1. Building Leadership-Building Capacity2011 Freestore Institute Graduation John Young, CEO and Julie Smith-Morrow, VP of FreestoreFoodbank presided over the graduation of the 2011 FreestoreFoodbank Leadership Institute. ESCC Volunteer Coaches also appear with some of the graduates in the following pictures.
2. “I appreciate the assistance from everyone here. It’s been a viable part of our growth and development. Thank all of you for the opportunity and the friendship.” Brian McCarter - Fresh Start Victory Center
3. “We are looking forward to having a closer relationship with the Freestore Foodbank. We couldn’t have done it without the guidance we received here. Thank you.” Matt Miller - Anderson Ferry Food Pantry
4. “Not only have we learned from our instructors but from all of our partners, as well. We have taken away some great planning skills. You have been an inspiration as well as giving us more direction. Thank you.” Shirley Stephens - Imani Family Center
5. "One thing I took away from this is a sense of amazement at how much the local food pantries accomplish with so few resources. The dedication of the pantry leaders is inspiring. The training sessions have provided me with the tools necessary to lead my organization through a strategic plan. Thank you very much." John Van Gilse - Boys Hope/ Girls Hope
6. “I thank the Freestore for the help that you gave us. Thanks for having us here and giving us all that we need to do our jobs wherever we are. I am very grateful and thankful that I was part of the team and the group.” Franco Wantsala - Seven Hills Neighborhood Center
7. “I really appreciate our early classes where we learned about working from our strengths, and I also enjoyed talking with many of you. Thanks to all of you for helping me and to (my coach) for keeping me on task.” Mary Ann Welling - Interfaith Emergency Assistance
8. “I’ve never had all this background knowledge and information before so this is a whole new experience for me. I thank you for the opportunity.” Marsha Williams - Our Daily Bread
9. “What the institute has done for me is to reenergize me to get on the stick and start moving again. I’ll buy another $500,000 building for low income housing, which again will produce $20,000 in income for my shelter. I don’t know that I would have tackled that again if it hadn’t been for (my coach) and the Institute.” Craig Beckley – Heart House
10. “It’s difficult for me to stretch myself, so I was hesitant about attending the Institute; however, the homily I heard at Mass on Sunday convinced me to attend. The priest talked about the importance of ‘moving out of one’s comfort zone.’ When I look back at all I have accomplished now, I’m grateful I attended. I just want to give a heartfelt ‘thank you.’ We could not have done it without you” Shirley Cade - St. Leo Church Pantry
11. “I have learned a lot and I appreciate that. We had no board or committee before and now we do. And also we had zero plan except if it’s Tuesday we’re going to open the food pantry on Wednesday. And we now have some concept of what we’re doing and where we’re going. It will help our 150 families in Bracken County of 8700 people. Thank you. ” Tom Cortner - Brooksville Baptist
12. “My heart is full and I thank you. I think we have completed out of four goals, three of them. It’s been fabulous. It’s been awesome. I’ve met some wonderful friends.” Neva Fetters - Williamsburg Nazarene Church
13. “What I have observed is the Freestore Foodbank is constantly stretching its limits to better serve the community. Our clients are very grateful and this experience with the Leadership Institute is really going to be a springboard for a lot of progress in our community. I’m especially grateful to all of you.” Tyrone Jackson - Cincinnati Islamic Center
14. “I am very glad I was able to participate in the Leadership Institute. I’ve learned a lot. It’s exciting to learn about everything else that’s going on in the Freestore community. Thank you.” CordeliaKaplow - St. Paul's Pantry
15. “At first I didn’t really want to come. Then I made a decision to go and if I didn’t like it I would simply leave. Well I didn’t leave. This Institute has taught me to set goals and strategic direction in a better way. I really appreciate being able to do some things that I hadn’t done before. You have to present things in the right manner and I learned to do that here. And had it not been for you all, I guess I just wouldn’t have gotten it done.“ Barbara Lungelow - Adventist Outreach Ministries
