Malone University Names Yvonne Brake 2011 Leadership Excellence Award Recipient

Related Media

Yvonne Brake

CANTON , OH (10/12/2011)(readMedia)-- Yvonne Brake was recently recognized as the 2011 Malone Management Program Leadership Excellence Award recipient at Malone University's Homecoming celebration. Brake is the director of development for Haven of Rest Ministries and a 1998 graduate of Malone University, currently residing in Akron, OH.

The following is a tribute read at a banquet held in her honor:

At the age of eight, Yvonne accepted Christ as her Savior. Yvonne was actively involved in Christian Youth Fellowship, the youth usher board, and youth choir at church. She and her sister organized the Busy Beavers, a small group of neighborhood children who ran errands and did chores for elderly neighbors.

After the family moved to Akron, Yvonne was active in the St. John C.M.E. church serving as a CYF youth officer, singing in the youth choir, and as the founder and director of the Cherubs Children's Choir. Yvonne's church involvement continued for over twenty years as a member of the choir, Stewardess Board, Praise Team, Board of Trustees, and church Treasurer.

In 1981, she began writing and producing Christian plays based on life in the inner city. As requests for plays increased, Yvonne formally organized Because He Cares as a nonprofit, tax-exempt ministry in 1984, recruiting Board of Trustee members to oversee the fiduciary responsibilities of the ministry and organizing an Advisory Board to provide input on community needs.

Because He Cares, or BHC, produced and performed countless plays in prisons, youth correctional facilities, drug rehabilitation centers, churches, rescue missions, youth retreats, and in colleges and universities – often free of charge.

Yvonne teamed with Dr. Fred Johnson, History Professor at Hope College to write the drama "Experience In Pride...Journey through African American History". It was the ministry's entrée into public school systems in Ohio. Under the direction of Yvonne and her husband, Darryl, BHC grew from presenting one drama program a year to more than 165 annual activities offering programs on Child Enrichment, Student Communication, Student Leadership Development, CEP After School, a weekly radio broadcast, Akron's Living Legacy Project and a collaborative effort among churches call Ministry Impact Day. BHC has been highlighted in Upscale and Essence magazines and has served more than 125,000 people in a five-state region.

In addition to Because He Cares, Yvonne has worked in development at Haven of Rest Ministries for 23 years, the last 13 serving as director of development. Through its comprehensive programs and services, Haven of Rest desires to break the cycle of homelessness in the lives of hurting people.

As director, Yvonne is responsible for raising the necessary resources for the $8.4 million dollar ministry. She works closely with executive director, Rev. Jeff Kaiser, to design and implement fundraising and friend raising strategies. In 2010, Haven of Rest provided 263,117 meals and 62,190 nights of lodging to those in need

Yvonne also coordinates many of the ministry's outreach activities including its annual Hope Basketball Camp for 200 urban children, its annual Hope Tote campaign distributing personal care items to needy families, and its annual African American History Program. As part of the ministry's leadership team she serves on its Strategic Planning, Procedural, and Administrative Transition committees.

Yvonne and her sister, Yvette, developed a pilot outcome measurement program for the ministry's Harvest Home Shelter for women and children and championed implementation of generational poverty training at the mission. Haven of Rest is the largest private provider of services to homeless individuals in a seven-county area.

A graduate of Akron's East High School, Yvonne completed her education later in life, earning a Bachelor of Arts from Malone University's Management program and was recognized as the Outstanding Graduate of her class.

Following graduation, Yvonne earned a Master's Degree in Non Profit Organizations from Case Western Reserve University and a Diploma in Church Theology from Ashland Theological Seminary. She describes herself as a firm believer in life-long learning. Currently, she plans to complete a doctorate in organizational leadership. Her career goal is to conduct research, write, and teach at a Christian University.

Yvonne and Darryl, "the love of her life", have been married for 33 years. They have two adult sons, Michael and Daren and a grandson, Donovan who is their pride and joy. They are members of The House of the Lord in Akron. They love the Lord and love spending time with family. They also love to travel as is evidenced by the fact that they have visited 42 of the 50 United States.

Malone University, a Christian university for the arts, sciences, and professions in the liberal arts tradition, affiliated with the Evangelical Friends Church, awards both undergraduate and graduate degrees in more than 100 academic programs. Malone is recognized by the prestigious Templeton Foundation as a leader in character development, named one of Northeast Ohio's Top Workplaces by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and is ranked among the top colleges and universities in the Midwest under the category Regional Universities according to U.S.News & World Report's America's Best Colleges 2012.