Suzi McCoy Shriner, Wivi-Anne Weber and Elke Fetterolf. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

Indian River Impact 100 members gathered at the Heritage Center at a Meet the Finalists event, eager to learn which nonprofits would be vying for this year’s $100,000 high-impact grants.

In her welcome, Suzi McCoy Shriner noted that this local chapter is one of the largest Impact 100s in the world, adding, “The more members we have, the more grants we can give.”

She introduced membership chair Linda Triolo, who revealed that there were 475 voting members this year, and Impact would be awarding $487,000 in grants.

Lynn Byrnes, chair of the grants committee, introduced representatives of this year’s 10 finalists, chosen after thoroughly reviewing and vetting a pool of 26 applicants.

Bike Walk IRC: Pedal It Forward. Amy Banov said they hope to expand their bike rehab project, where volunteer mechanics repair donated bikes for distribution to residents who are transportation disadvantaged and need them to get to work, school or connecting to the Go-Line.

Children’s Home Society of Florida, TC: Establishing a Community Partnership School Hub at Gifford Middle School. Steve Ranieri said they want to expand the model already in place at Dodgertown Elementary School. The idea is to identify and break down the barriers and challenges that prevent children from obtaining a good education, from providing on-site medical care to addressing homelessness and food insecurity.

Feed the Lambs Enrichment Program: After School Tutoring and Summer Camp. John May said they would use the grant to expand the free after-school and summer camp programs they offer to students whose families cannot afford fee-based programs, providing them education, recreation, meals and life skills training.

Hibiscus Children’s Center: Supporting Families in Crisis. Will Malone said the grant would fund family advocates to visit with families in crisis, helping them address a range of issues so their children can remain at home and out of the welfare system.

Homeless Children’s Foundation of Indian River County: Compassion in Action: Camps Enriching the Lives of Homeless Youth. Hannah Hite said HCF provides year-round enrichment to more than 400 homeless children annually, ages 6 weeks to 20 years old.

They want to expand their current offerings to support summer camp tuition and meals for 35 children in the summers of 2024 and 2025.

LifeBuilders of the Treasure Coast: LifeBuilders IRC Case Manager. Diamond Litty said LifeBuilders assists those touched by the criminal justice system or dependency court. The grant would fund a local case manager to oversee, guide and help applicants with their needs, from bikes and work boots to books and housing.

Ocean Research and Conservation Association: St. Sebastian River Pollution Mapping. Lauren Kleiman said they want to establish a comprehensive pollution map of the St. Sebastian River to illustrate and address pollution hotspots. Local students would assist throughout the research project, including in the field and labs.

Safe Families for Children TC: Every Mother’s Advocate Program and Coordinator. Jessie Ray said they want to hire an EMA coordinator for our county for their evidenced-based Circle of Support model, which assists families with their unmet needs to keep children safe and families together.

Senior Collaborative of Indian River County: Senior Collaborative UPSLIDE Program. Dawn Redstone said UPSLIDE (Utilizing and Promoting Social Engagement for Loneliness, Isolation and Depression in the Elderly) helps isolated adults to become and stay more socially engaged through friends groups overseen by licensed mental health professionals.

Tykes and Teens: Family Peer Support Program. Ann Posey said Tykes and Teens provides evidence-based behavioral health services to children from birth to 18 years old. They wish to start a parent support group, with certified peer support professionals, to assist parents and help them navigate the system.

On April 17, members will vote to determine which of four finalists will receive $100,000 grants; the six remaining finalists will receive merit awards of $14,500.

For more information, visit Impact100IR.com.

Photos by Joshua Kodis