The Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness with a monthlong tribute to Darlene Hatcher, former CRA Director of Administrative Services, who lost her battle with the disease earlier this year. The Riviera Beach CRA has a number of events planned for October in memory of their friend and coworker and will pay respect to all those who have been touched by breast cancer as well as those on a mission to help find a cure.
OCTOBER 3, 2019, RIVIERA BEACH, FLORIDA—The Riviera Beach CRA, which is helping guide the redevelopment of the City of Rivera Beach on a number of fronts, has planned a number of gatherings in tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in remembrance of a fallen coworker, former Director of Administrative Services Darlene Hatcher. The Riviera Beach Marina Village will provide educational resources at the Event Center throughout the month to help and honor those at every step of the breast cancer journey.
Since October 2008, Ms. Hatcher helped the CRA reach a number of accomplishments. Ms. Hatcher was dedicated to serving the community and advocated for the causes she believed in, such as neighborhood revitalization, jobs, youth development, and workforce housing. Her passions were her family— her fiancé, kids and grandchildren—the Limestone Creek community, a love of safari animals and purses, good food, scrapbooking, and University of Miami alumni activities, including supporting the Miami Hurricanes.
“I want to applaud the Riviera Beach CRA for taking the time to recognize the service of Darlene Hatcher and the many warriors who have battled breast cancer,” said Florida State Senator Bobby Powell. “We applaud those who have won, continue to battle, and unfortunately those who lost their battle. However, we must continue to work together so we can ultimately find a cure.”
In October, the CRA will host a private ceremony and ribbon cutting of the newly dedicated Hatcher Ballroom at Riviera Beach Marina Village. The reception will include the unveiling of a plaque in memory of Ms. Hatcher.
“We are like a family here at the CRA,” says Scott Evans, Interim Executive Director of the Riviera Beach CRA and President of the Riviera Beach Community Development Corporation. “We can’t do enough to honor our friend and coworker Darlene. We miss her deeply and all her efforts for the City of Riviera Beach. Our hearts go out to her family, friends and everyone unfortunate enough to be touched by this disease.”
Additionally, in October the CRA will host a 50 Shades of Pink luncheon for remembering, paying respects, mingling, learning, and looking forward in tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Panelists include breast cancer survivors, medical professionals and activists, and a keynote by survivor and author Kelly Seitz. Representatives and doctors from Good Samaritan Medical Center, the Sari Center for Integrative Cancer Care, the Pink Queen Foundation and more will answer questions and offer guidance.
The CRA has also invited the Hatcher family and friends for a separate evening of painting rocks with kind messages and designs of hope that can be kept, given to others or placed around the District to pass on inspiration to others who may be in need of a little “pay it forward” compassion.
The Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency
The Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is at the heart of dramatic transformations underway within its district. Formed in 1984 by the Riviera Beach City Council, the CRA provides funding for a wide scope of projects that incentivize economic growth through business attraction and retention; finances new and improved infrastructure for real estate projects; and generally works to expand the tax base by creating a welcoming environment that eliminates blight and improves the perception of safety in the area.
The Agency’s main mission is to guide the city’s redevelopment efforts. This includes making investments of public funds in key infrastructure improvement projects that have the capacity to act as a catalyst for additional private funding and development, create jobs and help to improve the quality of life for city residents. For more information about the Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, follow the official Facebook, Instagram @RBCRA and Twitter @RivieraBeachCRA pages or visit rbcra.com.