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 August 2023...

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 July 2023...

YEP visits IRC Courthouse Approximately 17.3% of youth under age 18 are living below the poverty level in Indian River County. Gifford Youth Achievement Center (GYAC) helps break the cycle of poverty by inspiring youth to discover untapped talents and possibilities through educational, cultural, and social...

The Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that works to nurture a love of language and literature across all ages and demographics throughout Indian River County. In addition to preserving the historic home of writer Laura Riding, now permanently located on...

According to the Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council, there are approximately 256 homeless adults in Indian River County in 2023. Established in 2014, Camp Haven is the only transformational shelter for homeless and at-risk men of Indian River County. The organization is dedicated to helping men experiencing...

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 June 2023...

Early childhood education can counteract the disadvantage some children experience, improve their social and cognitive development, and provide them with an equal opportunity to achieve school readiness, and lifelong employment, income, and health. In Indian River County, 45% of children are kindergarten ready which is lower...

In Indian River County, 32% of seniors fall into the ALICE population and 6% of seniors live below the poverty line. ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than the basic cost of living for the...

According to the CDC, 16.9% of adults in Indian River County have diagnosed depression. Furthermore, 22 to 24 year old's have the highest rate of mood or depressive disorder among adults.  The Mental Health Collaborative's mission is to establish a continuum of mental health care, increase...

Indian River County's rate of hospitalizations for mood and depressive disorders among youth under age 18 is over twice the state average. According to the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, 40.2% of male students and 51.5% of female students in Indian River felt depressed or...