Robert Vernon Lee III (born January 14, 1951) is an American Episcopal priest, and the chairman and CEO of FreshMinistries, a nonprofit organization based in Jacksonville, Florida.
[citation needed] After serving as rector of Church of Our Saviour in Jacksonville, Florida, Dr. Lee founded FreshMinistries in 1988, which was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) the following year.
The creation of GAP was given a boost within the Anglican community by receiving the approval and support of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, at a dinner during the Episcopal Church's General Convention in 2009.
[citation needed] BTCI's emergency relief effort has shipped many supplies to the Haitian people, including three ambulances (one of which was delivered to the Haitian government), emergency aid, food, water, water purification systems, clothing, school supplies, large generators, and 147 large tents to serve as temporary schools and shelter.
[8] In 2006, Lee was named a "Change Agent" by the Florida Times-Union for creating FreshMinistries, "helping people start businesses, revitalize their neighborhoods and get out of debt.
The initiative works in a number of ways, including focusing on partnerships with local, state and national organizations and government agencies.
This recognition, according to JSO, was for their neighborhood anti-crime walks, CEY's efforts in assisting the Police Athletic League (PAL), and the rest of FreshMinistries’ initiatives that focus on community improvement and safety.
[11][12] Lee was responsible for spearheading a partnership between FreshMinistries and Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) to create a tuition-free, accelerated welding training program for Eastside neighborhood adults who are unemployed and underemployed.