Nationwide — Despair is the scientific time period for an individual who’s going by way of an emotional and bodily dysfunction characterised by a basic lack of curiosity and persistent emotions of disappointment. Though Robert Flournoy was going by way of this illness, it didn’t detour him from his craving to assist others in want.
26 years in the past in Santa Ana, California, a metropolis that’s identified for gangs and medicines, Robert met a gaggle of seven homeless individuals. As a result of his ardour to assist others was a lot larger than his despair, he felt their wants have been extra essential than his personal struggles. And so, Robert made it his mission to see that they have been taken care of and that they knew they’d a pal. At this second, he had unknowingly begun his journey to struggle starvation.
Since then, Robert has taken his compassionate ministry to Irvine Valley Faculty the place he has labored for 30 years. With volunteers from his non-profit Loaves and Fishes x 10, in tandem with varied campus departments such because the IVC Categorised Senate, the Veterans Middle, Campus Police, DSPS, EOPS, Services and Pupil Companies, Robert has helped alleviate starvation and enhance college students’ total well-being.
As we’re all conscious, starvation can hinder college students’ studying and tutorial successes. Addressing pupil starvation is essential for making a optimistic and supportive studying surroundings. And so, in his a few years on campus, Robert has partnered with the IVC Categorised Senate to arrange the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive and Basket Distribution. Together with Circle Ok, IVC Athletics, Faculty Corps, Services and Upkeep, and particular person IVC workers he has helped coordinate and glean contemporary produce for on campus meals applications. He has additionally helped gather tons of of canned items for pupil veterans, and he performed a vital position in a toy drive that supplied toys for IVC college students and their households.
Robert strongly believes that volunteering supplies a exceptional alternative to make a tangible distinction within the lives of others and that acts of compassion, regardless of how small, have the ability to uplift spirits and encourage hope. Robert has modeled this perception by way of years of motion, and thru dedicating his time and vitality to serving others he has helped foster a way of interconnectedness, making a extra simply and compassionate campus. His efforts have introduced consciousness to this urgent concern and in flip has impressed others to motion. The numerous college students he has helped and the colleagues he has impressed, will undoubtedly bear in mind the optimistic impacts his efforts have made.
Robert is the recipient of the Irvine Valley Faculty Categorised Employees Award of Excellence 2025, nominated by his friends and colleagues, and awarded by the IVC Basis. He has additionally acquired a Certificates of Recognition from the California Legislature Meeting for his struggle towards starvation on campus. His favourite a part of working at IVC all these years has been taking part in occasions that assist college students succeed, and he’s grateful for the help of the faculty and district in his struggle towards starvation.
Past the IVC campus, Robert based the above-mentioned Loaves and Fishes X10, a nonprofit that gives meals to three,000 individuals weekly and distributes as much as 150,000 kilos of contemporary produce yearly feeding almost 800,000 individuals annually. His work has been well known by each IVC and the Orange County neighborhood.
As Robert prepares to retire in September, he seems to be ahead to dedicating extra time to Impression OC One County at a Time, his newest initiative targeted on constructing stronger communities and tackling meals insecurity. He’s additionally pursuing his ardour for recording up to date Christian and R&B Gospel music. By means of his a long time of service, Robert has made a long-lasting influence, enhancing numerous lives by way of compassion and motion.
Watch the video of Robert receiving his award:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvn7ohsN41s
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