More reachout worked for Jim Batmasian’s Changing Lives, helping homeless people in Boca get back on their feet. Eight nonprofits spread the word about the expo on the grounds of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Pearl City.
“It’s a blessing to see all these organizations and a really great turnout,” Pastor Ronald Brown said at Unity In Community. “When the goal is unity in the community, the Y wants to be part of it,” said YMCA of South Palm Beach County CEO Jason Hagensick.
Also making the rounds was Maria Hester, president of DISC, the city’s longtime group promoting racial harmony and the historic Pearl City neighborhood. Mississippi Sweets dished out lunch. Mayor Scott Singer and Councilman Andy Thomson, with three kids, were there to show the city’s support, Singer said.
A ball toss broke out among Florida Atlantic University students, there from the Black Student Union, National Council of Negro Women and Women Empowerment Club. “We came out to help and we haven’t seen each other,” said Kennedy McKinney, Black Student Union president.
Batmasian started Changing Lives about a year ago with the mission of providing basic needs and resources. https://changinglives.me/ The nonprofit offers services from haircuts to new clothes in the gym at United Methodist Church on weekends. So far, Changing Lives has helped 50 people get off the streets, find jobs and housing and when needed recover from addiction, he said.
“I was homeless and then I met Mr. B,” said the event’s deejay and vocalist Anthony Izreal Way. That was before his recovery and Batmasian’s support for his new venture, Sober Life Entertainment, he added. Pinnacle Advertising supplied the audio equipment for this gig.
By Marci Shatzman
