Fresh Start starting fresh in 2017

Feb. 14--Fresh Start for Children and Families has few new changes for the 31-year-old organization with a new president, directors, executive board and a revised mission statement.

"Our focus is still very much about housing and economic needs, and our programs have grown considerably over the years. Our target market remains children and families, and the goal was to expand our mission statement to reflect our extended services to the people we serve" said Tracey Williams, executive director of Fresh Start.

The nonprofit's new mission has been revised as the following: "To share love and compassion through a comprehensive educational, vocational, and economic housing program, to help families achieve self-sufficiency."

Mark Dutram, vice president of Wealth Management at First City Bank, has been named as the new president at Fresh Start. He is an active member of the community, serving as a member of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and treasurer of the Emerald Coast Estate Planning Council. He's played an integral part in Fresh Start since 2013. Mark and his wife Sondra are members of Destiny Worship Center. Mark said his goals for Fresh Start include increased focus on the children of homeless families, and collaboration with other local resources.

Fresh Start's 2017 leadership is made up of 21 local volunteer leaders, 11 of whom are new to Fresh Start. The 2017 executive board leadership is: Mark Dutram/president; Karen Criter/president-elect; Chandler Robbins/secretary; and Wilma van Leeuwen/past-president. The 2017 board of directors are: Dave Parisot, Dallas Cochran, Steve Shippee, Kenneth LaPee, Steve Baxter, Ryan Price, Angie Sanchez, Riesa Lewis, Lacey Clark, Bert Everhart, Barbara Britt, Robin Heintzelman, Bob Pinard, James Krug and Rocky Magee.

Fresh Start has served the area's homeless population since 1986. The primary focus is to help families achieve long-term self-sufficiency through a nine-month residential and educational program. The organization is funded in part by United Way, area churches and through the Repeat Street Thrift Store at 10 Walter Martin Road in Fort Walton Beach.

For more information, visit freshstartfl.com.

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