1. Jovannie Lorenzo is the Development & Marketing Manager at the Boys & Girls Club of Paterson and
Passaic where she applies her fundraising expertise to ensure that Club Kids have the resources they
need by coordinating fundraising and community events as well as School Supply Drives, Holiday Toy
Drives and Literacy Events. Beginning in 2004 with the US Army National Guard, Jovannie rose from
contributing as a volunteer to Event Coordinator at the local armory to serving as the President of the
Family Readiness Group. Knowing that she wanted to continue with this legacy of service, Ms. Lorenzo
continued to be a powerful advocate for those in need in her community by joining the Women’s Rights
Information Center in 2010. As the Housing Coordinator, she worked tirelessly with Men, Women and
single parents who were on the brink of homelessness and helped them find safe and secure
shelter. She assisted clients with critical issues arising from or contributing to housing constraints such
as obtaining skills training and finding suitable employment. This program prompted Jovannie to go a
step further and create the “Welcome Home Project” providing basic household items to clients that
secured housing. She also served as the centers Events and Special Projects Coordinator, coordinating
food drives, coat collections and baby bundle events for new and expectant mothers. Jovannie served
the client as a whole ensuring that every need was met.
As a cancer survivor, Ms. Lorenzo understands the physical and emotional challenges that families face
when diagnosed. Her volunteer efforts at Gilda’s Club Northern NJ and Center for Food Action
continued her commitment to service and her triumph over cancer inspired her to become an advocate
for Fight CRC- a national Colorectal Cancer organization. Her positivity has led her from Northern New
Jersey events to Capitol Hill where she speaks to Congressmen, Senators and legislators annually on
behalf of individuals facing cancer. She is involved with advocacy, awareness, patient resources/research
and philanthropy. Jovannie joined the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey in 2015
and as a Social Media Ambassador, she inspires participation in chamber events through social media
content and messaging.
As her journey has unfolded, she has served as an inspiration and a driving force to mobilize
communities for public service. Jovannie contributes a unique perspective as both a recipient and a
provider of services and continues to share her mission to make a difference one life at a time. She is a
graduate of Bergen LEADS and a certified security officer. Family is the key to happiness and Jovannie
finds her greatest joy in her three children Hanna, John and Xavier.