In a new twist, representatives of the 37 agencies cumulatively granted more than $950,000 by the John’s Island Community Service League this year were invited to attend the 37th annual JICSL closing meeting last Monday morning at the John’s Island Golf Club.
“I hope that we can make this an annual tradition because it’s so exciting to see you all here today,” said JICSL President Pat Thompson.
“The theme for today’s breakfast is Celebrating Hope in Indian River County,” said grants chair Pat Brier, before introducing her vice chairs, Vicki Aspbury and Louie Hoblitzell.
“Hope is something that everyone can provide on a daily basis,” said Brier. “This year the JICSL gave away over $950,000 in grants and scholarships to children of John’s Island employees. It’s a very big accomplishment; we could not have done it without all of you.”
Also new this year, several recipients spoke about the tremendous impact the grants have made.
Vicki Soule, executive director of Treasure Coast Community Health, related that they provided primary care to 17,000 unduplicated patients; most are the working poor, earning less than 100 percent of the federal poverty level.
League support of the Think Pink program over the last five years has enabled TCCH to provide lifesaving cancer screening to almost 2,000 women. “You have literally saved the lives of over two dozen women through this,” said Soule, before introducing Brenda Cepeda, whose mother was one of those women. Uninsured and unable to afford medical care, Cepeda related that thanks to the program, her mother was able to receive the critical care she needed.
“I thank you for your history of bringing hope to the children of our community,” said Cynthia Falardeau, executive director of the Education Foundation of Indian River County. “The Service League has always been a phenomenal partner of allowing us to fund new programs and innovations.”
She said 25 years ago JICSL support helped launch the Indian River Science and Engineering Fair, which now has more than 500 children competing for $1.4 million in college scholarships. Members also provided brainpower and financial support for the Step into Kindergarten program, which increases kindergarten readiness for children of poverty.
“The Service League was the first funder who really believed not only in us but in our children and the need to support our children,” said Falardeau. “What’s happening with these programs is we’re filling these little minds with enriched knowledge and we’re creating a pathway for success. The wealth and success of our community is dependent on our children, and you’re making that happen.”
“I really like that today’s all about hope, because originally our mission statement was for children at risk,” said Elizabeth Logiodice, Children’s Home Society philanthropy director. “Our children are not at risk, they’re at hope. Each child has the potential to succeed in this world.”
She introduced Anthony Nadeau, a student at Indian River State College and a resident at the Transitional Living Program for youth ages 18 to 23, who spoke eloquently and passionately about when things went “awry” with his family situation; stressing the need to look at the homeless, particularly children, with an awareness that it can happen to anyone.
“We come from all different walks of life. We shatter those stereotypes and those architypes of what homeless looks like,” said Nadeau. “Opportunity and resources are the only thing that separates any of us.”
“It’s by working as a community that we can keep hope alive,” said Brier.
