153 Millennium - Twentieth Edition 152 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine SOCIAL WORK, PUBLIC SERVICE, NONPROFIT AND HUMANITIES SOCIAL WORK, PUBLIC SERVICE, NONPROFIT AND HUMANITIES Bridge, he held numerous diverse executive leadership roles at Exxon Mobil Corporation and Abbott Laboratories in the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States. His corporate career encompasses responsibilities across sales, marketing, executive development and total quality management. He is proud to carry the skills he developed in the business community into the nonprofit sector. Mr. Childs is an advocate for reaching out to others, and he has written about his work in “And the Children Shall Lead Us.” To commemorate his achievements, he received the AARP Purpose Prize in 2010. He believes that children are the future of any family, community or great nation, and consequently, the role of an elder is to champion the well-being of all children, particularly the most vulnerable. In the coming years, he looks forward to expanding the mission of Africa Bridge by partnering with other organizations and individuals. With four decades of experience to his credit, Barry Childs is a proven leader in the field of nonprofit work and service for children. He is the founder of Africa Bridge, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating sustainable community-based solutions for child poverty in Tanzania. The organization was founded after Mr. Childs returned to Tanzania, where he grew up. Upon his return to Tanzania, Mr. Childs considered contacting his childhood friends. However, he realized that, at the age of 55, he had exceeded the region’s average life expectancy and that many of his friends and neighbors had passed away due to the rise of extreme poverty in the region. Africa Bridge was established in 2000 to alleviate poverty for families, caring for the most vulnerable children by implementing self-sustaining community development and family income-generating projects. Mr. Childs’ journey started in Tanzania and continued in South Africa at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where he graduated in 1967 with a bachelor’s degree. Prior to founding Africa BARRY CHILDS FOUNDER Africa Bridge Fairport, NY Theresa A. Ferlita has cultivated a fulfilling and successful career in the field of social work. Today, she is a retired clinical social worker, having spent much of her career working on behalf of children and families. Ms. Ferlita maintained her emphasis on interventional and protective services as a foster care specialist and home findings supervisor for the Kentucky Department of Child Welfare. She also served as a medical social worker for St. Joseph’s Hospital prior to her retirement in 2017. Ms. Ferlita considers her proudest professional accomplishment to be her time serving as the director of training and education for the Child Abuse Council, where she played a key role in developing core programs and curriculum, including workshops in Spain. She also notably worked for the federal Aid to Families with Dependent Children program and served as a child protective services worker in both Tampa, Florida, and Louisville, Kentucky. Furthermore, she spent several years with Spalding University as a resident advisor and assistant to the dean of students. As part of her vocational journey, Ms. Ferlita pursued a formal education, earning a Bachelor of Science in sociology and social welfare at Spalding College and a Master of Social Work at the University of Louisville. Throughout her time in the field, she pursued extensive continuing education and professional development to remain at the forefront of her practice. In addition to her academic credentials, she is a certified Clinical Social Worker, as recognized by the Academy of Certified Social Workers. Ever committed to social service and civic advocacy, Ms. Ferlita facilitated outreach and education programs on domestic violence and child physical abuse for communities in Uganda. To commemorate her accomplishments, she has been honored with numerous accolades, including a Social Worker of the Year designation by her local NASW subunit in Tampa, Florida. Ms. Ferlita continues to positively impact her community through her volunteer work, with her current focus being the development of programming for children at a local museum. THERESA A. FERLITA CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER (RETIRED) Tampa, FL
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