FLITE Center Palm Beach Collective Impact Awards

EVENT PROGRAM

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Recognition of Sponsors & Funders

Recognition of Dignitaries

Proclamation Presentation

PRESENTATION OFAWARDS

Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith Ripple EffectAward

Bridge BuilderAward

Community CollaboratorAward

In Memoriam Dedication

Dr. Heidi Schaeffer TrailblazerAward

Closing Remarks

Networking

Liz Quirantes

Mistress of Ceremonies

CHRISTINE M. FREDERICK, MSW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Christine Frederick’s lifelong calling to uplift struggling youth has defined her acclaimed two-decade career. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York, Christine’s talent for empowering teens first emerged while serving as a Resident Assistant during college. This kicked off years of providing critical support and encouragement to young people navigating the difficult transition to adulthood.

Christine brought this passion to South Florida, earning her Master’s in Social Work from Barry University and Nonprofit Executive Certification from FAU. She has since worked with organizations like Children’s Home Society and Covenant House. But it was the emerging organization HANDY Inc. where Christine drove transformational change for local foster youth as Chief Program Officer.

Christine took the helm as CEO of FLITE Center in 2017, exploding its budget and reach serving vulnerable youth locally and now statewide. Her bold vision has established FLITE as a model studied for disseminating best practices to improve Florida’s system of independent living services. In October 2022, Christine spearheaded FLITE’s expansion to West Palm Beach, now providing specialized support to exploited youth. Her leadership was further recognized through appointment as Co-Chair of Florida’s Statewide Independent Living Services Advisory Council.

Yet through two decades of advancement, Christine remains fiercely committed to her hands-on calling – ensuring every struggling young person can gain independence. Christine’s willingness to champion innovative solutions has made FLITE an award-winning changemaker. But her enduring motivation is to walk alongside youth, offering the guidance that she knows makes all the difference.

LESSER, LESSER, LANDY & SMITH RIPPLE EFFECTAWARD

This award recognizes those people or organizations whose influence, endorsement or involvement has helped to create a ripple effect, generating growing waves of engagement and support in and from the community.

Suzanne Cabrera, President & CEO, Housing Leadership Council

Suzanne Cabrera spearheads a coalition taking action to increase affordable housing access creating a ripple effect felt countywide. Established in 2006 to address this crisis, the HLC partners under Cabrera’s leadership to create equitable housing solutions benefitting the workforce, seniors, and vulnerable groups.

With over 25 years’ expertise, Cabrera has secured $50 million in housing grants demonstrating her keen grasp of funding mechanisms and policies. Through coalitionbuilding, grantmaking, and chairing key housing collaboratives, Cabrera translates her vision for housing justice into action. Cabrera firmly believes stable shelter provides the foundation for communities to thrive. Her systemsview compels her to address root causes of housing inequity for Palm Beach County families.

For over 75 years, the Junior League of the Palm Beaches has created ripples of positive impact throughout Palm Beach County and beyond through dedicated service and volunteerism. Since its founding in 1941, JLPB has spearheaded countless initiatives supporting healthcare, youth, the elderly, arts and culture, and disaster relief. JLPB's stewardship led to the establishment of beloved institutions like the Cox Science Center. Their support for FLITE Center's mission for foster and trafficking youth illuminates JLPB's commitment to improving the lives of these vulnerable youth. Through decades of selfless service, visionary projects and unwavering care for Palm Beach County, the Junior League of the Palm Beaches creates ripples of positive change that touch lives across generations.

BRIDGE BUILDER AWARD

This award recognizes a company or organization whose contributions have helped to bridge a gap, make a connection in the community, or fill a specific need to expand or improve the delivery of life-changing programs and services offered by FLITE Center to youth and young adults.

Excel Construction

Florida's Excel Construction builds far more than quality industrial, commercial, and retail projects. Through their “Stand for What Counts” ethos, Excel places equal emphasis on strengthening community. Excel allocates yearly funding to sponsor nonprofits and initiatives focused on elevating education, families, youth, and sustainability across their region. Excel makes these investments of funds and volunteer hours because they measure return on investment not merely through dollars, but through the enduring, positive impact they construct within local communities.

Excel upheld these values recently by awarding FLITE Center a $15,000 grant to transform indoor space that will help support services and housing for exploited youth. According to Excel President Eric Wolf, "Human trafficking is a global crisis, and we commend FLITE Center for their efforts in ensuring that the survivors in our community have a safe haven." By selecting FLITE from an applicant pool across South Florida, Excel lives out their promise to leverage influence and resources to drive meaningful change in areas of great need. Their partnership with FLITE Center represents far more than cutting a check. For Excel, it symbolizes hands-on support that makes an immediate difference for youth, nonprofits, and the spirit of togetherness they wish to build. Excel proudly views construction projects as chances to shape communities for generations to come.

COMMUNITY COLLABORATOR AWARD

This award recognizes a person or organization who share a common purpose and goal for those served and who together with FLITE Center has helped to collaboratively make a difference in our community.

Payne AME Church

Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church has uplifted West Palm Beach’s black community through spiritual nourishment and social justice leadership for over 127 years. As the oldest African Methodist Episcopal church in the area, Payne Chapel’s mission is to “minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and environmental needs of all people.”

Beyond Sunday services, Payne Chapel runs empowering ministries focused on youth development, recovery, employment assistance, and serving struggling neighbors. The church actively partners to tackle inequality and food security countywide.

Palm Beach County Human Trafficking Task Force

Palm Beach County’s Human Trafficking Task Force drives a coordinated crackdown on exploitation, driving impacts countywide. Established in 2016, this first-of-itskind collaboration in the community leverages local, state, and federal law enforcement alongside prosecutors, service providers, and key community stakeholders.

Through cross-sector collaboration on specialized training, public awareness campaigns, proactive investigations, and data-driven decisions, the Task Force works comprehensively to curb trafficking and assist survivors. Member organizations also provide critical crisis intervention, housing, legal aid, and other services to help victims heal and seek justice.

The Task Force believes it will take an entire community working together to eradicate human trafficking - and their coalition makes this vision a reality.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MARIAN BLUNSTON WINGATE

Marian Wingate poured herself into uplifting the Palm Beach Community through decades of childcare leadership and unwavering church service. A devoted director known for empowering young minds at Apostolic Child Development Center, Marian approached all endeavors with purpose and passion. She channeled these gifts into Mount Zion Apostolic Faith Church as a member of the choir and usher board.

Beyond her professional and spiritual pillars, Marian will be remembered for her selfless support of organizations like FLITE Center, assisting the community’s most vulnerable. Despite battling the autoimmune disease Scleroderma in recent years, Marian continued volunteering to brighten others’ lives. As her loved ones honor her legacy, Marian’s courageous fight now brings greater visibility to Scleroderma’s impact on families. Though she will be deeply missed by many, Marian Wingate’s giving spirit left an indelible mark across PalmBeach County.

DR. HEIDI SCHAEFFER TRAILBLAZERAWARD

This award recognizes the profound impact that a company or organization has made advancing FLITE Center’s mission of providing life-saving services for Human Trafficking Survivors in Palm Beach County. Named after Trailblazer, Dr. Heidi Schaeffer, for her tireless work in human trafficking awareness, prevention, and advocacy for survivors.

The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation

The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation was created in 1997 by the late Frederick DeLuca, co-founder of the global SUBWAY® restaurant chain, to provide youth and adults the tools to achieve independence and self-sufficiency. Since its inception, the foundation has provided educational scholarship opportunities and grants to community -based organizations. Today, the Foundation’s impact has broadened to support artistic experiences, health awareness, and workforce development programs that enhance the lives of children and families throughout South Florida.

Dedicated to creating and strengthening opportunities for families and communities to thrive, The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation addresses critical needs by investing in partners that accelerate economic mobility, educational attainment and health. As one of FLITE Center’s existing funders in Broward County, they are keenly aware of how instrumental FLITE’s collective impact model is to the success of young people struggling to achieve self-sufficiency and independence. Specifically, the foundation has been at the epicenter of profoundly effective pilot projects the have led to a proven service delivery model and to the end of homelessness for hundreds of FLITE youth.

The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation is eminently worthy of receiving The Dr. Heidi Shaeffer Trailblazer Award due to their pivotal funding support which has paved the way for others to want to contribute to FLITE Center’s mission. With the Foundation's generous backing, FLITE Center has been able to sustain its “home” and essential programs in Palm Beach County, which includes on-site behavioral health services, survivor mentoring, resource navigation, advocacy, and emergency housing. The Foundation's trailblazing commitment ensures FLITE Center can live up to its vision that no youth travel the road to adulthood alone.