Posts Tagged ‘non profit’

Independence for the Blind

Posted on: January 1st, 2020 by brent

Prior to 1980, Independence for the Blind operated under two names: first, the Visually Impaired Program (VIP), and later, the Adult Blind Independent Living (ABIL) Program. 

From 1980 to 1993, the program was administered by Pensacola Junior College and called SCIL, Skills Center for Independent Living. After PJC lost funding for SCIL, concerned community members who saw the need for education for the blind established a corporation and opened doors for service. 

From 1993 to 1995, the program continued its mission under the sponsorship of a similar, Tallahassee-based organization called Independence for the Blind, Inc. On October 1, 1995, the corporation became a self-governing, private, not-for-profit entity fully incorporated under the name of Independence for the Blind of West Florida (IB).

IB initially served the blind in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties. Today, the IB service area includes the 10 counties from the port city of Pensacola to the Apalachicola River, an area of the Florida panhandle that is home to a million plus residents. 

IB West is funded in part by the Florida Department of Education, Division of Blind Services and United Way.

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower people who are Blind or Visually Impaired in Northwest Florida to achieve maximum independence. 

Our Vision

To be the standard of excellence in rehabilitation services for people with blindness and visual impairments.

Go to Independence for the Blind

Gulf Coast Kids’ House

Posted on: January 1st, 2020 by brent

Our Children – Our Future

Fighting Child Abuse In Pensacola And Escambia County

Gingerbread Cookies

Gulf Coast Kid’s House is a private, not-for-profit which provides services to victims of child abuse in Escambia County.

Gulf Coast Kid’s House is a children’s advocacy center serving Pensacola and Escambia County. As a children’s advocacy center, we combine all of the professionals and resources needed for the intervention, investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases under one child-friendly facility. Child victims and their families also receive mental health counseling at our center. The goal of Gulf Coast Kid’s House is to form a more collaborative response to child abuse cases so that we can improve case outcomes and minimize trauma to the children and families we serve.

Because we know that the only hope to end child abuse is education, Gulf Coast Kid’s House also offers a variety of child abuse prevention education.

Learn how you can help, call us at (850) 595-5800.

To report a case of child abuse, call the Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96ABUSE.

Santa Rosa Kids House

Posted on: January 1st, 2020 by brent

Click Here to reach the Santa Rosa Kids House

The Santa Rosa Kids’ House is a Child Advocacy Center serving Santa Rosa County, in Milton, Florida.

In 2003, a group of committed child advocates and Multidisciplinary Team members in Santa Rosa County joined forces to work towards creating a more collaborative response to child abuse and neglect for our county.

In 2004, Santa Rosa Kids’ House, Inc. was registered as a corporation and was granted 501©3 non-profit status. In 2005, local business man, Howard Burris, bought property and donated one million dollars towards the construction of the building. In October 2006, the board hired an interim Executive Director, Hank Shirah, to oversee the

construction of the building and promote theproject. Through 2007 and the first quarter of 2008, with a great deal of community contributions and additional fundraising events, the construction of the Santa Rosa Kids’ House was completed using state of the art equipment. The 13,000 square foot facility now known as the Santa Rosa Kids’ House was opened to the community in April of 2008 and fully occupied with the various agencies that comprise the multidisciplinary team by June 2008.

Our mission is to deliver a well-coordinated and multi-disciplined response to child abuse in an environment that puts the needs of the child first.

Our facility and grounds were designed and decorated with children in mind. Approaching the facility, visitors will see a large gazebo; children’s play area and front porch with comfortable rocking chairs, where family members and professionals frequently meet to discuss service needs. Inside, Family Greeters welcome children, families, and guests into our waiting area, complete with a salt water aquarium, toys and books designed to set children at ease. Much of our art work was created by children or with children in mind. And, our courtyard provides a small sitting area and butterfly garden where children can run and play.

United Way of West Florida

Posted on: January 1st, 2020 by brent

United Way of West Florida is a local 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that Unites agencies, businesses, organizations, faith-based groups, government, and individuals to fight for the health, education, and financial stability for everyone is Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. We improve lives and build a strong, healthy community by strategically investing in quality programs, building partnerships, advocating for better policies, engaging people in our community, and leveraging resources. We measure success not by dollars raised, but by lives improved and changed.

With a vision of a community United to create better opportunities for all, United Way of West Florida’s mission is to Unite our community and leverage resources to improve lives. 

Click Here to reach the United Way of West Florida

Diversity Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to the principle of diversity. We, therefore:

  • Value diversity and respect others, without regard to race, color, creed, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or handicapped individual.
  • Support affirmative action and equal employment opportunity throughout our Organization.
  • Refuse to engage in or tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment.

Manna Food Pantries

Posted on: January 1st, 2020 by brent

Our Mission: To offer emergency food assistance, service the food-related needs of vulnerable populations, and engage the entire community in the fight against hunger.

Through strategic partnerships and innovative programs, Manna fills a number of gaps in services to children and the elderly in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Senior hunger is a nationwide problem and is prevalent in our area. Every month thousands of senior citizens choose to pay bills, buy medication or buy food. At the same time, many of the thousands of children in our area who receive free or reduced meals at school have no access to food on the weekends. A hungry child cannot learn and grow. 

Click Here for Manna Food Pantries

Manna provides a number of programs and services addressing these specific issues as well as the hunger challenges facing more families in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties than ever. 

Manna Programs and Services

Pantry Services
School Resource Office Food Program
Ministry Village at Olive
Backpack4Teens
Healthy Seniors Food Program at Westminster Village
Tummy Bundles
Gulf Coast Kid’s House and Santa Rosa Kids’ House
Lutheran Services Florida