Jim Bannerman

Dr. Jim Bannerman is a retired engineer and math professor. His career was spent educating and building; however, he has chosen to do similar for the youth in Daytona Beach with his new career as a volunteer. Dr. Bannerman has dedicated his energy to tutoring students in a variety of studies through Daytona Beach Community College, The Volusia Literacy Council and Reality House.

Reality House is a 110-bed adult male residential substance abuse treatment program. Reality House provides a foundation for change for individuals who want to live a productive life without the use of drugs and alcohol. The facility relies heavily on volunteers to provide the level of care and services necessary to meet client needs.

Dr. Bannerman volunteers his knowledge, abilities, and expertise to help the clients of Reality House. And through Dr. Bannerman’s service, lives are being changed. He is helping the clients to build a new foundation for a better life while educating them on making better choices so they can be productive members of society.

No one can describe the significance and effect of Dr. Bannerman’s service better than one who has benefited from it. One of his students said, “Dr. Bannerman’s impact on the quality of life in the community is tremendous. Besides tutoring me in an area no other tutor would go – Calculus – he also helped me to determine a career. He had an impact on my emotions as well. Being an inmate of the State of Florida Department of Corrections, society looks down on you and you tend to feel less human. But Dr. Bannerman treated me with respect and dignity. He gave me direction and hope as well as knowledge.”

Dr. Bannerman continues to change lives and make Florida a better state through his service at Reality House. He doe not volunteer for accolades, but many of the staff continuously thank him and encourage him to continue because he is making a difference, one life at a time.