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.
More than 30 years monitoring the community
Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. (JCCI) is more than your community “think tank.” It brings community leaders, elected officials and citizens from all walks of life together to openly examine issues facing Jacksonville and to suggest solutions.
Formed more than three decades ago to serve as a voice for the community, JCCI can boast that it is broadly recognized as a trusted, neutral convener. The organization is the local forum for grassroots American democracy.
JCCI has taken on more than 70 issues for study in its history, most recently the financial crisis facing the City of Jacksonville. Well-known community leader J.F. Bryan IV facilitated the study. More than 100 individuals participated in the discussion over an eight-month period, hearing from experts on topics including financial management, budget analysis, legislative affairs, public services and best practices.
A report of the findings was released to the public at a meeting with more than 150 community leaders, study participants and interested citizens in attendance.
JCCI’s study of the local financial crisis states that “business as usual” cannot continue and that it is time for this community to make some difficult decisions. State restrictions on property taxes (the City’s primary source of revenue), unfunded government mandates, the global economic meltdown, three significantly underfunded pension funds and “legacy” projects inherited from previous administrations have all contributed to the crisis.
The study reports that Jacksonville’s choice is clear. Either increase revenues or cut services. Choosing the latter won’t be easy. In comparing Jacksonville’s expenditures on services to other cities across Florida, the City spends less per capita on nearly every service and that’s in a state which ranks near the bottom nationally on funding of services across the board.
As with all JCCI studies, a set of recommendations was proposed. They include the creation of budgetary processes and priorities that transcend administrations; the resolution of our pension fund dilemma; and increased transparency to build community trust.
The full report, “Our Money, Our City: Financing Jacksonville’s Future,” is available at www.jcci.org along with previous work on topics such as air quality, the river and infant mortality. Also available on the website is JCCI’s “Quality of Life Report” and announcements for emerging leaders to get involved and connected through JCCI Forward.
The work of JCCI depends on the financial support and participation of the entire community. Almost 70 percent of JCCI’s funding comes from individual, foundation and corporate donations with the balance coming from United Way and local government grants or contracts.
JCCI is a nonprofit civic organization that seeks to improve the quality of life in Northeast Florida. Its goal is to increase public awareness and promote positive action. JCCI’s study process and indicator reports have served as models for hundreds of communities around the world.
Concert for a cause
The Florida Theatre presents “Uncommon Music…for a Common Cause” July 1 at 7:30 p.m. It’s the third annual showcase for local musicians whose proceeds will go to benefit a deserving organization. This year’s concert will feature guitarist Will Pearsall, Amy Hendrickson & The Prime Directive, singer and songwriter Christina Wagner and Badlands Trio.
There is no specific ticket price and donations of any amount will be accepted and will go to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
The nonprofit donor-supported organization has a mission to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease. The foundation is the leading organization in the United States devoted to cystic fibrosis. It funds and accredits more than 115 CF care centers, 95 adult care programs and 50 affiliate programs and has 80 chapters and branch offices nationwide.
For tickets or information call the Florida Theatre Box Office at 355-2787 or visit www.floridatheatre.com. Tickets are also available through TicketMaster.
CISV Jacksonville to send 40 student delegates to local and international programs
Children’s International Summer Villages (CISV) Jacksonville, a volunteer-based nonprofit organization promoting peace education and global friendship, has selected 40 student delegates for its 2009 programs.
Participating in national, international and local programs, these student delegates will be interacting with students from other countries, cultures and backgrounds to develop peace leadership skills. The programs and delegates are as follows:
The Village program features interactive educational and cultural activities that give participants opportunities to experience cooperative communication and intercultural living during the four-week camp. Delegates at each Village represent a total of 12 different countries.
CISV Jacksonville has been promoting its peace education initiatives for more than 30 years and is the only chapter in the state of Florida. The chapter has hosted hundreds of CISV international youth and in the past 10 years has sent nearly 1,000 Jacksonville students to programs around the world.
CISV Jacksonville actively engages the community throughout the year through Junior Branch events. For more information about CISV Jacksonville visit www.jax.cisvusa.org.
Broadband provider’s giving tops $1 million since 2006
Comcast will award $150,000 in grants this year to 21 local non-profit organizations as part of the company’s annual community investment program.
New 2009 awardees include:
• The Bridge of Northeast Florida, Inc. $20,950
• Jacksonville Marine Institute $19,800
• The First Tee of Jacksonville, Inc. $15,750
• Monique Burr Foundation for Children, Inc. $12,000
• Let Us Play! $10,000
• Volunteers in Medicine $10,000
• Sanctuary on 8th Street $5,000
Comcast is also donating $2,500 to the Tony Boselli Youth Life Learning Centers, $10,000 to the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation, Inc, $6,000 to the Police Athletic League, $5,000 to Community Connection, $3,000 to City Kids Art Factory, Inc., $3,000 to Habitat for Humanity of the Jacksonville Beaches, $5,000 to Micah’s Place, $2,500 to the Women’s Center of Jacksonville, $2,500 to the Vision is Priceless Council, Inc., $2,500 to Episcopal Children’s Services, $2,500 to Cathedral Arts Project, $1,250 to The Senior Life Foundation and $750 to Wild Amelia Nature Festival, Inc.
“We are proud to be part of Jacksonville and appreciate the opportunity to help these organizations make a difference in our community,” said Tim Horn, market vice president and general manager of Comcast’s operations in Jacksonville.
Since 2005, Comcast has contributed more than $1 million in community investment and Comcast Foundation grants throughout North Florida.