Carine Remy celebrates 30 years at CAA

The year 1992 was full of important events to include the 25th Olympics Games, the election of Bill Clinton as the 42nd US President and the start of Carine Remy's career with the Broward County Community Action Agency (CAA).

Carine was recognized for her thirty years of service by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners on February 8, 2022, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

It all started with a move. Carine had recently moved from New York to Florida when she applied for positions with state and local governments. She was offered a provisional position with state government, and a few months later was offered a position as a Social Worker I with the Broward County Community Action Agency. The Broward County agency was in its infancy at the time and had a staff of five. Carine stated she was excited to start a position with an agency that was in its inception, where she would be able to have input in its development. Carine recalled the first day, where a few months before, three Social Workers had already started. At that time, only Community Service Block Grant funded emergency rental assistance was being provided.

Carine later oversaw the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and was responsible for its operation. During which time, Carine and staff determined how clients would be assisted with the funding received. They determined the documentation required, file organization, how to avoid duplication and other functions. The LIHEAP contract was received by Broward County about a year after CAA started. At that time most services were done manually as they only had a Tracker system and there was no Internet. The computer was just a database. Carine assisted in the hiring of staff and made sure the four locations at the time were covered, which were Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Deerfield Beach. Carine considers her biggest career achievements were helping to develop LIHEAP and all its challenges, helping clients to become truly self-sufficient and her decision to return to school in 1998 to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

A wife and mother, Carine juggled two jobs while raising three young boys with the help of her husband, Patrick. Carine obtained her LPN, license in 1999 and immediately started working in that field in the evenings and weekends. Carine states she loved her job with Community Action Agency and chose to stay even though she had opportunities to make nursing her full-time career. Carine has held many job titles, including Social Worker I, Social Worker II, Case Manager II, Case Manager/Counselor, and her current title, Human Services Coordinator. Carine also served as a board member for The Caribbean Cultural Coalition, H.E.L.P. 4 You LLC, the Caribbean American Democratic Club of Broward County and St Vincent De Paul Society in Coral Springs. She was a member of St Andrews Catholic Church Charismatic Prayer Group, the Haitian- American Democratic Club, the Coral Springs Parkland Democratic Club, the Broward Democratic Party, and a Committeewoman for the City of Parkland Democratic Party.

Carine’s advice to current and future employees, “Do your best, and remember the Mission Statement of Community Action.”

From all of us at Broward County CAA, we say, Thank You, Carine for the impact you have made and continue to make in our community! We are honored to have you as part of our team!