Your zip code shouldn’t determine your life expectancy.
Yet, lack of health care and limited access to affordable, healthy food are common problems for neighborhoods predominantly made up of lower-income, minority residents.
Now, Pompano Beach residents in need are getting an infusion of support for healthier living through the Community Foundation of Broward’s Markham Health and Resources Hub.
Similar to the South Broward Community Health Hub, the Markham Health and Resources Hub is one of the Community Foundation-led collaborations with nonprofits, businesses, local governments, faith-based organizations and residents to overcome health inequities and make healthy living resources more readily available.
In August 2023, we helped coordinate the first-ever Back-to-School Kickoff for C. Robert Markham Elementary, which featured free school supplies, health checkups and connections to helpful social services for hundreds of students, their families and nearby residents. Recently, the second annual Back-to-School Kickoff for Markham Elementary included giving away 500 bags of groceries, free backpacks, school and bus registration as well as more free health checkups and connections to community resources to help families throughout the year. These back-to-school events built on the success of the Winterfest at Markham Elementary, where during the last two holiday seasons more than 1,000 attendees have enjoyed free health screenings, groceries, face painting, arts and crafts, toy giveaways and more.
As the Markham Health and Resources Hub continues to create support for children and families in Pompano Beach, student performance is on the rise at Markham Elementary. This summer, Broward County Public Schools announced that Markham Elementary was one of four local schools that had their state ratings improve from a "D" grade in 2023 to a "B" grade in 2024.
It's exciting to see such a great sign of progress in a community where the power of local philanthropy is helping shape a brighter future. The Community Foundation's $350,000 in support for the Markham Health and Resources Hub is just one of the ways that we are helping residents overcome obstacles to healthier living due to poverty, discrimination and other systemic hurdles.
To learn how you can partner with the Community Foundation to support the Markham Health and Resources Hub, contact Kelly Marmol, Vice President of Philanthropic Services, at kmarmol@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.
