The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has presented the Friends of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge with an award for making extraordinary contributions to the conservation of natural resources in the southeast region.
The award, Friends Group of the Year, goes to a volunteer organization whose hard work and perseverance helps to save land and preserve wildlife.
The refuge contains one of the largest cypress forests in the country and encompasses 144,000 acres in the northern Everglades. The Friends’ mission is to promote a better understanding of the refuge and the natural history of South Florida.
The Lord’s Place gets kudos
as top employment spot
After conducting employee surveys and workplace evaluations, The Nonprofit Times, in partnership with Best Companies Group, ranked The Lord’s Place ninth in the country among the top 50 nonprofit companies to work for. The Lord’s Place, which has helped the homeless in Palm Beach County get jobs and find places to live for 35 years, serves 1,600 in need annually. After taking part in its programs, a total of 94 percent of those served were not homeless by the end of the year, and 61 percent gained employment.
“It is a great honor for The Lord’s Place to be recognized in this way,” said The Lord’s Place Board Chair Cornelia Thornburgh. “It is a testament to the passion and commitment of the staff and the leadership team to do their very best in serving those who are homeless.”
Foundation hands out
$1.2 million to six nonprofits
The Quantum Foundation approved six grants to Palm Beach County-based nonprofits totaling $1.2 million. Recipients included the Mental Health Association of Palm Beach County ($75,000), the Children’s Behavioral Health Collaborative ($500,000), Pediatric Oncology Support Team ($50,000), El Sol Neighborhood Resource Center ($155,352), Florida Atlantic University Clinical Skills Training Facility ($300,000) and the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County ($125,000).
(l-r) Heather Coltman, dean of the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, donor Rochelle Dobbs and Margo Green, of the college’s advisory board, stand in front of Chihuly artwork in FAU’s Culture and Society Building. Photo provided
Dale Chihuly sculpture
installed on FAU campus
A four-piece blown-glass wall installation created by artist Dale Chihuly now graces Florida Atlantic University’s Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters.
The work was donated by Rochelle Dobbs and has been placed in the college’s Culture and Society Building outside the theater.
“The location was requested by the donor so that students, faculty and particularly the public coming to our Living Room Theaters would be able to enjoy the beauty and impressiveness of the installation every day,” said Heather Coltman, the college’s dean. “We have already heard from patrons and students that the installation provides an amazing upgrade to the area.”
Arts initiatives in county
receive monetary support
The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County is the recipient of a pair of grants to support efforts to make art and culture accessible throughout the area.
A total of $50,000 has been awarded by the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust, and the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties has awarded $25,000. The $25,000 is a matching-funds grant to establish a permanent endowment as part of the foundation’s Forever Nonprofit Endowment Challenge. The money for the initiative came from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur and Marie Graber Martens funds.
“A matching challenge like this one provides our partners like the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County with future stability and a foundation from which to grow — one not contingent on the success of current or future fundraising efforts,” said Brad Hurlburt, the foundation’s president and CEO.
Belle Glade teenager
named Youth of the Year
Je’Cynthia Nonar was named 2017 Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County.
Seven teens representing the clubs competed in the annual contest for the title. For the first time, the winner was announced live based on scores for public speaking at the event.
“Je’Cynthia has been one of our star club members for years, and we are so proud to have her represent the young women that overcome adversity thanks to the support and encouragement our clubs provide every day,” said Jaene Miranda, president and CEO of the organization.
The 17-year-old from Belle Glade was recognized for embodying the values of leadership and service, achieving academic excellence and living a healthy lifestyle.
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