Established in 1983, Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center provides a broad range of enriching programs and services for individuals of all ages and abilities to meet the diverse needs of its members, the Jewish community and the community at large.
Levis JCC promotes and enhances Jewish culture, heritage and values through educational, spiritual, social, wellness and recreational programs. From preschool and summer camp, to teen and family activities, from athletics to cultural arts, adult enrichment and special needs programming as well as Boca’s chic Resale Boutique, the Levis JCC offers something for everyone.
Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center is a non-profit community agency of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County.
The American Association of Caregiving Youth addressed the issues surrounding the silent, vulnerable and hidden population of children who provide care for family member who is unable to manage life independently. It addresses the needs of these children through education and awareness, research, and direct services.
Founded in 2010, Best Foot Forward (BFF) is focused on changing lives for children in foster care in Palm Beach County. BFF is 100% dedicated to using academics as the path to a successful future and breaking the cycle of abuse. BFF currently serves hundreds of students from elementary school through college, and provides educational planning, monitoring, and coaching on a one-on-one consistent basis. Its high school program has a 100% graduation rate, compared to a national average of 46% among foster children. Despite a 3% national college graduation rate, Best Foot Forward has celebrated many college graduates to date, with more to come. For more information about Best Foot Forward, visit our website.
The Boca Helping Hands organization serves the economically challenged, culturally diverse population of East Boca Raton.
Founded in 1998 in response to the growing challenge of hunger and poverty in our community, it provides food, medical and financial assistance and education and job training to the underprivileged. Their goal is to help guide people to self-sufficiency. A hot, nutritional lunch is served to over 180 persons, six days a week, with a family dinner offered on Thursday evenings. In addition, pantry bags with non-perishable goods are distributed every day.
Pantry Helps ‘down and out’ residents
SUN SENTINEL, MARCH 21, 2014
Boca West Foundation Sponsors Boca Helping Hands Friday Lunch Service
MARCH 28, 2011
Boca Helping Hands gets assist from Boca West Foundation
BOCA RATON FORUM BLOG, MAY 20, 2011
Founded by artists in 1950 as the Art Guild of Boca Raton, the Boca Raton Museum of Art has evolved into a vital cultural resource. The Museum’s original building on Palmetto Park Road now serves as the Museum’s Art School, nestled within a 3-acre sculpture park. In 2001, the Museum was provided land in Mizner Park, a mixed-use area in downtown Boca Raton. Designed by Donald Singer, the current Museum facility, with its bold volumes and emblematic design, reflects the spirit of Addison Mizner’s Mediterranean Revival architecture of the 1920s that provided an indelible mark on Boca Raton. Located in Palm Beach County, the Museum attracts visitors from a wide range of regions, with nearly 50% being cultural tourists from drive markets or out-of-state, underscoring the appeal of its reputation, quality of programs, and supporting the Museum’s mission to be a vital cultural resource dedicated to the creative life.
Founded in 2012 by Mark Sauer, the purpose of Bound For College is to provide academic, financial and emotional resources for motivated students so they can reach their full potential. This comprehensive program includes ACT/SAT prep, college tours, college and financial aid application guidance, career exploration and developmental counseling. At Bound For College, young people are encouraged to acquire an education after high-school to obtain a secure career path and remain bound for success.
Founded in 1971, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County is a not-for profit youth development organization dedicated to promoting the educational, vocational, health leadership and character of boys and girls in a safe, nurturing environment.
The Clubs provide more than a safe, fun and constructive alternative to being home alone – they offer a variety of award-winning developmental programs to help youth build skills, self-esteem and values during critical periods of growth.
Established in 1992, The Caridad Center at it’s 7,500 square foot clinic offers not only medical and dental assistance but emergency outreach and homework help for struggling children. Today, with the help of hundreds of dedicated volunteers, the Caridad Center serves more than 6,000 people annually for more than 23,000 visits a year, who otherwise would have no other source of medical care.
Caridad Center Granted $112,000 by Boca West Foundation
SUN-SENTINEL, JUNE 8, 2016
Caridad Center Places 1st at 2015 Golf Challenge
SUN-SENTINEL, MARCH 30, 2015
PINEAPPLE NEWSPAPER, AUGUST, 2015
Center for Child Counseling provides playful, healthful, and hopeful living for children, families, and communities. We envision their health and resilience through ACEs-aware and trauma-informed communities.
Fighting ACEs is Center for Child Counseling’s approach that provides multilayered support for children and families in communities experiencing chronic stress and trauma. The model focuses on building the capacity of caregivers and the community to buffer the effects of toxic stress on children, healing the intergenerational cycles of abuse and trauma, building healthy caregiver-child relationships through trauma-informed prevention and early intervention services and support.
Founded in 2015, Connections is a nonprofit educational center that delivers top-quality, specialized instruction and therapies for students and adults with autism and related disabilities ages 3 through adulthood. Connections plays a unique role among organizations that serve the autism community by incorporating the whole family. From hosting parent dinners and trainings to offering a weekly food pantry and weekend backpack program, supporting parents is fundamental to our mission.
From the outset, Connections has prioritized serving underserved families, forming enduring, family-centered partnerships both within and beyond the educational setting. Our curriculum integrates music, art, and essential therapeutic services seamlessly into the school day. Moreover, our pioneering Health, Wellness, and Aquatics Program caters to the unique fitness, nutrition, and water safety needs of our students, alongside traditional academic instruction and community-based learning.
Additionally, our Adult Day Training Program furnishes vocational and recreational opportunities, both on-site and within the community, for our adult clientele, ensuring a comprehensive continuum of care across the lifespan.
Mission Statement: Dedicated to breaking the cycle of diaper inequity and promoting awareness, education, and advocacy to nurture strong community connections and give children the opportunity to SHINE.
Our Goal: To end diaper need, defined as “The lack of sufficient supply of diapers to keep infants and children clean, dry and healthy”, in the South Florida area. The Diaper Bank-Covering South Florida is the central hub of diaper distribution to our community. We ensure that a sufficient number of diapers are available and accessible to our 24 partnering agencies whose main focus is to distribute diapers to those in need.
Educating and inspiring compassionate young leaders to develop strong character with a vision for success. The Viner Community Scholarship is a program that provides South Palm Beach County High School students with four year scholarships to colleges and universities in the State of Florida public educational system.
Founded in 1984, the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County is an organization dedicated to advancing excellence in Palm Beach County’s public education by increasing public awareness and inspiring community and business support for programs focused on learning, literacy, and leadership. With the support it receives from contributions and grants, the Education Foundation provides resources for innovative programs to improve academic achievement.
Since 1973, the Faulk Center for Counseling has been providing free and low-cost mental health services to uninsured, at-risk, and underserved individuals in our community. We offer individual, couples and family counseling, counseling groups, support groups, reduced fee psychological testing and educational seminars. No one is ever turned away due to an inability to pay.
The Fuller Center has been a community cornerstone for over 50 years, providing under-resourced children the same educational opportunities as their more affluent peers. Our goal is to support hardworking families and their children to realize their full potential. We believe all children should have the chance to experience success in school, in work, and in life, regardless of their parents’ income or zip code.
For children 6 weeks to 5 years old, we offer a holistic early education program, setting the foundation for school success and lifelong learning. For school-age youth, we offer after-school, summer camp, and out-of-school programs to develop skills in social interaction, literacy, science, technology, math, and the arts, and providing tutoring, mentoring, and enrichment activities. We have incorporated a teen program providing youth the opportunities to build skills in leadership, communication, project development, and community service.
At the Fuller Center, we believe that educated children and empowered families create a strong, supportive community. The Fuller Center offers a unique, comprehensive system of family support to ensure that parents and caregivers are empowered to provide for their families and make a positive economic impact in our community. We know that when it comes to turning the tide of generational, economic inequity and make a positive impact, tomorrow begins today!
The TOPS (Teaching Outstanding Performers) summer band camp is for young musicians, writers, dancers, and actors. Students develop and enhance their artistic skills with private lessons, music theory classes, band rehearsals, and music appreciation classes. More than 100 at risk elementary student campers attend annually.
HomeSafe fulfills its mission of creating safer, more productive lives through a continuum of care that has evolved over the agency’s 42 years in existence. We screen mothers of newborns for postpartum depression so they can get the help they need to engage fully in nurturing their children and provide free screenings to identify any developmental issues in young children that should be addressed before they enter kindergarten. We provide a safe haven for abused children ages 8-17 who have been removed from their homes and require therapeutic treatment for the trauma they have suffered. Through immediate intervention and prevention services, we help domestic violence victims and their children break free from the cycle of abuse. We give youth who have aged out of foster care a bridge to self-sufficiency with stable, affordable housing.
Jewish Adoption & Foster Care Options (JAFCO) was established in 1992 to provide services to abused, neglected and special needs children in South Florida. It was created by the Broward Board of Rabbis because of an unmet need in the Jewish Community – however it is their mission to help any child in need.
The options provided cover an entire continuum of programs for at-risk children and their families which includes: a children’s emergency shelter, group home program, foster care and adoption, family preservation services, multi systemic therapy in home programs, senior caregiver program, independent living program and the Brenda Wallach Forever Friend mentoring program. To date JAFCO has saved over 4,000 children.
JAFCO is committed to serving all children, from birth to age 22, who have been diagnosed with a developmental disability. Offering family support, child enrichment services, respite services and therapeutic services all at their state of the art care facility.
The Junior League of Boca Raton is a group of highly motivated, educated and influential women, who are committed to promotion voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through effective action of trained volunteers. Improving the lives of children and families in South Palm Beach county for over 40 years.
The Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program at FAU was created by President John Kelly and First Lady Carolyn Kelly, and Boca Raton philanthropists Aubrey and Sally Strul. The program provides first-generation, low-income students with financial resources and personal support to help them graduate from FAU in four years or less.
Living Hungry is a charity born of the belief that every human has potential worth nourishing. We are on a mission for the last five years to reach every local student experiencing homelessness in Palm Beach County schools. Living Hungry provides quality nutrition in weekend bags of food and meets the basic needs of hundreds of our most vulnerable children in 22 schools today. Through collaborative partnerships and smart logistical solutions, we change the storyline and help unleash the hidden genius and kindness in the next generation of Americans. In 2022-23 we will be expanding to three Boca Raton high schools graciously funded by the Boca West Children’s Foundation. Together we fuel the brightest futures for our local students enduring homelessness.
In January 2017, Lisa Pugliese-LaCroix, inspired by her passion for speech therapy and tennis, founded Love Serving Autism, a 501(c)(3) organization, at the Palm Beach School for Autism where she was working as a speech therapist. Love Serving Autism partners with schools and facilities to enhance the lives of neurodiverse individuals through racquet sports, promoting physical fitness, social skills, and emotional well-being. By integrating therapeutic techniques into tennis and pickleball instruction, Love Serving Autism seeks to create an inclusive and supportive environment where neurodivergent individuals can thrive both on and off the courts.
The Nat King Cole Generation Hope mission is to provide music education to children with the greatest need and the fewest resources. The vision is that Nat King Cole’s unforgettable legacy will ensure future generations are given the opportunity to learn and experience the joy of music.
(People Reaching Out to Provide Education and Leadership) is dedicated to supporting the academic and social-emotional needs of the most vulnerable youth in our community.
Place of Hope was ranked the #1 Nonprofit for Youth Development, Shelter, and Crisis Services in the Nation by Charity Navigator and one of the “11 Top-Rated Charities That Changed The World In 2014” by The Huffington Post. It is a faith-based, state-licensed child welfare organization that provides family-style foster care (emergency and long-term); family outreach and intervention; maternity care; safety for domestic minor sexually trafficked victims; transitional housing and support services; foster care recruitment and support; hope and healing opportunities for children and families who have been traumatized by abuse and neglect.
‘Roots and Wings’ Project UpLift is a free, intensive, small group after school reading program focused on 1st through 3rd graders attending Title One public elementary schools in Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach who are reading one or two grades below grade level. Now serving nine schools in the three communities, the program touches the lives of 590 plus struggling readers with the goal of ensuring third graders can become proficient in reading and be promoted to fourth grade.
Through its Above and Beyond Teacher and Staff Recognition Program, Roots and Wings recognizes outstanding educators and staff for their dedication to ensuring children in our communities are educated and prepared to become good citizens. To date, with the support of local businesses, the program has presented over 1,500 awards to appreciative teachers and administrative staff at 15 elementary schools in our regional community.
Since 1957 The Rotary Club of Boca Raton has been committed to changing lives and building futures by providing local at risk students with scholarship assistance, mentoring, internships , job training and job placement opportunities as well as participating in community service projects.
The Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton is dedicated to impacting the Boca Raton Community through our efforts of “Service Above Self.”
The Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton is focused on keeping our talent on the local level in order to benefit our Community through Health and Wellness, and Community well-being.
We distinguish ourselves through our unique programming, full disclosure, and our governing policy that our organization is run by our Members for the Members and is Fair To All Concerned. Decisions are made in a collaborative effort through input from our Members, as each Member’s opinions and contributions are valued.
The Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton is operated for the sole purpose of making a difference in our community and the lives of many in an environment that embraces integrity, friendship, camaraderie and trust. Our goal is to keep our outstanding Community growing strong.
Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education, Inc. (SCOPE), an independent national nonprofit organization, provides children from underserved communities life-changing opportunities through the experience of summer camp, including the Southeast. In each region SCOPE funds camperships to send local children who commit to staying in school to nonprofit, overnight, American Camp Association accredited camps to empower them to develop to their full potential.
SCOPE Southeast and Boca West Foundation Make Camp a Reality for South Florida’s Most Needy Children
PRESS RELEASE, MARCH 17, 2015
SCOPE Southeast and Boca West Foundation Make Camp a Reality for South Florida’s Most Needy Children
PRESS RELEASE, JUNE 12, 2012
NEWSLETTER, SUMMER 2012
SOS Children’s Villages – Florida (SOS) cares for abused, abandoned and severely neglected children who are wards of the State. At SOS, special emphasis is placed on reuniting biological siblings; over 20 sibling groups currently reside in the Village. SOS fills a much-needed niche in our community, in that they provide short-term care for children who have no imminent chance for reunification or adoption. In addition, they are uniquely able to provide long-term care for youth who have no other permanent plan and need a place to call home until they transition out of foster care as adults. Since 1993, they have provided healing, hope and home to more than 400 children.
Located on an eight acre cul-de-sac in a residential neighborhood in Coconut Creek, Florida, the village consists of 12 single family homes for children and three children’s services buildings. In the village, the children can settle into a home and know that a house parent is there to care for them 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to a home, SOS also provides services for children who need help dealing with their emotions, their deficiencies in school, their social skills and behavior, and their independent living preparation.
SOS’ graduation rate is 81% compared to the 50% national graduation rate of foster care youth; 47% of SOS children go on to enroll in college compared with 15% of foster care children nationwide.
The Spirit of Giving Network is a collaborative, nonprofit organization with a focus on children and families in Palm Beach County. It is a forum where nonprofits and community supporters share information, resources and best practices. Currently, there are more than 70 nonprofit member organizations meeting on a monthly basis. The group’s objective is to streamline the delivery of services to the community by working collaboratively to solve issues and improve operations through internal and external partnerships.
Our Current Programs Include:
Sweet Dream Makers provides new beds and bedding to children and their families who are sleeping on the floor, a sofa, sharing a bed, or sleeping on an unsafe, unsanitary mattress. Since its inception, Sweet Dream Makers has provided more than 7,000 new beds to area families. The organization also picks up gently used essential furniture and housewares free of charge so that they may be donated to local families in need. A good night’s sleep will help a disadvantaged child dream of a brighter future.
The Take Stock in Children program model is recognized as a “flagship mentoring program” by the Florida Legislature for providing an evidence-based approach throughout Florida with no drop-off of services post-high school graduation. For 25 years, we’ve offered underserved youth one-on-one mentoring, college readiness services, full-tuition college scholarships, and post-secondary retention services, while ensuring equity for youth facing systemic barriers.
Founded in 1972, the YMCA of South Palm Beach County is a cause-driven organization, committed to strengthening our community with a focus on YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTY LIVING and SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
By nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving health and well-being, and supporting and serving our neighbors, the Y ensures that everyone has the opportunity to become healthier, more confident, connected and secure. The Y is the leading non-profit committed to strengthening community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose and each other. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, we ensure that we all have access to the opportunities, relationships and resources necessary to learn, grow and thrive.
The YMCA’s cause is to strengthen the community with a focus on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Since 1917, YMCA of the Palm Beaches has served central and northern Palm Beach County, working side-by-side with local families and neighbors to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.