Marilyn Scott: Working To Break Cycle of Homelessness
By Maria Sonnenberg // November 7, 2013
2013 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN
ABOVE VIDEO: Marilyn Scott and the board and staff at Brevard Rescue Mission work to permanently break the cycle of homelessness by providing homeless women with children decent housing, access to health care, transportation, education, nutrition, job training and life skills in a safe faith-based residential setting.
There are very few evenings in the week that Marilyn Scott is home, because she is usually at one of the many events that benefit Brevard’s bounty of charitable organizations.
As the wife of former NASA astronaut Winston Scott, Scott is involved in her husband’s many charitable endeavors, plus many interests of her own. The Scotts support the King Center for the Performing Arts, Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, the United Way of Brevard, Brevard Economic Development Council and the Chamber of Commerce.
“There’s something to do every day in support of these organizations,” said Scott.
Her job as professor in the computer science department of Florida Institute of Technology touches the lives of hundreds of students and makes serious demands of her, but Scott squeezes time to devote to Brevard Rescue Mission, where she is on the board.
“I really believe in them,” she said. “We are not giving handouts, but rather, we give resources so people can become self-sufficient and independent.”
APPRECIATES ANY OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH YOUTH
Scott and the board and staff at Brevard Rescue Mission work to permanently break the cycle of homelessness by providing homeless women with children decent housing, access to health care, transportation, education, nutrition, job training and life skills in a safe faith-based residential setting.
The 12 to 24-month program guides families from dependency to self-sufficiency through daily accountability, personal responsibility and advancement of goals.
“This is a cause that is dear to my heart,” said Scott.
Scott has also been a staunch supporter of Links, Inc., an organization that helps underprivileged, at-risk children in primarily African-American communities such as Melbourne’s Booker T. Washington neighborhood.
(Image for Space Coast Medicine & Active Living)
She particularly appreciates any opportunity to work with youth, whether it be running space camps, as she did for the Boys and Girls Club in Galveston, Texas, or supporting the 22 programs of PREVENT! of Brevard, which touches the lives of more than 15,000 youths in the county with its mission to protect and nurture children, redirect high-risk youth, treat addictions in young people and strengthen and reunite families.
“Working with children is very much a passion of mine,” said Scott, who also lends her time, talent and treasure to organizations that support breast cancer research.
With a positive outlook on life and a can-do attitude, Scott helps our community become better every day. We all deserve a second chance, she says.
“There is goodness in everyone,” said Scott.
ABOUT THE 2013 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN AWARDS
The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that dedicate their Time, Talent or Treasure to help people in need locally – and around the world.
This year, more than 30 deserving humanitarians will be honored during the Gala, which will be held Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, with the festivities beginning at 6 p.m.
“Over the years, our editorial team has had the distinct honor and pleasure of identifying and featuring the many members of our community who give back so much and are dedicated to reaching out and helping others, here and throughout the world, in a multitude of ways,” said Maverick Multimedia Editor-In-Chief Dr. Jim Palermo.
“We remain firmly committed to identifying and telling those stories and providing a timely media platform to recognize Space Coast and Central Florida residents’ altruistic contributions on a regular basis in our magazines, as well as SpaceCoastDaily.com,” said Dr. Palermo.
This inspiring and compelling event is sponsored by Brighthouse Networks, Health First, Brevard Physicians Network, MPAC ACO, Community Credit Union, Knudson Brain & Spine Law Injury Office, Florida Pain, Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine, CentralFloridaMedicine.com and SpaceCoastDaily.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION or to make a reservation to attend the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala call 321-615-8111 or e-mail SpaceCoastMedicine@gmail.com.
