As our community continues to face a tight economy and shrinking budgets, the Daily Record has established this feature 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 and success stories to [email protected].
We also encourage our readers to become more aware of the needs of these worthy organizations as they continue to provide valuable services with reduced resources.
$100,000 for Communities In Schools
AT&T fulfilled a four-year commitment Feb. 1 when AT&T Florida State President Marshall Criser presented a $100,000 check to Communities In Schools of Jacksonville.
The four-year, $400,000 grant supported case management services at Andrew Jackson and Terry Parker high schools in Duval County. The funding is part of AT&T’s Aspire program, a nationwide effort to support high school retention for students at risk of dropping out.
Through the AT&T Aspire initiative, Communities In Schools of Jacksonville was able to provide intensive case management services to 172 students this year and whole school services to an additional 1,800 children. Communities In Schools of Jacksonville will have the largest group of seniors to graduate in 2012 from the program.
The $100 million AT&T Aspire Program supported organizations with strong track records that promote educational success from the classroom to the workplace. The recipient programs of the High School Success grants provided a range of support for students, including academic intervention, mentoring and tutoring services.
Mentors needed for military children
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida received $122,500 from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s approximately $3 million investment to expand Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Military Mentoring Program.
The program provides one-to-one mentoring services to children of deployed or military parents and also serves members of the armed forces and military veterans.
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Military Mentoring Program is part of at least one-third of the organization’s nearly 360 agencies nationwide and serves more than 6,000 children, parents and families across the country, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida.
The $3 million investment is part of a larger $13.3 million grant from the juvenile justice office to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The mentoring organization holds itself accountable and is able to measure specific youth outcomes, including educational success, higher aspirations, greater confidence and improved relationships, as well as avoidance of risky behaviors and delinquency.
“Young people in military families face unique challenges that often lead our service men and women to seek additional support for their children. Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mentoring programs are proven to help kids achieve positive outcomes for children, putting us in a position to provide that additional support,” said Warren Grymes, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida.
If you are interested in volunteering as a Big Brother/Sister or to learn more, call 727-9797 or visit the agency’s website at bbbsnefl.org.
Shooters raise funds for remodeling
The 6th annual Remodelers Council Sporting Clay Tournament presented by Ferguson Enterprises attracted 75 participants and raised more than $3,750 for the Remodelers Council of the Northeast Florida Builders Association.
The tournament began with a shotgun start at WW Sporting Clays. Teams of four competed with the Wells Fargo Advisors team, consisting of Matt Turner and Chris Sivley, both of
Wells Fargo, Wayne Holmes of Panel Tek and Lonnie Pomar of O’Steen’s Restaurant, taking home top team honors with a combined score of 309. Pomar was the overall highest individual scorer with 87 and Mandy Bouton of Ferguson Enterprises earned top female shooter with a score of 35.
“We had a great turnout this year and I am so thankful to our supporters, sponsors and teams,” said 2012 NEFBA President Barbara Moore, division president of Lennar Homes.
In addition to Ferguson Enterprises, event sponsors included Enterprise Fleet Management, Tile Market of San Marco, Florida Custom Marble, B&G Plumbing, Heating & Air, Identity Theft Training, Touchton Plumbing and Vigneaux Corp.
Founded in 1982, the Remodelers Council of the Northeast Florida Builders Association represents and serves the interests of remodeling industry members.
More information is available at nefba.com.
Movers assist nonprofits
Two Men and a Truck franchise locations across Florida donated more than 2,115 hours, or $225,000, in charitable moves in 2011, assisting nonprofit organizations and families in need throughout the state.
In Jacksonville, the company donated moving services to support local organizations and charitable endeavors including the American Cancer Society, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, First Coast No More Homeless Pets and Mr. Rogers Sweater Drive with WJCT and VyStar Credit Union.