Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Melanie Geddes.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up in the inner city, I’ve experienced a lot of hardships firsthand. My mom was the head of household and struggled financially to ensure that our basic needs were met…often sacrificing her own needs to make sure that we had adequate food, clothing, shelter and educational resources.
Poverty often shapes ones perception of possibility and results in limited expectations (self-imposed and defined by others). I was lucky enough to encounter people who believed in me and had great expectations for my future. As a result, I worked hard to be what others (family, friends, teachers, etc.) saw in me. As each of the smaller goals were achieved, my expectations and perceptions of what was possible increased.
Understanding the impact of a helping hand, encouragement and support led me to pursue a career in human services.
I currently serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of LifeNet4Families, a Broward county non-profit organization that works to reduce the negative effects of food insecurity, hunger and poverty. I’m responsible for the vision, strategy, and advancement of the mission through collective action and advocacy. I oversee all aspects of organizational leadership, development, and growth, setting high strategic standards and focusing on continuous improvement,
I’m a highly motivated, results-driven leader with a solid background in leadership, operations, relationship management, and organizational development. My track record in the human services field includes nearly 20 years of experience in leadership and development of human service programs, grant administration, contract management, and facilitation of strategic alliances. Prior to joining LifeNet4Families, I served as Director, Health Initiatives for United Way of Broward County’s Community Impact division where I managed the agency’s largest impact area and procurement process, was instrumental in developing the organization’s veteran’s services strategy, and established a forum for contracted providers to share knowledge and collaborate to increase community impact using a synergistic approach.
I received my doctorate from Nova Southeastern University in Organizational Leadership. I also hold a B.A. in Deviant Behavior and Social Control and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. I currently serve as the Board Chair for the South Florida Hunger Coalition, and live in Coral Springs with my husband and two sons.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. However, growing up in poverty really prepared me for almost anything. I learned survival skills. I can function with very little resources and have mastered the art of dealing with the unplanned. I’ve worked hard for everything that I’ve wanted…or needed and learned to make adjustments to strategy and approach, but not to give up.
Growing up in a community where, death, drugs and despair are normal, can certainly make it difficult to succeed. It wasn’t uncommon to come home from school and encounter a shoot-out. I’d have to take cover until it was over and then continue on my path to my apartment. It was just as likely that there’d be a few people smoking crack or conducting a transaction (drug sale) right in front of my door when I arrived.
When I went away to college, I had very little money. I can recall not having enough to purchase all of the books I needed. I’d photocopy the pages I needed or read in the library.
I married young and we completed our undergraduate degrees while working full-time, and going to school on alternate nights–so that one of us could be home with our son. I remember we had a conflict because we both had a final on the same night and as fate would have it, no one was able to watch my son who was ill. I traveled with him on the subway to go and take the final exam. He was so sick and I felt like an awful mother. While I took the final exam, he laid in my lap and coughed…sometimes uncontrollably. I wrote while wiping tears from my eyes and mucus from his nose. I remember another student finished her exam and asked if she could sit with him in the hallway until I finished the exam. I must have looked nervous and hesitant because she assured me that she would sit on the floor right outside the door so that I could see them. I was so moved and grateful. She sat there with him lying in her lap until I was done. I didn’t even know her, but I am forever grateful.
I could go on forever! There have always been struggles. What I’ve learned is that with determination, you can get through them.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Established in 1985, LifeNet4Families addressed the pressing issue of hunger among the less fortunate-especially the homeless population. The goal was simply to provide peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to the indigent. The operation was carried out by a small group of concerned religious leaders and the impact was grand. However, the need was even greater. The mission has evolved from one in which people were primarily given sandwiches, to the present state, where people are able to sit down in a dining room and enjoy a nutritious, hot meal prepared in a fully equipped commercial kitchen. There are no criteria to meet, no one who is hungry is turned away. On average, more than 200 people who are hungry come to eat at LifeNet4Families every single day—including Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas. Recognizing that food insecurity and homelessness are merely symptoms of poverty, LifeNet4Families broadened its services to be able to assist people who are in crisis as a result of financial hardship or other challenging situations. In an effort to help people who are in need successfully navigate the complexities of the social service system, LifeNet4Families provides the most vital services under one roof—allowing for a seamless system of care. LifeNet4Families provides shower facilities, clothing, hygiene products, mail retrieval services for those who have no address, bagged lunches for individuals who are employed and homeless, daily hot meals, sandwich/snack packs for people who are hungry, counseling and referral services, assistance with the SNAP application and recertification process, and workshops that foster personal and professional development (nutrition, budgeting, job readiness, physical and mental health, etc.). In addition, through partnerships, Holy Cross nurses offer preventative care, testing and medical referrals twice each week; The Pride Center offers free HIV testing services twice each week, United Way of Broward County’s Mission United program assists veterans, and the Task Force Fore Ending Homelessness is on-site twice a week to help the homeless find shelter—all at LifeNet4Families.
Recognizing the challenges that many elderly clients face and the growing level of food insecurity among the senior community, LifeNet4Families operates a mobile pantry program focusing on providing food and fresh produce to seniors and other disadvantaged groups who have limited access to transportation. LifeNet4Families offers home delivery for elderly people with medical challenges. Volunteers are able to deliver perishable and non-perishable food items, pet food, and hygiene products to assist those seniors who are physically and financially unable to support themselves without assistance.
The program also provides food boxes each month to individuals and families that are struggling to keep food on the table. Food is distributed at various locations where need is identified and partnerships established, including two Broward County Housing Authority locations, faith-based locations and Holy Cross Hospital.
We’re most proud of our community impact and genuine commitment to the people we serve. Our team understands the importance of our work and strives to make a meaningful difference every day. We know that what we do has a direct impact on the thousands of lives we touch. Our services address basic needs. In 2017, more than 90,000 meals were served, over 21,000 food boxes and bags were distributed, nearly 16,000 articles of clothing were given to people in desperate need, we provided 6,600 showers, and our case management team had over 3000 crisis intervention meetings with clients.
What sets us apart from other organizations is that we are open 365 days a year. People can get something to eat every single day.
What were you like growing up?
I was very outgoing. I wanted to be involved in everything…Girl scouts, piano lessons, drama club, storytelling contests, science fairs, bake sales, you name it! I was very competitive and wanted to win everything. If I came in second place, I’d be so hurt. I went to an elementary school with a predominantly white student body. Since I was one of the only African-American students in most of my classes, I felt that I had a responsibility to do well. I felt as though I represented the entire race…and my family.
I wanted to be an actress and believed that it would be a sure path to financial success.
I was very independent, friendly, persuasive, compassionate and outgoing. I had strong leadership skills and always managed to be “in charge”.
I had a strong spiritual foundation that was instilled by my mother. We spent a lot of time in church. I sang on the children’s choir and attended Sunday school regularly.
I had a pretty typical childhood– bike riding, running through the sprinklers on hot summer days, begging my mother for spare change so I could buy ice cream when the ice cream truck arrived, playing with dolls, etc. I loved to write, and kept a “diary” for many years.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1 NW 33rd Terrace, Lauderhill Fl 33311
- Website: www.lifenet4families.org
- Phone: 954-792-2328
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/LifeNet4Families/
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