Annette Rodriguez and Ellen Kendall. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

John’s Island Community Service League members had much to celebrate at their annual Closing Luncheon, co-chaired by Deb Littleson and Maris Pascal.

“The work that you do gives purpose to the funding that we provide and the programs we support,” said Ellen Kendall, JICSL president, welcoming the representatives from nonprofits who were also in attendance.

Kendall said that as a final event of the season, the luncheon “provides us the chance to look back at the year and report to you, our members and donors, on our activities as stewards of your contributions.”

The 2023-24 grants and scholarships, she said, were the result of funds raised through events, membership dues, donations, and revenues from the Tambourine Resale Shop.

“A total of $1,759,192 has gone out into our community. This is an increase of 17 percent over last year. And we thought we did pretty well last year,” said Kendall, before recognizing all those who made it possible.

This year’s guest speaker was Anne Posey, CEO of Tykes and Teens, which provides general mental health services for ages 5 to 17, infant mental health for ages 0 to 5, consultations, medication management, targeted case management, and prevention.

Posey, hired a little over a year ago to revitalize a once thriving agency that had run into difficulties after its founder and CEO retired, spoke of why only about 50 percent of nonprofits succeed and offered strategies for turning them around. Among them, effective, transparent leadership and an appropriate leadership/staff ratio; a regularly reviewed strategic plan and budget; being data-driven, embracing change and replacing antiquated tech systems; collaborations; and staying true to the mission.

Thanking the league for the invitation to speak, Posey said, “It’s an opportunity to share the story about nonprofits and the struggles we face, because you all are the ones that are helping us through that journey.”

During Kendall’s president’s report, she noted that they have been looking into additional ways to partner with the John’s Island Foundation on projects.

“Our two organizations fund the same nonprofits, but our money goes to fund different kinds of activities, operational versus capital,” Kendall explained.

Providing a distribution breakdown of the $1,759,192, Michelle Julian said that 59 percent of grants went toward adult health and wellness, mental health and shelters, while 41 percent went toward scholarships, children’s education and early childhood programs. Funding included $1,479,500 in grants to 43 local agencies for 50 programs, $114,827 in scholarships to 16 students, and $164,865 through the Marlynn Scully Strategic Fund, which are either multi-year grants, collaborations, or are outside the normal cycle.

The strategic grants will address the serious shortage of licensed therapists through a new Indian River County Clinician Development Cohort in partnership with the Mental Health Collaboration, and the shortage of affordable housing through the newly formed Community Land Trust through the Coalition for Attainable Housing.

“Please know that we are being good stewards with your donations. We watch our expenses very closely, and we continue to make you proud of your contributions in our community,” said Julian.

For more information, visit JICSL.org.

Photos by Joshua Kodis