Jo Ann Sears retired as a LCSW in 2004, having worked with families and children as an outpatient therapist at the Center for Family Services and earlier at the Parent Child Center where she also co-facilitated batterers groups for the Family Violence Intervention Program.  Before joining the Foundation Board, where she has served as president, Ms. Sears previously served on the Operations Board of Families First, holding the offices of Vice-President and President of the Board, as well as chairing the Human Resources Committee and serving on the Development Committee, which included co-chairing the Fourth Annual Families First Luncheon.   

She has served on the Board of St. George’s Community Center in Riviera Beach where she was active in its feeding program. She served as co-chair of education for the Outreach Committee at Bethesda-By-The-Sea Episcopal Church, where she was an active high school mentor. Her volunteer efforts with Bethesda have also included providing hurricane supplies for the elderly, organizing the church’s Christmas Angel Tree and providing mission support for Our Little Roses orphanage in Honduras.   

 

Ms. Sears graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications with high honors. Her earlier work centered on community and public relations as well as human resources recruiting.