INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Hope Foundation of Indian River County President Warren L. Schwerin has announced that the foundation will expand its reach to the youth of Indian River County.
To that end, the foundation has renovated its resale store at 8860 North US 1 and plans immediately to award a total of $40,000 to four Indian River agencies serving young people.
The Hope Foundation will award $10,000 each to The Arc of Indian River County, Child Care Resources, Boys and Girls Clubs of Indian River County, and the Dasie Bridgewater Hope Center.
The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. at the newly renovated Hope Resale Boutique. The Foundation invites the public to the ceremony for a sneak preview of the renovated and well-stocked store. The store will open for sales on Friday, Dec. 4.
Asked about his increased concern for Indian River County youth, Schwerin said, “The 2014-2015 Children’s Services Advisory Committee’s report outlining the crisis among our children was a wake-up call.”
Commissioned by the Board of County Commissioners, Children’s Services Advisory Committee’s (CSAC) Needs Assessment Subcommittee issued the report after nine months of extensive study.
The report states that 5,715 children in Indian River County are living in poverty.
“If you had those children line up as if they were waiting for a school bus, that line would stretch for more than a mile,” subcommittee chair Hope Woodhouse said. “All members of our community, especially our politicians, local grant makers, and the agencies serving children, should read the report or at a minimum the Executive Summary.”
Schwerin read the report and was moved to act. “We realized that we needed the Boutique’s revenue to reach out to more children than just those in Wabasso. The need is so great and the resources are so small,” said Schwerin. “So we are reaching out to four select agencies whose track record is solid in helping underserved Indian River County children.”
“We need to broaden the base of donors and volunteers in order to generate the revenue to impact more children’s lives,” Schwerin said, adding “100 percent of our profits will go to benefit children.”
“As I’ve said, we will continue to serve Wabasso kids through the Dasie Bridgewater Hope Center. And these $10,000 awards and our future profits will allow us to serve more of Indian River County’s neediest,” Schwerin said.
The Boutique, formerly known as the Dasie Hope Thrift Shop, was built in 2007. Since then it has sold clothing, furniture and accessories donated by generous Indian River County residents. The Shop had become the “go-to” for high-end women’s designer clothes and accessories. The new store will accommodate more of the high-quality clothing, furniture, and accessories for which it has become known. Profits from the store will directly benefit Indian River County youth.
In 2007 the Schwerin family established The Hope Foundation of Indian River County. Formerly known as the Dasie Hope Foundation, its mission is to assist Indian River County youth.
For information on hours and pick-ups, please call (772) 918-4640.
