2001's CCHOAA WINNER

José Colón is the “seniors’ senior advocate”! By the time José became a volunteer advocate for seniors, he had already had a 24 year career in the Army, worked for several major insurance companies in his native home of Puerto Rico as an insurance agent, claims manager, and fraud investigator and had owned his own insurance business. When he and his family moved to Florida in 1991, it appears he was ready to tackle other challenges, and the SHINE program (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) was just the right fit for his volunteer work!

As the SHINE Area Coordinator for Central Florida, José volunteers nearly fulltime, supervising more than 70 other volunteers in four counties who provide education and counseling regarding the intricacies of Medicare, Medicaid, Tri-Care and other health insurance. José’s service on the State SHINE Steering Committee has also been exemplary and has helped put Florida on the national map for the design and management of volunteer programs. He also travels statewide speaking to Hispanic audiences about SHINE.  José clearly understands what services are needed for Florida’s seniors…and most important, how they should work!

Mr. Colón is a tireless example of a community volunteer and advocate. His goal is not recognition; it is service. He epitomizes Coly Hardy’s purpose in serving…that his work would “make the world a better place in which to work, to live and to have our being.” His supporters say that, “When you need him, he is there. He is always willing to give that extra hand whatever the case may be…there are not enough words to describe his effectiveness.”

José has received many honors from government, health care, and voluntary organizations throughout the State. His commitment to seniors is extraordinary. He exemplifies Coly Hardy's belief that each of us in this country has a duty and responsibility to return something to society. In Coly that “something” was a vision of how the State of Florida should be the Nation’s leader in pursuing effective public and private sector approaches to its exploding older population. Mr. Colón has demonstrated that diligent advocacy on behalf of older Floridians.