Meet The Board Members
TAMAR HFTS board members are responsible for establishing and embracing the organization’s vision, mission and values, setting organizational strategy and structure, exercising accountability and providing relevant events and programs.
Vernita Bell, President & CEO of TAMAR Healing For The Soul (HFTS)
Vernita is a seasoned advocate for young adults and women. Her Women Tea Fellowships, conferences, and retreats have blessed women from all walks of life. She has facilitated small groups and Bible studies for over fifteen years. Vernita’s Tamar Ministry was birthed and officially launched in July 2014. Her greatest desire is to see people free to experience an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.
For several years TAMAR HFTS has hosted and participated in events to feed the homeless and displaced individuals. Her mission is to create a family environment that allows individuals to interact with each other as they enjoy a hot catered meal. She also pursues opportunities to provide hot nutritional meals to vulnerable, destitute, and homeless individuals in the Burlington/Camden communities. She also works with other agencies to support vulnerable communities by providing hot, sit-down, nutritious meals.
Highly talented culinarian, Vernita is a sought-after licensed professional caterer, former restaurant owner, and owner of MS Bell Catering. She and her family have served hundreds of meals for diverse groups, including during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Vernita has a degree in Business Education and is a retiree from the State of New Jersey. She and her childhood sweetheart, Earnest, have two children and five grandchildren.
Jerry Bell, Director
Jeremy lives his life to be an encouragement to those in need. To be a comfort to those who need comfort through God’s love. He is excited about being able to help those less fortunate and inspire them to reach their true potential. He is excited to be a part of the TAMAR Foundation and make an impact in the community for the advancement of the Kingdom of God!
Jeremy received his Master’s in Teaching and Special Education certification. He has taught and continues to teach in the Camden City School district for the last 6 years. Teaching 4th-grade students Reading and Writing and recently appointed to teach Math. As a black male educator, he believes that children are the future and must be educated on believing in themselves and their dreams alongside the necessary curriculum. He strives to be an example to the young men in the community. Jeremy is beloved in his school and adored by many youth attending and beyond. He enjoys showing the love of God in everything that he does.
Krystle Gunning, Treasurer
Krystle, born in Trinidad & Tobago is currently a Bank Manager Assistant Vice President at Investors Bank. Krystle’s greatest accomplishment is being a wife and mother to her 3 girls. She enjoys quality family time and helping individuals/families achieve home-buying/selling goals. Krystle enjoys supporting outreach initiatives. She serves on the Board for Local
Organizations, Letip of Bordentown, and Burlington Mercer Chamber of Commerce.
Krystle is a Branch Manager at Investors Bank, responsible for business development, management, marketing, and establishing connections between employees and customers. Before joining Investors Bank, she worked at the TD Bank Call Center to eventually rise to the ranks of Store Manager III. This role allowed her to develop and manage account portfolios, including deposits, loans, fees, and expenses (commercial, small business, and consumer), lead, train, coach, and motivate the Store team to deliver exemplary Employee and Customer Experience.
Krystle’s advanced strength in pragmatism, ambition, creativity, and leadership helps realize company goals without compromising business quality or the customer’s experience. A global enthusiast, she spends her spare time traveling and trying different foods.
Tokunbo Ford, Fund Raising Chair
Tokunbo received a University of Life degree in Nigeria, New York University, School of Continuing Education. Paralegal certificate, Neighbor Works Certification – HUD Training organization, and a New Jersey Licensed Realtor.
Tokunbo is the owner of New Beginnings Affordable Housing LLC and an Affordable
Housing and Financial Literacy advocate. She is also a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty, Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Tokunbo has held administrative assistant positions with various nonprofits, including and not limited to Cerebral Palsy of NJ, Trenton Office, Liberty Resources, Market St, Philadelphia PA, Sister Hood Inc. Burlington NJ – Housing Department Consultant and Women’s Opportunity Center at the Burlington YMCA – Volunteer.
Tokunbo Ford’s vision and mission are to empower disenfranchised members of my community on how to increase their assets and build wealth. Due to her disability, her particular focus is on the disabled community. Making smart choices with their careers, budgeting, and life skills. Coaching clients on basic financial literacy skills so they can save and seek resources to help them buy their first home in today’s extremely competitive housing market. Most importantly, educating clients on the resources available for affordable and accessible housing according to each person’s needs.
Tokunbo believes coaching clients in their career choices are vitally important. Most importantly, empowering clients to be able to buy their very first home when they have been told all their lives that they can’t due to being considered poor even though they work hard but are not smart with their finances.
Tokunbo and the love of her life, her husband John, are the honored parents of a daughter, son-in-law and grandparents to an adorable grandson.
Dr. Cynthia Scroggins, Chief Operations Officer and Secretary
Cynthia received her doctorate in Educational Leadership and is a consultant, human resources professional, coach, mentor and educator. As a coach and mentor, she believes her mandate is to teach others how to respond and not react to life challenges.
Cynthia facilitates leadership and management workshops for private, public, non-profit corporations and organizational events..
A US Army retiree, Cynthia is known for her realistic and passionate teaching style, which helps individuals apply timeless truths to their everyday lives. She has spent numerous years teaching as an adjunct professor and loves encouraging people to activate their faith, speak life, be positive and walk in their purpose.
Cynthia has been a minister, mentor, and counselor for over thirty years. She has ministered throughout the United States and over 10 countries as an ordained minister and an insightful and prophetic communicator of God’s Word. She has served in many capacities as a servant of God: church administration, intercessory prayer leader, adult and youth Sunday School teacher, and youth ministry.
She believes her mandate in her life is to propel people (those that will hear) into their destiny. Her philosophy is – Be afraid and do it anyway’. Her favorite way to encourage women is by teaching them to have the attitude, ‘if you cannot see anything beautiful about yourself, get a better mirror.’ She and her husband Curtis are the honored parents of a daughter and grandson.