Angela M. Zimmerman, M.P.A.

Coordinator, Family Support LI
Molloy College

For more than 30 years, Angela Zimmerman has been a champion for youth, family and community development. From early learning and education to community group homes to juvenile detention to local nonprofits and county agencies, Zimmerman has brought her experience to bear for Long Island's most vulnerable populations. She has a considerable skill set to draw from including community organizing, advocacy, program and resource development, strategic planning, service implementation and evaluation, and professional development.

For most of her career, Zimmerman has been an active employee of the Nassau County Youth Board (NCYB), wearing several different hats, most recently as the Youth Board's Director of Development, Training and Legislative Advocacy. Although no longer on the NCYB staff, she remains a vital contributor to many local and statewide task forces and coalitions, fighting on behalf of family and community development.

Zimmerman currently oversees planning and coordination of the Family Support Long Island (FSLI) initiative at Molloy College. The ability to prepare students and work with providers, policymakers and the broader community to interface with families and communities as true partners is not only good and effective, but reinforces Molloy's mission. This initiative is funded by the Hagedorn Foundation and the Horace and Amy Hagedorn Fund at the Long Island Community Foundation. The overall goal of FSLI is to encourage the integration of family support practice into a range of organizations including government, nonprofits and institutions of higher education and to help families become active partners in the development of the programs and policies that impact their lives.

As key components of this work, FSLI offers workshops highlighting the importance of family and community engagement in funding and program development and a Reflection Tool to help organizations assess their own program quality and effectiveness. The goal is to encourage stakeholders to collaborate with schools, community organizations and nonprofit agencies to build authentic relationships with families and communities.

"Angela Zimmerman is one of the most caring individuals currently advocating for youth and family development in local and state government," wrote her award nominator. "She is dedicated to bringing the highest quality services to the many vulnerable children and families across this region in all aspects of their lives, from health and safety to cultural competency. She is a driving force on behalf of youth and families, working tirelessly to bring about effective change."