Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
04/25/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/26/2024 07:32
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Honors Hope Florida Volunteers and Announces Volunteer of the Year During National Volunteer Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2024
CONTACT:
DJJ Communications Office
(850) 921-5900
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - April is National Volunteer Month and to celebrate, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) honored outstanding volunteers at its annual volunteer appreciation ceremony held at the Florida Historic Capitol. This year's winners included volunteers who work with youth through First Lady Casey DeSantis' Hope Florida initiative and Monesia T. Brown who was recognized as this year's DJJ Volunteer of the Year.
Harlan Newton and Margaret "Margie" Gubert are both Guardian ad Litem volunteers who work with youth through Hope Florida - A Pathway to Promise. A Pathway to Promise expands the Hope Florida initiative in conjunction with the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office which assists Florida foster youth transitioning out of foster care to adulthood. This initiative provides youth with a mentor who will serve as a committed, caring adult as the youth transitions to adulthood, providing a lifeline for youth transitioning out of foster care to live independently. This year's honorees work with dually served youth or youth who are currently involved with or who were previously served by both the delinquency and dependency systems.
The department also awarded Monesia T. Brown with its DJJ Volunteer of the Year award for her service to at-risk youth and families as chair of the Florida Youth Foundation, DJJ's direct support organization.
Former Gainesville Chief of Police Tony Jones who serves on the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention State Advisory Group and Tom Butler, a 10-year volunteer who works with residential commitment youth in Hillsborough County were also honored for their service and contributions to Florida's youth and families.
"It is an honor to award Monesia Brown as our Volunteer of the Year as well as recognize remarkable DJJ and Hope Florida volunteers," said DJJ Secretary Eric Hall. "Through donating their time and talent to their communities, these individuals are creating a ripple effect of positive impact in the lives of youth and families throughout our state."
"I want to commend our Guardian ad Litem volunteers and mentors and all those honored for making Florida a better place thanks to their contributions and willingness to give back to others," said Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office Executive Director Dennis W. Moore. "Their dedication to motivate, support, and inspire our young people helps them to achieve their goals and prepares them for a better and brighter future ahead."
"Volunteer Month is a time to celebrate the hard work of our volunteers and the extraordinary impact they have on strengthening communities across our state," said Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo. "Congratulations to all this year's honorees and may their work in helping Florida's youth and families in need inspire and encourage others to serve."
Additional information on this year's honorees is as follows:
Monesia T. Brown, Volunteer of the Year
Monesia T. Brown currently serves as the chair for the Florida Youth Foundation, the direct support organization for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. Through her leadership, the Foundation has worked to improve the lives of Florida's youth who are at-risk and their families and provide them greater opportunities to thrive and succeed. She was instrumental in the partnership with the Florida Prepaid College Foundation to provide higher education scholarships for juvenile justice-involved youth through the Stanley Tate Project Scholarship Tuition for At-Risk Students (STARS) Program. She is a member of the Florida State Board of Education and Volunteer Florida Foundation and serves on the board of directors for the Jacksonville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Boys Town North Florida, Leadership Florida, and the Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce.
Harlan Newton
Harlan Newton is the Guardian ad Litem volunteer and mentor for a DJJ-involved youth placed in Hernando County. Harlan has established a great rapport with the youth and goes above and beyond by taking the youth on off-site visits and being involved with every aspect of his case, always advocating for the youth's best interests. Harlan also has a particular knack for navigating the complexities of the juvenile justice process, which has been invaluable. When the Hope Florida - A Pathway to Promise initiative was started, Harlan stepped right up, committing to be there for the youth as he ages out of foster care to adulthood.
Margaret "Margie" Gubert
Margaret Gubert is a testament to what it means to be an advocate which is evident by her work with a teen who returned to foster care after involvement with DJJ. He has been on probation since that time and is getting ready to turn 18 and go into extended foster care. Margie has collaborated with the youth, his caregivers, and his probation team to ensure court appearances and terms of probation are kept up. Margie has encouraged the teen to continue his education, and he recently graduated from high school. She encouraged him to enroll in college and helped him through admissions barriers. Margie has been a constant in this teen's life and helps guide him in the right direction to adulthood. Margie has officially signed up to stay with the youth through adulthood as part of the Hope Florida - A Pathway to Promise initiative.
Tony Jones
Tony Jones, former Chief of the Gainesville Police Department, is an advocate for juvenile justice and youth empowerment. Throughout his law enforcement career, he has fostered trust and collaboration resulting in safer and stronger communities. Tony Jones was appointed to the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention State Advisory Group, which consists of leaders from across the state of Florida who have the training, experience, or special knowledge of the juvenile justice system, in 2012 and re-appointed in 2022. Mr. Jones' commitment extends beyond law enforcement, as evidenced by his active involvement in several youth-focused organizations, and he continues to work with policies and practices that prioritize rehabilitation and support for youth who are at-risk in the community.
Tom Butler
Tom Butler has volunteered with Columbus Youth Academy (CYA), a DJJ residential program, for approximately 10 years. Mr. Butler is a valued member of the Pasco County Rotary Club and is responsible for organizing the monthly pancake breakfast for the youth at CYA. Mr. Butler also dedicates countless hours to mentoring youth and providing religious services. During the holiday season, Mr. Butler organizes yearly holiday parties with youth at the program. He makes himself available to the facility throughout the year to assist the youth as they work to achieve their goals so they can successfully transition back to their home communities.
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