About Us
University Community Ministries (UCM) is a faith- based IRS- qualified Florida charitable 501c (3) organization established in 1995.UCM offers services to children and youth, the homeless, and the elderly in need of supportive services such as literacy skills, food and clothing distribution, counseling, and community referral to increase individual and family independence and self-sufficiency.
UCM agency mission is to address and meet the spiritual, social and economic needs of the Tampa Bay community. We communicate the message of God’s love of all people, regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin or economic status.
To accomplish our mission, we provide opportunities that promote dignity, independence and self-sufficiency in the lives of the
homeless, the elderly, the frail, the disadvantaged, the under-served youth and persons with disabilities.
The agency vision is that all individuals who suffer spiritually, physically, mentally, financially or from some other burden in their lives, may find restored hope, a resiliency to cope successfully with a changing environment, and the strength to live independently and come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ
UCM has three major and unique programs under its umbrella.
Operation Jumpstart Program (OJ)
Group that feeds and provides services to the homeless on Saturdays
Forerunners: West of 60 Program (use to be known as FB)
A ministry to the senior adult community (60+)
Family Literacy Program to instill literacy as a value.
Funding has been provided by:
Burton Family Foundation
Citylife Church
The Radiant Group
Rainmaker Music Management
Valley Bank
Anonymous
Additional Funding is received from community friends and supporters
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jerome Van Gurp, President and Operation Jumpstart Program Director
Stan Strickland, Vice President
America Van Gurp, Secretary
David Ogburn, Treasurer
Molly Cox, Forerunners: West of 60 Program Director
Justin Dolan
Judy Morales
Tony Stewart, Citylife Church Pastor
LEADERSHIP TEAM
America Van Gurp
Albertine Tumba
Chip Purcell
Joyce Griffin
Dawn Christian
Ryan Quandt
Justin Dolan
Dr. Natalie Kennedy
Gerald Pomraning
Justin Dolan
Justin Dolan, Board Director of University Community Ministries, Inc. and is actively involved with our Operation Jumpstart outreach program. Justin currently works James A. Haley VA Hospital as a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS) where he assist in-patient veterans and homeless veterans by providing available clothing, food, financial resources and proper advocacy for the given need. He has a heart of compassion for the poor, the needy, and the homeless men and women in the Tampa Bay area. We are pleased to have him on the board of UCM, Inc
info@universitycommunityministries.org
Jerom Van Gurp
Jerome Van Gurp, President of University Community Ministries, Inc. and Operation Jumpstart Outreach Program Director.
Jerome currently works for AT&T Corporation as a Project Manager and holds a Realtor License with Coolidge Realty specializing in Residential Sales. He has a heart of compassion for the poor, the needy, and the homeless men and women in the Tampa Bay area. We are pleased to have him serve as our UCM, Inc Board President.
info@universitycommunityministres.org
America Van Gurp
America Van Gurp, Secretary of University Community Ministries, Inc. and Board Director. She is actively involved with our Operation Jumpstart outreach program. America received her Bachelor’s Degree in Theology in 2005 from Faith Theological Seminary and Bible College in Tampa. America recently went on a mission trip to Africa, which she said, “changed her life forever”.
info@universitycommunityministres.org
Pastor Tony Stewart
Pastor Tony Stewart is University Community Ministries, Inc. Board Director and Senior Pastor of citylife church.
He graduated from Lee University, became a youth pastor and later planted a satellite church in Texas. He also had the privileged of pastoring a church in Georgia that has been established for well over 100 years. Pastor Tony was a State Evangelist for the Florida offices where he met his beautiful wife, Kaci, who was the Worship Leader at Covenant Community in Ft. Myers.
pastor@citylifechurch.cc
Molly Cox
Molly Cox, is University Community Ministries, Inc.Forerunners: West of 60 (Friendship Bridge) Program Director.
Molly has served on the staff of citylife church for the past 38 years. She presently serves the Missions Pastor. There are many senior adults living in the north Tampa area without family locally but who have a need to make new friends, enjoy spending time “just talking” and a place to have a great meal and to “fellowship”.
David Ogburn
David Ogburn, Treasurer of University Community Ministries, Inc. and he is actively involved in our Operation Jumpstart outreach program. David is a native of Florida. He began his career in commercial banking after graduating from college with a degree in finance. He is now the Senior Vice President, Professional & Executive Banking Manage for Valley National Bank
Stan Strickland
Stan Strickland, Vice-President of University Community Ministries, Inc and Board Director was born in Alabama, educated in Florida and Tennessee, Tampa resident Stan Strickland has led an interesting life. The son of a Southern Baptist minister and a special needs school teacher, it somehow seems appropriate that he chose a career in the music business.
email@address.com
Judy Morales
Judy Morales is University Community Ministries, Inc. Board Director. She is a Self Employed Property Manager, Notary Public and Marketing and Advertising entrepreneur. She is a self-motivated team player with extensive experience in diversified high-paced environments utilizing leadership, analytical and communication skills, in addition to Spanish fluency, to increase UCM’s effectiveness and productivity. We are pleased to have her as a member of the UCM, Inc Board.