JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – February 25, 2015 – The YMCA of Florida’s First Coast is pleased to announce Gwen Roberts as the 2015 recipient of Carl & Rita Cannon Employee of the Year Award. Roberts received the award at the 5th Annual Y-Bash held at the Florida Theatre. This award acknowledges Roberts’ commitment to the Y’s mission and service to the community.
Roberts will celebrate her 10th anniversary with the Y in May. During this time, she has served the community through various roles. Her commitment to fulfilling the Y’s mission in youth development earned her both recognition from the Y and the Jacksonville Children’s Commission. For her work with TEAM UP, a free afterschool program that provides a safe environment where students are encouraged and motivated in succeed in both their academic and enrichment activities, she received the highest rating in the city from program funding partner, the Jacksonville Children’s Commission.
“We are fortunate to have an employee as dedicated as Gwen working on nurturing the academic, physical and mental success of every child in our community,” said First Coast YMCA President and CEO Eric Mann. “In ten years, her impact on our community has been remarkable. She has touched so many young lived and we look forward to her continued impact in the community.”
The YMCA of Florida’s First Coast recognizes its staff, volunteers and community partners annually at the Y Bash, an event celebrating their impact on the community in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. At this year’s event, the Y announced its funding priorities for the following year and its goal to raise $1.6 million. This year’s four funding priorities include:
• Active Adults Creating Healthy Families and Communities
• Making Kids of All ages Safe in the Water
• Academic and Life Achievement for Our Youth
• Helping Teens Become Leaders
Funding these priorities and the dedication of employees such as Roberts help the “Y” build a strong, supportive foundation for the communities it serves. Past recipients of the Employee of the Year Award include Tim Burrows and Lisa Peacock.
For more information, contact
HEATHER HOUSTON, Dalton Agency
P 904.398.5222 C 386.216.9472
E hhouston@daltonagency.com
The Y
For more than 100 years, YMCA of Florida’s First Coast has been providing men, women and children of all ages, and from all walks of life, opportunities to build stronger bonds, live healthy and become more engaged with their communities.
