Collective philanthropy was on full display during Impact 100 Indian River’s annual Impact Day, held at the United Against Poverty UP Center.
The event gave current and potential members a firsthand look at how the four organizations who received last year’s $100,000 transformational grants have been using the funding.
While enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, members chatted with representatives of the four nonprofits – Indian River Soccer Academy, Treasure Coast Community Health, Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy and United Against Poverty – before the beneficiaries gave progress reports.
“Today is a very meaningful day, one of the most meaningful events that we have during the season, where we come together, and we hear how the progress of our grant funds and our generosity is making a difference in our community; the transformational changes that we’re looking for,” said Pat Regan, Impact 100 IR president.
Thanking the volunteers, committee members and staff, Regan said, “This gathering reflects the countless hours and behind-the-scenes work of this team. Your dedication ensures that Impact Day is both meaningful and seamless.”
Ian Brice, director of coaching at the Indian River Soccer Academy, spoke of the success of its Fellsmere Player Development Program. Partnering with Fellsmere Elementary and Get on the Bus, the initiative uses soccer to improve students’ academic achievement.
Brice shared that of 61 students in a reading proficiency class, 41 had reached their goals, and 29 of 42 improved in math.
“Youth sports is not about winning any single match, but more about the longer game of how we can develop and help young people grow,” said Brice. He said that with the Impact 100 grant, IRSA is establishing a permanent facility in Fellsmere, providing transportation and expanding programming, ensuring that geography is not a barrier to participation.
Heather Miranda, DrPH, interim CEO of Treasure Coast Community Health, and Dr. Joseph Catuogno gave an update on the expansion of their pediatric dental services at the Oslo Road facility, where the Impact 100 grant is funding specialized, child-friendly operatories.
“We know that when children have that first experience, and it’s positive, that it’s a lifelong opportunity for them to continue to feel comfortable with the dentist,” Miranda said.
Catuogno added that they anticipate that the expansion will double annual pediatric visits from 2,500 to as many as 5,000.
Phil Barnes, Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy executive director, gave an update on the new Culinary Apprenticeship program led by Chef Brannon Soileau. The program provides training for young adults and nutritious, scratch-made meals for its young members.
“The core of this program is providing our students with life skills, nutrition, combating food insecurity, and providing pathways to workforce development and full-time career opportunities in our local culinary hospitality industry,” said Barnes. He also mentioned partnerships with local clubs such as Bent Pine and Quail Valley for future employment.
Matt Tanner, executive director of United Against Poverty, introduced the crowd to the new 275-kilowatt Cummins generator funded by the group. They had realized the critical nature of the equipment after Hurricane Milton caused the UP Center, which serves as the county’s Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC), to lose power for five days.
“We were literally building this plane as we were flying,” said Tanner of the post-storm relief effort, which assisted 15 agencies and served over 2,000 families.
“The frustration of having an incredible 46,000-square-foot facility that we could not open was a hard lesson learned,” he continued. He added that without Impact 100, Big Gen would not have been possible.
Impact 100 members each annually contribute $1,100, with $100 covering administrative fees. Pooling the $1,000 enables members to vote to fund high-impact, $100,000 grants for local nonprofits.
For more information, visit Impact100ir.com.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
