Assistance with rent and utility payments, expansion of medical services to the uninsured, a new safety system for a performing arts group and refurbished dormitories for the homeless represent a few of the programs that will benefit from more than $530,000 in grants and pledges awarded in April to local nonprofit organizations by the Dr. Phillips Charities (The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation and Dr. Phillips Inc.).
The Heart of Florida United Way was awarded $98,100 to be used to establish an “emergency temporary basic needs fund,” where every dollar will go directly to someone in the community. United Way is matching Dr. Phillips’ grant by providing all administrative costs.
“At a time when there aren’t enough resources in the community and our system is overburdened, this will allow us to help people with their basic needs like paying their utilities and rent,” said Robert H. (Bob) Brown, president and chief executive officer of Heart of Florida United Way, one of the nonprofit organizations benefiting from the latest round of grants awarded by the Dr. Phillips Charities. “It’
Dr. Phillips Charities have designated significant amounts to the Heart of Florida United Way in the past resulting in the creation of the United Way’s 2-1-1 program, an information and referral service for the community.
Dr. Phillips Charities have also provided for an enhanced phone system enabling 2-1-1 staff to respond from multiple locations in a disaster, which has streamlined the process of matching people in need with agencies that can help them. The latest grant will be used to provide emergency funds through the United Way and several direct service agencies. These dollars will be used to help people with rent, food, utilities and other basic needs and are expected to assist 15 families per day or an additional 1,350 families in five months. In addition, Dr. Phillips Charities pledged up to $49,050 a month to the fund for an additional four months if the needs and matching continue.
In addition to the grant to the Heart of Florida United Way, Dr. Phillips Charities also awarded funds during April to the following:
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-Orlando Shakespeare Festival Inc.: $94,759 to enhance the facility by installing a new People Safety System and to purchase two light boards, two intelligent lights, a motorized winch and a particulate tester.
-Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida Inc.: $60,874 to upgrade the dormitories by replacing 106 bunk beds and 212 mattresses in the resident dorms at the Center for Women and Families.
-Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida Inc.: $55,540 to continue the funding of two outreach benefits specialists in Orange and Osceola Counties for the second year of the Benefits Connection Program. These outreach specialists assist eligible families in completing the paperwork they need to qualify for food stamps and it is estimated that the two will be able to process more then 1,400 applications and generate more than $610,000 of benefits plus an additional 50 percent government match for program operations of $55,500.
In addition to grants awarded in April, Dr. Phillips Charities also pledged to forgive the balance on a $150,000 Promissory Note assumed by Catholic Charities of Central Florida Inc., made by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, if the organization successfully renovates and opens the property at 301 Thalia Avenue for case management services and educational classes for homeless young women, children and legal immigrants.
