Indian River Community Foundation

Building A Better Community Through Donor-Driven Philanthropy

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Weekly Insights: LifeBuilders of the Treasure Coast Builds Lives, Protects Communities

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LifeBuilders of the Treasure Coast seeks to reduce crime, recidivism, and assist with low-income individuals who come in contact with Treasure Coast courts as a consequence of criminal behavior or a dependency action. According to Indian River Indicators, there are 227 homeless adults and 34 homeless children in Indian River County. Programs such as LifeBuilders’ Building Lives, Protecting Communities can help this statistic. The primary objective of this program is to change lives by collaborating with other local organizations to reduce homelessness in Indian River County. As of September 2021, LifeBuilders has assisted 103 Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed (ALICE) households with a total of $52,484 in Indian River County this year.

A representative of LifeBuilders of the Treasure Coast provided us with the following:

“Mona” works hard to make a home and provide for her two young children. Losing her job due to COVID was devastating. She was able to obtain some COVID relief funds, but they were soon exhausted. She worked with several Indian River County agencies, including United Against Poverty, to get caught up with her utilities and other expenses. She still needed help with catching up her rent to avoid eviction, but all other avenues were exhausted. LifeBuilders was able to provide rent assistance.

Weekly Insights works in conjunction with Indian River Indicators. Indian River Indicators was launched in June 2021 and originated after the completion of the 2019 Indian River Community Needs Assessment. It provides key data and information about our community that is updated annually and can be used to support and sustain proven programs. It can also be used by community leaders to develop policy, promote promising practices and inspire innovation that can lead to solutions to persistent community challenges. Indian River Community Foundation holds monthly informational sessions to introduce the community to this new resource. The next session will be held on Tuesday, December 7th at 4pm via zoom. Please email Foundation Coordinator, Chiaka Nwosu at chiaka@ircommunityfoundation.org to attend a session.

To learn more visit www.ircommunityfoundation.org and click “Indian River Indicators” or contact a member of the Community Foundation’s team at 772.492.1407.

EPP Spotlight: Hope for Families Center

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The Hope for Families Center operates proven programs to meet the needs of homeless children and their families by carrying out a mission of transitioning families from homelessness to permanent housing by providing safe shelter, food, employment and other supportive services.  The Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council’s “Point in Time” data report for 2020 indicates that 342 adults and 122 children were homeless in Indian River County.  One of The Hope for Families Center’s efforts to improve this data point is their Emergency Shelter Program.  This program provides emergency housing for up to 90 days, with two 90 day extensions based upon progress toward goals and need.

The Hope for Families Center is a part of our Endowment Partners Program (EPP).  The purpose of the EPP is to help local charities plan for their long-term sustainability by growing a permanent endowment fund. During a 12-month program, participants learn about endowments, planned giving, investment management and marketing solutions that inspire loyal donors to make planned gifts from their estates. The program is coordinated by IRCF team member Yamilet Cendejas.

To learn how to give outright contributions today or bequests and other planned gifts for future support, please see “Planned Giving: Leave a Legacy” under our “Giving” section or go to the Hope for Families Center website.