For the past 18 years, Ju’Coby has dedicated her life as an advocate for equality in developing and implementing programs for the homeless, veterans, youth and low-come in the community. With the support of community stakeholders, staff, the Board of Directors and volunteers, under her leadership the Mission has raised, developed and implemented a $2.1 million dollar project to include a 24-hour operation of transitional housing, job training in Culinary Arts, Janitorial Training and Highway Safety and Construction Maintenance, Drop-In Day Center, a daily feeding program and prevention program of golf, tennis and academic programs for inner city youth. In addition she has developed a separate 501© (3) organization for the Eartha M. M. White Historical Museum, which provides educational and historical resources to the community. Her efforts are to continue the legacy and tradition of founders, Clara and Eartha White by developing on-going support and fundraisers to generate long term sustainability with a team approach.
In April, 2007, a new initiative in partnership with St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Mission opened Clara’s at the Cathedral, a training café for students and graduates to perfect their skills and prepare them for the workforce in the hospitality industry. Currently, the vision is to develop a $12 million dollar affordable housing development with supportive services in the downtown LaVilla community.
Her career portfolio includes: Community Connections (formally YWCA), United Way of Northeast Florida, Shands Jacksonville, The Federal Reserve Bank and the City of Jacksonville.
Ju’Coby has received the Jessie Ball DuPont Fund Award; Leadership Jacksonville Award, Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women; Women of Influence from the Jacksonville Business Journal, a finalist for the EVE Award 2003 in Employment, from Florida Times Union; Gateway Girl Scouts Women of Distinction, JM Family African American Achievers Award.
Her past and current volunteer community commitments include: Jacksonville Rotary, Leadership Jacksonville/Leadership Florida Alumni, Emergency Services Homeless Coalition, appointed by the Governor to serve on the State Homeless Commission, Judicial Nominating Commission, Enterprise/Empowerment Commission, JEDC Redesign Commission, Chamber of Commerce, Jacksonville Women’s Network, Habijax, Cultural Council, Jacksonville Urban League Board, Jacksonville Job Corps, Junior League, Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Ju’Coby received an AA Degree from FCCJ and a BS Degree in Business Administration and Honorary Doctorate from Jones College and Edward Waters College CLIMB Program. Ju’Coby is married to Kenneth Peele, Jr. and together they share four children. Her philosophy is Go out of your comfort zone to make a difference.
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