Tampa, FL – For the Leadership Tampa Class of 2022 it was the community service project they refused to give up on - Metropolitan Ministries’ Hope Village in Eastern Hillsborough County. The shelter for homeless families was in dire need of help, assembling beds and furniture for the families who call the rooms “home”. There was painting and wall repair to be done too – all needs placed on hold indefinitely when the global pandemic hit the U.S. in 2020 and COVID-19 restrictions stretched into 2021 when this LT class began. This Spring, participants were finally able to say “mission accomplished” – completing the work at Hope Village they had promised, logging more than 164 volunteer hours! Just calculating the impact from the beds and linens perspective is impressive. The LT 2022 volunteers built and installed anywhere from four to six beds in each one of the 12 apartments – approximately 60 beds in all. Since last year, the class of 46 people had raised enough money to buy Hope Village more than $5,000 in new linens and décor. This month, this small but mighty team became the first LT class to complete a community service project since COVID-19.
Community Service projects have been part of each LT class experience for decades. Ask participants in the 51 graduating classes about their favorite aspects of the legacy leadership program exclusive to the Tampa Bay Chamber, and it’s not long before the conversation lands squarely on the class community service projects. It’s part of the heart and soul of the LT experience. No one better than the men and women of LT Class 2022 to describe the majesty of being part of something that’s larger than themselves… making a positive and lasting mark on the community they love. No superpowers required.
Amanda Jacobson was the Co-Chair of the LT Class Project and Vincent Grizio was the class’ Project Organizer.
Q1: What was it like for LT 2022 to work on this project on the campus of Metropolitan Ministries?
A: “Our LT’22 cohort logged over 165 volunteer hours during 8 weekend shifts. Each group of volunteers had different experiences… It’s also a testament to our bonds as a class, and the dedication to our project, as we were unable to start the project until seven months after our class graduation due to various scheduling challenges. Despite the delays, the class remained committed to the project.” Vincent Grizio, U.S. Special Operations Command.
A: “We had a leader from McDill Air Force Base, a judge and two nonprofit leaders building furniture together to determine how long each room would take to build. (Each apartment included 4 to 6 beds, a wardrobe, dresser and a desk.) Each volunteer brought a different perspective. How should the furniture be staged to maximize space? How can we organize the room to provide zones for different activities including homework, relaxation, and playtime for children? All of these thoughts were whirling in our heads. At the same time, we were trying to remember who we’d need to call next time we build furniture at home!” Amanda Jacobson, Meals on Wheels – Tampa
Q2: Your LT Class is the first to complete a class community project in three years. This hasn’t happened since March 2020! How do you all feel about that?
A: “It is! We are proud to continue this tradition. We know that so many nonprofits struggled with staffing, PPE, fundraising, and maintaining their base of volunteers to help them continue on their missions. Although we've now moved through the COVID-19 pandemic, these challenges are still in the process of being resolved in our community. To be a catalyst in re-igniting this LT tradition has been very rewarding.” – Jacobson
A: “Everyone enjoyed the volunteer experience to help MetroMin’s mission and we continue to build upon this camaraderie and relationships well past the conclusion of our LT’22 tenure.” – Grizio
Exclusive to the Tampa Bay Chamber, Leadership Tampa is among the three oldest leadership program in the U.S. started in 1970 more than a decade before the state’s own Leadership Florida program began in 1982 by the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Since Leadership Tampa’s inception, 51 classes comprised of more than 2,500 graduates have completed the intensive leadership development program. Just days after LT Class of 2022 made recent history completing this first community service project since the global pandemic began, recruitment for the next generation of LT visionaries and innovators began. Recruitment of LT Class of 2024 runs March 24 – May 8. For details on criteria, costs, LT applications and more, visit the Tampa Bay Chamber’s Leadership Tampa website.
