Mike De Lucca
Broward Regional Health Planning Council
To further advance the mission of BRHPC and its primary goal to improve the health of the community, Mike De Lucca led a county-wide effort to develop a partnership with a wide array of organizations to submit a CDC Community Transformation grant application. This initiative, called Transforming our Community’s Health (TOUCH,) was awarded funding in October 2011 for $1.76M each year for five years.
Mike has worked diligently to diversify revenue sources for BRHPC from $6M to $11M in four years and grew the agency from 60 employees to 100 employees. In the wake of reduced funding for state and local programs, Mike works with community partners to find alternate sources of funding for programs that have been cut or identify partners and other providers who can assist in the providing services to maintain an optimal level of service to these programs’ clients.
During these challenging times, Mike has embraced change through innovation. He understands the importance of staying on top of cutting-edge technology to position the organization for success. He has been instrumental in the development of a statewide health care utilization database.
Mike gives 100% everyday to his agency and is a role model to his staff. He provides the leadership and motivation to his staff to continually strive for quality improvement and exceeding client expectations. Mike maintains effective communications, has an open-door policy and is very accessible to all of his staff. He recognizes the value of human connection and that everyone has great ideas and can contribute to the success of the organization.
Mike realizes that BRHPC cannot succeed unless the community succeeds and has forged numerous partnerships and collaborations which have improved in the health of the community, reduced health disparities and reduced the burden of disease.
Robin Martin
Hope South Florida, Inc.
As Executive Director of The Shepherd’s Way – TSW (now part of Hope South Florida, Inc. - HSF) since 2007, Robin Martin identified the need for expanded and holistic services for homeless persons in Broward, and perceived the potential for the faith community to have a major role in providing those services through collaboration.
Over the past two years, Robin has engaged the staff, board and advisors of HSF/TSF to attract eight of the largest area churches to be part of this collaborative effort, advancing the realization of the purpose statement of HSF/TSW to: “…bring about transformation in the lives of homeless and hurting families through the provision of housing solutions and family services; and to serve as a guiding partner in transforming, educating, and bringing the Christian community into relationship with families served.”
The initial core group of eight churches has now grown to twelve. In addition, there are now 45 churches of all denominations and other faith-based and community-based organizations (FBOs/CBOs) as part of HSF/TSW’s “Faith-In-Action” (FIA) program which provides short-term shelter at the FBO/CBOs when mainstream homeless shelters are full. Without FIA, hundreds more families would have remained on the streets.
Robin has consistently made decisions which placed the needs of homeless families ahead of seemingly expedient business decision or appearances. And at a time of intractable economic downturn, when the temptation for many NPOs is to take a more conservative approach to help preserve existing services, Martin has consistently made the decision to seek ways to expand services.
In spite of the recent economic downturn, HSF has nearly tripled revenue, increasing it by over $1 million, in the past 3 years (up from $625,837 in 2007 to $1,702,546 in 2010); increased staff from 8 to 27 (primarily for direct services); and added a Director of Program Development with extensive experience in implementing new homeless programs in Broward County, as well as professional staff in the areas of housing and community engagement.
Newton Sanon
OIC of Broward County (OICB)
Leading OICB for the past ten years, Newton Sanon has experience in identifying issues vital to the success of the organization and community. One specific issue Mr. Sanon addressed was the need to expand the organization to meet the growing need for employment training and job placement services in Broward County. Facing limited resources, Mr. Sanon pursued and secured partnerships and funding to expand OICB’s programs and menu of services from ex-offender reentry employment training services to include vocational certifications, technical training for unemployed electricians and plumbers, substance abuse prevention and treatment services, and youth development programs.
Mr. Sanon led OICB to secure two competitive federal multi-year grants through the U.S. Department of Labor and has ensured that OICB has maintained local funding and expanded to receive state funding for an academic enrichment grant through the Florida Department of Education.
The most striking example of Mr. Sanon’s ability to use innovative, creative, and entrepreneurial approaches has been in building collaborative community partnerships. He has successfully engaged community partner organizations, educational institutions, businesses and government agencies to develop synergies in the community that had not existed in the past. Mr. Sanon also followed through to ensure that true working relationships have been built to provide a full range of wrap-around services for high-need residents of Broward County.
During these challenging economic times, Mr. Sanon’s leadership has grown OICB from an organization with a budget of $1.4 million and 17 employees to one with a budget of $5.4 million and 47 employees. His philosophy of viewing challenges as opportunities guided his decision to serve more people in need of jobs during a time when job openings were decreasing.
Mr. Sanon’s leadership style, coupled with a keen focus on growth, has resulted in employment training and career development for 4,500 adults and youth per year.
