Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 3-8-19

Feature
Woman Receives ‘Car From Wheels Of Success’
Charyetta, a client of the CDC of Tampa, Inc., was the recipient of the 998th car do- nated on February 4th, by the Wheels of Success Program.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last month, a single mother learned that her efforts to create a safe and secure environment for her son and herself did not go unnoticed. She became the 998th recipient of the Car From Wheels Of Success, Inc.
Charyetta, a domestic violence survivor, is the mother of a 16-year- old son. She escaped her abuser and then began finding ways to create a new life. She explored various pro- grams on her “Road to Success.” She is now part of a Christmas miracle that materialized this year. On Feb- ruary 4th, she was given the keys to a 2006 Pontiac.
She united with the CDC of Tampa last July visiting the Home- ownership Program. With the help of her Counselor, she set goals to pre-
pare herself for homeownership. She was employed on a temporary basis, but sought permanent employment.
Making her desires known, the CDC enrolled her in its wrap around program housed at the Economic Prosperity Center (EPC). The center is part of a United Way effort to pro- vide wrap around services. She was then referred to the Wheels of Suc- cess program, which is in partner- ship with the EPC.
The Wheels of Success Program helps survivors escape their abuser, maintain self-sufficiency by provid- ing reliable transportation.
After Charyetta qualified for the program, the rest is history.
She said, “I would have the trans- portation necessary to stay gainfully employed, to attend work on time, and solidify my position with my em- ployer.”
The vehicle was donated to the program by Ralph Smith, CEO and founder of Computer Mentors, Inc. Smith said he purchased the vehicle for his daughter while she was a stu- dent. However, after she became es- tablished, she purchased her own vehicle.
Smith said, “When you are in- Correction
volved in a non-profit, and an oppor- tunity arises, you can automatically think, how can this help another non-profit.
Ms. Susan Jacobs, Executive Director of Wheels of Success, Inc., Smith, and Ernest Coney, Jr., are all graduates of Leadership Tampa.
Shown standing beside the vehicle that was given away are from left to right: Ralph Smith, who donated the vehicle, Ms. Susan Jacobs, Executive Director of Wheels of Success Program, Charyetta, and Ernest Coney, Jr., President and CEO of the CDC of Tampa, Inc.
In an article printed in the Sentinel entitled, “Eckerd Connects Eliminates Only Black Child Placement Center,” it was stated that Eckerd Connects selected the Children’s Home Network, A Door of Hope, Camelot Community Care, and West Florida Foster Care Services. to handle placement and licensing in the community.
Eckerd Connects selected the Children’s Home Network, who in turn selected the other agencies as their subcontractors.
The Sentinel apologizes for any confusion the article may have caused.
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A