Author Archives for Forum for Nonprofits

Lynne Warwick and Arianna Silcott joined this week’s show to talk about what they are doing to help curb the AIDS epidemic in South Florida through both support of victims and preventative education.  Lynne Warwick founded the Lynne Warwick Institute after moving to Fort Lauderdale from Washington and witnesses the widespread need in the community.  A pre-med student at Broward College, Arianna volunteers her time as secretary of the organization’s board of directors.  Preventative education in schools and support for people with AIDS, such as financial support, tutoring and medical resources are among the wide array of services provided by this nonprofit. For more information, call 954-492-9650 or visit their offices at 3303 W. Commercial Blvd., Suite G150, Fort Lauderdale. To listen to the program in a new window, click here: The Warwick Institute. 03/17/13

Ezra Krieg, the program director at the Senator Philip D. Lewis Center, turned the tables at the Forum for Nonprofits by becoming a guest instead of a host to talk about his organization and how it helps individuals and families facing homelessness.  “Ending homelessness starts right here,” is their slogan, as their mission is to evaluate what is causing the situation and make connections to services that help people accomplish their personal goals.  Listen as Ezra explains how this new and unique “housing first” public-private partnership model works under the umbrella of Goodwill Industries. For more information, please call 561-904-7900 or e-mail us at CSD-info@lewiscenterpbc.org. To listen to the program in a new window, click here:  The Lewis Center.   03/10/13

Founded in 1988 by Myra Weaver and her husband, weatherman Bob Weaver, as a way to offer her own children more in-depth musical training, the Florida Youth Orchestra today offers seven different musical groups for more than 350 young musicians, ages 5 through 18. Listen to the Founder discuss how this organization enriches the lives of so many young people and produces outstanding cultural experiences for the whole community to enjoy.  Board member and Boca Raton Attorney Ron Poltorack talks about how he has been involved with the Florida Youth Orchestra since his own son, Carson, auditioned at the age of 9.  Now a sophomore in high school, Carson plays in the top Principal Orchestra and plans to continue playing the violin in college.  The Florida Youth Orchestra also provides music education and instruments to low income schools throughout the tri-county area. To find out how you can make a donation or provide an instrument, call 954-962-5666, or visit their web site here. To listen to the program in a new window, click here: Florida Youth Orchestra.  2/03/13

Tune in to find out how Leadership Broward is helping to create leaders and provide valuable community insight to local citizens, aged high school to seniors, through a number of signature programs.  Michael Berry, director of food and beverage for the Hyatt Regency Pier 66, was a member of LB XXII and is now the chair of the LB Foundation’s Board of Directors.  Listen to his personal story about the way Leadership Broward helped shape his life and career.  Director of Development Patty Sacco outlines the various programs and explains how to get involved and support the organization.  For details, call 954-767-8866, or visit their web site here.  To listen to the program in a new window, click here: Leadership Broward.  1/27/13

From preventing AIDS or child abuse to housing and parenting classes, Families First of Palm Beach County serves families in need in the Glades area of Palm Beach County.  Clients with medical or psychological disabilities are set on a path to self-sufficiently through Bridges to Success, while Healthy Families Florida prevents child abuse and neglect before it starts.   The organization helps keep families together and children out of foster care and works with mothers-to-be to help prevent the spread of HIV.  Learn more about the life-changing programs provided by this organization by tuning in to hear Julie Swindler, CEO of Families First of Palm Beach County and Jim Springer, VP and Sr. Lending Officer of Palm Beach Community Bank, and Board President of Families First of Palm Beach County.  For more information, call 561-721-2887, or visit their web site here. To listen to the program in a new window, click here: Families First PBC.   1/20/13

Cheryl Risse loved her daily runs in Pompano Beach until one day when she was dashing over the railroad tracks and didn’t see a train speeding past another sitting on the tracks. In an instant, her life was drastically changed.  Luckily, her life was spared, but she lost both of her legs. Listen to how this young mother of a 14-month-old son gets around with the use of two high-tech bionic legs and donates her time to lend support to others who have experienced amputations. Also hear Lisa Strong, president of the support organization, Florida Amputee Support Team (F.A.S.T), tell her personal story about tragically losing both arms and legs in a botched hospital diagnosis. She was a mother of two young children at the time, but since then has mastered the use of prosthetic arms, hands and legs and leads a group that offers amputees social activities, sporting events, education, advocacy support and invaluable camaraderie. For more information about F.A.S.T., call 954-537-7932, or visit their web site here. Donations also can be mailed to 1721 NE 42 Street, Oakland Park, FL  33334. To listen to the program in a new window, click here: Florida Amputee Support Team  01/13/13

The goal of the Firewall Centers is to keep students focused on academics. Meet Angelo Defrank, who was typical of most middle school students.  He had trouble focusing on school. His mother enrolled him in a Firewall Center at his school, however, and everything changed. Find out how he learned to make good grades and go on to study – with scholarships – at Broward College. Also listen to Firewall Executive Director Andy Fernandez talk about how the tragic drug-related death of a 13-year old girl caused him to take action and prevent other young people from taking the wrong path in life. Currently serving nearly 150 students, Firewall Centers will grow to help more than 300 middle and high schoolers by next year with plans to expand to at least 1,000 students within five years. To find a way you can make a difference, call 954-252-0838, or visit their web site here to donate online or volunteer. To listen to the program in a new window, click here: The Firewall Centers  12/23/12

Our special guests this week are two dedicated political leaders who donate their time to support Broward County League of Cities, a non-partisan, non-profit organization representing the 31 municipal governments, plus more than 80 associate government, nonprofit and business organizations within Broward County.   City of Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Bobby Dubose serves as president of the organization and has focused his goal on logging 1 million volunteer hours at local municipalities.  Listen as he discusses the many opportunities to give back to your local communities as a volunteer.  He also talks about the League’s signature programs that provide scholarship, encourage young people to pursue careers in local government and recognize eco-friendly initiatives.   Senator Chris Smith talks about why he is involved in the League of Cities and how the organization allows municipalities to share ideas and solutions.  For more information, call 954-357-7370, or visit their web site here. To listen to the program in a new window, click here: Broward League of Cities 12/16/12

Seventy years ago, a group of 35 women got together to figure out to support local charities and their efforts to provide much-needed social services to the community.   They formed the Junior Welfare Society, which today remains a 35-member group supporting 50 different nonprofit organizations in Broward County.  Listen to Lynn Marchetto, JWS projects chair, explain how the nearly $100,000 a year raised by the organization is used to fund for families in need such expenses as electric bills, new eye glasses and automobile repairs.  As a 100 percent volunteer organization, all monies raised goes directly back into the community.  One charity supported by JWS is Jack and Jill Children’s Center in Fort Lauderdale.  Executive Director Shannon Prohaszka explains how important the JWS is to her organization in providing “extras” for customers. Liz Caldwell brings the message home with specifics on how to make donations to JWS and support the existing program.  For more information, visit their web site here. To listen to the program in a new window, click here:  Junior Welfare Society  12/09/12