Sharon Trainor, BSW

Bay, Franklin, Gulf Healthy Start Coalition, Inc.

Ms. Trainor is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native and attend The University of Bridgeport, Connecticut before moving south to Florida to later graduate with a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University.  Sharon began her journey as an advocate for those less fortunate by “doing the most good” for The Salvation Army as the Social Services Director and led in their development of their Transitional Housing Shelter that provided 12 apartments for homeless families in need. Sharon was then asked to spearhead the initiation of a brand-new home visiting program to the Bay County area in the late 90’s called Early Head Start Home Based Services.  Sharon then became pregnant and had a challenging pregnancy that led her to the Healthy Start Program and all the enhanced services they had to offer. 

Sharon began advocating within the Maternal and Child Health Community over 20 years ago and continues to support the challenges faced by this population daily as the director of The Bay, Franklin, Gulf, Healthy Start Coalition for over 17 years.  Sharon has served as the local Homeless Coalition chair, the chair of the Panama City Kiwanis, an Alignment Bay County organization newborn to 5 youth chairperson, Healthy Families Board member and a lifelong Salvation Army Board member. Sharon has also served several terms as an executive committee member for the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions, Inc. 

Sharon is constantly humbled by the challenges the families face in her area and whenever she able to help she jumps in feet first!  If its writing a grant for thousands of dollars or just giving a family in need of food all the cash in her wallet at the time just to feel that she is making a difference no matter how small.