2016-2018 GFWC Florida President’s Project
Hacienda Girls Ranch
” A Better World for Every Girl”
A Rich History…
In the early 1970’s and 80’s, GFWC Florida clubs from all over the state contributed funds to build three homes for abused and neglected girls on the 25 acre Hacienda Girls Ranch in Melbourne. The cottages – Perkins, Pratt and King-Harris – were named after the GFWC Florida president in office at the time each was built.
GFWC Florida ran the hacienda Girls Ranch until 1988, when it was acquired by Children’s Home Society of Florida’s Brevard Division. A fourth cottage, the Jimmie G. Smith Transitional Living Cottage, funded by philanthropic efforts, was built in 2003.
The Hacienda Girls Ranch thrives today, more than 45 years later, with the continued support of GFWC Florida, and it remains the only statewide project for GFWC Florida.
Today the Ranch serves as…
• A foster care group home and emergency shelter for up to 14 females ages 12-17.
• A transitional home for up to 8 single females ages 18-23.
Today’s Hacienda Residents…
Have experienced greater challenges than ever including:
• Criminal Sexual Exploitation (Human Trafficking)
• Increased psychiatric diagnosis
• Increased PTSD due to years of abuse and exposure to domestic violence
• Increased drug and alcohol use
• Increased dependence on psychotropic medication
• Decrease in self-esteem, self-worth and self-care
• Obesity and physical health issues are on the rise
• Pregnancy is on the rise
• Increase in self-harm
Why I chose this as my President’s Project…
Mary Powell, President 2016-2018
GFWC Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs
Throughout the years, GFWC Florida Clubs have continued to contribute funds, time and resources to the girls at Hacienda.
But expenses continue to increase, as do the needs of the girls. The State pays a per diem for those in foster care program that covers 3 meals a day, a bed, and education. Special therapies and extra-curricular activities are not funded by a girl’s placement at Hacienda.
Increased expenses and decreased State and local funding are ongoing challenges. This combined with the upkeep and maintenance on homes that are now 40+ years old has taken a toll.
I want to establish a GFWC Florida Legacy Fund with the Children’s Home Society of Florida’s statewide foundation, earmarked solely for Hacienda Girls Ranch to cover items such as those listed.
It’s up to us to see that our Legacy Fund will be there for many years for “our girls”.
GFWC Florida Foundation for Hacienda Girls Ranch would be designated for items such as….
“Safety and Security” – Security Fence and Gate ($30,000 – $50,000 project); outdoor lighting; exterior building maintenance; transportation fund for van (maintenance, insurance, repairs); etc.
“Comforts of Home” – Furniture; mattresses & bedding; appliance repair/replacement; pots & pans; glasses & dishware; cleaning supplies; interior maintenance (like painting, carpet/flooring replacement); gardening/landscaping; adult swing set; etc.
“Girly Things” – help the girls feel good about themselves; Prom or Homecoming dresses & tickets; yearbooks; school pictures; dance classes; art supplies; birthday celebrations with friends; hygiene items; haircuts; gift cards for shopping, eating out, movies; etc.
“Into the World” – opportunities to participate in different activities promoting healthy living, social skills, and positive relationships I the community; summer camp; YMCA memberships; sports shoes, equipment, registration fees, travel expenses to games; musical instruments; school field trips; items needed for employment (shoes, uniforms, special attire), funds for driving lessons, driver’s license, driver’s tests, insurance; etc.
Conservation
Tampa Bay Watch
OUR MISSION:
Tampa Bay Watch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Tampa Bay estuary through scientific and educational programs.
ABOUT TAMPA BAY WATCH
Dedicated to Habitat Protection and Restoration in Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Watch is working to preserve the delicate ecological balance that exists in Tampa Bay. A nonprofit organization established in 1993, Tampa Bay Watch performs a variety of habitat restoration and protection activities throughout the year, utilizing thousands of volunteers to help the bay recover from its environmental problems. Individuals of all ages from community groups, scout troops, schools and others participate in salt marsh plantings, storm drain markings, oyster bar creation, coastal cleanups, and wildlife protection each year, demonstrating environmental stewardship in its purest form.
For More Information please visit: http://tampabaywatch.org
Save The Manatee Club
Who We Are:
Save the Manatee Club is an award-winning national nonprofit 501(c)(3) and membership-based organization established in 1981 by renowned singer/songwriter, Jimmy Buffett, and former U.S. Senator, Bob Graham, when he was governor of Florida.
Why We Need Your Support:
Human activities are harming manatees, and only our compassion and action can protect them.
Manatees are Florida’s official state marine mammal. They are listed as endangered at the international level by the IUCN World Conservation Union. They are listed as threatened at the federal level by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and at the state level by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Their listing status is largely due to human activity. Since record-keeping began in 1974, more than 41% of manatee deaths where cause of death was identified were human-related – and almost 34% were due to watercraft collisions (the largest known cause of manatee deaths). With increased awareness, education, regulations, and enforcement, manatee deaths caused by humans could be substantially reduced, and the eventual recovery of the species could be realized.
Our Mission:
Our mission is to protect manatees and their aquatic habitat for future generations.
Our Objective:
Our objective is the recovery and protection of manatees and their aquatic ecosystems throughout the world.
Our Goals:
In order to recover the manatee population – or delist the species – our goals are:
1. To protect ample healthy habitat to support a stable or growing manatee population
2. To reduce manatee harassment, injuries and deaths from human activity
3. To ensure that sufficient regulations have been adopted to accomplish these goals.
Our Work:
In order to accomplish our objective and goals we concentrate our efforts on reducing the negative impacts to manatees and their aquatic habitat caused by human activity through:
1. Increasing public awareness and education
2. Sponsoring research, rescue, rehabilitation, and release efforts
3. Advocating for strong protection measures, such as boat speed zones and sanctuaries
4. Taking legal action when appropriate
We also assist scientists and educators in the Wider Caribbean, South America, and West Africa with their conservation efforts.
Our Core Values:
1. Supporting the most effective conservation actions possible.
2. Making science-based decisions and supporting science-driven policies
3. Demanding accountability from policy-makers
4. Working cooperatively
For More Information please visit: http://www.savethemanatee.org
Arbor Day Foundation
We inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.
This is the mission statement of the Arbor Day Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit conservation and education organization.
Founded in 1972, the centennial of the first Arbor Day observance in the 19th century, the Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with over one million members, supporters, and valued partners.
The impact we make on our world is accomplished through our conservation and education programs.
For more Information please visit: https://www.arborday.org/states/state.cfm?state=fl
EDUCATION
The Lucille B King – University of Tampa Scholarship
Every year the GFWC Tampa Woman’s Club Awards a $1000-$1500 scholarship.
Founded in 1958, HOBY’s mission is to inspire and develop our global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation.
HOBY programs are conducted annually throughout the United States, serving local and international high school students. HOBY programs provide students selected by their schools to participate in unique leadership training, service-learning and motivation-building experiences.
HOBY also provides adults with opportunities to make a significant impact on the lives of youth by volunteering. Over 4,000 committed HOBY volunteers plan and execute the programs each year, serving both at the local HOBY affiliate level and on HOBY’s Board of Trustees. Due to the selfless efforts of volunteers and the contributions of generous donors, nearly 10,000 students participate in HOBY programs annually.
Today, over 450,000 proud alumni make HOBY stronger than ever. HOBY alumni are leaders in their schools and communities, throughout the United States and the world, making a difference for others through service. Want to see the impact of HOBY firsthand? Get involved as a student, school, parent, alumna/us, volunteer or supporter.
GFWC Tampa Woman’s Club has been a long time supporter of HOBY, each year we fund one to two local high school students to experience the program.
Hillsborough Community College – WINGS Program
The first step towards a new beginning . . .
The Wings Program offers support to students pursuing Associate in Science (AS) degrees or college credit certificates. Partial tuition, funds for textbooks, and some childcare assistance are among the services provided to eligible students. To qualify, students must be eligible for a Pell Grant.
HOME LIFE
Canine Companions For Independence
Founded in 1975, Canine Companions for Independence® is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.
The assistance dogs we breed, raise and train aren’t just the ears, hands and legs of their human partners. They’re also goodwill ambassadors and often, their best friends. They open up new opportunities and new possibilities, and spread incredible joy. We unite people with dogs in a powerful program that leads to greater independence and confidence.
For more information please visit their website: http://www.cci.org
Alpha House of Tampa
Is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization founded in 1981. Alpha House of Tampa offers homeless pregnant women and mothers with young children safe housing and the tools they need to become self-sufficient and effective, responsible parents. We provide a safe, temporary place to stay and assistance with housing and employment, as well as addressing the underlying issues that contributed to homelessness. We offer vision, hope and strength for a better life.
Rated a Top Ten Best Charity in Tampa Bay by Charity Navigator.
Trinity Cafe – Tampa
Our mission is to restore a sense of dignity to the homeless & hungry while serving a nutritious meal. We faithfully treat all of God’s children with dignity, compassion, love, and respect.
Founded in 2001, Trinity Cafe has served more than 1.3 MILLION meals with dignity, compassion, love and respect.
Hunger does not take a holiday. Meals are served at two Tampa Bay locations weekdays at
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and weekends for breakfast at our Nebraska location, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Meals are prepared by our Executive Chef and served by an army of volunteers.
We set our tables with cloths, centerpieces, plates and silverware. We seat our guests, much like any restaurant you would visit. A volunteer host sits at each table offering conversation, encouragement and support, as a volunteer server provides a 3-course, freshly prepared meal. Simple respect and kindness given daily with the goal of restoring a sense of dignity to lives turned bleak by the streets, poverty or need.
We ask our guests for nothing in return, just enjoy their time around our table.
Together with the solidarity and commitment of our team, volunteers and treasured support of our partners and the community, Trinity Cafe strives to be a gateway to positive change in the lives of the people we serve. We seek to enlarge our guests’ capacity for self-help and reconnect them to the broader community.
Trinity Cafe is a place of kindness, compassion, and dignity… a respite to those in need.
Very simply, Trinity Cafe is defined by its daily demonstration of humanity in action.
“Humanity begins with a meal.”
For more information please visit their website at: https://trinitycafe.org
PUBLIC ISSUES
Wreaths Across America
Join us on National Wreaths Across America Day December 16, 2017
Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1,200 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad.
The GFWC Tampa Woman’s Club has been laying wreaths at the American Legion USS Tampa Post 5 for the past four years. The local veterans’ cemetery on Kennedy Boulevard has 730 grave sites. Their goal is to place a wreath on every grave marker. We need YOUR help to accomplish this goal. The beauty of the red bowed wreaths is a sign that our community remembers those that have served our country.
As one of the local fundraising groups for Wreaths Across America, we wish only to sponsor wreaths and not receive any money back, our “3-for-2 Program” is the perfect solution, for every two wreaths sponsored, a third wreath will be placed at the location we support. We also invite you to join us on December 16th.
We will have more information soon with a link to donate.
USO (United Service Organization)
Since 1941, the United Service Organizations has stood by our troops through every step of their service. From deployment to rehabilitation and reintegration, we’re there for soldiers and their families. Because we are not a government agency, we rely on generous support from donors like you to fund programs and services that best fit the needs of our troops.
