Author Archives for Forum for Nonprofits

Both Alejandro (Alex) Lutin and Sherrod Nelson faced life-changing injuries that confined them to wheelchairs.  Both felt alone in their struggles.   Alex turned his life around by helping to start the Spinal Cord Injury Support Group, which today gives hope to almost 800 people statewide who face a variety of physical challenges.  Sherrod discovered the group through the urging of his wife, who was concerned about his depression.  Be inspired by these two high-energy individuals as they describe how they help change lives.

They also run a professional wheel chair basketball team, the Sunrise Sun, plan regular social and educational programs for their members and are starting a crusade to build a handicapped-equipped gym in Broward County.  For more information, call Rob at 954-603-3143 or visit their web site. To listen to the program in a new window, click here: Spinal Cord Injury Support Group. 02/05/12

For the past 27 years, Broward Meals on Wheels has been delivering food to homebound seniors, providing meals at congregate sites, providing grocery shopping services and offering nutritional education.  They are presently feeding 1.5 million people in Broward County. Listen to Peggy Miller, executive director, talk about how the organization does it, their new headquarters and their private meal delivery service for the general public.  Alan Schreiber also joins the show as a volunteer who has built strong friendships with the seniors he sees on his weekly delivery route.  PR and Marketing Coordinator Amber VanBuren explains how anyone can get involved as a volunteer and donor.  For every dollar donated to Meals on Wheels, $.97 goes direct to feed seniors.  For more information, call 954-731-8770 or visit www.bmow.org. To listen to the program in a new window, click here: Broward Meals on Wheels. 1/29/12

In the last three decades, one  group of women in Broward County has raised more than $3.6 million to support local charities dedicated to fighting cancer.  The 1000+ Club to Benefit Cancer also brings together all types of nonprofits each April for an elegant “Women of the Year” fundraising luncheon.  Listen to one of the 2012 co-chairs, Julie Osinski, talk about the event and examples of projects the organization has funded.  Also on the show is Merrill Thomas, a 2012 honoree and 1000+ Club executive board member.  Each year, the Club selects 13 nonprofits to recognize at the luncheon.  These groups, in turn, select a “Woman of the Year” from their donor/volunteer ranks.  Merrill was chosen by Cystic Fibrosis. For more information about how to get involved in or support the 1000+ Club, visit their website here. To listen to the program in a new window, click here: 1000+ Club to Benefit Cancer.  1/22/12

Listen to 9-year old Tia Duhaney describe her favorite exhibits at the South Florida Science Museum and you’ll want to steer your car directly toward Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach.  Open every day, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, this museum offers exhibits for all ages, an observatory, and a fun, educational science trail, for starters.  Chief Operating Officer Kate Arrizza offers a detailed tour of this special place and a sneak peek at future plans for a bigger aquarium, an Everglades Exhibit complete with airboat ride and an exhibit hall double the size of the current one.  For more information about how you can contribute to the great work at the museum, call 561-832-1988 or visit www.sfsm.org. To listen to the program in a new window, click here: South Florida Science Museum  1/15/12

Funding Arts Broward (FAB!) was founded in 2003 by artist and philanthropist Francie Bishop Good, who saw a need to counter severe government cuts in arts programs.  Seven years later, the organization surpassed the $1.2 million mark in distributing grants to Broward County arts organizations.   Even more support is available to these groups thanks to the new FAB Knight New Work Award, three grants totaling $90,000 available to FAB-funded organizations that have transformational ideas to create extraordinary arts experiences.  Listen to grants administrator, Michelle Wienberg, talk about the recipients of the first round of grants and how this program promises to expand arts audiences throughout the community.  Jeff Rusnak, director of development for the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, talks about the first program, Artists Unknown, to receive a $50,000 grant.  For more information on how to support FAB and learn more about the New Work grant recipients, visit their website at  fundingartsbroward.org.  For details about the Hollywood Art and Culture Center, call 954-921-3274 or visit their website at artandculturecenter.org. To listen to the program in a new window, click here: Funding Arts Broward 12/25/11

 Patty Gomez, the founder and director of The Enrichment Circle, is passionate about stimulating creative thinking in children, as you’ll hear as she describes how her organization provides enrichment programs in the arts, nature, physical education, technology and literacy.

Listen to two of the students who write for her newspaper, The Circle Gazette, the nation’s only newspaper produced by and for students under age 18.   Staff reporter Ismail Ercan, a 9^th grader at Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, talks about how the experience has helped him refine his writing skills.  Reagan Olenick, a 5^th grader at Everglades Elementary School in Weston, is a frequent contributor to the newspaper with her stories about school and travel adventures.  Christie Voss, one of many professional volunteers with the organization, handles the graphic design of the paper.  She explains the many opportunities to support the paper, including advertisements that cost as little as $250 for a full page.  For more information, call 954-918-2541 or visit their website at www.enrichmentcircle.com. To listen to the program in a new window, click here: The Enrichment Circle. 12/18/11

Coordinating event dates with other organizations, figuring out seating arrangements, collecting funds from ticket sales or donations, conducting online auctions and sending out email newsletters are just a few of the tasks nonprofits have to tackle.   These duties are especially challenging for nonprofits with small staffs.  Blacktie South Florida offers a much-needed helping hand to charitable organizations saddled with these activities.

Listen to Ginny Fujino, the president of Blacktie South Florida, explain all of the services available to both members and nonmembers.  Sharon Alexander, the executive director of Unicorn Children’s Foundation, is one of Blacktie’s biggest fans.  She recalls when her volunteers would plan seating arrangements using paper plates taped to the wall of her conference room. Today, she uses the online service for everything from event registration to distributing electronic newsletters to thousands of supporters. For more information, contact Ginny at 954-707-2970 or visit www.blacktie-southflorida.com. To listen to the program in a new window, click here: Blacktie-South Florida 12/11/11

Call 954-602-4500 or visit their web site.

To listen to the program in a new window, click here: Miramar Cultural Center  11/27/11

Judy Weaver was so touched by one veteran whose ALS was eased by yoga that she decided to start an organization that offers free yoga to veterans and their families.  Listen to this yoga instructor’s story and how former attorney, David Frankel, is helping her grow Connected Warriors nationwide.

In this week’s show you’ll also hear from Vietnam Veteran Randy Hamlin, who talks about the many benefits of a regular yoga practice.  For as little as $150, you can sponsor one veteran with a whole year of yoga classes. Although the classes are free, Connected Warriors must raise money to cover such costs as travel, yoga materials and marketing. For more information on how you can donate or become a volunteer instructor, visit their web site or call 954-278-3764.  Donations via check may be mailed to 116 SW 18^th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL  33315. To listen to the program in a new window, click here: Connected Warriors  11/06/11

Tune in to find about how anyone whose debt has spun out of control can contact American Debt Counseling to seek help.  The nonprofit, explains Education Director Courtney Cordero, charges a small fee, but has relationships with banks and credit cards to help lower interest rates and make payments more manageable.   The organization also partners with area charities to assist their clients with valuable financial counseling.

One such charity is Gratitude House, a residential drug and alcohol abuse treatment center for women and their children.  Executive Director Linda Kane talks about the value of this debt counseling to the women she serves.  To contact American Debt Counseling, visit their website at or call 1-800-279-1194.  Find out more information on Gratitude House by visiting their website or call 561-883-6826. To listen to the program in a new window, click here: American Debt Counseling  10/30/11