- April 28, 2024
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Community service is one of Lisa Messersmith's core beliefs.
And as the director for the Ormond Beach Police Athletic League for the last 21 year, community service the heart of her job too.
"I think our goal in life is to somehow make the world better — in some way, whether it's small or large — than it was before we were given the gift of life," Messersmith said. "I can't remember a time in my life where that wasn't what I thought we should be doing."
But she likes to do so behind-the scenes, never one for the spotlight.
"I think when you're serving people, they're the ones you push forward and let in the spotlight. We have such an amazing team here at PAL that I just feel very blessed."
Ormond Beach PAL was established in 1996 with the mission to foster and encourage the development of positive relationships between local youth, the police department the community, according to the organization. Messersmith, along with Coach Avery Randolph and Fiona Crouch, serve about 800 kids a year through PAL, which partners with other community organizations to provide programs at local schools and city facilities.
PAL's programs include Tutors R Us, an after school educational program that provides tutoring to elementary and middle school students in math, language arts, science and computer technology; youth basketball; a summer field trip series; and Science on Patrol, designed to improve science and math skills through crime scene scenarios.
"I'm blessed to have a job that allows me to do things that help improve the community — but not on my own, but by connecting all the different parts of the community so that we can move forward for our younger citizens,"
Messersmith said.
Prior to becoming PAL's director, Messersmith worked for 14 years at the Museum of Art in DeLand coordinating summer and youth programs.She double majored in art and psychology at Stetson University.
When you have an arts background, Messersmith said, it helps you with problem-solving, which is great when it comes to community programming.
I have seen her encourage and build positive bonds and relationships with teens and the community she selflessly serves. She has a creative mind and soul and she puts forth so much effort to promote youth enrichment and leadership. Lisa has a positive impact to all the programs in PAL. Endless hours of volunteer work, planning and coordinating with such effort, detail and commitment and all while being a single mother raising three boys. I do not believe that her effort for the community of Ormond Beach is recognized enough." — SHANNON CHAMPION, 2023 STANDING O
"Because you're not going in a linear direction to solve the problems, because there aren't problems with families that are usually a linear solve," she said. "You have to figure out what the child and how they communicate and what works best for them to build their self-confidence. So I think that being an artist complements that kind of flexibility that's required in community programing."
Her art mainly consists of sculptures combined with monotype prints. Some of her pieces will be on display at The Casements as part of Beaux Arts of Central Florida's "Starry, Starry Night" exhibition, which will open on Jan. 6.
Messersmith had always liked the Ormond Beach community, so when she saw PAL was looking for a director in 2003, she was intrigued by the job. To her, it meant serving a broader audience of youth.
Messersmith is one of the instructors for the READ program at Ormond Beach Elementary. READ, which stands for Reading, Exploration and Discovery, is an arts-based reading enhancement program for second to fourth grade students.
I'm blessed to have a job that allows me to do things that help improve the community — but not on my own, but by connecting all the different parts of the community so that we can move forward for our younger citizens." — LISA MESSERSMITH, STANDING O
That's the program she has the most direct contact with the youth served by PAL, she said, and she enjoys seeing the kids realize that they can write a short story.
"To see that moment, where they realize they can accomplish something beyond what they thought they could do," Messersmith said.
She also enjoys the Youth Director Council, PAL's teen leadership program. The teen years can be tenuous for youth, she said, as they're faced with making big life decisions at a time when they're still figuring out who they are.
"So to work with those young people and to see them find their life path or their passion, is very rewarding," Messersmith said.
One of the inspirations behind Messersmith's love for community service is her faith. A member of Central Baptist Church, she has seen many elders work in community programming. Their example has guided her in her own job.
"Ever since I was a child, I remember service being part of my faith, and giving back to the community and showing the positiveness of my faith, that it is a place of strength and comfort and that people are there for you in your hardest times," Messersmith said.
She tries to find ways to make people's lives better — even if it's small ways. You just have to remain open to the opportunities to serve.
"Ripples are pretty amazing," she said.
In her time as PAL's director, she has seen the organization grow stronger and increase its youth outreach.
"We have programs that reach youth in a different way than it did when I first came here, and help them find their own voice," she said. "Because not every child is an athlete and not every child is an academic, but they can learn to build their self-confidence and make good grades and do well in school so they can have a positive life direction."
