Hollywood activist Nadine McCrea has performed good deeds in her community since she and her family moved into their Washington Park neighborhood in 1982. And so, when she heard about a need for wheelchairs for a Florida college’s occupational therapy program, McCrea did what she always does: She added the project to her ever-growing to-do list.
As the founder of the not-for-profit Community Enhancement Collaboration, Inc. (CEC) in 2004, McCrea is well-aware of the needs of her community, and she’s adept at finding solutions. Bolstered by a 200-member volunteer force of mostly Hollywood residents, the CEC’s programs and events involve youths, seniors, community partners and faith-based leaders, and the organization’s outreach includes not only Washington Park and Greater Hollywood, but surrounding areas as well.
The CEC’s newest community partner is Keiser University’s Pembroke Pines campus, whose Occupational Therapy Assistant program takes a hands-on approach to educating students about the everyday challenges facing disabled individuals. Students take field trips to Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, where they spend a few hours in wheelchairs attempting to navigate the mega-mall’s food court, restrooms and stores, where they must also try on clothes.
But CEC volunteer Jessica Williams and her fellow Keiser students in the program’s Neurological Disorders and Treatment Strategies class encountered a major obstacle even before getting into their wheelchairs. With 24 students in the class and only a handful of available chairs, the “disabled for a day” experience has been limited.
The school program currently operates with three donated wheelchairs and relies on the mall’s rental fleet to make up the difference. On their last visit in February, students were able to rent only three of the mall’s wheelchairs, which it prefers to hold in reserve for actual disabled persons.
“Every time we go, they give us a harder time about renting the wheelchairs,” said Williams, 20.
Last month she approached McCrea, who managed to secure the third wheelchair for the program and is putting the word out in the community about the need for more.
“It’s a great learning experience to see what it really feels like to be wheelchair-bound forever,” said Williams, who wants to work with disabled children after receiving her Associate in Science degree in December and her occupational therapy certification. “I wish more people could go through it.”
During her time in a wheelchair, Williams encountered sinks that were too high in handicap-designated restrooms, too-narrow doorways and inadequate fitting rooms. “I learned to appreciate the fact that I can walk a whole lot more,” she said.
The hardest part of the experiment, however, was “dealing with the way people treat you,” Williams said. “People are so very, very inconsiderate.”
The CEC will accept any functioning non-motorized wheelchair that includes both armrests and footrests. All donations to the CEC, a 501(c)(3) organization, are tax-deductible.
This latest partnership with Keiser University illustrates the CEC’s commitment to listen and respond to area needs and “get whatever resources are needed,” McCrea said. The CEC provides a wide range of services to all ages—including community programs, events, social services, personal care and volunteer services, all tailored to meet clients’ needs—and assists nearly 7,500 children and their families each year through outreach programs.
When McCrea and her husband, Ulyses, first moved into Washington Park nearly 30 years ago, she had no idea their initial good deeds—taking three neighborhood girls under their wings who “needed some assistance, some guidance”—would evolve into a wide-reaching community agency.
“It wasn’t just talk. We walked the walk,” said McCrea, whose contributions were recognized in 2007 with the City Citizen of the Year award from the Florida League of Cities and the Florida Recreation and Park Association’s Voluntary Service Award.
While the boundaries of the CEC’s involvement have expanded over time, Washington Park remains its primary service area. With Community Development Block Grant funding from the City of Hollywood for local activities, the CEC last month moved into a 2,600-square-foot office space on State Road 7, and the City plans to build the first Washington Park Neighborhood Help Center on Wiley Street.
For more information on the Community Enhancement Collaboration, Inc., its programs and upcoming events, visit http://cechollywood.org. To donate a wheelchair to Keiser University’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program, call the CEC at
954-987-0625.
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In 2007, City of Hollywood resident, Nadine McCrea was named City Citizen of the Year by The Florida League of Citiees. Mrs. McCrea and the CEC, Inc Board of Directors have not let up; they continue to put a shining, positive face to the word advocacy.
Case in Point: The wheelchair project spoken of here in this newspaper article gives testimony to her Inherent, Driving Ambition to take on causes of those in need.
Working in tandem with the grassroots community, The City of Hollywood, Fl and various other local /state governmental entities, She and husband, Ulyses McCrea have tirelessly distinguished themselves as proven Leaders and as 'People for the People.'
Christ's Kingdom Life Center International is blessed to partner with the CEC organization. Thereby, putting 'Flesh' to the Gospel as taught by CKLCI Pastor/ Apostle Leslie Brown, III.