FLORIDA CHAPTER
Join us Saturday, September 28, 2024, for the Florida Partners 60th Anniversary Online Showcase Symposium!
Time: EST 10AM to 12PM
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Meeting Registration – Zoom
SPEAKERS
John K. Schorr, “Disaster Relief, Recovery, and Prevention”
John K. Schorr, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology, Emeritus, has been an active and dedicated member of the Florida/Colombia Chapter of Partners of the Americas for nearly three decades, providing distinguished service as an exemplary leader and officer in the Florida/Colombia Chapter, epitomizing the spirit of people-to-people contacts and efforts towards improved hemispheric relations. In addition to serving as the Florida Chapter President, he also served as Vice Chairperson, International Board of Directors with our parent organization Partners of the Americas.
Schorr was instrumental in establishing a close linkage between the Florida/Colombia Chapter and Stetson University, where he had a productive academic career as a Senior Professor of Sociology serving at various times as Chair of the Sociology Department, Director of Institutional Research, Co-Director Volusia Flagler College & University Disaster Assessment and Research Center (CUDARC) of the Volusia Flagler Higher Education Consortium, and more prior to his retirement in 2014.
In addition to his community service with Partners, Schorr is active with Rotary Club Chiang Mai International as Past President and Current Chair of the Children’s Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Program, and School Vision Screening Project. He currently lives in Thailand, but he still participates virtually in Florida Chapter meetings.
Fabian Gonzalez and Luz Adriana Restrepo, “Learning English in Colombia”
Jorge Fabian González Ruiz is the newly elected Secretary of the Florida-Colombia Partners. He was born in Bogotá, Colombia and has lived in different regions of the country and in the US. He has a bachelor’s degree in foreign languages and is an active fellow of the alumni for the Department of State. He has been working for Peace Corps since 2015 first as a Language & Culture Coordinator (LCC) and currently as Master Trainer (MT).
Luz Adriana Restrepo has been a Partners volunteer since 2007. She wrote the book “Creativity in Bilingual Education”.She has a post-grad in Education Administration. She has been working for Colegio San Carlos in Bogota since 2004 as a homework teacher and currently as a Bilingual Coordinator.
Gustavo Avila Avellaneda, Youth Ambassador from Bogota, Colombia
My name is Gustavo Ávila Avellaneda, I am from Bogotá, Colombia; I am interested in topics such as leadership, care and protection of the environment, geography, history and politics. I graduated as a lawyer from the National University of Colombia, I am currently working with the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (judicial body for transitional justice). Since I was a kid I have liked to participate in projects and programs with a social focus, such as my participation in the United Nations models, school mediation programs, and school government; Likewise, I am a former scholarship recipient of two programs of the United States Department of State such as Access Program (2012-2014) and Youth Ambassadors (2014). Moreover, I have supported as a volunteer some programs of the YMCA Colombia and the Bogota’s Binational Center. Since 2015 I joined the Youth Colombian Leaders as a volunteer, where over the years I have been performing different roles such as having been the regional and national coordinator of PLAYLEE (English teaching program), as well as holding management positions such as being the current president of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for the period 2023-2025.
Sara Rendón Pamplona, Partners Campus EAFIT Chapter
My name is Sara Rendón Pamplona, I´m 21 years old. In 2021, because of my academic merits in 2021 I earned a scholarship for any undergraduate program, so currently I’m in my last year of Bachelor´s Degree in Economics at the Universidad EAFIT in Medellin, Colombia. I’m interested about the capital markets that encouraged me to learn technical and fundamental analysis of financial markets, I enjoy volunteering by teaching English to low-income children, also I’ve worked as a volunteer in animals, environmental, and education projects. Since 2021 I’ve been an active member of Partners Campus EAFIT Chapter. In 2023, I was the Vice President and of this Chapter, which it gave me the chance to participate on the U.S. Travel grant for an education and culture exchange program in Miami, FL, September 2023, where the Florida Chapter hosted me very well, giving me the opportunity to participate in many volunteer projects related with environmental, art, young people, flowers and culture.
Makenson Felix, PATH Artist in Residence
Makenson Felix is a professional dancer, specializing in Afro-beat and hip-hop. He is a gym coach and interested in folklore.
Alberto Gómez Gómez, Figurative Visual Artist, Painter, Muralist, and Master Printmaker
Alberto Gómez Gómez was born in Bogotá, Colombia, on December 12, 1956. He was the second of seven children born to Luis Horacio Gómez and Alicia Gómez. He is a figurative visual artist, painter, muralist, and master printmaker. After obtaining a visa for “Extraordinary Abilities,” Gómez Gómez became a U.S. citizen on July 29, 2011.
Over a career spanning forty-four years, Mr. Gómez Gómez has gained recognition for his large-scale murals in the United States and Colombia. He has participated in over 100 solo and group exhibitions in Colombia, Venezuela, and the United States.
His distinctive style portrays people, figures, and everyday life. His works often address social, philosophical, historical, spiritual, and political events and issues, often with humor.
Before moving to the United States, where he has created 32 murals in Washington, DC, Michigan, New Mexico, and mostly in Florida, Gómez Gómez was already well-established as a prominent artist in South America. However, due to violence in Colombia, he and his family had to seek refuge in the U.S., where they were warmly welcomed. He has resided in the U.S. since January 26, 1997.
Selected Solo and Group Exhibitions
• Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando, FL
• Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, Ormond Beach, FL
• DeLand Museum of Art, DeLand, FL
• African American Museum of Art, DeLand, FL
• ArtPrize, Grand Rapids, MI
• NASA, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Titusville, FL
• The Pentagon, Washington, DC
• The State Capitol, Tallahassee, FL
• Consulate of Colombia, Miami, FL, and Orlando, FL
• Orange County Administration Center, Orlando, FL
• Orlando City Hall-Terrace Gallery, Orlando, FL
• Orlando City Hall-Mayor’s Gallery, Orlando, FL
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
• “Raíces”. Casselberry City Hall, Casselberry, FL
• “Celebremos Juntos”. Arts House, Casselberry, FL
• “El Arte Eleva” Exhibit. Casselberry City Hall. Casselberry, FL
• “Rock N’ Blues N’ Cars” Exhibit. Casselberry City Hall. Casselberry, FL
• “Artista Siempre” Latin Art Exhibit. Casselberry City Hall, Casselberry, FL
• “Nueva Esperanza” Exhibit. Casselberry City Hall. Casselberry, FL
• Seaside Music Theater, Daytona Beach, FL
• South Daytona City Hall, South Daytona, FL
Isabel Pacheco, Art therapy – Fundacion Fede
Isabel Pacheco is a professional lawyer and Fundacion Fede’s director. She was born in Barranquilla, Colombia and has lived in Chile and Argentina. She is currently working as a Commercial Manager for a French company and volunteers as a facilitator of art therapy workshops.
Marcel Cano Zapata, “Through My Lens: A Decade of Life and Vision in Images”
Medellín, Colombia, is a vibrant city full of contrasts, where urban life blends with green mountains and a seemingly eternal spring-like climate. Its streets tell stories of resilience and transformation, a living testament to the rebirth of a city that, despite its turbulent past, has become a symbol of innovation and culture in Latin America.
For an independent photographer like me, Medellín is an endless canvas of experiences. From the colorful neighborhoods of Comuna 13, with their murals narrating stories of hope and resistance, to the bustling markets and plazas where everyday life unfolds in all its authenticity, every corner of the city offers a unique opportunity to capture the essence of its people and its evolution.
More than just a backdrop, Medellín has been a reflection of my journey as a photographer, where each image not only documents the city’s reality but also reveals my vision of the world. My work on the streets of Medellín has been a way to explore and express life, using the camera as a medium to connect with the stories and emotions that pulse in every corner.
Over the past ten years, I have dedicated my professional career to the field of photography and videography, working independently for various non-governmental organizations and non-profit corporations. This path has allowed me to develop a deep sensitivity towards social and humanitarian causes, capturing stories that need to be told and made visible to create a positive impact. My work has not only been a form of artistic expression but also a means of supporting those who need it most, using my camera as a tool for social change.
My motivation in this work comes from the desire to contribute to a more just and equitable world. Every project I engage in gives me the opportunity to give a voice to those who often don’t have one and to document realities that frequently go unnoticed. The power of the image to raise awareness and mobilize people is what drives me to keep going, always striving for excellence in every shot and every story I tell.
Since 2019, I have been volunteering with the Escuela Nacional del Grito, becoming part of their core team. I am responsible for the audiovisual documentation of their workshops and other activities. The school’s workshops address various emotions such as fear, sadness, and anger through creative activities like storytelling or rhyming. Additionally, the Escuela Nacional del Grito organizes the “Rock x la Vida” festival in Medellín, an event that promotes mental health through music and attracts thousands of people each year.
The Escuela Nacional del Grito is a psychosocial project in Colombia that uses art and music as tools for emotional management and suicide prevention, especially among young people. Founded in 2018 by Gustavo Álvarez, this initiative focuses on offering workshops that combine the arts with psychological support, helping participants channel their emotions in a healthy way.
This project has gained recognition for its focus on youth mental health and its ability to create a space where young people can express themselves and find support in a safe and artistic environment.
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Sue Mahan, Ph.D, “Restoring Justice in Colombia“
Associate Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, College of Health & Public Affairs, University of Central Florida. Dr. Mahan currently lives in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
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Nury Stella Penagos Cabuya, M.Ed. and Patricia Galbreath, M.Ed., “Our Birds Are Your Birds, Too”
Nury Stella Penagos Cabuya, M.Ed. teaches at the Eduardo Umaña Mendoza School in Usme, Bogotá, Colombia.
Patricia Galbreath, M.Ed. is Florida Partner’s Executive Director. She received her M.Ed. from Stetson University (2012) and has BA in elementary education. She has taught elementary education, and served as an academic coach and workshop facilitator in the Volusia County school system for 25 years.
She has been involved with Florida Partners as a project leader with Nury Penagos for the “Our Birds Are Your Birds, Too” collaboration, beginning in 2008 and continuing for six years. The project facilitated interactions between the teachers and students of Blue Lake Elementary and Eduardo Umana Mendoza mega school in Usme, Bogota. This led to increased participation with the service organization supporting the goal of strengthening our relationship with our Colombian Partners.
