Velma was born and raised in Brooklyn and is a proud New Yorker! Having visited the south over the years she and her husband fell in love with North Carolina where they make their home.
Velma’s vast work experience exposed her to several successful career paths from administration to radio and television, mortgage banking and event planning. However it is her greatest joy to serve children in need in our communities.
Most recently Velma taught workshops at Elon Homes & Schools, The Village. This is a residential transitional living program for young adults 18-21 who are transitioning out of foster care into adulthood. She also served as a mentor and volunteer for Faith, Hope and Love for two years. Velma teaches children Sunday school at Church in the City, an inner-city church, in Charlotte.
Velma’s prior professional work experience includes a successful career as a Corporate Event Manager for NRT, in Parsippany, NJ and as Housing Director for ConferenceDirect, in Charlotte, NC. Velma also has a background in mortgage banking as a Risk Management Manager, and Legal Document and Credit file processor (having worked at Citibank and Bear Stearns in New York City). As a communicator Velma worked as a Disc-Jockey, on air, drive-time in the cities of Toledo, Ohio (WKLR) and Detroit, Michigan (WJLB). Additionally she worked as a television producer and on-air talent at a local TV station (WJBK TV2) in Detroit, Michigan
Velma relocated in 2006 to Charlotte, NC with her husband and left the corporate world in 2014. During this season of change and supporting her husband in ministry, Velma had a strong desire to help children in crisis, which lead her and her husband to mentor a group of boys and girls at a local church. Seeing an even greater need, she visualized a place where children can come to feel loved, safe, learn and have fun, and the Pineville Dream Center was born.
Affiliations
- Elon Homes and Schools, The Village, Charlotte, NC
- Faith Hope and Love, Charlotte, NC
- Immeasurable Faith Ministries, EventCoordinator
- Homeowners Association, Board Member, Pineville, NC
Education
- Toledo University – Studies in Communications
- Pace University, NY – Life Experience Learning Program
- Grace Institute, NY – Business Administration
Idella Freeman Gaymon completed Theology I at Hope Ministry Institution in Apex, NC.
In August 2008 Idella received a Certificate of Consecration for Ministerial Services in the Office of Community Outreach at Oasis of Peace Community Church.
For seven years she served faithfully at Cary Church of God – Cary, NC under the leadership of Pastor Richard Dial Ministry while also serving in Signal Mom Ministries, and Children’s Ministry.
Over the past twenty years, Idella has worked as an experienced management professional with a proven record of leadership in the nonprofit sector.
She is the Founder of Immeasurable Faith Ministries since 2010.
As a Community Development Consultant, Yolanda is responsible for representing her company in community and economic development activities. Her company works with local non-profits and service agencies to help maintain stability in low-to-moderate neighborhoods, provide financial education workshops and loans and investments that directly impact these communities. She establishes and maintains relationships with organizations, nonprofits and internal partners to help meet CRA goals.
Previously, she served in the Treasury for Downtown Hightstown, Inc., established in 2008, an all-volunteer group of residents, business owners and stakeholders dedicated to improving the visual appeal, image and desirability of the downtown area of Hightstown, New Jersey. We work on incremental improvement projects as well as assist other local groups in promoting their events and activities. Downtown Hightstown, Inc. follows the Main Street Four-Point Approach to downtown management using organization, promotion, design, and economic development as defined by the National Main Street Center and Main Street New Jersey. Downtown Hightstown, Inc. is governed by a Board of Trustees, and all the work is done by volunteers.
Yolanda recently achieved her John Maxwell Certification on Leadership Training.
Education
- State University of New York at New Paltz – Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Tom served in the United States Air Force as a Military Policeman and is a proud Vietnam-era Veteran.
He also served in the United States Air Force Reserve Medical Squadron at McGuire Air Force Base, NJ.
Tom loves music and volunteered as a percussionist with many church praise teams. He is most proud of establishing a dynamic drum corp in New Jersey, made up of at-risk youth in the community. This achievement was recognized by local leaders. A wonderful achievement, but the greatest accomplishment was getting kids off the streets, teaching them to focus, have purpose and discipline in their lives; all while having fun. Tom served as a volunteer at Elon Home and Schools and a mentor/volunteer at Faith, Hope and Love for two years, teaching, coaching and offering the joy of music to children. He is currently teaching Sunday School at Church in the City, and inner city church and also ministers to inmates at the Mecklenburg County Jail in Charlotte.
Tom retired from Montclair State University, New Jersey, as Supervisor of the Housing and Maintenance Department.
Affiliations
- Mecklenburg County Jail, Ministry to Inmates, Charlotte, NC
- Workshop instructor, The Village, Elon Homes & Schools, Charlotte, NC
- Volunteer/Mentor/Music Teacher - FHL, Charlotte, NC
- Couples Ministry leader with his wife at New Hope Baptist Church, East Orange NC (former)
- Life Group Leader – Marriage Builders, Christ Church, Montclair New Jersey (former)
- Teacher – Summer Bible School, New Hope Baptist Church, E.O., NJ (former)
- Former Steering Committee member of the Christian Leadership of American Baptist Churches of New Jersey
- Clinton Memorial Church, Newark, NJ – Assistant Pastor
- New Hope Baptist Church, East Orange, NJ – Assistant Pastor
- Sword of the Spirit Church, Percussionist/Singer – Praise Team, Irvington, NJ
Education
- Lay Pastors Institute, Trenton, NJ
- Savannah State University
Born and raised in New York City, Aleida has worked with children and youth for over 15 years. She found purpose and passion for writing and used it as a catalyst to draw troubled youth off the streets. She shares her of love the arts with children who enjoy expressing their creativity through drama skits and plays, song and dance.
As a youth ministry teacher, Aleida has led many youth to Christ. She also serves her community through programs centered on helping young adults. It is her passion to inspire, educate and stir up gifts and talents of at risk children through the arts.
Over the past year Aleida has been instrumental in leading the Trader Joe’s Food Donation Program at her local church and helping to provide hunger relief to the community she serves.
She is in the process of completing her first book (fictional novel) based on the life of a child in foster care.
Affiliations:
The First Christian Church of the Valley – Youth Ministry Director, New York City
Times Square Church – Department Head Leader, New York City.