FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Big Bend Cares Honored with Sustainability and Systems Impact Award for SURE Housing Program
National recognition highlights team stability, data-driven leadership, and successful pursuit of new housing funding for people living with HIV
TALLAHASSEE, FL – July 22, 2026 – Big Bend Cares (BBC) has been recognized with the Sustainability and Systems Impact Award for its work as a HRSA SPNS (Special Projects of National Significance) grant recipient and its implementation of the SURE housing program. Big Bend Cares was one of just ten sites selected nationally to participate in the SPNS SURE cohort, and the one of two participant programs honored with this distinction.
The award recognizes Big Bend Cares’ ability to translate program performance into lasting impact; not only for the clients it serves, but for the long-term sustainability of housing services for people living with HIV in the Big Bend region.
Dave Whisnant, Co-Director of the Center for TA and Capacity Building at Collaborative Solutions, Inc., who served as a SURE coach throughout the project, praised the team’s execution and follow-through. Paraphrasing his remarks, Whisnant said Big Bend Cares operated the way a top performer does: they said what they were going to do, did it, and then showed exactly how they did it. He noted that BBC set out to leverage its program experience, performance data, and client success stories to build organizational capacity and pursue additional housing funding for its community, and delivered, going on to secure both Continuum of Care (CoC) funding and funding from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund.
Whisnant attributed that success to the strength and consistency of the entire Housing Team, noting that Big Bend Cares was the only site in the SPNS cohort to avoid major staffing changes throughout the life of the project. He also credited the organization’s leadership for moving quickly to pursue new funding opportunities, reminding funders that Big Bend Cares had been selected as one of only ten sites nationally for SURE and should be considered for further investment. While not every funding application submitted was successful, two major grants were awarded as a direct result of this effort. Whisnant also highlighted the individual professional growth of each staff member on the team, as well as the program’s strong alignment with HUD housing models.
“This award belongs to our Housing Team,” said Amber R. Tynan, CEO of Big Bend Cares. “They did exactly what they said they would do, then used their results to open new doors, including CoC and Bezos funding, so we could serve even more families facing homelessness and chronic illnesses such as HIV. I’m proud of how much each team member has grown through this work.”
Big Bend Cares extends its recognition and gratitude to the members of the SURE Housing Team and organizational leadership whose work made this achievement possible:
- Erma Morris, SURE Housing Case Manager
- Mort Biondo, SURE Housing Case Manager
- Melissa Walton, Director of Client Services
- Rebecca Arrington, Director of Quality Assurance
- Sylvia Smith, Chief Operating Officer
“Our team’s stability and consistency made this possible,” said Sylvia W. Smith, Chief Operating Officer. “This program worked because our team stayed together and stayed focused on our clients and on the data. That consistency is what let us turn strong performance into new funding for our community. This award reflects their commitment and their growth.”
Big Bend Cares will continue to build on the foundation established through the SURE program, using the lessons, data, and partnerships developed through this work to expand access to housing and supportive services for people living with HIV throughout its eight-county service area.
About Big Bend Cares
Big Bend Cares provides a range of health care, housing and supportive services to residents of our eight-county area. Big Bend Cares is also the local HIV Lead Agency, a provider of HIV prevention and testing services and the operator of a full-service clinic called Care Point Health & Wellness Center. Care Point provides primary care, dentistry, lab work, pharmacy and radiology to the community at large and has special programs to assist low-income uninsured residents.
Our housing programs range from rapid rehousing, long-term tenant-based rental assistance, general housing assistance, and supportive services linking people to employment, benefits and educational programs. We specialize in homeless prevention as well as assisting people who are exiting homelessness. Supportive services offered range from assistance with food, helping with medical expenses, providing medical transportation and more.
For additional information about Big Bend Cares | Care Point, please visit bigbendcares.org or carepointwellness.com.
Media Contact: Amber R. Tynan, CEO Big Bend Cares atynan@bigbendcares.org (850) 656-2437
