By Fran Folic
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. — Community-Based Connections, Inc. (CBCI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering youth development, family strengthening, and community empowerment services to underserved populations, hosted its fifth annual Green Blazer Awards Gala & Celebration presented by Florida Power & Light (FPL). An impressive roster of honorees was recognized including Kirk Brown, CEO of Handy; Carol Hylton, president and CEO of CareerSource Broward; Brian C. Johnson, founder of Community-Based Connections, Inc. and president and CEO of the Minority Builders Coalition; and Newton Sanon, president and CEO of OIC of South Florida. FPL and The GEO Group Foundation plus Ron Harper and Scaffolding Shrinkwrap were also celebrated as impactful forces in the community.
“Community-Based Connections takes great pride in honoring those who impact the children and families that we serve, as well as the community at large,” said Mikelange Olbel, president and CEO of Community Based Connections, Inc. “It takes a village and we cannot be seen or heard without the support of these individuals and companies who understand how important it is to lend a hand, make a donation or get involved.”
Nearly 250 guests enjoyed a cocktail reception with flowing drinks and live entertainment. The doors opened to the Atlantic Ballroom at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Convention Center for guests to enjoy a seated dinner, live music and dancing. All eyes were on the main stage when special guest host Aaron Maybin of Local 10 and Olbel presented the honorees with awards and the exclusive branded green blazer jackets. The evening concluded with more dancing and good times.
This year’s honorees join a prestigious roster of past individuals and organizations who have made a lasting impact on those in need in South Florida. These include Tim Curtin, Memorial Healthcare System; Rosalyn Frazier, Broward Community & Family Health Centers; Kathy Salerno, Broward Health; Ken Walters, Community Care Plan; Anna Fusco, Broward Teachers Union; Kenneth Jones, HCA Florida Northwest Hospital; Sandy Michael McDonald, Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development; Jasmin D. Shirley, Broward Health Regional Planning Council; Dion Smith, Children’s Services Council of Broward and Khalil Zeinieh, community advocate.
In the last year, CBCI served nearly 4,000 people and almost 2,000 families, provided over nearly 15,000 hours of in-home case management and support services to keep families intact and conducted 68 fatherhood group session meetings to improve fathers’ relationships with their children and help them secure employment. Additionally, the organization expanded services to Palm Beach County with an office in Riviera Beach.
Proceeds from the event benefit CBCI’s Awesome Dads Awesome Men (A.D.A.M.) fatherhood mentoring program, The Beacon of HOPE-Intact Family Navigation Program, Family Strengthening Program, and S.M.A.R.T. monitoring safety plans, as well as its vital initiatives such as Early Achievers at Markham Elementary, Young Believers, Club Elevate, Haven and Healing Space.
Community-Based Connections, Inc.’s fifth annual Green Blazer Awards Gala & Celebration was presented by FPL and sponsored by Kirk Brown, The Geo Group Foundation, Memorial Healthcare System, Broward County Clerk of the Court, Broward Teachers Union, The Cordish Companies, Homes, Inc., Pompano Beach Housing Authority, Handy, HCA Healthcare, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, GPR | Goodman Public Relations, Bomar Construction, The Corradino Group, The Lord’s Place, OIC South Florida, The Spritz Group, NPC Financial, First Citizens Bank and Goren, Cherof, Doody & Ezrol.
About Community-Based Connections, Inc.
Community-Based Connections, Inc. (CBCI) is a nonprofit human services organization with more than 16 years of expertise in delivering youth development advocacy and family resilience strengthening programs, plus health and community empowerment initiatives to underserved populations in Broward County. CBCI was founded upon the belief that service providers who have natural ties to the community are in the best position to help improve the odds of youth and family success. The CBCI mission is to expand the options available to children – from cradle to college – that promote their social and academic growth, equipping them with the skills they need to overcome challenges and thrive in adulthood. CBCI programs services that engage, encourage and motivate include the Young Believers Program, Family Strengthening Program, S.M.A.R.T. Team, New Day Diversion, and the Early Achievers Program. For more information about programs in Broward and Palm Beach counties, visit communitybasedconnections.com.
