by Yurianna Mikolay, Executive Director
Ocean Reef Community Foundation
The Ocean Reef Community Foundation’s annual grants program will provide more than $1.74 million to nonprofit organizations serving neighboring areas this year thanks to the Ocean Reef community’s generous participation in the 2022 All Charities effort.
ORCF’s Community Grants Program funds dozens of worthy charities in the interest areas of Education, Youth, Health & Family Services and Community in the Upper Keys, Homestead and Florida City each spring. Including 2022 grants, this particular Foundation program will have donated $14.3 million to improve the quality of life in the communities where Ocean Reef employee families live since the All Charities collaboration began in 2008.
Grants Committee Chair Janie Sims notes that, “In addition to a new record for funding going off the Reef, our committee vetted a record number of more than 100 applications requesting another record of $3.5 million. I want to recognize and thank each our members – Rob Daugherty, Patty Davidson, Alan Goldstein, Marie Jacobs, Ken Karl, Cynthia Lee, Kathie Markel, Linda Owens, Amy Upjohn, Kathy Weiland and Steve Woodsum – for their extraordinary service!”
The ORCF Board of Directors has approved the committee’s recommendation that the Foundation’s share of 2022 All Charities proceeds not reserved for larger Impact Fund projects be distributed, with additional donations to the Community Grants Fund, as follows:
A Chance for Therapy (ACT4Me)-Therapy programs for Homestead/Florida City children with neurological and genetic disorders-$22,000
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts-STEAM curriculum and live “Kitty Hawk” performance field trip for 7th graders in Homestead/Florida City Title I schools-$10,000
Advocate Program-Financial assistance program for veterans-$10,000
Autism Society of the Keys-Technology and therapy for autistic youth-$10,000
Branches Florida City
- Grow & Climb teen leadership development and employment mentoring program-$25,000
- Tax Preparation/VITA and Savings Champion program for families-$12,500 (MATCH REQUIRED)
Bridge to Hope-Food security solutions for Homestead/Florida City including walk-in freezer and related electrical work, facility improvements and box truck program-$25,000
Burton Memorial United Methodist Church
- Food Pantry: Refrigerated truck usage to enable pick up of perishable donations from local grocery stores and funds to purchase needed food items when not available by donation-$19,200
- Child Development Center: Summer enrichment program-$7,000
Camillus House-CHEER educational initiative to assist formerly homeless children in attending school and catching up with peers-$15,000
Caring for Miami-Project Smile Mobile Dental Unit visits for the Upper Keys, Homestead and Florida City-$35,000
Chapman Partnership-Mentoring Program at the Parent Institute at the Family Resource Center for families transitioning from homelessness-$10,000
Chapters Health Foundation-Community Support services, including Valor program for veterans and first-responders, for the only a nonprofit hospice and palliative care program in Monroe County-$40,000
City Year Miami-Full implementation of the Holistic Student Assessment pilot program funded in 2021 at Redlands Middle School at Redland & Homestead Middle and Homestead Senior High schools-$30,000
Coral Shores High School-Athletic Department Hardship Assistance Fund-$10,000
Cox Science Center & Aquarium(formerly South Florida Science Center & Aquarium)-Bringing the Science Passport educational program to Title 1 elementary schools in Homestead/Florida City and the Upper Keys-$25,000
DMF Employment Opportunities-Employment initiative for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities-$20,000
Domestic Abuse Shelter-Prevention programs for Upper Keys youth and training for key providers of youth services-$10,000
Family Central-Expansion of the Benefits Enrollment Program to support vulnerable families in Homestead and Florida City-$25,000
Feeding South Florida-Food delivery and distribution to six partner pantries in Homestead, Florida City and the Upper Keys-$120,000
Florida Keys Area Health Education Centers(Keys AHEC)
- In-school primary medical and dental services program in Upper Keys schools-$50,000
- One-time hardship grant due to unexpectedly being left out of State Budget-$50,000 (MATCH REQUIRED)
Florida Keys Children’s Shelter-Recreation, Life Skills and Education “Coaching” Programs-$50,000
Florida Keys Foster Adoptive Parents Association-Unfunded needs for children in foster care in the Upper Keys-$15,000
Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition-Upper Keys Child Safety Equipment and Early Childhood Education programs-$22,500
Florida Keys Outreach Coalition-Quick Assist program to prevent homelessness-$20,000
Genesis Hopeful Haven-Comprehensive life and career skills training and coaching program for youth aging out of foster care-$50,000
Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida-To bring evidence-based Girl Scout Leadership Experience to 18 underserved Homestead/Florida City neighborhoods-$10,000 (MATCH REQUIRED)
Greater Miami Youth for Christ-Teen Indigenous Leaders development and employment mentoring program at West Homestead KIX-$50,000
Greater Miami Youth Symphony-Expansion of music lessons program to additional Homestead/Florida City schools-$10,000
Guitars Over Guns Organization-Music instruction programs and mentors for at-risk Homestead/Florida City youth-$25,000
Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys-Towards building affordable housing units in two Upper Keys neighborhoods-$25,000
Health Information Project-Peer-to-peer, comprehensive Health Education Program at four Homestead High Schools and expansion to Monroe County schools-$25,000
Homestead Christian Academy-Two shade structures for playground replacement project for school serving low income, at-risk families including program for children in foster care-$39,500
ICU Baby-Comprehensive support for Upper Keys and Homestead/Florida City families with babies in NICU in Miami hospitals-$15,000
Jacobs Aquatic Center–Maintenance and safety projects at the Key Largo Community Pool-$12,000
Just Older Youth (JOY)-To expand program for senior citizens to incorporate after-school activities for teens-$10,000
Key Largo School
- AVID college readiness program, college trips and teacher training-$15,000
- Summer Recreation program for up to 300 pre-K through 5th grade students-$35,000
Kids 4 Kids USA–Red Cross Certified Water Safety Swim Program for youth with special needs-$15,000
Kids Come First in the Florida Keys–School supplies, basic and seasonal needs for disadvantaged Upper Keys youth-$7,500
Kristi House-Education and career programs for survivors of child trafficking-$26,000
Ladies Empowerment & Action Program(LEAP)-Expansion of the Incarcerated Women’s Chance for Change Initiative-$25,000
Mexican American Council-College & Career Readiness program for youth from families of farm workers at Homestead high schools-$30,000
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind-Children’s Vision Program for 800 in both service areas-$10,000
Monroe Association for ReMARCable Citizens(MARC House)–Healthy shopping, cooking and eating nutrition program for developmentally disabled adults-$10,000
MUJER-Workshops and therapy for 60+ abused children and non-offending parents-$46,976
Ocean Studies (Public) Charter School-Materials to implement Arts in Education curriculum-$6,000 (MATCH FOR TEACHER TRAINING REQUIRED)
PATCHES PPEC-Therapy equipment for rehabilitation at pediatric daycare for medically complex children-$8,535
Redlands Christian Migrants Association-Shade structure and fencing for playground at Homestead Redlands Child Development Center-$14,050
South Florida After-School All-Stars–After-school enrichment programs for 60 middle school students at two Homestead schools-$10,000
South Florida Council of Boy Scouts–Scouting expenses for disadvantaged youth in the Homestead area-$20,000
Special Olympics Florida Monroe County-Continued expansion of sports training and competitions for Upper Keys youth with intellectual disabilities-$18,000
St. Peters Community Development Corporation South Dade Veterans Alliance-Towards SDVA Women’s Initiative case management and support groups for female veterans-$10,000
St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church Child Development Center-Replacement of 15-year-old main playground structure for safety-$34,370
Star of the Sea Outreach Mission-Upper Keys Hunger Relief Program-$36,000
Start Off Smart
- Homestead Community Policing Crime Prevention Campaign for Youth & Families-$25,000
- Two Police Academy Scholarships for locals committed to serving in the Homestead Police Department-$15,000
Take Stock in Children-College scholarships (matched by the Florida Pre-Paid College Foundation) for Upper Keys youth mentoring program-$75,000
The ARC of South Florida–Roof repair and new linoleum for Florida City school for special needs children-$36,000
The Children’s Voice Chorus-To open choral program at Branches Florida City to additional children-$5,000
The College of the Florida Keys-Towards equipping the new Upper Keys Center for welding programs-$25,000
The Motivational Edge–Transition to Adulthood Program to help prepare Homestead youth aging out of foster care for independence-$10,000
The Salvation Army–Pathway to Hope social services and financial assistance program for Upper Keys residents-$7,000
Three Virtues Organization–Towards Homestead summer camp enrichment activities-$6,500
TIPS-Florida Keys Youth Basketball League-$6,000
Touching Miami with Love(West Homestead Site)
- Youth development job training program-$25,000
- Adult Literacy Empowerment program-$12,029 (MATCH REQURED)
United Way of Collier and the Keys
- Dolly Parton Imagination Library program for Upper Keys pre-school students-$4,500
- Success by Six School Readiness program for Upper Keys pre-school students-$10,600
Upper Keys Baseball Development Foundation–Towards Steady Bats baseball program serving 75 youth-$5,000
VOICES for Florida Keys Children–Children’s Welfare Program to assist families through the 16th Judicial Court Guardian Ad Litem-$9,000
Volunteers of America of Florida–Renovation for temporary housing for case management services for Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness-$27,500 (MATCH REQUIRED)
Wellspring Counseling-Homestead & Upper Keys Counseling Financial Aid Program-$20,000
YMCA of South Florida
- Homestead After-school Program scholarships-$10,000
- Key Largo Summer Camp and After-school Program scholarships-$55,000
Total 2022 Community Grants: $1,742,984
To learn more about the Community Grants program and 2022 Co-Investment Opportunities to match and complement partial grants, please email foundation@oceanreef.com.
