Family Promise volunteers, staff, and Board welcome two new board members, Traci M. Lewis, MPH and Beth Sosinski.
Traci received her Bachelor’s from the University of Akron and her Master’s from Walden University. She is a Community Health Worker with United Healthcare. She helps people address their medical as well as community resource needs, including housing. Traci has great knowledge of the community and has prepared herself additionally through the Leadership Akron Diversity on Board program. She enjoys learning new languages and is currently studying Spanish.
Traci has been a regular volunteer with the Arthritis Foundation and volunteers for special Community Events at the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank. She is currently serving as United Healthcare’s Chairperson of the company’s Cultural Team Awareness subcommittee, which is a part of the company’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. She also enjoys sponsoring Lunch & Learn events for her fellow employees which includes a Book& Movie Club.
Traci’s special interests include Event Planning, Volunteer Coordination, and Marketing where she is serving on the FP Marketing and Development Committee. Her Board experience includes American Arthritis Foundation, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Women Walking in Christ, and Arlington Church of God where she served as Usher Board Secretary for three years.
“As a servant-leader, my purpose is to help those in need, especially women and children, the most vulnerable members of the population. I believe that people can do better when provided with the right information and tools. I have a generous spirit and have compassion for those less fortunate than I. I am open-minded and I want to make a difference in my community.”, stated Traci on why she chose to serve on the FP Board. “I am honored to be a member of the Family Promise of Summit County Board. It gives me the opportunity to serve with an organization that is committed to addressing the homelessness crisis, in a way that preserves a person's dignity and gives them hope. I look forward to helping implement changes that benefit the most vulnerable members of my community.”
Beth received a B.A. in Education from Slippery Rock University and a Masters in Technology Curriculum and Instruction from Cleveland State University.
Beth is a retired educator and skilled in organizing, planning, and communications. She spent half of her career in the technology sector, instructing educators and students in software applications and various uses of technology. Post retirement, she has been active as an Akron Children’s Hospital Volunteer, (Reading Rover, reading to inpatient children, monitoring the NICU visitor desk); Ronald McDonald House of Akron, CORE Volunteer; Family Promise Host Congregation Volunteer organizer for First Christian Church of Hudson, Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trailblazer ( hike and bike patrols and providing resources and guidance to park visitors).
Beth stated, “I have been an active supporter of Family Promise for the past decade, more devoted during the past five years. My belief is that all families should have access to safe housing. Family Promise of Summit County not only provides safe transitional shelter, but additionally provides each family opportunities to gain skills in home and apartment ownership. I joined the Family Promise Board so I may more actively engage in the mission of providing safe emergency housing to families in need as well as providing a path to safe affordable housing for each family’s future.