ABOVE VIDEO: As co-founder and CEO of Space Coast Center for Mothers with Children, Lila Buescher has guided families out of generational poverty and homelessness through this Christ-centered, volunteer-led organization that provides a two-year residential program to help families gain self-sufficiency.
Lila Buescher remembers all too well the struggles her mom had as a single parent.
As co-founder and CEO of Space Coast Center for Mothers with Children, Buescher has guided families out of generational poverty and homelessness through this Christ-centered, volunteer-led organization that provides a two-year residential program to help families gain self-sufficiency.
“I grew up without a father and experienced a lot of pain for it,” said Buescher.
Fortunately for Buescher, there was help, both at home and beyond.
“My mother was the most gracious, loving and spiritually strong woman I will ever know,” she said.
“She turned to our church community for support and I am forever grateful for the love and kindness my family was shown.”
Buescher has dedicated her life to repaying that kindness by creating meaningful change in the lives of women and their families.
As co-founder and CEO of Space Coast Center for Mothers with Children, Buescher has guided families out of generational poverty and homelessness through this Christ-centered, volunteer-led organization that provides a two-year residential program to help families gain self-sufficiency.
She manages all of the Center’s services, and directs an all-volunteer staff that gives more than 7,500 volunteer hours annually.
“The Space Coast Center is a vessel to make positive change and it is my privilege to be a part of something so necessary,” said Buescher, who in addition to her volunteer work is also pursuing a master’s degree in theology.
For more than 23 years, the Merritt Island resident has also championed organizations such as the United Way of Brevard, the Women’s Center, Brevard Neighborhood Development Coalition, Yellow Umbrella, Take Stock in Children, Habitat for Humanity, Children’s Home Society, Daily Bread, Congregations for Community Action, Hacienda Girls’ Ranch, Brevard Schools Foundation, Sally’s House, Brevard Homeless Coalition, Resurrection Ranch and the Space Coast Early Intervention Center, and that is just a partial list.
CHILDREN’S HERO
As co-founder and CEO of Space Coast Center for Mothers with Children, Lila Buescher has guided families out of generational poverty and homelessness through this Christ-centered, volunteer-led organization that provides a two-year residential program to help families gain self-sufficiency. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
Buescher also strongly nurtures arts and education in our community, through involvement with the Foosaner Art Museum, Cocoa Village Playhouse, Florida Institute of Technology and Eastern Florida State College.
She has raised over $2 million, including $1 million in personal contributions, to distribute to the Brevard community.
Lila Buescher with her dance partner Jeffery Smith during the 2015 Dancing for the Space Coast, which raised $125,000 for the betterment of Brevard County. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
Her contributions to the community earned her the “Children’s Hero of the Year” title in 2013 from the Eckerd Brevard Walk of Fame.
For Buescher, the results of her efforts were distilled in the comments of a five-year-old boy living at the Space Coast Center for Mothers and Children. The little guy asked Buescher if she was rich.
“I told him that, yes, I am very rich, because I have a lot of people who love me and that is what makes me rich,” said Buescher.
“He enthusiastically said, “Miss Lila, I’m really, really rich, too! God loves me, my mom loves me and you love me.”
For Buescher, that was mission accomplished. She had helped teach a child the immensity of God’s care.
ABOUT THE 2015 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN AWARDS
The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. Also announced today was the honoree for the Lifetime Achievement.
Recognizing Outstanding Individuals & Organizations Who Dedicate Their Time, Talent and Treasure
The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarians include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities.
The Central Florida Humanitarian honorees will be recognized during a Gala event on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.
The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created six years ago by Maverick Multimedia, publisher of Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and Space Coast Daily, to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that dedicate their time, talent or treasure to help people in need locally – and around the world.
The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. All Humanitarian alumni are presented a specially commissioned medallion.
TIME: In this category consider candidates who have selflessly and consistently devoted their time as volunteers at hospitals and nursing homes, in activities for the less fortunate and as organizers, administrators or operatives in the many other altruistic endeavors in our community. TALENT: In this category give consideration to those who have volunteered their special talents and expertise to address specific circumstances in which the lives of those in need are improved. TREASURE: The humanitarians in this category will include those who have generously shared their monetary good fortune and/or volunteered their time and efforts in fund raising for the advancement of a philanthropic cause.
All 2015 honorees will be featured in the Oct/Nov 2015 edition of Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and SpaceCoastDaily.com.
2015 Central Florida Humanitarian Sponsors
The first Gala was held in 2010 and is produced by Brevard Productions.
ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS SELECTED TO BE HONORED INCLUDE:
• Brevard Family Partnership
• Brevard Neighborhood Coalition
• Brevard Special Olympics – Debbie Spence
• Lila Buescher
• Canine Companions for Independence
• Childrens Hunger Project
• Circles of Care
• Ginger Davis
• Cove Merchants Association
• Dr. Brian Dowdell
• Early Learning Coalition of Brevard
• Betsy Farmer
• Darcia Jones-Francey
• Harris Corp. Foundation
• Malak Hammad
• John & Cynthia Handley
• John Harper
• Mike & Stephanie Haridopolos
• Sheriff Wayne Ivey
• Robert Jordan
• Dr. John Lovejoy Jr. & Dr. John Lovejoy III
• Victor Luebker
• Rita Pritchett
• David Schmitt
• Oscar & Turney Sieveking
• The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement honoree is Dr. Anthony Catanese.
HONORING SELFLESS VOLUNTEERISM
As always, the Central Florida Humanitarian committee will also honor hospital and hospice volunteers from Health First Hospice, the Dr. Jey Pillai Center for Hospice Care at Wasdin Woods, VITAS, Hospice of St. Francis, Health First Cape Canaveral Hospital, Health First Viera Hospital, Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center, Health FirstPalm Bay Hospital, Wuesthoff Medical Center – Melbourne, Wuesthoff Medical Center – Rockledge, the VA Clinic in Viera, and Sebastian River Medical Center.
Dr. Jim Palermo
“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.
“For the sixth consecutive year, we will once again produce the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala on the first Thursday of November. This year, more than 42 deserving humanitarians will be honored during the Gala.”
The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards will be part of Space Coast Medicine Week, a comprehensive series of health and educational events produced by Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and Space Coast Daily.
JOIN US FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL EVENING
This inspiring and compelling event is sponsored by M.H. Williams Construction, Parrish Medical Center, SOAR, Brighthouse Networks, Wuesthoff Health System, First Choice Medical Group, Clear Choice Health Care, Florida Pain Institute, Brevard Geriatrics, Knudson Brain & Spine Law Injury Office, Dr. Mark Pinsky, Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and SpaceCoastDaily.com. Each honoree or organization will be presented the Central Florida Humanitarian Crystal Globe.
Giles Malone
“We would like to thank our long list of sponsors who support the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards and who make this wonderful event possible,” said Giles Malone, a partner with Maverick Multimedia and Brevard Productions, who annually produce all the events of Space Coast Medicine Week.
COMPELLING MULTIMEDIA TRIBUTE VIDEOS & STORIES
Stay tuned to SpaceCoastDaily.com and Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine for exclusive and comprehensive multimedia coverage of each honoree as we present their compelling stories.
Tom Palermo
“Please join us on Thursday, Nov. 5 to celebrate and be inspired by these incredible individuals and groups,” said Maverick Multimedia President & Publisher Tom Palermo.
“In the meantime, please click the link below that showcases the distinguished Central Florida Humanitarian Alumni.”
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN ALUMNI
FOR MORE INFORMATION or to make a reservation to attend the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mailMaverickMultiMedia@gmail.com
ABOVE MAP:The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards will take place Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, located at 200 Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.
