CUNNINGHAM PROMOTED TO RUN UNITED WAY VITA PROGRAM

CUNNINGHAM PROMOTED TO RUN UNITED WAY VITA PROGRAM

Fort Myers, FL, (May 12, 2016) — United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee announced the promotion of Patrice Cunningham to Senior Special Project Manager. The announcement was made by Vice President of Resource Development and Marketing, Jeannine Joy.
“Patrice’s successful development and implementation of the United Way Family Mentor Program has been invaluable to our community and our organization. Her innovative thinking and project management skills will continue to enhance the strategic direction and growth of the United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program,” said Joy.
Cunningham joined the United Way Volunteer Center in January 2015 and launched the successful United Way Family Mentor Program in partnership with the Children’s Network of Southwest Florida. There are currently over seventy family mentors that have been trained in our community. The purpose of the United Way Family Mentor Program is to match mentors with parents who have been involved in the child welfare system and are ready to be re-unified with their children. Each Mentor works to build a committed and trusting relationship with the parents to support them through this transition.
As Senior Special Project Manager, Cunningham will manage the United Way Family Mentor Program as well as the United Way VITA Program. VITA is a free tax filing service available to individuals and families making $60,000 or less using volunteer tax preparers who have been trained and certified by the IRS. This past year over $4.6 million dollars were returned to our community’s tax payers through our United Way VITA program.
Prior to her position with United Way, Cunningham was Marketing Director for CONRIC PR & Marketing. She has been involved in and led many professional and civic organizations. Among her many accolades, she was named 2013-2014 Recipient of Florida Kiwanis Governor’s Outstanding District Chairperson Award. She is a devoted wife, proud mother, and enjoys playing competitive soccer in the Fort Myers women’s league.
The United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee is a volunteer organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people in our community. In addition to raising funds for human service organizations in our community, the United Way promotes partnerships and collaborations among agencies and initiatives, helping them to work together focusing on issues and solutions that continue to improve lives. United Way helps support a local human service network of 85 partner agencies and over 200 programs.
The United Way Volunteer Center connects individuals and companies to volunteer opportunities throughout our community. The United Way Volunteer Center also manages the Family Mentor Program, ReadingPals, and VITA. You can reach the United Way Volunteer Center by calling (239) 433-2000, Option 9, or by visiting the United Way website at www.UnitedWayLee.org