Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 1-19-16 Edition

Features
Mayor Hires Human Rights Investigation Supervisor
Man Killed In Accident With Wrong Way Driver
A Riverview man died and a woman was critically injured in a traffic accident. The accident took place on U. S. 41, just north of Bayshore Road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the accident took place at approximately 8 p.m., Thursday.
Ms. Jean Ann Petraits, 56, of Ruskin, was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Express southbound in the northbound lanes of U. S. Highway 41. Rodney Keith Bell, 32, of Riverview, was driving his 2001 Honda Odyssey in the northbound lanes of U. S. Highway 41.
The two vehicles collided nearly head-on. Bell sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. Ms. Petraits was trans- ported to Tampa General Hospital in critical condition.
Investigators determined that Ms. Petraits was im- paired at the time of the accident. The investigation is con- tinuing and charges are pending in the case, police said.
Outreach Coordinator
On January 6th, Ms. Pa- tricia Newton began her duties as an employee of the City of Tampa. Mayor Bob Buckhorn hired her to serve as the Human Rights Investigation Supervisor.
“We are thrilled to have Patricia join our team in this capacity. She comes well recommended from the City of Orlando and we welcome her here in Tampa to our world class team,” Mayor Buckhorn said.
Ms. Newton will be housed in the Community Affairs Division. Her imme- diate responsibilities will in- clude focusing on equal rights and equal opportunity for the citizens of Tampa in employment, housing, and public accommodations under the protected classes of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation and gender identity/ expres- sion or retaliation.
A graduate of the Univer-
Who Has ‘Been There’
MS. PATRICIA NEWTON
... Newly hired City of Tampa Human Rights Investigation Supervisor
Changes Lives
sity of South Florida, Ms. Newton holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree. Her major was Speech Commu- nication and English Educa- tion.
Her experience includes serving as a reporter with
the Orlando Sentinel, and as a teacher in the Orange County Public School System. She has also served as a Fair Housing Specialist and Employment Discrimi- nation Investigator in the Human Relations Office.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
One Tampa woman dedi- cates her time and efforts to changing lives. She helps homeless people become self-sufficient.
Ms. Patricia Wingo is currently employed at the Tampa Housing Authority as an Outreach Coordinator. Her role is to help those liv- ing on the streets find homes and jobs. The position doesn’t chain her to a desk, but gives her the freedom to go to the people and not wait for them to come to her of- fice.
For some, the position may just be a means to justify the end, but for Ms. Wingo it is far more than that. It is her passion. She can relate to the homeless because she was once homeless herself.
For two years during the 1980s, Ms. Wingo slept in a homeless camp, using earplugs to keep bugs from crawling into her ears. An ad- diction to crack not only left her homeless, but also re- sulted in her losing custody of her then 2-year-old child.
But, one day a relative found her and extended a helping hand. And it was then that she realized she could make a difference in the lives of others.
After kicking the habit and re-establishing herself, Ms. Wingo began using her own time and money to provide those she encountered with personal hygiene supplies and other necessities. She has continued this for the past decade.
A year ago, Ms. Wingo was hired by the Tampa Housing Authority as an Out- reach Coordinator. She goes into the field and collects vital information to help those she encounters. Then,
MS. PATRICIA WINGO Outreach Coordinator, Tampa Housing Authority
she sets about helping them find a safe place to live and employment.
And, after she has placed someone in a home or apart- ment, she remains in contact with that person to make sure they are doing okay. Ms. Wingo reassures them that she is there for them and is only a telephone call away.
But, she doesn’t stop at 5 p.m., instead, she walks the streets on her own time, changing lives along the way.
Since launching this en- deavor, Ms. Wingo passes on the donated items to those in need. Recently, the back- seat of her vehicle was filled with blankets that had been donated.
“I want to help the people in my community. I want to be able to help change their lives, so I’m always grateful to those who are willing to make contributions. I believe that people will help if they know the items they donate are going to a good cause,” she said.
Anyone wishing to contact Ms. Wingo can reach her at (813) 253-0551, extension 1480.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3