April 28, 2021– Family Promise of Greater Orlando’s Board of Directors are pleased to announce that Kathie Southern will become the Executive Director for the homeless nonprofit beginning on Monday, May 3, 2021.
“Family Promise of Greater Orlando is thrilled that Kathie Southern has accepted this leadership position. The Search Committee conducted an extensive three-month search for the best candidate, and we are excited to announce Kathie’s selection. She has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit stor and the Board feels that her expertise will take the agency to the next level,” commented Dan Smith, Board President.
Kathie worked as the Director of Education and Community Relations at Heartland for Children for the past 13 years. While in that role, she was responsible for the oversight of Child Abuse Prevention efforts for the tri-county area and many other initiatives on behalf of children and families. She provided collaborative leadership to engage partners in activities that strengthened families, which included connecting them to needed resources in an effort to provide help before harm occurred.
“I am excited for this opportunity,” said Kathie Southern. “I understand very well the importance for children to be raised in stable, loving environments so they can thrive and grow. Family Promise provides that environment for so many children in the community. I am excited to begin my work there so we can continue to make a positive difference in the lives of families in Central Florida.”
Kathie has called Central Florida home for over 25 years. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and received her Master’s degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Central Florida.
Family Promise of Greater Orlando’s Mission
Surrounding families with a community of support and dignity, Family Promise of Greater Orlando provides shelter and supportive services to assist homeless families in achieving sustainable housing as quickly as possible.
According to the Florida Department of Education and Shimberg Center for Housing Studies, during the 2017-2018 school year, 9,709 students in Orange County experienced homelessness. These students lived doubled up at the homes of friends and family members, in motels, in shelters, or in cars and on the street. In 2020, Family Promise of Greater Orlando assisted over 150 families to overcome the crisis of homelessness. Family Promise works collaboratively in the community to be part of the solution toward ending family homelessness.
To learn more or donate to this organization, please visit http://fporlandofl.org.
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