United Way Launches The Millennial Project

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Dec. 7, 2017 - PRLog -- Dennis Burns, CEO of United Way Volusia-Flagler Counties, is pleased to announce the organization has launched the Millennial Project, a network of innovative young professionals.

The group will be dedicated to the pursuit of philanthropic efforts in the areas of education, financial stability, and health in Volusia-Flagler Counties. Its mission is to engage, educate, and empower young professionals in our community to foster long-term commitments to the United Way mission.

As part of its responsibilities, The Millennial Project will oversee the $20,000 (FY 18-19) Social Innovation Fund allocation and evaluation process.

Other responsibilities include engaging in community service opportunities and serving as a United Way Community Impact Ambassador. The group reports to the United Way Board of Directors, which oversees key aspects of United Way's efforts to increase the organized capacity of the community to care for its people.

Members of the group are professionals between the ages of 20-40 who are committed to the UWVFC mission and interested in becoming more involved in the Volusia-Flagler community. The group is looking to fill two additional member positions.

Current members are: Abeer  ElTemtamy, of Children's Home Society of Florida; Anthony Morales, Brown & Brown Insurance; Ashley Linsmeier, Teledyne; Austin Scher, Daytona Tortugas; Catherine "Catie" Rosekelly, Florida Health Care Plans; Henry Butts, Publix Supermarkets; Kayla Kelly, Publix Supermarkets; Luis Vazquez, SMA Behavioral Health Services Inc.; Matt Stange, Keyes, Stange & Wooten Wealth Management, LLC.; Michael Ugarte, Halifax Humane Society, Inc.; RahShad Bryant, Daytona State College; Ryan Page, Intracoastal Bank; and Staci Page, Easterseals Northeast Central Florida-Early Steps.

United Ways around the world have established similar groups to engage the under-tapped resource of young professionals in their communities. The Millennial Project is the latest addition to the more than 150 Millennial groups that currently exist in the United Way network.

"We proposed establishing a United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties young professionals group to diversify our engagement with the community and increase our volunteer, donor, and advocate base by harnessing the volunteerism and giving potential of Millennial community members," said Burns. "We are thrilled with the collaborative efforts of the group so far and look forward to seeing its members make change in our community by working together with a united purpose."

The organization held its kickoff meeting early last month. Joe Coury, nationally recognized leadership development expert, facilitated the meeting with a focus on leadership and innovation.

"During the first meeting I met some of the team members and I already see the potential for great success in achieving our goals," Luis Vazquez, the intern & volunteer coordinator at SMA Behavioral Health, said of the kickoff. "I think that the Millennial Project team will be able to lead, influence, and assist community members to improve the areas of Education, Financial Stability, and Health and will have a very positive social impact."

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The United Way Volusia-Flagler Counties improves lives and builds a stronger community by bringing together hearts, minds and resources from across the region and by developing effective partnerships with businesses, government and nonprofit organizations.  Each year the United Way holds a fundraising campaign to help fund 30 programs from 22 local partner agencies.  For more information, please visit http://www.unitedwayvfc.org or call 2-1-1 (386-253-0564) if you or someone you know needs help or wants to learn how to Give, Advocate, or Volunteer.