Work with Adolescents

KSA: Hi my name is Sheldon Duncan and I was born in Spanish Town Jamaica.

This experience of being a naturalized citizen of the United States gives me the understanding of being a citizen and an alien.

 I love to make people feel at home and I am a strong encourager of participation.

 My whole life has been one of learning and teaching in the realm of faith, history, and the human experience.

 The story of our beloved “Jack Jack” is dear to me and I am honored to be nominated as Director of Pastoral Services/VP and to play a role in transforming the lives of our youth like Jack did.

I am the father of two teenage boys and a precious teenage girl so I have a vested interest in making the world a better place by building up the next generation, reminding them that they were created for a purpose.

Work with Adolescents - Tiara has 4 years of experience working as a youth counselor with troubled adolescents (helping CINA (Children in Need of Assistance) a population which also included gang members and/or victims of sex trafficking) in residential treatment prior to relocating from the Midwest to Florida. She currently works in the financial field and uses her data entry and research skills from that sector to assist in her role with Operation Jack's Village.

As a personal friend of the Martin family who has spent many hours with Jack, my heart is committed to ensuring that each person who is part of OJV knows that they are important and can have a positive future. I have been part of the OJV booths and assisted in other various events. When I'm not working or volunteering, I enjoy creative writing and puzzling my way out of escape rooms.

Work with Adolescents: Volunteer lead on tie-dyeing, sharing those craft skills with teens, including a large tie-dyeing party in 2021 with more planned in 2022.

KSA: Finance and Compliance Director:  Dawn Hunt has an MBA and a background in regulatory compliance coming from working many years in a regulated industry. She is a family friend of the Martins and knew Jack from the time he was a toddler. Her desire to make a difference in the lives of young people led her to volunteer with OJV over the past two years. In her spare time, she sings with Toast of Tampa, a local Sweet Adeline’s chorus, and dabbles in a variety of textile arts, including tie-dyeing and quilting.

Work with Adolescents: I started in this field by working with children and adults with autism. I always knew I wanted to do more, so I pursued psychology. I have always been passionate about talking to people and helping them get to the root core of problems. I want to be able to give back and help others who have the same experiences.

KSA: I came from substance abuse, trauma, and family violence. I knew I did not want to generationally carry on negative core beliefs and cognitions because of what I experienced or was led to believe about myself. I know that so much happens in this world and if I can help others to unlearn the negative beliefs that were instilled upon them, then I have done my part. I have lived among Punjabi families and homestay families in Costa Rica and India. I am very passionate about equality and the rights of all people and use this daily in my practice. I want to build hope and purpose in the people I work with.

Work with Adolescents: Rene had been blessed to be a stay at home mom for the last 19 years. Her last child just graduate college, her other three “kids” are grown, and she now has two adorable grandchildren.

KSA: Rene has previously served as president of a Military Family Readiness non-profit organization. She has been instrumental in coordinating volunteers for local OJV events. She has been a volunteer with OJV for 2 years and made significant contribution to the OJV mission.

Over the past 19 years Rene has been involved with running an Avis storefront along with other various jobs, including running her own business.

Rene looks forward to continuing to support OJV’s mission. In her free time, she loves to garden, read, and spoil both of her four-legged babies. Rene also enjoys traveling for her husband’s job with the National Parks.

Work with Adolescents- I have been a teacher for 16 years.  I have taught every grade but 8th grade.  My strengths/preferences are middle and high school.  I have worked in a regular education classroom, a drop-out prevention program, as an ESE teacher, and an ESE only Charter School.  Helping children is my passion.  For the 9 years I was a stay-at-home mom I ran the PTA for 6 of them and the mission program at my church for the other 3.  Most summers I worked a horseback riding summer camp.  I believe if a child feels safe and loved that they can accomplish almost anything if given the right tools and help.  I also believe there are no bad children, just bad situations.  Teaching is a passion it cannot be just a job if it is then that person is in the wrong place.  There is nothing in the world I would rather do than work in a school.

KSA- I have a master’s in education from National-Louis University.  My undergraduate studies were done at Florida Southern College in which I received a BS in Social Science and a minor in religion and education.  Since leaving college I have continued my learning and added Reading, Gifted, and Special Education to my certification.  I was even certified to teach PE at one point.

Free-time- In my free-time I love to spend time with my 2 boys, (although they don’t have as much time as I would like) my 2 dogs, and my husband.  My favorite place to go is kayaking down the Weeki Wachee River.  The peace of nature is so relaxing.

This organization and children in general lay heavy on my heart. The world and education view them as tiny adults that think like adults. They do NOT. Their brains, chemical makeup, and the way they function are different and need to be treated differently.