Coronavirus: Community foundation, funding groups 'lock elbows' to aid hard-hit nonprofits

Charitable groups working on the Treasure Coast led by the Community Foundation Martin-St. Lucie are "locking elbows" to provide assistance to nonprofit groups hit hard by the coronavirus.

So far, two consortiums of public and private funding organizations — one in Martin County and one in St. Lucie County — have committed to give about $675,000, said Elizabeth Barbella, the community foundation executive director.

That breaks down into:

• Martin County: about $375,000 to 14 nonprofits
• St. Lucie County: about $300,000 to 17 nonprofits

"What I'm really proud of is that we've locked elbows and formed a unified front," Barbella said. "It's powerful to see these resources to come together like this. And we've been able to do it quickly."

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For instance, New Horizons of the Treasure Coast, a nonprofit providing mental health and counseling services in  in Martin, Indian River, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties, received an $8,000 grant from the foundation and another $8,000 from the Children's Services Council of St. Lucie County, a consortium member.

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The agency had an influx of new patients who normally would have gone to a hospital emergency room but couldn't because hospitals are focused on COVID-19 patients, Barbella said.

"We had to make sure the people we serve continued to get care," said George Shopland, New Horizons president and CEO. "They're under a lot of stress from the combination of social isolation and the fear of the pandemic. A lot of our work with clients had to go from face-to-face to online."

To serve their 10,000 outpatient clients, the agency used the grant money to buy laptops and iPads, Shopland said.

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The consortiums meet via conference calls every Wednesday to discuss how to handle grant applications.

"Many groups may not get 100% of what they ask for," Barbella said, "but we work really hard to get them what they need to keep going. Our priority is to reach the most vulnerable citizens, but each funding group has its own special interests."

More: Track coronavirus locally, nationally on TCPalm's interactive map

For information or to contribute:

• Go to: tcfmsl.org
• Call: 772-288-3795

Tyler Treadway is an environment reporter who specializes in issues facing the Indian River Lagoon. Support his work on TCPalm.com.  Contact him at 772-221-4219 and tyler.treadway@tcpalm.com.

Martin and St. Lucie County consortium members:

• The Community Foundation Martin - St. Lucie
• Cleveland Clinic - Martin Health
• Mariner Sands Charity Week
• United Way of Martin County
• Children’s Services Council - Martin County
• Lost Tree Foundation
• Sailfish Point Foundation
• Impact 100 Martin
• Hobe Sound Community Chest
• Bank of America
• Allegany Franciscan Ministries
• Impact 100 St. Lucie
• United Way of St. Lucie County
• Children’s Services Council-St. Lucie County