Jan Moran (front, right) presents Josie Bacallao (front, left) with The Jim Moran Foundation Award and a $25,000 check designated for Hispanic Unity of Florida. Joining them from The Jim Moran Foundation Board of Directors are (back, left to right) Irv Kiffin, Tom Blanton, Lucia Lopez, Larry McGinnes, Melanie Burgess and Rick Noland.
November 10, 2009
Deerfield Beach, Fla.--For her genuine compassion and tireless commitment to empowering children and families in Broward County, Josie Bacallao was recently named the 2009 recipient of The Jim Moran Foundation Award.
With the award a bronze sculpture created by South Florida artist George Gadson of an open book with a child climbing a ladder supported by an outstretched hand came a $25,000 unrestricted grant to the charity of her choice. Bacallao designated the funds to Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF), where she has served as president and CEO for six years. The presentation was attended by family, friends and board members from HUF and The Jim Moran Foundation (The Foundation).
"Josie leads by example -- with dedication, hard work and heart," said Jan Moran, chairman and president of The Jim Moran Foundation. "Under her leadership, Hispanic Unity continues to provide meaningful support services to new families adjusting to our country, giving them the guidance and support they need to become successful and engaged members of our community."
This annual award was established in 2003 by The Foundations founder, Jim Moran, in order to recognize those who have an established history of giving back to their community through active service and personal commitment.
"I am truly overwhelmed by this honor and deeply grateful to The Jim Moran Foundation," said Bacallao. "With this generous grant, Hispanic Unity can continue to empower and help newcomers to our country become self-sufficient by strengthening them, we make a better community for everyone."
Every year, HUF provides more than 25,000 individuals with comprehensive resources to provide new Americans with the support they need to effectively transition into our country and become self-sufficient. Their clients are from 25 different countries--60 percent are Hispanic and 40 percent are non-Hispanic, including African-American, Caribbean and Caucasian. Programs include job training and development, language education, acculturation programs, legal assistance, child and youth development, senior care, as well as health outreach and referrals. Serving Browards diverse community, certain programs are provided in English, Spanish, Haitian-Creole and Portuguese.
Bacallao is involved in many other local nonprofits and encourages community involvement from her staff as well. She is a board member of WorkForce One; serves on the Steering Committee for the Coordinating Council of Broward; and is an active member of the Council of Nonprofit Executives of Broward. Her previous community involvement includes serving on the board of directors of the Broward Public Library Foundation and Holy Cross Hospital.
Founded by Jim Moran in 2000, the mission of The Jim Moran Foundation is to improve the quality of life for the youth and families of Florida through the support of innovative programs and opportunities that meet the ever-changing needs of the community. It is located at 100 Jim Moran Boulevard, Deerfield Beach, Fla. 33442. Through a long-term Grant Agreement, The Foundation's significant funders are JM Family Enterprises Inc., and its subsidiaries, including Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC. To learn more about The Foundation visit www.jimmoranfoundation.org or call (954) 429-2122.
Hispanic Unity was founded 27 years ago by community leaders to ease the acculturation transition for newcomers from other nations. Today this nonprofit provides 25 programs, some in four languages, to Broward's diverse community. Hispanic Unity remains the countys largest agency dedicated to the immigrant population providing them with the tools they need to build a new life. In 2008, the agency served 25,000 clients throughout our eight Broward County sites. HUF's programs help clients of all ages - infants through seniors - in critically important areas: employment skills/ placement, English classes, health education and services, nutrition program, and financial and emergency assistance, licensed preschool center, immigration and legal assistance, seniors program, parenting and financial education, free tax preparation, HIV/AIDS prevention and testing, youth after school and summer programs, and more. HUF also links clients to a vast continuum of ancillary services through collaborative partnerships with agencies providing specialized services including: transportation, primary medical care, mental health counseling, housing and substance abuse treatment and other human services throughout Broward County. To learn more visit them at www.hispanicunity.org or call 954-342-0406 to schedule an Empowerment Tour of the agency.