By Emily Rickerson | April 15, 2008

Every month the Magic and Fifth Third Bank selects a community member as the Fifth Third Bank Orlando Magic Maker for their dedication and significant contribution to the Orlando community. This month Toni Shinn is recognized for her commitment and dedication to improving the lives of over 2,000 Parramore children and families.

Toni Shinn is currently the Executive Director of Community Concepts Services, Inc. (CCSI), a company that conducts outreach programs in the area of Parramore. As the executive director of CCSI, Shinn is contracted with the City of Orlando to provide outreach services to over 2,000 children and families including the Parramore Kidz Zone project (PKZ).

The PKZ project aims to lower teenage pregnancy, juvenile crime, child abuse rates and improve school performance in a neighborhood where 73 percent of the children are in poverty. PKZ has linked a critical mass of Parramore children to pre-kindergarten programs, pediatric health and dental care, mentoring, constructive activities during out-of-school hours and other positive opportunities to help them grow up strong, healthy and well educated. With the help of Shinn and other PKZ staff, the organization was able to pay for more than 500 Parramore teenagers to attend summer camps and arts, sports, technology and academic programs, including a three week experience at UCF’s School of Film and Digital Media.

Shinn and her co-workers not only devote their time to the PKZ project but are also highly educated in their field. Shinn is certified in ARISE, a life skills research based model specifically designed to provide troubled children with the skills they need to be healthy and has four years of experience working with at-risk youth and family members along with raising funds through grant writing and managing contracts. In addition, she helps operate a youth advisory council, Teens of Parramore (TOP), which advises in the development, operation and promotion of the Parramore Youth Life-Skills Program, as well as a teen girl’s group, PURPLE (Powerful Urban Real Ladies Excelling).

Shinn’s commitment and dedication to improving the lives of Parramore children through her hard work is truly worth celebrating. Shinn is married with three kids and works hard to balance her job and quality time with her family. The characteristics she exhibits make her a true Magic Maker, as she is always willing to go the extra mile to serve the Orlando community with dignity and pride without expecting anything in return. Congratulations to Toni Shinn, our April Fifth Third Bank Orlando Magic Maker!