Meet The Board Members
Marva Kelly
President
Marva Kelly
President
My name is Marva Kelly, and I am a native of Jamaica West Indies. I am one of two daughters for my mother. I grew up in a small rural community in Jamaica with my mother grandparent, aunt, and uncle. My mother was the matriarch of our little bunch ,so I owe the moralistic values that I possess to my mother, who tried her hardest to help my sister and I to achieve a fulfilling future. Life was not the most comfortable, but I managed to venture out of our small community by going to one of the most prestigious high school in Jamaica .The St Hildas diocesan high school. And after graduating high school ,I attended the Jamaica Institute of Aesthetics, where I graduated and taught the art of skincare for numerous years. From there I became a business owner .Owning my own salon in Kingston Jamaica.
In our small community that we lived , we were fostered to believe that , to help others is the right way, as we needed so much help and attention, because our mother was just a home maker .Who did not achieve a formal education, and our father was very absent from our lives .Community is one of the most important word in my vocabulary ,because our community that we lived in, our neighbors bond together to make sure we were all taken care of.
Our small community shared with our family at the most critical times of our lives ,so at this point in time I will do everything possible to be my brother’s keeper, because I had a lot of brothers who kept my family in tough times. My family immigrated to the United States 23 years ago. At an early stage of moving here, I knew that those seeds that was planted years ago, now germinates into something spectacular .Dorcas’ way was born, We are a community outreach that finds joy in empowering the less fortunate .Helping them to acquire a healthy and sustainable life style.it is not hard to roll our sleeves up, and to reassure the less fortunate that God loves them, and they are not alone . We are currently feeding the homeless in South Lake county and surrounding areas. Our organization is getting ready to embark into a new era of teaching each homeless individual, how to transition into a life of expectancy normalcy and self-sufficiency. Our new projects are: vocational programs, counselling and case management. Transition homes and Low income apartments. We are thrilled to take on such a task, because after all we are our brothers keeper.
Climar Miller
Vice President
Climar Miller
Vice President
Vice president of Dorcas’ Way, and I am from Jamaica West Indies. My mother and I moved to the United States December 1998. A few years later while vacationing in Florida, we realized how much Florida reminded us of back home. So we decided to settle in Minneola, Florida. In Jamaica as small children we spent our time mostly outdoors, playing and enjoying the tropical climate and vegetation.
My area of expertise ls marketing, I . have worked within the vacation industry for 5 years ,sending thousands of families on their dream vacation ,where I won multiple awards. I am now a licensed real estate agent serving clients in the Central Florida Area. My mother and I found Dorcas’ way October 2017 a non profit organization that serves low income families. I spend my time volunteering and also help to run the organization.
Karen VenderMey
Treasure
Karen VenderMey
Treasure
Karen VanderMey has always had an interest in serving the poor and marginalized and has consistently participated in local volunteer opportunities through her church, 2nd Harvest food bank, I Dignity, Orlando Union Rescue Mission and several ministries that provide help for the homeless. She is certified as a Stephen’s Minister through Northland Church, and has served as an advocate for homeless families through the Families in Transition program within the public school system.
Karen and her husband Tim have been married for 37 years and have 5 adult children and 2 grandchildren. They love Jesus, and desire to extend the love of Jesus to those around them with grace and compassion.
Kathy Halpin
Director
Kathy Halpin
Director
My name is Kathy Halpin, and I live here in Groveland Florida. I have been retired for twelve years. I was raised in a small farming community in Iowa. I have a degree in education from Iowa state university.
A first career in teaching, and second as a cooperate travel planner. I have always been active in parish life and currently a member of Blessed Sacrament Council of Catholic women. I have a love for serving my community and is honored to serve as a board member on the Dorcas’ way community outreach board.
Mrs. Denese Kirksey
Director
Mrs. Denese Kirksey
Director
My name is Denise Kirksey.
I was born in Fort Knox Kentucky, reared in Birmingham, Alabama.
Moved to Detroit, Michigan in May 1974 upon completion of High School.
Attended Wayne County Community College.
I was employed with Sears Roebuck & Company for over 15 years in retail and service.
I worked as an entrepreneur for 10 years selling Lia Sophia Fashion Jewelry and traveling through out the United States.
Darrell J. McWilliams
Director
Darrell J. McWilliams
Director
Assistant Minister in local Missionary Baptist Church. A Detroit, Michigan native and 30-year retired military veteran, currently residing in the Clermont area. Darrell faithfully serves his community and others by providing spiritual guidance and encouragement to always stand on the promises of God. He is a devoted father, husband, and true man of God! He enjoys sports, movies, physical fitness, and sharing the Word of God.
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10
Nick Gorham
Director
Nick Gorham
Director
Nick Gorham is the President of Tech Gas Solutions. A cryogenic gas provider that services mainly the Texas, Georgia, and Florida regions. Mr. Gorham has been in the gas industry for 23 years. He has been involved in multiple large business acquisitions and is a staple in the small-cylinder HVAC Gas industry. Some of Mr. Gorham's closest relationships are with a handful of his employees. "We are family," he added. Mr. Gorham is grateful to Bob Gorham, his father for his support in the gas industry early in his career. He is also grateful for the close relationship he has with his father-in-law Mark Parrott. Nick Gorham is married to his wife Shannon and has 5 amazing kids. Nick Gorham has a hardline value system that is built on being a hard-working Christian, a good father, and a better husband. He loves kids more than anything. He constantly has his kids plus others around him. ``I and Shannon love kids more than anything" is a never-ending statement from him. He likes to provide a safe, healthy, honest environment for his kids and others from our home.
Mr. Gorham graduated high school from Berkner Highschool in Richardson Texas. After graduating high school he got into the industrial gas industry. A model citizen who loves God and Family.
Jewel Francis
Healthcare Leader
Jewel Francis
Healthcare Leader
Jewel Francis is the eldest of two children, born to Claire Reid in a rural community in St. Ann Jamaica
West Indies. She grew up in a humble abode with her only sister Marva in a little two-bedroom house.
Education was very big from the beginning and her mother, grandmother, and Aunts made sure they
knew that this was their way of escaping poverty. Back then as a child, at 12 years old you had to pass an
exam to move on to High school. She did very well in the Common Entrance exam and moved on to the
prestigious ‘St. Hilda’s High school. There she spent five years living on campus as it was a boarding high
school and home was not very close by. After graduating from St. Hilda’s she attended the prestigious
Mico teacher’s College in Kingston where she gained a degree in Special education. Was not before long
she decided to return to school and graduated from the University of the West Indies with a bachelor’s
degree in (Administration) in Special Education as well. She spent approximately 10 years as a special
educator working for the Ministry of Education in Jamaica before migrating to the U.S. She had her first
daughter in 1989 and two more daughters followed in 1992 and 1993 respectively. She married their
father in 1991.
Jewel Francis migrated to the USA in 1999 and has worked as a Special Education facilitator with Lake
county schools as well as the Lake Correctional facility, where she still serves as their Aftercare
coordinator whilst she pursues a Master’s degree in Healthcare Leadership. She is the proud
grandmother of Kamden, Legend, and Legacy.
- Email:fjewel@dorcasway.com