Happy New Year

Transforming Lives through Education

HEROES Foundation of America, a 501 (c) (3) supports those who lack financial resources and services to attain a high school equivalency diploma (GED) and provides scholarships to postsecondary or vocational certification with the potential and resources to succeed.

The Year in Review: 2022 Highlights

As the year 2022 is quickly coming to an end, I'm reflecting over all our accomplishments and challenges this past year. All our efforts and hopes were to exceed our last year's income. Thanks to everyone's generosity and support we accomplished our goals. My heart is overflowing with happiness that, once again, we've reached our goals and we're able to continue our mission of making a differnce to many peoples' lives.

On October 1, 2022, HEROES Foundation had an amazing golf tournament, "Tee It Up for HEROES" at the PGA National, Champion Course. Thanks to all our sponsors, golfers, board members, volunteers and our golf consultant, Doris Muscarella with Charity Tournaments, who made it a very successful event. This golf tournament charity event impacted the lives of many GED students and graduates within our community. Thank you for making a difference and changing the trajectory of peoples' lives. We're especially grateful to our major sponsors: the Palm Beach County's Sherriff’s Office, Mercedes Benz of Palm Beach, Flagler Bank, Dune Deck Cafe and Dune Deck's Mimosa Cafe, as well as Monkey Dough for all those travel destinations, Brian Spector for the collectors’ memorabilia and Orca Golf. Despite the higher costs of having our event at the PGA National, we netted a sufficient amount to award five more scholarships in 2023. Thank you everyone.

First Place: Matthew Akers, Dan Killory, Doug Champion, Nick Ferriel Score: 55

2nd Place: Ron Mattino, Rusty Lamm, Matt Matino, Fred Rodgers,

Score 55

3rd Place: Marc Coleman, Van Williams, Germany Dixon, John Estrada

Score 57

For more pictures taken by our photographer, Everet Hamilton, visit our website, www.heroesfoundationofamerica.org

Congratulations to our own HERO, Edwin Ferguson, Esq.

Mr. Ferguson will be an incredible asset to the School District of Palm Beach County.

We're all so proud of our HEROES Foundation Board director, Edwin Ferguson, who was recently voted in as a school board member. Edwin has been serving on our HEROES Foundation of America Board of Directors for more than two years, and chaired last year's golf tournament. His unparalell committment to our District is clear. He has proven to be dedicated to Palm Beach County's educational system,

Edwin is a proud product of the Palm Beach County School System, having attended Lincoln Elementary School, Military Trail Elementary School, Bear Lakes Middle School, and Suncoast High School. While a student at Suncoast High School, Edwin attained his diploma from the International Baccalaureate program. After high school he attended the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), followed by his attendance at the University of Central Florida (UCF). While at UCF, Edwin attained his undergraduate degree in Business Administration.

After graduating from college, Edwin taught AP Chemistry and Algebra I at the School District of Palm Beach County. In fact, it was Edwin’s empathy for the daily struggles our students face that led him to turn his sights to law school as a means of gaining a greater level of education which then could be used here in Palm Beach County to help reshape the community. After graduating from the Barry University School of Law in 2005, Edwin founded The Ferguson Firm in Riviera Beach, Florida where he specializes in personal injury and real estate.

HEROES Foundation In the Spotlight!

We are excited, honored, and proud to share that HEROES Foundation of America was recognized at the School District of Palm Beach County's Department of Adult and Community Education's Annual Luncheon, on December 2, 2021, for our commitment to our community.

This annual event is an opportunity for the department to showcase its programs and recognize those who have gone above and beyond to support and empower their students.

Adult Education and Community

Education services over 34,000 students per year.

Picture with School Board members, Alejandra Ayala, Superintendent Mike Burke, School Board Member, Edwin Ferguson, Esq., HEROES founder, Sandra Caruso, and Deputy Superintendent and Chief of Schools, Edward Thierny

The Department of Adult and Community Education plays an important role within our community by providing opportunities for adults to improve their life and their career prospects. They provide the knowledge and skills necessary to participate effectively as productive citizens, workers, and family members.

Classes are offered throughout Palm Beach County with daytime and evening sessions making classes more accessible for our community to:

Learn English
Attain their high school or high school equivalency diploma (GED)
Career and Technical training
Fun and Leisure

For a program near you, or to find out more information about Adult, Community and Career Education, visit the website, ACE and The Community Educator for community educaiton and locations.

Friends and Award winners, L-R Dora Rodriguez, Sandra Caruso, and Sheri Viola

Congratulations!

L-R Fred Barch, Director of Adult and Community Education, Sandra Caruso, HEROES Foundation of America founder, and Stuart Mears, Assistant Principal at Chuck Shaw Technical Center

Our own HERO and Scholarship recipient 2022, Chelo Julian, received an award for the most successful student.

Keep Making us Proud!

Interested in Joining our Team?

Effective January 2023, HEROES Foundation of America will be undergoing some changes with its Board of Directors. We need to fill three vacancies in the governance board. HEROES Foundation of America Board of Directors comprises leaders from non profit organizations, and from the for profit sector within our community who are dedicated to the nonprofit's mission. A decision to join a board is an important one as the board member must be resourceful, creative, committed and passionate about the mission and vision of the organization.

Interested in becoming a board director

Thank You for your committment to HEROES Foundation of America

I'm sad to announce that our Chair, Kathy Bonner will be stepping down from the board. However, she will still be involved with our non-profit organization in a different, and much-needed capacity. She will be assisting us as with ensuring grant funds. As many of you know, we're experiencing growing pains, and we'll need additional funds to serve our GED students in other areas of Florida.

Kathy, thank you for your inspiration, committment and support as we embarked on this journey together.

Shelley Vana, our Palm Beach County friend and former Mayor of Palm Beach County and House of Representatives has moved to Georgia to be closer to family. Shelley has an extensive bio illustrating where she has dedicated her life to helping others in her community. She has served Palm Beach County in many leadership roles, always advocating the needs of her constituents. Just by being a HEROES Foundation Board of Directors, Shelley has brought value to the non-profit organization. We are grateful for all her affiliates, and contributions to our cause.

Although she will no longer be a voting member, her committment to HEROES as an ex-officio is greatly appreciated.

Anyone associated with adult education in Florida, knows Dr. Valerie Bryan,a Charles Stewart Mott Eminent Scholar, a Professor in Educational Leadership & Research Methodology, & Program Coordinator for Adult and Community Education at Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Bryan's extensive knowledge on enhancing the GED student's academic program has become an integral component of our Bridges to Success Program.

We are grateful to Dr. Bryan for all her resources, and although she has moved to South Carolina, she will continue being a non-voting member of HEROES Foundation of America. We are grateful for her committment as an ex-officio member.

We are grateful for your support and contributions to our mission of changing peoples' lives. Your contribution will help someone in our community realize their dream of achieving their high school equivalency diploma (GED), or pursuing a career. You can make a difference and transform peoples' lives through education.

Please visit our website for more information and for making a contribution to our cause:

www.heroesfoundationofamerica.org

Sincerely,

the HEROES Foundation of America team