OCALA, FL (352today.com) – At the recent Florida Network of Youth and Family Services (FNYFS) Annual Meeting in Clearwater, Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano was honored with The Chairman’s Award, the top honor given by the organization. This award celebrates those who show outstanding commitment, leadership, and a positive influence on the lives of young people and their families across Florida.
Mayor Marciano has been a dedicated volunteer and strong supporter of Arnette House for many years, earning him this recognition. Cheri Pettitt, the CEO of Arnette House, thanked Mayor Marciano for his constant commitment to the community and the young people helped by the organization. She remarked, “Ben Marciano has been a blessing to Arnette House and the youth that we serve. We are grateful for his support and thrilled that his selfless dedication to our community is recognized with this prestigious award.”
Along with Mayor Marciano’s recognition, Kristin Bumpus-Hamilton, the Food Services Coordinator at Arnette House, was awarded the first-ever Youth Advocate Award for her many years of hard work in mentoring and supporting the young people at Arnette House.
The FNYFS is a nonprofit group made up of 27 member agencies that help homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth aged six and up, as well as their families. For more than 40 years, the FNYFS has led efforts in prevention and early intervention as a “Children and Families in Need of Services” (CINS/FINS) agency, according to Florida law. They aim to prevent juvenile crime, encourage good choices, and support healthy family connections.
Arnette House, located in Ocala, partners with FNYFS to provide free residential and non-residential programs for youth and families in Marion, Lake, Sumter, Hernando, and Citrus counties. To learn more, go to Floridanetwork.org.