HEART OF FLORIDA UNITED WAY HIRES DIRECTOR OF STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

ORLANDO, Fla. (August 18, 2008) – Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW) has announced the addition of Jose Irizarry as director of stewardship. In this role, Irizarry will oversee the distribution of more than $1,000,000 available to a network of emergency assistance agencies throughout Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties.


Irizarry’s unique blend of skills and experience made him uniquely qualified for this position. Because most requests through the United Way 2-1-1 and Elder Helpline involve rent, mortgage or utility assistance, an organized method of administering community funds is essential. As a result, the stewardship program addresses emergency assistance needs by providing allocations to funders and ensuring that funding guidelines are followed. The program also prevents the duplication of services by providing a centralized database that is accessible to participating agencies.


Prior to joining HFUW, Irizarry served for five years as the director of program services for Coalition of the Homeless of Central Florida, which is one of nearly 100 United Way partner agencies. In that role, Irizarry oversaw the program functions at the Center for Women and Families, Nurturing Center, Men Services, Housing Department, Child Development Program, Women’s Residential and Counseling Center and the statistical and data department. In addition, he served as the organization’s housing director for one year, during which he prepared and monitored all statistical data reports required for the Department of Children and Families and Grant-In-Aid.


He previously served as case manager for Anthony House, a transitional housing program for the homeless, where he oversaw employment and educational programs and assisted clients in locating housing. Irizarry is also the former vice president of Aero Groups of Orlando, where he developed marketing programs, negotiated hotel and transportation contracts, and managed travel agency operations that generated over $1 million in annual sales.


Irizarry received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Interamerican University in Puerto Rico, with a focus on social work. He also completed training with the Sigma Beta Drug Prevention and Addiction program and attended the Puerto Rico Trade and Technical School, focusing on airline and travel agent training.


For more information about Heart of Florida United Way, visit www.hfuw.org or call 407-835-0900.


About Heart of Florida United Way
Heart of Florida United Way is Central Florida’s most comprehensive health and human services charity and the largest provider of funds to the region’s most critical health and human service
programs. The organization also operates United Way, 2-1-1, Central Florida’s community information and referral helpline; a Volunteer Resource Center; a Gifts In Kind Center; a Stewardship program that works with agencies to provide emergency assistance; and the Ryan White Part B program, which administers nearly $2 million to much needed HIV/AIDS services and referrals. Heart of Florida United Way impacts more people annually than any other charity operating in the tri-county area, and partners with local businesses, government, other charities and individuals to increase awareness of local health and human service issues and to inspire hope, provide options, and create possibilities for the people in our community. For more information visit www.hfuw.org.