Mayor Lenny Curry on Wednesday named six people, including a former sheriff, and business and nonprofit leaders, to oversee the Kids Hope Alliance, the city’s newly formed agency that will carry out city-supported youth programs.
Curry’s appointments for the group’s board of directors are Nat Glover, Jacksonville former sheriff and outgoing president of Edward Waters College; Rebekah Davis, a registered nurse and former board member of the Jacksonville Children’s Commission; Kevin Gay, founder and leader of the non-profit Operation New Hope-Ready4Work; Joe Peppers, an army veteran and manager for Amazon; Tyra Tutor, a senior official with The Adecco Group; and Marvin Wells, the founder of a local oral surgery practice.
“These individuals are dedicated members of our community who share my commitment to safe neighborhoods and serving local youth,” Curry said in a written statement. “They will serve our city well.”
Curry formed the Kids Hope Alliance early this year to replace the Jacksonville Children’s Commission and the Jax Journey, which also used city money to fund youth programs.
Some council members expressed skepticism over Curry replacing the programs, but the council approved the formation of the group in an 18-1 vote.
The Kids Hope Alliance will focus on early learning, juvenile justice, out-of-school time, and pre-teen and teen programming.
The appointments must be approved by the City Council, which will review and vote on them later this year.