In early June, we welcomed a group of eight visitors from Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Syria, and Tunisia as a part of the International Visitor Leadership Program. The group’s project was titled “Leadership Development through Scouting and Sports.”
The day after their arrival, Michael and Tara Jones, Allan and Andrea Ford, and Keith and Joan Wilkins welcomed them into their homes for dinner and conversation.
Their professional program began with a meeting at Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Resource Center where Michael Stone, Stacy Barnes, Cherie Cain, Rachel Caylor, Justin Miller, and Greg Moye discussed the Special Olympics in northwest Florida. Next, the group visited with Melissa Gibbs at Tate High School to learn about the Future Farmers of America.
After a warm welcome by Councilman Charles Bare at Pensacola City Hall, the group explored downtown Pensacola and attended a Board Meeting of the Miracle League of Pensacola where they learned how the organization is structured and how it provides sporting opportunities to physically and mentally challenged children.
The next day, the group visited Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit that builds homes for families with low incomes, and learned how they partner with local businesses and groups, including Escambia Boys Base. After lunch, the group visited Escambia Boys Base, met with Superintendent Oliver Jones to discuss youth rehabilitation, and spoke with students there. Later, the visitors met with David Kemp to discuss coaching and leadership strategies with members of the Gulf Coast Texans Soccer Club. This was followed by time at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office where focus was on the Explorers Program.
Thank you to everyone to contributed to this project!
