Tampa, FL – Engaging with the community, developing relationships, and building partnerships with a common goal of keeping our neighborhoods healthy and safe is key to reducing and preventing violence. For the third year, Safe & Sound Hillsborough and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Tampa Division’s Citizens Academy Alumni Association have partnered to honor extraordinary individuals in Hillsborough County that have gone above and beyond to uplift and transform their communities through public safety initiatives.

On Tuesday, June 25, 2019, The FBI Tampa Division will recognize Community Builder Award honorees. Each recipient will receive a mini-grant of up to $750 to continue their positive efforts in partnership with a non-profit organization of their choice. At the conclusion of the Safe & Sound Hillsborough’s monthly Leadership Council meeting, the special presentation will be made by FBI Special Agent in Charge Bryan Vorndran and Lon D. Guarino, President – FBI Tampa Citizens Academy (FBITCAAA). Honorees will also give a brief presentation on their future community projects and how the mini-grant will help them to implement it.

This year’s honorees include Jacqueline Coffie Leeks, Ricky Coronado, Bethany McNeil, and Brian NeSmith. In addition, a Youth Community Champion Scholarship awarded to a high school youth that has demonstrated outstanding volunteerism, with a minimum 3.0 GPA, and plans to pursue a degree in law, health, or public safety will be presented to Kierra Jenkins, a recent graduate of C. Leon King High School.

“The FBI Tampa Citizens Academy Alumni Association is once again very excited about partnering with Safe & Sound Hillsborough in honoring some very special citizens for the great work they have done in their communities,” Lon D. Guarino, President – FBITCAAA. “It is through these community partnerships and outreach programs that we strengthen and unite our community.”

Partnering with neighborhood heroes that selflessly serve while keeping their pulse on the needs of the community is what Safe & Sound Hillsborough is all about. Supporting their efforts with the FBI is the consummate example of working together to build strong families, safe schools and healthy neighborhoods.

Safe & Sound Hillsborough’s Leadership Council meetings are held the on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County and is open to the public. For more information visit www.SafeandSoundHillsborough.org or contact 813-327-8317.

About Safe & Sound Hillsborough

Established in 2013, Safe & Sound Hillsborough is a violence prevention collaborative created to transform the way local policy makers address violence. This initiative shifts policy from a public safety to a public health model and aligns community and professional stakeholders to develop a comprehensive prevention and intervention approach. Our mission is to build strong families, safe schools, and healthy neighborhoods. The collaboration includes the mayors and police departments of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace; the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office; the School Board of Hillsborough County; the 13th Judicial Circuit Court; the State Attorney’s Office; the Public Defender’s Office; Hillsborough County government; the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County; the Health Department; the University of South Florida; and numerous agencies and faith-based organizations that do vital work in our community. For more information or to volunteer, visit us at www.safeandsoundhillsborough.org.

Media Contact:
Sammecia Bagley
813-461-0816
sbagley@safeandsoundhillsborough.org