Our Staff

LaWanda Lawson, a West Palm Beach native who graduated from Amridge University Magna Cum Laude. After graduating she worked with college students who were interested in exploring their personal journey in their faith and overall life. She moved back to Florida in 2010 and has worked in the community since 2013 with children and Families in numerous ways. She has worked in various roles such as administrative support staff, a psycho-social rehabilitation facilitator and Case Management. LaWanda has spent over the past 15 years working in the community and building long term relationships serving many different people as well as networking to serve our clients to the best of her abilities with many resources from which they could benefit.
LaWanda’s passion for people has made it quite easy to show her interpersonal skills which has allowed her the success of meeting the needs of the overall community.
LaWanda currently is a part of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, South Palm Beach County Chapter where she serves on the programs committee, as the Education Committee chair. She creates and oversees all programming as it pertains to community events and community advocacy opportunities.
LaWanda has done grant reviewing and is a certified trainer on “Being Trauma Informed.” LaWanda has a drive to see the community at its all-time best and plans to continue the work of making that happen.

Claudia Kirk Barto brings her over 30 years of non‐profit leadership experience with Palm Beach County Medical Society, Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast, Lupus Foundation of America Southeast Florida Chapter, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's PalmBeach Area Chapter, and the Partnership for a Drug Free Community at United Way of Palm Beach County the WPB Venter for Arts & Technology.
From fish fries to black ties, Claudia grew up in Palm Beach, where philanthropy is a way of life. She is the proud daughter of former Florida Governor Claude Kirk.
She is a graduate of the Leadership Palm Beach County Class of 2014 and continues to serve on the LPBC Aspire Committee. She is past Chair of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women, past President of the West Palm Beach Rotary Club, Vice President of the Northwood Harbor Neighborhood Association, a member of A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts School Advisory Council, a member of the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, member of Impact the Palm Beaches and many other community organizations. She received her Associate's degree from Palm Beach State College and her Bachelor's degree in Communications from Florida State University.
Claudia lives in West Palm Beach with her two sons, Wen and Kirk, and daughter Marina.