Community Involvement
Karen has served the Gainesville community in other professional capacities as well. As the Director of the Child Advocacy Center in Alachua County she brought together social workers, counselors, law enforcement officers, state attorneys, victim advocates, Guardian Ad Litem, and medical professionals to create a safe, supportive environment for interviewing and assisting abused and neglected children. She also served as founding Director for the Alachua Regional Juvenile Assessment Center, a program in which arrested youth are assessed for substance abuse and mental health issues. Her primary responsibility was to coordinate the efforts of law enforcement and other professionals in the quest to understand the core issues of juvenile delinquents and to keep them out of adult detention.
Karen is a member and Past President of the Junior League of Gainesville. As President she led the membership in acceptance of “Give a Kid a Chance”, a program that targeted improving childcare facilities in the economically oppressed area of Gainesville and a successful “Child Watch” campaign in which community leaders witnessed the state of childcare in Alachua County. Karen served on the Association of Junior Leagues International Nominating Committee for 2 years, which gave her the responsibility of slating officers for an organization of 192,000 international volunteers.
Karen is a strong believer in community involvement, which is demonstrated by the following awards and honors:
- Letter from Florida Governor Lawton Chiles of Employing the Handicapped
- Named Key Player by The Gainesville Sun, a New York Times publication
- Promoted HUD, UF and a State Association to provide leadership programs for public housing residents.
- Certificate, City of Gainesville for leading Historic Gainesville Inc. in the renovation of historic properties.
- Treasurer, Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers
- Chairperson, Alachua County Juvenile Justice Council
- Nominating Committee, Association of Junior League International
- President, Junior League of Gainesville, FL Inc.
- President, Florida Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials
- President, Historic Gainesville, Inc.
- President, Thomas Center Associates, Inc.
- President, Children’s Home Society Auxiliary
- Member, Gainesville Florida Housing Corporation, Inc.
