28
Vision
Polk County will have a Quality of Life that
encourages diverse backgrounds to live
in harmony while developing physically,
spiritually, mentally, and culturally, within a
healthy and safe environment.
Marcia Andresen
Chair
Polk County BoCC
Steve Bissonnette
VISTE
Gail Bagley
RATH Connextions
Center
Penny Borgia
United Way of Central
Florida
The term “quality of life” has
Taylor Freeman
Florida Department of
Health in Polk County
meaning for nearly everyone
and every academic discipline,
Dr. Daniel O. Haight
Lakeland Regional
Health
individuals and groups may define
it differently. Although health is one
of the important domains of overall
Cathy Hatch
Polk County BoCC
quality of life, there are many other
aspects — jobs, housing, schools, and
Myron A. Harvey,
Ph.D.
Human Capital
Consulting
built environments. Intangibles such
as culture, values, and spirituality are
also key domains of overall quality of
Susan Hurlburt
Community Volunteer
life that add to the complexity of its
definition.
Joy Johnson
Polk County BoCC
In May 2018, the Quality of Life Team
Rosemarie Lamm,
Ph. D.
RATH Connextions
Center
co-presented a half-day, immersive
poverty simulation together with
Leadership Polk, UF/IFAS, and Lake
Tim Mitchell
Parker Street
Ministries
Wales Care Center. Featuring the
Polk County Public Schools HEARTH
Project, over 100 leaders from
Andrea Nikolai
University of Florida/
IFAS
across Polk County experienced
a profoundly moving inter-active
Steve Thompson
American Red Cross
simulation of the challenges facing a
person living in poverty.
TOP: Participants of the Poverty Simulation
used Big Dave’s Pawn Shop as a refuge of
last resort to meet the financial needs of
their families.
Nicole Walker
University of Florida/
IFAS
BOTTOM: The Quick Cash table was a
frequent stop for attendees as it sold
transportation passes and provided check
cashing services for those individuals that
did not have bank accounts.
Marcia Andresen // Director, Health and Human Services
Division, Polk County BoCC
Quality of life really encompasses many aspects both for
individuals and for the community as a whole. Our Team
targets these various areas striving to provide education,
understanding, and information on pathways to support."