Florida Catholic | Longwood’s Nativity parishioner is a ‘Community Hero’

Longwood’s Nativity parishioner is a ‘Community Hero’

Angie Romagosa, executive director of Sharing Center, is honored doing what she loves – serving the poor.

BETTY ANN WEBER | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 03.21.08

LONGWOOD | Angie Romagosa just picked up $15,000 for nearly 23 years of doing what she loves.

Honoring the Church of the Nativity parishioner for “extraordinary dedication to helping others and inspiring change within her community,” Safeco Insurance Co. chose Romagosa, 57, for one of its first Community Hero Awards.

The check is already in the coffers of the Sharing Center in Longwood, where Romagosa, a grandmother of four, has served as president since 1985.

A Sister of Mercy put the service bug in Romagosa’s ear. “I was a sophomore at St. Vincent’s Academy in Savannah (Ga.),” she recalled, “when Sister Joseph Mary said, ‘You’d make a great social worker.’ That got me thinking.”

Eventually, Romagosa earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Armstrong State College in Savannah.

“I worked in a bank, tried my own business,” she said, “until my husband, Mark’s, employer, M&M-Mars, offered a transfer to Florida.” In 1982, the Georgia natives headed south. Three years later, her life changed.

“When we were at St. Augustine in Casselberry, Catholic Charities held a social services forum, and I sat in representing our parish council. The idea was to unite Seminole County social services in one location. That necessitated hiring a leader. Everybody said, ‘Go for that job.’ But, I thought, our kids (Mark and Cathy) are in school. I should be home. The truth is I didn’t believe in myself,” she said.

But Romagosa ended up applying, and landed the job. She was handed a list of responsibilities. “It was executive director,” she gasped. “I thought it was executive secretary!”

She prayed, “God, I think you tricked me. You wanted me here.”

Thus, the Sharing Center was born to ease stressed families in financial crisis and thwart homelessness. Mark Romagosa signed on two years ago as development director.

As executive director, Angie Romagosa immediately started her advocacy for the underserved. It was a natural response, she said, recalling her youth: “I was the oldest of seven — a hard-headed Irish Catholic — so I had to take charge,” she said.

The center began in a small room, assisting 500 families with food, clothing and shelter expenses. Today 24 employees and 250 volunteers operate from a 13,200-square-foot facility in a shopping center. Last year, 8,100 families received assistance.

The center is experiencing a dire need to replace its freezer and cooler at a cost of $25,000. Nativity Church is contributing from its Lenten alms collection.

“I told God I’d stay as long as I can offer compassion,” said Romagosa. “I may not always have material things to share, but I can give love and compassion.”

The Sharing Center is in Fairmont Plaza, 600 N. U.S. Highway 17-92, Longwood, about one mile north of State Road 434. The center’s telephone number is 407-260-9155, ext. 13.

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Longwood’s Nativity parishioner is a ‘Community Hero’

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