On 8th Year Anniversary, UFCF Names New Board Member & Junior Board Members
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
United Foundation of Central Florida Announces One New Board Member & five New Junior Board Members on Eight Year Anniversary
Orlando, Fla (February 14th, 2022) – United Foundation of Central Florida is pleased to announce on its Eight Year Anniversary the appointment of one new board member, Nadia Oakley, and five new junior board members, Nerstafara Emilzo, Melissa Monde, Shannon Biassou, Christie St. Vil, and Gardyson Etienne.
For over eight years, the United Foundation of Central Florida has dedicated itself to empowering communities one family at a time. The communities that we serve today expressed a great need for support in youth programming, skills & job training, food, and other resources required to raise a prosperous and healthy family. Our Board of Directors answered the call to action by founding our organization with love on February 14th, 2014. We began to bridge the gaps in our community, fundamentally transforming schools' graduation rates, grades, behavior, and attendance. We have a collective passion to make real impacts, we work tirelessly to make transformational change. “That is why we are so excited to bring on a new board member and junior board members as we usher in New Beginnings. We continue to build capacity and expand our reach and programming to more communities that genuinely need our help and that will be made possible with this unanimous decision,” said Julien Serrano-O’Neil, Second Vice President.
“Our Board of Directors is comprised of a network of dedicated community members who volunteer their time to further our mission and vision,” said Dennis Hall, Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of the United Foundation of Central Florida, Inc. “We are committed to providing our communities with an inclusive, diverse, and educational space to cultivate a culture of leadership and service utilizing our Holistic Approach Model™ and we are excited to bring on such a diverse group of individuals,” said Sandra Fatmi-Hall, Executive Director and Founder of the United Foundation of Central Florida, Inc.
Board Member Appointment: Nadia Oakley
Nadia Oakley is a recent graduate of Spelman College Class of 2021 with a double degree in Sociology and Anthropology with Honors. She currently serves as a Litigation Paralegal at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP as she prepares for the LSAT. During her time at Spelman, Nadia was extremely committed to the development of young people and communities of color as a Bonner Scholar and student leader. Nadia continues this commitment as she has amassed 10,000+ hours in community service demonstrating her abilities as a civic leader. Nadia never ceases to amaze us. Her dedication, unwavering support, gratitude, and loyalty to the growth of the foundation and her community are greatly appreciated.
Nadia has presented herself as an asset and has demonstrated the will and desire to further the mission of our organization. “I knew at a young age that I wanted to make positive impacts on people, and I’ve lived my life trying to do exactly that. With the foundation, I can continue to live my dream of empowering young people and their families.”, said Nadia Oakley, Board Member-Elect.
Nadia has served in various roles with companies and community organizations that allow her to build capacity ensuring a brighter future for our children and leaders of tomorrow. Since taking on this role as a board member she has served as our grant writer aiding us in securing funding to promote our after-school programming. We are proud to welcome her as a new board member.
Student Board Member Appointments: Nerstafara Emilzo, Melissa Monde, Shannon Biassou, Christie St. Vil, Garydson Etienne
Nerstafara Emilzo is currently a Nursing major with a minor in General Business at Florida State University. Prior to being selected as a Junior Board Member, Nerstafara served as the President for our Future Leaders United After-School Enrichment and Mentoring Program at Maynard Evans High School. Nerstafara was extremely dedicated to serving the students of our program and members of her community. She graduated from our FLU program in 2021. Nerstafara has amassed over 600+ hours of community service while in our program. She is extremely dedicated to our foundation and exemplifies what it means to be a servant leader. We are proud to welcome her to our Junior Board.
Melissa Monde is a Business Administration major at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. Prior to being selected as a Junior Board Member, Melissa served as the Vice President & Civic Engagement Coordinator for our Future Leaders United After-School Enrichment and Mentoring Program at Maynard Evans High School. She graduated from our FLU program in 2021. Melissa was extremely dedicated to serving the students of our program and members of his community. Melissa has amassed over 500+ hours of community service while in our program. We are proud to welcome her to our Junior Board.
Shannon Biassou is a Clinical Professions major at Florida State University. Prior to being selected as a Junior Board Member, Shannon served as the Secretary for our Future Leaders United After-School Enrichment and Mentoring Program at Maynard Evans High School. She graduated from our FLU program in 2021. Shannon was extremely dedicated to serving the students of our program and members of her community. Shannon has amassed over 400+ hours of community service while in our program. It is without a doubt that Shannon has demonstrated her commitment to our mission and vision. We are proud to welcome her to our Junior Board.
Christie St. Vil is a Sociology major and Anthropology minor with a certificate in criminology and Community Engagement at Stetson University. Christie is in the Bonner Leaders Program at Stetson. Before being selected as a Junior Board Member, Christie served as the Public Relations Chair for our Future Leaders United After-School Enrichment and Mentoring Program at Maynard Evans High School. She graduated from our FLU program in 2021. Christie was highly dedicated to serving the students of our program and members of her community. Christie has amassed over 400+ hours of community service while in our program. After graduating, Christie remained committed to the foundation by working with our current student leadership. Christie has served as a mentor and trusted supporter. We are proud to welcome her to our Junior Board.
Gardyson Etienne is a Pre-Physical Therapy major at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. Prior to being selected as a Junior Board Member, Gardyson served as the Community Service Chair for our Future Leaders United After-School Enrichment and Mentoring Program at Maynard Evans High School. He graduated from our FLU program in 2021. Gardyson was extremely dedicated to serving the students of our program and members of his community. Gardyson has amassed over 300+ hours of community service while in our program. We are proud to welcome him to our Junior Board.
2022-2023 Board of Directors
The 2022-2023 United Foundation of Central Florida Board of Directors is Dennis Hall, Chairman, and Chief Financial Officer; Sandra Fatmi-Hall, Executive Director and Founder; Shirley Edwards, First Vice President; Julien Serrano-O’Neil, Second Vice President; Gordon Russell, Secretary; Pastor Joseph Boston, Board Member; Alex Lewis, Board Member; Nadia Oakley, Board Member, and Grant Writer; and Junior Board Members: Zanisha Premilien, Derekaisha Bush, Nerstafara Emilzo, Melissa Monde, Shannon Biassou, Christie St. Vil, and Gardyson Etienne.
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About United Foundation of Central Florida, Inc.
UFCF was founded on February 14th, 2014, with love to bridge the gaps in families, transforming schools, and uplifting communities. We strive to enhance the community through our programs by aiding in job training, housing, help with food resources, utilities, childcare, and after-school programs to name a few. Through the commitments of our Board of Directors, FLU Students, and volunteers, we have amassed $3,824,365 in economic impact to the Central Florida Community yielded from 38,244 hours of volunteerism and programming hours. Maintaining our status as a positive bridge builder for communities, we continue to work on creating opportunities for individuals to thrive in environments in which they are often forgotten. To Learn More about UFCF or donate, please call 770-789-7004 or visit www.unitedfoundationcf.org. Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Instagram @unitedfoundationcf and Twitter @ufcf_inc.