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Nancy Merolla Humanitarian Scholarship Empowers Young Changemakers

Nancy Merolla speaks at a South Florida Wellness Network event. {Nancy Merolla}

Nancy Merolla, a Coral Springs resident and community development officer at Synovus Bank, has built a career rooted in service, compassion, and leadership.

In recognition of her impactful contributions, the South Florida Wellness Network, a nonprofit she co-founded, has established the Nancy Merolla Humanitarian Scholarship to honor her legacy.

Speaking to Coral Springs Talk about the announcement, Merolla shared that her passion for community service was sparked at an early age, inspired by her mother’s volunteer work.

“As a very young child, I remember watching my mother at the kitchen table in the early morning hours, typing endlessly on a typewriter,” Merolla recalled. “Nothing was visible on the paper because she was transcribing books into Braille for blind children as a volunteer for a local center. Giving back has always been part of my life.”

Merolla believes that early inspiration fueled a career where she has consistently used her leadership roles to make a difference – most recently at Synovus Bank, where Merolla leads community engagement efforts across five states. “I truly believe when you lead, others will see your passion and follow,” she said.

In 2014, Merolla co-founded SFWN with a Broward Behavioral Health Coalition grant. The organization provides peer-driven recovery support services for youth and adults in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. “Our mission is to be a peer-driven recovery community organization dedicated to behavioral health and holistic wellness for young people, adults, and families,’” Merolla explained.

The network has grown from a grassroots initiative with no staff to an operation with over 85 employees and a $7 million annual budget. “This shows the need for services and support for our youth and adults living within our communities,” Merolla shares.

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The Nancy Merolla Humanitarian Scholarship, valued at $1,000, aims to support students in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties who demonstrate compassion, resilience, and a commitment to community service. Merolla described the recognition as a humbling surprise, presented during SFWN’s 10-year celebration, Butterflies and Bridges.

“I was especially honored to have guest Mayor Scott Brook of Coral Springs, whom I support and am a member of his founding organization, Mental Wellness Coalition,” Merolla said.

Much like the lessons passed on by her mother, Merolla encourages young people to find their passion and participate in community service. “A great way to do this is to search the internet for listings of local organizations, contact the agencies to ask about attending local events, and then ask how you can assist,”

Merolla envisions the scholarship growing through donations and partnerships with educational foundations. “The community team at SFWN is reaching out to donors, educational foundations, and community funds to grow the initial year of donations,” she explained.

For those interested in supporting SFWN or learning more, Merolla encourages contacting the administrative offices at (954) 533-0585 or visiting www.sfwn.org.

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Ryan Yousefi

Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiple outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.