Council Update: CSC welcomes new Grassroots Awardees with Celebration, Resources

In celebration of this year’s Great Ideas Initiative awardees, Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County hosted a successful welcome and resource event in mid-October, staff told the council at its most recent meeting.

Nearly a decade ago, CSC had an ambitious goal  – to support grassroots organizations that often went overlooked during traditional funding opportunities. The Council recognized that these organizations may be small, but they were mighty. They had innovative ideas and unique relationships with communities across Palm Beach County. This allowed them to understand residents’ hopes and dreams on a deep and meaningful level.

In total, CSC has invested more than $5.1 million in 150-plus local nonprofits with operating budgets of less than $1 million. And those organizations have gone on to do amazing work, such as:

•    Build children’s self-esteem
•    Bring health and wellness to historically under-resourced communities
•    Plant countless trees all over Palm Beach County
•    Teach families financial skills
•    Expose students to arts and culture, and the wonder of the natural world
•    Share the joy of dance and movement with groups across the county
•    Empower parents with vital information to help raise healthy, safe and strong children
•    Support families raising children with unique abilities

This year’s celebration, held at CSC’s building in Boynton Beach and attended by about 70 people, included a resource table, interviews with local influencer Kitty Lundan, photo opportunities and a chance for awardees past and present to connect.

“We are proud of what past GII recipients have accomplished,” Lisa Williams-Taylor, CSC CEO, said during the event. “And we’re so excited to see what our next cohort will do!” 

In other business

Hunger Action Month: The Council proclaimed last month as Hunger Action Month to take action against food insecurity in Palm Beach County. To raise awareness, CSC shared messaging on its social media platforms, staff gathered for a group photo wearing orange and, at its monthly meeting, the board declared the month in honor of hunger action.

Nutrition-Focused Social Media Campaign: CSC’s Communications Department contracted with local content creators to share a series of back-to-school, nutrition-focused videos on social media. The videos provided families with practical tips for healthy eating, affordable meal ideas and simple ways to incorporate nutritious foods into families’ daily routines. 

Lease Space: The Council approved up to $500,000 for CSC to contract with an architectural/construction firm to build out the third-floor storage area (about 6,800 square feet of space) to make it available for commercial leasing. The approval is contingent upon staff first sharing build-out plans with the Council before proceeding with any construction. Staff estimate $200,000 in rental revenue annually once the space is updated.