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You are here: Home / Archives for Community Needs

Year-End Gift of $100,000 Has Ripple Effect, Helps Local Individuals, Families in Need

December 30, 2020 Leave a Comment

By Jeff Pickering, President and CEO

IRCF Team - Jeff Pickering, Chiaka Nwosu, Yamilet Cendejas, Frida Randolfi, Jaci Ruppert

2020 was a tough year for everyone in our community.  For the 50 percent of Indian River County households who live in poverty, however, the health and financial impact of COVID-19 and the global pandemic has been devastating, leaving gaping holes in the social fabric of many parts of our community. 

In normal years, charitable organizations like the United Way of Indian River County work tirelessly to distribute resources and stitch together the safety net that keeps many people from falling into despair.  This year, however, community needs stretched the capacity of our local charities, all of which deserve appreciation for stepping up and answering the call to serve.  These organizations and the donors that support them make an impact on thousands of lives, however, I did not expect one act of year-end generosity to have such an impact on me.

On the same day that federal unemployment benefits expired for millions of Americans while a $900 billion aid package sat on President Trump’s desk, Indian River Community Foundation received a gift of $100,000 from a client who wished to remain anonymous.  The generous donation came along with a special request that the money be used quickly to help vulnerable individuals and families in our community who may be struggling and need emergency financial assistance. 

Our team got busy using data and information from our online Nonprofit Search and a recently completed Community Needs Assessment to connect with organizations where these dollars could make life better, even temporarily, for several of our neighbors in need.  Here are just a few examples of how this one gift will help.

  • Tools and a toolbox for one of several men being helped to break the cycle of homelessness by Camp Haven to start work as an electrician.
  • Tuition for several children of low-income families who attend Childcare Resources while their parents pursue new employment opportunities after losing their jobs.
  • Rent at a Motel 6 for a mother and her four children while they wait for a safe, affordable apartment to become available with help from the Homeless Children’s Foundation.
  • Utility deposits for several families moving from Hope for Families Center into their own apartments.
  • Emergency financial assistance for several low-income families whose children attend the Redlands Christian Migrant Association preschool in Fellsmere.
  • Emergency financial assistance for several first-time recipients of aid from the Salvation Army of Vero Beach.
  • Emergency financial assistance for several low-income seniors served by Senior Resource Association.

It costs more than $220 million to operate all Indian River County charities, most of which serve the education, health and human services needs of our community.  While $100,000 may seem like a drop in the ocean, from the stories I heard I can attest that it was a very timely, much needed drop for many of our neighbors in need. 

It didn’t take an act of Congress. It didn’t take President Trump’s signature. It took a drop of kindness that caused a ripple of generosity that I hope will swell to waves of impact in the year to come.

A philanthropic tsunami could be on its way. Time for all of us to get on board.

Filed Under: Community Needs, Current Events Tagged With: 2020, Anonymous, Community Needs Assessment, COVID-19

Community Foundation Awards $5,000 to Bike Walk Indian River County

December 17, 2020 Leave a Comment

This giving season Indian River Community Foundation awarded a grant of $5,000 to Bike Walk Indian River County from the charitable giving account of an anonymous client. This donation will help Bike Walk carry out their mission to promote safe bicycling and walking as transportation and recreation for a healthier, more vibrant and connected Indian River County.

Bike Walk donates bikes to individuals who mostly use the lightly refurbished bikes as their primary form of transportation to and from work. The simple donation of a bike can help elevate an individual’s ride into work and promote timeliness and confidence. Bike Walk works with partner organizations such as Camp Haven, Crossover Mission, and Gifford Youth Achievement Center to find local individuals in need of a bike. Interested individuals can visit the “Need a Bike?” link on the Bike Walk website to access the necessary criteria and application.

In addition to providing refurbished bikes to hardworking individuals, Bike Walk also advocates for bike safety on our roadways. The organization was instrumental in planning the bike lanes currently being installed on North A1A. Many volunteers of the organization frequently bike the public roads to note public safety and communicate their concerns to the necessary parties. Click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.

Please click here to learn about donating bikes or parts, or click here to donate online.

Filed Under: Community Needs, Current Events Tagged With: 2020, Anonymous, Bike Walk IRC

Community Foundation 2020 Annual Report Shows Success, Local Impact

December 7, 2020 Leave a Comment

Indian River Community Foundation 2020 Annual Report

Indian River Community Foundation’s 12th year of operation was one that can be categorized as successful, albeit not in the way that we had planned.

After getting off to a relatively good start with a new strategic plan, a steady flow of new accounts, generous contributions from existing clients, several planned gifts from client estates, and progress on two important community projects focused on mental health and overall community needs, COVID-19 arrived and changed everything.

Despite these challenges, the Community Foundation still experienced growth in assets, achieved increased financial stability and delivered significant community impact.

Please click here to view the 2020 Annual Report.

Filed Under: Community Needs, Current Events Tagged With: 2020, Annual Report, IRCF

Funding Available for Rent, Mortgage and Utility Assistance

December 2, 2020 Leave a Comment

The deadline to apply is December 31, 2020.

Housing Assistance Resources Available through the CARES Act. 
Please call EOC: 772-562-4177
TC Homeless Services Council: 772-567-7790

Filed Under: Community Needs, Current Events Tagged With: 2020, CARES ACT, COVID-19, Economic Opportunities and Housing, United Way

Heal the Healers Now Program Helps Local Nurses with Stress

December 2, 2020 Leave a Comment

The Heal the Healers Now program, which focuses on Transcendental Meditation, is now available to local nurses at the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital. The first Transcendental Meditation course was recently provided to eight nurses at the Hospital. Through performing the courses, certified teachers Nancy Dudley and Sue Dudley were able to help local heroic nurses mange their stress.

The following are some words of gratitude from the nurses following the Transcendental Meditation course:

“Thank you so much for your generous contribution for this TM course for Nurses.  It has made a major change in the amount of stress I hold in my body, then before I took the course.  I really appreciate you.”  

“During this time of Covid and missing the human touch, this class has been able to help me with balancing my emotions and stressors.  It has helped me with centering myself…Thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn this valuable way to settle myself.”  

The gift of the Transcendental Meditation course can be life-changing. Once learned, a student enjoys the benefits for the rest of their lives. The TM technique will continue to be offered to local nurses at the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital.

To contact the local women of the Transcendental Meditation Program, please click here.

Filed Under: Community Needs, Current Events Tagged With: Cleveland Clinic, Transcendental Meditation

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