In partnership with Vero Beach Magazine, Indian River Community Foundation’s President and CEO, Jeff Pickering, writes a monthly column called Indian River Insights. These articles explore the root causes of community needs, celebrate successes, analyze meaningful solutions, and offer insights into persistent challenges. In the April 2026...

“Why don’t they just get a job?” We’ve all heard someone say that when they see a homeless person asking for help by the side of the road. When Chris Harbolt, outreach case manager for Homeless Services Council (HSC), sees that question in an online...

“Are you new to Vero?” the greeter asks. “No,” the woman answers. She’s wearing black jeans and a cute top, and her shoulder length blond hair shows just a little gray. She could be any middle-aged woman out running errands, stopping to pick up some...

Imagine the following scenario: A pregnant woman living in her car gives birth at the local hospital. She is on a waiting list for a homeless shelter, but there won’t be space available for a few weeks. The hospital can’t send a newborn home with...

It’s never easy to run the lead agency for the Treasure Coast Continuum of Care or to operate as one of the few local landlords willing to rent to chronically homeless tenants. But last November, actions taken by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban...

The nesting instinct typically peaks in a pregnant woman’s third trimester. That’s when many expecting parents, fueled by adrenaline and joyful anticipation, turn their attention to preparing the baby’s nursery. Every question feels monumental. Which crib should I buy? Where will we change our baby’s...

Imagine a cruise ship sinks off the coast at Riomar and leaves five thousand people flailing in the water. Everyone with a boat rushes to the beach to help. Soon the water is filled with fishing boats, jet skis, kayaks, and cruisers. The Coast Guard arrives with a rescue ship and can barely find room on the beach to launch. The chaos in...

In partnership with Vero Beach Magazine, Indian River Community Foundation’s President and CEO, Jeff Pickering, writes a monthly column called Indian River Insights. These articles explore the root causes of community needs, celebrate successes, analyze meaningful solutions, and offer insights into persistent challenges. In the March 2026...

A headline in the Indian River Press Journal reads, “Affordable Housing Hits Record Low.” An editorial notes, “Indian River County is not the only Florida location where home prices are not affordable to the average wage owner.” To anyone paying even a little bit of...

Gil Plourde might just be the most important county employee you’ve never heard of. Plourde works in the Housing Services Division as Indian River County Housing Inspector for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) programs. Gil Plourde, Housing Inspector These...