a volunteer, the Poverello Center helped Juan find a position that put him on the path to a rewarding and productive life caring for those in need. It just so happened that when a position recently opened, Juan was the most qualified choice to fill the position in facilities maintenance at Poverello.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
-Mahatma Gandhi
Darren Thompson, a Cut Above – Volunteers In Profile
This month we celebrate DARREN THOMPSON as the Poverello VIP (Volunteer in Profile) for the month of February. Over the past few years Darren has donated 4 hours every week and cut hair for 416 people in 2019 alone for free at the Poverello Live Well Center in Wilton Manors.
Darren understands how the smallest of things can have the largest impact on the quality of our lives and how we see ourselves and how that influences how we see the world around us. Born into a family line of UAW workers in Schwartz Creek, MI near Flint – he went to work on the line at General Motors just like the rest of his family. He quickly realized that this type of work left him wanting more. He moved to Chicago where he went into the hospitality industry where he could fully employ his engaging personality and beaming smile as the door attendant at the Ritz-Carlton. It was here that he met a woman who would alter the destiny of his days to follow. That woman was Oprah Winfrey. Darren states lovingly “Ms. Winfrey really flipped my switch” (next time you see Darren you will have to ask him personally about his many encounters with Ms. Winfrey and the life-changing guidance that she so freely gave him).
Darren admittedly bounced all around spending some time in San Diego and Miami where he worked in various careers including the mortgage industry, promotions and marketing and always found himself feeling at home working in the appearance/beauty industry. He is an absolute natural behind the chair and can take someone from dull and drab to bright and beaming in a matter of minutes with his smile, clippers/shears and a healthy dose of positive energy.
Darren presently works at Dick’s in Oakland Park where he has been since they opened and he states that he “absolutely loves” being there in an environment where his desire to “pay it forward” is shared by the owners and management team and embodied in the giving back that Christian and Eric do personally and through the barbershop. Darren goes on to say that “it is easy to make a difference when good people are on your side.”
In addition to volunteering four hours a week at the Poverello Live Well Center, Darren volunteers with other organizations that are dear to him as well. He states that his personal desire is to “leave the world a better place one service at a time.” And while he does not like to boast he is a Five-Time Champion of the Celebrity Lip-Synch Battle fundraisers for Poverello and the Smart Ride at Hunters and was recently voted the Best Barber in South Florida by SFGN readers.
When asked what he would like people to do to join him in making our world a better place, he says “remember this, we only get one spin on this planet. One spin. If we can change one little thing and it makes people look and feel good, then we are doing what we are supposed to be doing.”
Darren can be found at the Poverello Live Well Center and clients may book appointments online or in person there or the general public may schedule an appointment by calling Dick’s at (954) 353-5507 or online at dicks954.com.
Darren lives in central Broward County with his two fur-babies Dude and Dixie (in photograph).