6 Florida Organizations Providing Help To Those In Need
It's our duty as a society to make sure people don't fall through the cracks. These organizations work tirelessly to help both those in the local community and those in other countries gain access to food, water, sanitation, housing, health care, and other necessary services. Check out the following groups to find out ways you can get involved in Florida and be part of the solution. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
6 Helpful And Dedicated Groups In Florida
| Organization | Headquarters | Mission |
|---|---|---|
| Project Medishare | Miami | Shares knowledge and resources to empower Haitians to provide and receive access to quality health care |
| Women In Distress of Broward County | Lighthouse Point | The only nationally accredited, state-certified, full-service domestic violence center in the county, Women In Distress works to stop domestic violence and abuse through education, advocacy, and intervention programs |
| Florida Developmental Disabilities Council | Tallahassee | Advocates for greater participation for Floridians with developmental disabilities in all aspects of life |
| Clean the World | Orlando | Provides recycled soap, hygiene kits, and emergency relief to those suffering from natural disasters, poverty, and humanitarian crises |
| Boca Helping Hands | Boca Raton | Food programs, job training, and medical & dental resources to create a path to self-sufficiency for those in the community |
| Becca's Closet | Plantation | Finds prom dresses and accessories for girls with financial difficulties so they can participate in school events and offers community service scholarships |
Building Hygiene Kits with Clean the World
Florida Poverty Statistics
- Population estimate for 2018: 21,299,325
- National rank by population: 3
- Owner-occupied housing rate: 64.8%
- Median rent: $1,077
- Population aged 25+ with bachelor's degree or higher: 28.5%
- Median household income: $50,883
- Poverty rate: 13.6%
- Rank nationally: 34
- Unemployment: 4.2%
- Rank nationally: 24
- High school graduation rate: 80.7%
- Rank nationally: 37
- Percentage of workers helped by unemployment insurance: 10.6%
- Rank nationally: 50
- Poverty rate for children under 6: 24.5%
The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council on the Pay Fair for Care Campaign
In Depth
No matter where you live, there are people in your community in need, and we all must do our part to close the gaps in our society. Florida is home to many great non-profit organizations dedicated to helping the less fortunate, whether they live close to home or far away. In no particular order, here are six groups that go the extra mile.
Starting off the list at #1 is Project Medishare. Based out of Miami, this organization has been working for over 25 years to improve access to health care in Haiti. After the earthquake of 2010, Project Medishare brought the first team of foreign physicians into the country, and eventually took over Hospital Bernard Mevs, which at the time was the only trauma and critical care hospital in Haiti.
Having worked in the country before the earthquake and active since, Project Medishare understands that education and training are key to a sustainable health care system. That's why it provides specialized training for pediatricians to ensure the demands of the country can be met. Because it is always in need of licensed medical professionals, the group actively seeks physicians to go to Haiti and help with its programs.
That's why it provides specialized training for pediatricians to ensure the demands of the country can be met.
At #2 is Women In Distress of Broward County, located in Lighthouse Point. The only nationally accredited, state-certified, full service domestic violence center in the county, it has many vital programs dedicated to intervention and education surrounding this important issue. Counseling services are offered to survivors and their children, and the 132-bed emergency shelter is open to all, including men, the LGBTQ community, and those with special needs.
The 24-hour crisis hotline is staffed by trained advocates and answers upwards of 20,000 calls per year. Volunteers are an important aspect of their work, and taking part is a serious commitment that requires training and focus. Those with less time can also donate funds, items, or services to the shelter. Hosting an event or donation drive is a great way to ensure kids get school supplies and other things that may have been left behind so they can feel a sense of normalcy.
#3 on the list is the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, which for over 45 years has advocated for greater participation in all aspects of life for Floridians with developmental disabilities. The only independent entity in the state with the authority to facilitate partnerships among state agencies, universities, and other organizations, the FDDC leverages more than $3 million annually through the Developmental Disabilities Act for projects that affect people all over the state.
The only independent entity in the state with the authority to facilitate partnerships among state agencies, universities, and other organizations, the FDDC leverages more than $3 million annually through the Developmental Disabilities Act for projects that affect people all over the state.
The council's objectives are divided into several key areas, including housing and transportation. The education initiatives aim to improve access to post-secondary schooling, while the employment initiatives provide technical assistance and training to aid in job placement. Passionate individuals can apply to be a council member and take part in this meaningful work.
Coming in at #4 is Clean the World, which has distributed more than 50 million bars of soap to more than 120 countries worldwide. With offices in Orlando, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Montreal, London, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam, this dynamic group is committed to improving the quality of life of those affected by natural disasters, poverty, and humanitarian crises through efforts focused on hygiene and sanitation.
With more than 2 million bars of partially-used soap thrown away by US hotels every day, Clean the World hopes to turn that waste into treasure by enlisting businesses in its hotel recycling program. Volunteers can also help to build and distribute hygiene kits locally, or through sorting the incoming products that arrive at the centers, taking part in a meaningful experience that will have a tangible impact.
Volunteers can also help to build and distribute hygiene kits locally, or through sorting the incoming products that arrive at the centers, taking part in a meaningful experience that will have a tangible impact.
#5 is Boca Helping Hands, which has provided food, job training, and other services to help create self-sufficiency for over 20 years. The job training programs are structured to help clients successfully advance in the workplace, and include medical billing and coding, ESOL classes, a commercial driver's license course, and a mentoring program that offers one-on-one support in crafting a resume and preparing for interviews.
The pantry bag project provides food that can be picked up at three sites, and allows applicants to register for a gluten-free option. There is also a hot meal offered six days a week. Initiatives for kids include financial assistance for camps and day care, and BHH Backpacks, which sends kids home each Friday with food for the weekend. Volunteers are a critical part of their work, and applications can be found on the group's website.
Finally, at #6 is Becca's Closet. Its namesake, Becca, was a high school freshman in David, Florida, when she started a dress drive to provide prom dresses and accessories to girls in South Florida who could not afford to purchase them. In her memory, the organization continues this work on a larger scale, with chapters across the country donating formal gowns and prom tickets to girls with financial needs so they can participate in school events and have fun.
In her memory, the organization continues this work on a larger scale, with chapters across the country donating formal gowns and prom tickets to girls with financial needs so they can participate in school events and have fun.
Becca's Closet also honors the community service efforts of high school seniors by awarding post-secondary scholarships. Anyone who would like to make an appointment to receive a dress can sign up online. If you'd like to help out, you can make a monetary donation, or donate a dress to a specific chapter so a student in your area can enjoy the fun of prom without feeling left out due to their financial situation.
