A new program, MBF Teen Safety Matters™, was recently launched by the Monique Burr Foundation for Children to prevent child abuse and bullying among teen-agers.
Community First Cares Foundation and the Library Foundation of Jacksonville launch second-year program to improve adult literacy.
Community First Cares to match dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 in donations to support adult literacy and other programs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., September 5, 2023 – Recognizing how important adult literacy programs are to the success of the community, the Community First Cares Foundation has pledged up to $10,000 in matching funds for selected gifts to the Library Foundation of Jacksonville during the fourth quarter of 2023.
"One in five adults in Duval County perform at or below the lowest literacy levels," said Missy Peters, director of community relations at Community First Credit Union. "To further our mission to help build healthy communities, the Community First Cares Foundation is proud to support adult literacy through our public library.
"September is National Literacy Month and National Library Card Sign-Up Month. Jacksonville Public Library has set a goal to sign up 3,000 new library card holders in Jacksonville during September."
For every dollar the community gives to support adult literacy to the Library Foundation of Jacksonville---and for annual gifts received-
--between September 1 and December 31, 2023, Community First Cares Foundation will match 100 percent up to $10,000. Giving is as easy as visiting www.lfjax.org and clicking the "Donate" button on the page.
"We know that public funding only provides a portion of what is truly needed to help the adults in Duval County improve their literacy levels, give them opportunities to increase their earning potential, and support their successes," said Scott Evans, Executive Director of the Library Foundation of Jacksonville. "When Community First Cares Foundation said they wanted to come back for another year, we were beyond thrilled."
Donations are tax-deductible. Proceeds from gifts received fund programs and services at Jacksonville Public Library.
About the Community First Cares Foundation
The Community First Cares Foundation, founded by Community First Credit Union, is a non-profit charitable foundation that grants funds to improve the quality of life in North Florida. The foundation supports activities to improve financial literacy, enhance the quality of our educational system, upgrade the health and welfare of our community and help underserved citizens.
The Community First Cares Foundation makes contributions to nonprofit organizations that serve the communities on the First Coast. For more information, visit www.communityfirstcares.org or call 904-371-8090.
About the Library Foundation of Jacksonville
The mission of the Library Foundation of Jacksonville is to inspire, advocate and grow philanthropic support for the Jacksonville Public Library in service to lifelong learners throughout our diverse community. The Foundation—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization— provides the community members, corporations, and other stakeholders with opportunities to invest in the success of the Library. With private financial support, the Foundation expects to support and enhance the Library’s current funding system, not to replace the tax base and public community dollars so essential to the core of the Library mission. Managed by the Board of Directors, the Foundation is wholly independent of the City of Jacksonville, the Library, and the Library Board of Trustees. To learn more call 904-255-6192 or visit www.lfjax.org.
About Jacksonville Public Library
The mission of the Jacksonville Public Library is to enrich lives, build community and foster success by bringing people, information and ideas together. Last year, more than 3.1 million visits were made to Jacksonville Public Libraries, items were checked out more than 4.7 million times, and over 15,000 programs and services were offered to Duval County residents at the Main Library and 20 branch locations. For more information about the Jacksonville Public Library, call 630-BOOK (2665) or visit jaxpubliclibrary.org.
Poverty is a silent epidemic in our schools, and many issues with attendance and academics are directly related to students not having clean clothes, shoes that fit, or the supplies they need to be successful in school. Students want to feel good about themselves when they come to school, and we want to help them have everything they need to learn. We could not have opened our first on-site classroom-sized Giving Closet without this funding and volunteer support.
Jennifer Smith, DCPS teacher and Founder of The Giving Closet Project.