By Amy Woods
Delray Beach’s Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse has announced a $40,000 challenge from a foundation that wants to remain anonymous.
Donations to AVDA’s Purple Pajama Party, a virtual fundraiser running through Dec. 1, will be matched dollar for dollar up to $40,000 and fund support services for those who are experiencing abuse at home. The matching gift comes amid a rise in domestic violence calls to the Delray Beach Police Department.
Pam O’Brien, the nonprofit’s president and CEO, says she “is deeply grateful to the anonymous family foundation for this generous matching gift.”
For more information, call 561-265-3797 or visit www.avdaonline.org.
FAU hires executive for fundraising advancement
Christopher Delisio has joined the Florida Atlantic University staff as vice president of institutional advancement.
He brings more than 25 years of development experience, most recently as executive director of principal gifts at The Ohio State University.
Delisio, also the FAU Foundation’s new CEO, is responsible for community engagement, fundraising and cultivating gifts to FAU.
“Chris immediately stood out as the perfect fit to lead the charge here at FAU,” President John Kelly said. “He is a creative thinker with a proven track record who can be innovative but pragmatic and is highly receptive to new ideas.”
Said Delisio: “There are so many innovative and amazing things happening at FAU right now, and the nation is taking notice. To be a part of this remarkable team in an area like South Florida is incredibly exciting.”
Faulk Center brings in a new deputy director
The Faulk Center for Counseling recently welcomed its new deputy director of operations, Amy Bromhead.
Bromhead, who previously served as director of development for Alzheimer’s Community Care, will be responsible for development, fundraising and marketing strategies.
“The personal experiences I have had with someone living with mental health issues has strengthened my resolve to make sure that the mental health conversation is healthy and available,” Bromhead said. “It is a privilege to be a part of an organization that is providing such crucial services for all who might need them.”
The Boca Raton organization provides low- or no-cost mental health services to anyone in need.
For more information, call 561-483-5300 or visit https://faulkcenterforcounseling.org.
Pair of leaders join Boca Helping Hands
Boca Helping Hands has appointed Steve King as director of development.
King was born and raised in Miami and moved to Boca Raton in 1986. He was a member of Lynn University’s development office and, prior to that, had a career in private banking. He began volunteering at Boca Helping Hands in 2012.
“I found the mission of Boca Helping Hands most appealing,” he said. “Engaging with the clients was the most rewarding aspect of my volunteer experience. I look forward to making an even greater impact by creating stronger community partnerships and enhancing current programs.”
The agency also has appointed Jude Estime as controller. Born and raised in Haiti, Estime moved to the United States in 2002 and received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Florida Atlantic University and his MBA from Nova Southeastern University.
“I’m excited to be working with Boca Helping Hands,” Estime said. “The work they do in the community to not only feed people but also provide job training and job-readiness coaching, along with financial assistance, is some of the most important work being done in Palm Beach County right now.”
Boca Helping Hands is a community-based nonprofit that provides assistance to meet basic human needs as well as counseling, education and job training to create self-sufficiency.
For more information, call 561-417-0913 or visit www.bocahelpinghands.org.
Thanksgiving Box Brigade underway to provide meals
Boca Helping Hands’ five locations across Palm Beach County need help from the community to provide holiday meals to underserved people.
The organization is embarking on its 17th annual Thanksgiving Box Brigade program, which provides turkeys and boxes containing all the fixings. Donors can fill their own boxes with the dinner essentials or can contribute the cost of a box — $27.15. The deadline is Nov. 15.
“We are so grateful to the community each year for their food drives and Thanksgiving box donations,” said Greg Hazle, Boca Helping Hands’ executive director. “Their generosity means that people who would not otherwise be able to sit down for a holiday meal can enjoy one with their family.”
For more information, call 561-417-0913 or visit www.bocahelpinghands.org.
Agency aims to help the health care helpers
The Center for Child Counseling has launched a training program called Healing the Healers to address the challenges and stress people in the medical field face every day.
Helpers have been on the front lines during the pandemic supporting adults and children experiencing grief and loss. The four-hour training teaches them self-care and resilience-building strategies so they are not running on empty.
“Teaching these strategies is more important than ever as we witness front-line workers experiencing alarming rates of anxiety, depression, PTSD and even suicide as a result of the pandemic,” CFCC CEO Renée Layman said. “We must make sure that those who are helping to heal others are healthy themselves.”
For more information, call 561-244-9499 or visit www.centerforchildcounseling.org.
AmeriCorps volunteers address literacy needs
The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County has started recruiting volunteers for its AmeriCorps program.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and available for either part- or full-time opportunities.
“Some college graduates aren’t sure what they want to do next, and participating in the Literacy AmeriCorps is a great way for them to explore options,” coalition board member Kelly Starling said.
AmeriCorps members each provide 1,700 hours of service in mentoring, tutoring and related literacy education at sites throughout the county. The needs are great as more than 22 percent of the adult population functions at the lowest level of literacy, and 47 percent of local students in grades three through 10 read below grade level.
For information, call 561-279-9103 or visit www.literacypbc.org.
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