Thousands of hardworking nonprofit employees – helping our community through the pandemic and beyond – are getting a special thank you through the “Help the Helpers” initiative.
Monetary contributions, gift cards, free tickets to local attractions as well as self-care training opportunities for Broward’s many nonprofit “helpers” are made possible by this exciting collaboration involving the Community Foundation of Broward, the United Way of Broward County, the Children’s Services Council of Broward County, The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, Health Foundation of South Florida and The Jim Moran Foundation.
With growing caseloads and personal stress at an all-time high due to the pandemic, the emotional wellness of nonprofit staff members has become a real concern all across South Florida. Similar to efforts in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, the Help the Helpers collaborators in Broward are providing $655,000 in support for more than 110 local nonprofits to celebrate the many ways their outstanding employees continue to help make our community a better place to call home.
The Help the Helpers collaborators have also agreed to continue to explore new opportunities to support nonprofit employee wellness programs.
Praise For Broward’s Nonprofit “Helpers”
“Broward’s nonprofit workers are the unsung heroes of the pandemic. They continue to show amazing courage, care, compassion and love as they serve our community through this challenging time,” said Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D. “It’s an honor to recognize their dedication to Broward and the important role they play in shaping a brighter future for us all.”
“We are so proud to partner with Children’s Services Council of Broward County, Community Foundation of Broward, The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, Health Foundation of South Florida and The Jim Moran Foundation to reward the employees at our local nonprofit organizations for the extraordinary work that they have done during the pandemic and throughout each year,” said Kathleen Cannon, President/CEO of the United Way of Broward County. “Long-term resiliency planning is critical for our nonprofit partners in the community, and it is important that we recognize and support them, especially during these uncertain times.”
“The past two years have been extremely trying for community-based organizations. Their employees have become essential front-line workers, demonstrating profound selflessness and dedication throughout the pandemic. The emotional well-being of staff and volunteers who faced unprecedented levels of stress has been deeply impacted,” said Angelika Schlanger, Director of The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, which brought the concept to Miami-Dade after participating in the Palm Beach initiative. “Help the Helpers is the collective effort of local funders to honor our community heroes and extend gratitude for their unwavering commitment to supporting others. We hope these grants promote their self-care and let them know how deeply we appreciate them.”
“The pandemic shined a light on the critical role community organizations and their staff play in supporting and helping our most vulnerable fellow South Floridians. In the face of unprecedented challenges, they have once again demonstrated how invaluable they are to the fabric of our community. Celebrating and rewarding their tireless work is the least we can do — and the Health Foundation of South Florida could not be prouder to partner with its colleagues to do so,” said Loreen Chant, President and CEO of the Health Foundation of South Florida.
“Throughout this pandemic, the nonprofit organizations and their amazing staff have worked tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of others throughout Broward County – often at great personal risk and sacrifice,” said Cindy Arenberg Seltzer, President / CEO of the Children’s Services Council of Broward County. “I am so impressed with their commitment and delighted to be able to join with our fellow public and private funders to reward all those dedicated staff through the Help the Helpers Initiative.”
To contact the Community Foundation of Broward, email info@cfbroward.org or call 954-761-9503.
