Kevin Gay is a native of Jacksonville and brings to his role as Director of Operation New Hope many years of entrepreneurial experience and a deep commitment to revitalizing urban neighborhoods.  He combines this with a special interest in helping the under served in communities who seek a way out of the cycle of addiction and poverty.

Kevin founded Operation New Hope in 1999, and upon his arrival he began to pursue a dream he had for creating a new model for community development.   He felt that while there were many houses in the inner city in need of major restoration, there were also many people broken and in need of hope once again.   Thus, Operation New Hope was born in order to bring hope back to the hopeless -- hope in the form of new housing, new jobs, new skills and a revitalized community.

Kevin Gay is a founding member of Reconcile Jacksonville, which has been responsible for partnering over 40 black and white churches over the past twelve years.   While serving on numerous community boards Kevin was most recently a board member and Chairman of the construction committee of Habijax, the largest Habitat affiliate in the world.   He also served on the management committee of the recent JCCI study called “Neighborhoods on the Tipping Point.” In 2003 the City of Jacksonville nominated Kevin for a national award through Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) and on May 22, 2003 he and nine others from around the country received the prestigious NUSA Notables Award for 2003.   Previous winners include Willard Scott of the TODAY SHOW and television personality Oprah Winfrey.

Kevin is a Political Science graduate of the University of Florida with a graduate degree from the College of Insurance in New York City.

 

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PAULA ADKINS-JAMISON:
Executive Assistant/
Office Administrator

Paula Adkins-Jamison holds the positions of Assistant to the President and Office Administrator.  She has been a part of Operation New Hope since August of 2000.   Prior to joining ONH, Paula worked as the Ryan White Administrator for Community Rehabilitation Center, Inc. and Assistant Director for The Adkins Outreach Ministry.   Both agencies are committed to helping individuals sometimes forgotten by society.

Paula serves on the board directors for N.I.P. Youth Challenger Program (Secretary) and Y.E.S. Women Empowerment Center (Vice Chair).   Paula is dedicated to providing love and support to individuals who are in need of another chance.

Paula is a member of Open Arms Christian Fellowship.   She earned her B.S. degree in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting from Edward Waters College.   She is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Human Resources Management.

 

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JOYCE JOHNSON:
Ready4Work
Client Development Specialist

Joyce Johnson brings to Operation New Hope a wealth of community service experience as well as 26 years of state government services where she served as a case manager, supervisor of case managers and as a manager of the Recruitment section of the then-Health and Rehabilitative Services. Within the community she served as a board member of First Coast Counseling and Education Center, serving as their secretary.   She also serves as a board member of MAD DADS and is currently a lifetime member of the NAACP.  Joyce worked for five years for Parents Fair Share and Northeast Florida Community Action Agency with clients who were mandated to the agency from the court for assistance in finding and keeping employment.

Joyce is the financial secretary of her church, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Baldwin.   She completed a tutoring ministry at her church from October 2003 through May 2004 where she was in attendance every Monday night.  Joyce believes “for every life I touch I should make a positive difference and if I don’t it should not be because I did not give it a try”.   She also believes that if she takes care of her brothers and sisters in her midst, then God will take care of her.

Joyce has a son, 40, a daughter, 29, and two grandsons. She spends some quality time with her family often.   She has a bachelor's degree from Florida A & M University in English.  Thirty-four years later she completed her MBA from University of Phoenix, graduating on July 17, 2004.   Joyce also has a CAAPP-1 from the state of Florida.   As Senior Case Manager working with persons coming from the court system, the knowledge she brings from that arena as well as her prison experience enable her to be an exemplary role model for the participants.

 

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CYNTHIA DEAN:
Ready4Work
Client Development Specialist

Cynthia Dean, originally from New York State, is the newest member of the Ready4Work organization where she is a Client Development Specialist.

Cynthia has over 16 years of experience in Social Services, including five years as an international American Red Cross manager/director, six years with the State of Florida, and five years working with non-profit agencies.

Cynthia and her husband Alvin have a daughter, Auriel.

 

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Leroy Mervin, Jr. came to Operation New Hope in May 2004 after serving in the Criminal Justice and Human Services field for the past 10 years.   Mr. Mervin is a native of Jacksonville, FL, and is a graduate of Ribault Senior High School.   He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Florida A & M University.

 

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L. MONIQUE GILLINS:
Ready4Work
Sales and Marketing Manager

L. Monique Gillins brings years of community service involvement to the agency.   Ms. Gillins previously worked at Hope Haven Children and Family Clinic where she advanced into several positions as Community Inclusion Specialist, Adult Training Instructor, Supportive Employment Specialist, and Community Rehabilitation Counselor) advocating for individuals with disabilities and assisting with services in the community.   Currently, Ms. Gillins is the Sales and Marketing Director for the Ready 4 Work Program and Adjunct Instructor at Florida Community College.

Monique is well-known in the community and has volunteered over seven years of service as Northwest Duval Athletic Association Events Coordinator, Youth Counselor and Cheerleader Coordinator. Ms. Monique is actively involved in her Church, Greater Love Pentecostal Holiness (Public Relations Coordinator, Founder of Teens for Christ and Vice-President of the Greater Love Mass Choir).

Ms. Gillins graduated with an AA degree from Florida Community College of Jacksonville where she served as Student Body President and Student Ambassador.   Monique continued her studies at the University of North Florida and obtained her undergraduate degree in Health Administration, graduating Magna Cum Laude with her Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling.

Monique Gillins is the proud mother of a beautiful and talented daughter, Tekiria.

“I believe in determination and perseverance. My passion is to touch someone's life with a smile.”

 

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Corvus Whitaker, a native of Florida, came to READY4WORK in December 2007 after serving in the education field for three years.

Corvus holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and a minor in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University.

As a new READY4WORK Job Coach he looks forward to the various challenges that each day brings.

 

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Darlis Ritz joined Operation New Hope's Ready4Work team in Jan. 2008 as Administrative Assistant.   With over 25 years of administrative experience she brings with her a wealth of organization skills, resourcefulness and creativity.

Mrs. Ritz is inspired to work for an organization that is dedicated to community restoration, personal empowerment and self-sufficiency.
"I truly love being an advocate for those who have made mistakes in their lives and who may be misunderstood."

Mrs. Ritz is married to George Ritz and are the proud parents of four children and one grandchild.

 

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Pastor Robert Brown is pastor of the River of Life Christian Fellowship and former chaplain with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.   He received a B. A. in Biblical Studies from Smith Chapel Bible College and an A. A. in Criminal Justice from F.C.C.J..   At the University of North Florida, Pastor Brown majored in Criminal Justice.

As Ready4Work Life Coach Coordinator, Pastor Brown is responsible for recruiting life coach volunteers from within the community and conducting training classes for volunteers. He is also responsible for matching and providing ongoing support and documentation of the Life Coach/Client relationship.

 

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John Lucas works for "Bridges To Success" at Lawtey Correctional Institute.   John has worked in the field of addiction counseling for the past nine years and is gratified to be helping people overcome the obstacles that come with addiction.   Mr. Lucas is enrolled at Springfield College and will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services with a concentration in Substance Abuse Addiction counseling.

John is married, has eight grandchildren, and enjoys playing golf.

 

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Donald Battles was born in Gainesville but grew up in nearby Williston, FL. He excelled in basketball and track while attending Williston High School, and earned a basketball scholarship from Santa Fe Community College.   In 1985 he attended West Georgia College under another basketball scholarship, graduating in 1987.

Mr. Battles began his career in the social services field working with youth at the May Street YMCA in Savannah, GA. In 1993 he was employed by Associated Marine Institute and worked with troubled youth for the next 13 years.

Mr. Battles is currently employed by Operation New Hope's ex-offender reentry program, Ready4Work.   In addition to his weekday job, he serves as Minister and Board Member of Solid Rock Church in Mandarin, FL.   He received his bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies in May 2008 from St. Thomas Christian College.

 

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Alison Jordan is a veteran of the United States Air Force. After her military service she worked for the Florida Department of Corrections and retired in Feb. 2008 after 22 years. Alison now works as the Pre-Release Coordinator for the Bridges to Success Program at Lowell Correctional Institution.

 

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Matthew Hunter is a life long resident of the state of Florida.   After graduating from high school in Gulf Breeze, Florida, and relocated to Jacksonville to attend college at the University of North Florida.   He graduated from UNF with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2006, and in 2008 completed his Master’s degree work in Criminal Justice.   Matthew joined the Ready4Work team in August 2008.

 

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