Prime Time Advocacy Committee Welcomes New Member

Please join Prime Time Palm Beach County's Advocacy Committee in welcoming its newest member, Barbara J. Stark. Barbara is the executive director of the Milagro Center, a Delray Beach-based nonprofit organization that provides continuing day integrated arts, academic enrichment, positive youth development and mentoring to at-risk children.

Prior to joining the Senior Management team at Milagro Center in 2011, Barbara served as the vice president of Strategic Marketing and Brand Management for United Way of Broward County. Prior to entering the nonprofit sector, Barbara was the director of Direct Marketing of Avis, Inc. in New York, where she was instrumental in the creation of the Frequent Traveler Awards.

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Eighth Grader's Commitment to Afterschool Leads to
Professional Success

Prime Time's Advocacy Committee extends its special thanks to Mary Baldwin, Wellington Landing Middle School (WLMS) Afterschool Program Director, who shared an inspiring journey of a remarkable young woman and her dedication to the field of afterschool.

In 2004, Theresa Cameron, an eighth grader at Wellington Landings Middle School (WLMS), was assigned to my classroom as a student assistant. Most student assistants completed classroom tasks for their assigned teacher; however, because I was the Director of the After School Program at WLMS, I frequently gave Theresa After School Program assignments to complete. From the beginning, she was a self-starter and extremely helpful with the many tasks that needed to be completed. She handled activities such as making posters, counting surveys, gathering the materials for the activities of the day, preparing the snacks, and any of the other many, many jobs that are required to run an after school program.

In 2005, as a freshman in high school, Theresa volunteered in our afterschool program every day the program was in operation. She earned the required community service points she needed to graduate before the first semester of her freshman year was complete. Theresa was such a help to me that I gave her more and more responsibilities. She knew the program well and didn't hesitate to complete whatever task needed to be done - including cleaning after snack time!  

In 2006, Theresa continued her volunteer work with the afterschool program. During her sophomore year, she began interacting more frequently with the students. The students loved her and she was such a positive role model for them! She took a special interest in our Step Team members who looked up to her and who shined as representatives of WLMS in competition.

I offered Theresa a position as a staff member late in her sophomore year of high school, and she has worked in our program ever since. She went on to graduate from high school and college without ever taking a break from working in the program. She majored in education and received her degree in 2012. After witnessing firsthand how wonderful Theresa interacts with the students and her tremendous work ethic, Blake Bennett, Principal of WLMS, hired her as a science teacher shortly after her graduation.  

In her second year as a teacher at WLMS, Theresa continues to mentor students both during and after school. Because of her experience with the After School program and her work ethic, she functions as an assistant director. In that role, she makes decisions when I am not available and competently supervises afterschool staff and students. She continues to be an extremely valuable asset to the After School Program.

--Mary Baldin, Afterschool Director, Wellington Landings Middle School

Representative Lori Berman visits City of Greenacres Youth Programs

Prime Time was pleased to coordinate an afterschool program site visit for Florida State Representative Lori Berman to the City of Greenacres Youth Programs (C.A.R.E.S, Cool Zone and Hot Spot),which provide children and youth from 18 local elementary and middle private and public schools in engaging, fun and character-building learning experiences.  

City of Greenacres Youth Programs participate in Palm Beach County's Quality Improvement System (QIS), and receive services and supports from Prime Time to increase program quality. Representative Berman met with Patrick Freeland, the programs' Prime Time Quality Advisor, in anticipation of her visit, to learn more about QIS.    

Two friendly and articulate afterschool 5th graders, Alondra Zarate and Danimarie Betancourt, gave Representative Berman; Amy Ross, Legislative Assistant; Zulma Niles, Prime Time Advocacy Committee member; and Mary Swinford, Prime Time Community Engagement & Supports Manager; a marvelous tour of the programs, including one of the children's hands-on projects, a hydroponic garden.

Representative Berman read an interactive book, It's Time To Call 911, created and published by Smart Kids Media, Inc. The book gave the children guidelines to properly use 911 for emergencies. Each child was fully engaged as Representative Berman answered questions that the children had about 911 and gave each of them a chance to dial 911 on a the book's mock cell phone cover. To the children's further delight, Representative Berman served holiday cookies, which she kindly brought with her, to all!

The Advocacy Committee extends special thanks to the remarkable youth programs' alumni who return to serve as mentors and assistants. Prime Time appreciates the support of everyone who made this a memorable site visit. Thanks, too, to all the children, youth and staff of the City of Greenacres Youth Programs for your warm hospitality!  

Prime Time Attends Women's Foundation of Palm Beach County's Women Seen and Heard:
Legislative Reception

Moving forward with Prime Time's advocacy efforts, four members of the Prime Time team, Suzette Harvey, Executive Director; Tammy Greer, Director of Communications & Resource Development; Rhonda Rogers, Director of Community Engagement & Supports; and Mary Swinford, Community Engagement & Supports Manager, attended an informative reception with legislators and legislative aides, hosted by the Women's Foundation of Palm Beach County in the law offices of Akerman Senterfitt in West Palm Beach on January 29.

The meeting provided the opportunity for attendees to have an open conversation with their elected officials before the legislators leave for Tallahassee, to learn more about the legislative process, as well as the forthcoming legislative session and its impact on women and families.   

The Women's Foundation of Palm Beach County invests in women and girls to encourage leadership and positively affect their economic, political, and social status. Access to quality out-of-school time programs is an issue of great importance to women and girls. Prime Time looks forward to participating in future Women's Foundation of Palm Beach County's events.