In late October, the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council hosted a group of six visitors from China who looked at NGO capacity building as part of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program.
The visitors’ week of professional appointments kicked off with a visit to Pensacola City Hall where Councilman P.C. Wu gave a welcome and orientation to the area before bestowing upon them honorary citizenship.
Afterwards, the group visited United Way of Escambia County to discuss public-private cooperation in fundraising, advocacy, and volunteerism. CEO Andrea Krieger shared how the organization works to improve lives and build a strong, healthy community by strategically investing in quality programs, building partnerships, advocating for better policies, and engaging people in the community.
To highlight how NGOs can address critical community issues, the group visited the Rotary Club of Pensacola where they met with President Benny Gaines, Former District Governor Ted Kirchhaar, and President-Elect Heidi Blair for a discussion about Rotary’s structure and the work of the Pensacola Subwest Rotary club in the community.
Next, the group met with ordinary citizens and community leaders at Palace Café in Seville Quarter for informal conversation over tea and coffee. After their discussion, they walked over to The Independent News to meet with Publisher Rick Outzen to examine how his newspaper brings awareness of social issues to the public consciousness.
The group then visited the Gulf Coast Kid’s House (GCKH) and met with Executive Director Stacey Kostevicki. Ms. Kostevicki graciously gave a tour and discussed the organization’s programs, emphasizing how as an advocacy center the GCKH partners with child protective services, law enforcement, prosecutors, and medical health professionals to protect and advocate for abused and neglected children.
We appreciate those who volunteered their time to meet with this group and member Susan Senkarik who facilitated their meetings. A special thank you is also extended to Bill and Linda Wade and Randle and Suzanne Carpenter who hosted the visitors for dinner and fellowship in their homes.
