This article is part of a summer series that highlights the vital work of regional recipients of 2020 Community Impact Grants from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. Even during the...
by Kaydee Tuff, Communications Manager, The Shelter for Abused Women & Children Nine-year-old Nikko could not talk about the daily abuse he saw his father inflict on his mother but he...
by Janelle Beaber, Development Director Two and a half years ago, I was introduced to an organization who was changing the lives of pain patients in our community. These patients had...
By Jamail Aikens Sometimes we need someone to throw us a lifeline! On September 2, 1944, a 311-foot submarine rose from the ocean depths to throw a lifeline to a young...
Rose is pictured with her Big Sister Alex. My name is Rose and I am a graduating senior. I am a happy, healthy, well adjusted, young woman who excels in school...
by Pamela Aubuchon, Member, Board of Directors, Cape Coral Animal Shelter Cape Coral is the second largest city in the state of Florida. Growing every year, the population is now reaching...
by Lauren G. Schmidt, Health Education Program Consultant, Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County Charlotte County children suffer unnecessary dental complications due to limited dental treatment options for the under...
by Angela Melvin, Valerie’s House Founder and CEO My name is Angela Melvin and I am the founder of Valerie’s House, a special place for children in Southwest Florida to connect...
How Yuzellie Turned a Dark Experience into a Drive for The Future By Dayhanna Acosta, Southwest Florida Women’s Foundation Two years ago, Yuzellie Garcia decided to return to school to become the...
I work alongside a team member who likes to ask “there are no bad ideas, right?” before she launches into an idea generating session at the office. I find myself...
by Rachel Rainbolt, Development and Education Coordinator, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc. Nature has always entertained and enthralled me; being a Southwest Florida native, I had exposure to the...
by Laura M. Perry, President, Glades Education Foundation, Inc. With baseball season in full swing, we savor the crack of the bat and the smell of popcorn and hotdogs, while relishing the...
by Vickie Rydz, Grants Manager, Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida For many Southwest Floridians, the mantra, “Season is over!” refers to reduced traffic, shorter waiting lines at grocery stores and shops,...
by David Brown, President, Family Initiative, Inc./Southwest Florida Autism Center Valonna French recognized the signs just a couple months after her son, Lucas, was born. “He was a great baby, quiet, stared...
by Nola Theiss, Executive Director of Human Trafficking Awareness Partnerships and member of the former Rauschenberg Grant 2015 and the Community Impact Grant 2017. Our organization, Human Trafficking Awareness Partnerships, is...
Through music, performing and visual arts, the UAC works with our community to make real and positive change. by Laura Burns, Executive Director What’s your definition of success? Or how about economic...
by Jason Kurek, Champions for Learning “If you know you have the potential to do something, then you need to do it,” says Darchelle Excellent, Champions For Learning Real World Learning...
by Mary C. Schoeffel, Development Director, The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) It is wild baby season! Are you one of the millions who watch YouTube videos of animals,...
by Janelle Beaber, Director of Project Advancement, New Mission Systems International Two years ago, New Mission Systems International was opening The Fig Leaf Boutique, an upscale, second hand clothing and furniture...
This summer, the Southwest Florida Community Foundation is spotlighting the nonprofit organizations funded through the 2016 competitive grant cycle. We have asked our 2016 grantees to send us their stories. ...
