from staff
As our community continues to face a tight economy and shrinking budgets, the Daily Record has established this page that will each week chronicle the efforts of local nonprofit organizations. Bailey Publishing & Communications invites all members of the local nonprofit community to submit news, announcements, success stories and any other information they feel would be of interest to our readers. E-mail to: [email protected].
We also encourage our readers to become more aware of the needs of these worthy organizations as they try to continue to provide valuable services with reduced resources.
An open letter from The Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida to the citizens of Jacksonville:
The City’s budget challenges have recently been reduced to a simple up or down vote on the property tax rate. This has had the sad effect of collapsing a much larger conversation about investing in our City’s future into a very small debate over political tactics. It is high time we lifted the conversation to a level that speaks to the importance of the actions our City’s elected officials must take, not just for the coming fiscal year but for years to come.
The question for our community is not about whose side you’re on and we’re all on the side of a thriving, safe, prosperous, healthy and beautiful City. That includes all three sectors of our economy – public, private and nonprofit. So what should be at the heart of the conversation?
Jacksonville is a county and a city all in one, which means we’re being taxed by only one local government, not two. Jacksonville’s tax rate is one of the lowest in the U.S. and the lowest of Florida’s largest urban counties. It’s a dubious distinction we’ve touted for 35 years. What can we claim as a result of that low tax burden? Here are just a few examples:
• A city that is not just the murder capital of Florida but also the crime capital. Yet per capita spending for police services (and fire/rescue) are dead last among large cities in Florida.
• The highest infant mortality rates of any urban county in Florida. Infant mortality rates are a sentinel indicator of a community’s overall health.
• The fewest labor hours per acre invested in maintaining our city parks system, an abysmal record documented in the City’s 2005 Parks Task Force Report.
• A capital maintenance backlog for the overdue upkeep of city property, roadways and other critical infrastructure.
• An unemployment rate in excess of 11 percent.
The bottom line is we are under-investing in our community.
Jacksonville’s leadership has long been at the center of a tug of war between the bold desire to keep building a great city and the hope that we can do it “on the cheap.” As the saying goes, hope is not a strategy.
We suggest we create a strategy, beginning with work already done, such as the JCCI report “Financing Jacksonville’s Future.” The JCCI study offers serious recommendations for correcting an unsustainable financial situation. It also calls for benchmarking government performance to provide a window into our government. Thanks to our consolidated form of government we have the tools to take comprehensive action quickly.
Investing in our community requires faith in our government institutions to act as good stewards of the resources we entrust to them. It also requires a sense of community. About 10 years ago Jacksonville was first in a statewide survey to find where, in a state of transplants, you would find the strongest notion of “community.” People here reported that they knew their neighbors, were civically connected through faith institutions or nonprofits and had easy access to sports, recreation and the outdoors. We would like to think that we’d still be on top if that survey was repeated today.
Studs Terkel said, “Heroes are people who say, ‘This is my community, and it is my responsibility to make it better.’” Right now every one of us has to be a hero. Speak out for a Jacksonville that cares about its safety, its environment, its people and its future. Be prepared to pay a little more for a City that isn’t run on the cheap.
– Cleve Warren, chair of The Nonprofit Center’s board of directors
– Rena Coughlin, president & CEO of The Nonprofit Center
Casino event to benefit daniel
First Coast residents have the opportunity to enjoy an evening of Vegas-style entertainment while helping bridge the gap for youth in need. Daniel, Florida’s oldest child-service agency, will host its first casino-style gala fund-raiser, “Black Jack in the Stacks,” Oct. 24 from 7-11 p.m. at the Main Library.
The formal event boasts an itinerary that includes mock casino games where players can earn real prizes as well as silent and live auctions, hors d’oeuvres and an open bar. Individual tickets can be purchased for $125 before Sept. 1 and $150 thereafter. All net proceeds will benefit local programs that serve the abused, abandoned and emotionally-troubled children of daniel.
Event chair Selina Beneen is looking forward to making the gala an annual affair.
“During my time at daniel, I saw how life-changing their programs were,” said Beneen, who is also former therapist with the organization. “This new event is a great way to introduce people to daniel and allow them to begin supporting the agency’s important programs simply by enjoying a fun evening out on the town.”
Sponsorships ranging from $1,000 up to $25,000 are also available with much of the cost being tax-deductible. For tickets and additional information go to www.danielkids.org or call 296-1055 ext. 1003.
Habitat calling for volunteers
Habitat for Humanity of St. Augustine and St. Johns County needs volunteers for the Family Selection Committee. The committee meets once a month to assist staff in interviewing and approving potential family partners for Habitat homeownership! Contact Kathy at 826-3252 ext. 2005 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Volunteers are always needed to help build houses on Fridays and Saturdays. No experience is necessary, training is provided and pre-registration is required. Call 826-3252 ext. 2006 or e-mail [email protected] to register and to schedule a time to volunteer on the build site.
Interested in helping at the ReStore? The store is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. If you are interested in helping to arrange furniture, appliances, building materials and other household goods as well as assisting with customer service call at 826-3252 ext. 2004 or e-mail [email protected].
Art, fashion and philanthropy
You’ve heard of the Art Walks around town. Now Angelwood, a non-profit agency dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and adults with developmental disabilities along with their families is hosting “A Fashion Walk” showcasing art you can wear.
“This year’s show is not just about one style. Diversity and options makes it interesting for the guests and hopefully will help to draw a larger crowd,” said Emilie Christenson, owner of Jaffi’s and kyds.
Angelwood’s First Coast Gallery of Boutiques Fashion Walk will feature fashions for women, men and children by Aqua East, Bonne Nuit, Clover, Doncaster, Emly Benham, Initial Outfitters, Jaffi’s, J. Ashley, kyds, Love Bridal, Petal, and Rosenblums. Other show participants are Ten Salon doing hair for the show’s models and blue mercury providing make-up.
When asked why she participates in the event year after year Christenson, who has done the show for the past three years said, “I remember the first show I did. There was a group home resident who modeled in the show. This kid was beaming as he walked down the aisle. He was so excited to be in his outfit and to be on that stage. That little boy’s face is why I do this every year. And when you see the work that’s done with the money raised from these events you just want to do more.”
Christenson added, “More people, more stores and a more diverse event will make it more fun for people to attend, The bottom line is to support Angelwood and I can’t think of a more fun way to spend an afternoon than having lunch with a great group of people, drinking a glass of wine, bidding on auction items and watching a fashion show to support a worthy cause.”
A silent auction and networking will begin at the Sawgrass Marriott Aug. 14 at 11 a.m. A live auction, luncheon and the fashion show will begin at noon. Angelwood is currently seeking sponsors, in-kind donations and local celebrity models for the First Coast Gallery of Boutiques Fashion Walk. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by contacting Alexis Woods at 288-7259 or e-mailing [email protected].
Angelwood Inc. was founded in 1993 and expanded its services in response to community needs. Money raised at the event will directly benefit residential group homes, respite services, summer day camp and arts-based adult training.