2011 Shows

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

Listen as the CEO of the Palm Beach County Medical Society (PBCMS) Tenna Wiles talks about the more than 275,000 people in Palm Beach County who are uninsured or have no access to health care.  Thanks to more than 600 physicians who volunteer their time to provide medical attention to these individuals, Project Access is able to help about 5,500 people gain access to the health care they need.  Dr. Ivy Faske is one of those doctors who accepts Project Access patients and volunteers as a board member for the program.  Hear her story as one physician dedicated to giving back.  To make a donation or learn more about this and other PBCMS programs, visit  their web site  or call 561-433-3940. To listen to the program in a new window, click here:  PBMC Project Access 10/23/11

Tune into this show to listen to Lauryen Berry, special events manager, discuss the invaluable services provided by Hospice of Palm Beach County. Board Member Bill Quinn talks about why he donates his time for this worthwhile cause.  In addition to the traditional end-of-life care, the organization offers a wide range of services for the whole family, including support groups, children’s activities, massage and music therapy and bereavement support.  Learn more about the services of the Hospice of Palm Beach County by visiting their web site or by calling 561-494-6888.To listen to the program in a new window, click here: Hospice of Palm Beach County  10/09/11

Covenant House Florida opened its doors in Fort Lauderdale on September 24, 1985, and has provided emergency shelter and crisis counseling to a steadily increasing number of homeless and runaway youth, including teen parents and their babies, ever since. Listen as Executive Director James Gress discusses the issues and challenges faced in serving an ever-growing population of youth in crisis through their street outreach, health services, substance abuse, counseling, education and other programs. James is joined by Michelle Zimmer, member of the board of directors and President of the Young Professionals for Covenant House, a group of individuals who attend social and networking events and sporting activities to raise money and awareness. Since 1992, they have raised over $1,715,000 to help the homeless youth who find refuge at Covenant House Florida. For more information, to make a donation or to volunteer, visit their web site or call 954-561-5559.  To listen to the program in a new window, click here: Covenant House Florida 10/02/11

Thanks to the Center for Family Services in Palm Beach County, families with children have a lifeline.  Today’s down economy is forcing even more and more families to live just one paycheck away from poverty, and, as a result, this nonprofit is seeing skyrocketing demand for its services. Listen to Program Reach Director Daniel Ramos explain how the organization provides emergency housing, parenting skills training and other support aimed at strengthening the family.  Financial support, in-kind donations of food and clothing and volunteers are being sought all year-round.  Please contact them at 561-514-0564 or www.ctrfam.org to find out how you can help a family get back on their feet. To listen to the program in a new window, click here: Center for Family Services  9/25/11