[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10106]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF JEFFERSON R. VOSS

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2014

  Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lesbian, Gay, 
Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, to recognize Jefferson 
``Jeff'' R. Voss. Jeff is a fourth generation Central Floridian and a 
graduate of the University of Central Florida. Jeff was a Certified 
Public Accountant with KPMG in Orlando prior to joining the Tavistock 
Group, an international private investment firm, where he is a Senior 
Director.
  Jeff has provided financial support to many LGBT organizations 
throughout his life. However, in 2009, he began to turn a life-long 
dream into reality by creating the concept which has become the Zebra 
Foundation for Youth, Inc. and the Zebra Coalition.
  The Zebra Foundation for Youth and Zebra Coalition's mission is to 
foster hope, dignity and self-respect in lesbian, gay, bisexual, 
transgender and all (LGBT+) youth and to provide them an opportunity to 
grow up in a safe, healthy and supportive environment.
  Jeff is the president of the Zebra Foundation, which derives support 
from diverse sources, including other foundations, businesses, 
individuals, and grants from government agencies.
  In direct partnership with the Zebra Foundation, the Zebra Coalition 
was established in response to the growing number of LGBT+ youth who 
are experiencing homelessness, bullying, extreme physical and sexual 
abuse, isolation from their families, and a wide range of life 
challenges. The primary goal of the Zebra Coalition is to meet the 
specialized needs of these ``at-risk youth''. This is done by providing 
each young person being assisted by the Zebra Coalition with an 
individually tailored program. This focus on the individual helps to 
ensure that the intervention will ultimately guide them to recovery and 
stability.
  The Zebra Coalition is a unique organization comprised of service 
groups, government agencies, social service providers, schools, 
colleges and universities that together provide a continuum of support 
for LGBT+ youth. Each of these organizations is able to provide 
essential services including shelter, counseling, and basic necessities 
to at-risk LGBT+ youth.
  It is through the dedication of Jeff and numerous coalition members, 
volunteers, supporters and Foundation board members, that Zebra 
Coalition is able to positively impact the lives of so many young 
people that would otherwise have no place to turn.
  I am happy to honor Jefferson R. Voss, during LGBT Pride Month, for 
his tireless work to support LGBT+ youth in the Central Florida 
community.

                          ____________________