Page 8 - Martin Downs Bulletin - August '21

Page 8, Martin Downs

nonprofit neWs

House Of Hope Receives Keep Martin Beautiful

Community Impact Grants Welcomes Three Board
From Martin County United Members And A Return

Way To Community Cleanup

House of Hope is the recipient of three generous Activities
Community Impact grants totaling $100,000 from the
United Way of Martin County for 2021/22. The grant Keep Martin Beautiful, the local nonprofit with the
awards will help to sustain House of Hope programs that mission of preserving and enhancing the quality of life in
are vital in meeting the basic needs and life skills of Martin Martin County, has welcomed three new members to its
County residents for food and household needs as well as Board of Directors: Thomas Bankert, Rachael Delekta,
encouraging their health and employment opportunities. and Marilyn Gavitt.
The grants specifically support House of Hope’s Client Thomas Bankert is the administrative coordinator for
Choice pantries, Project HOPE (Helping Others Progress The four House of Hope Client Choice Pantries offer the Martin County Solid Waste Authority. With more
through Empowerment), and the Golden Gate Center for individuals and families an opportunity to make food than 20 years of experience in his field, Bankert knows
Enrichment programs and services. All programs and selections and also get nutritional advice. the amount of dedication and community involvement it
services of House of Hope are provided at no cost to the takes to keep Martin County clean and litter-free.
individuals and families served by the organization. and provide a base for House of Hope to provide nutrition Rachael Delekta is a model environmental volunteer,
“We are fortunate to have innovative nonprofit education for over 800 children and adults. Growing Hope spending hours of her time each week in cleaning up litter
organizations like House of Hope working tirelessly to Farm is expanding to have two hydroponic greenhouses as around Martin County. It’s Rachael’s passion as a good
respond to our community’s needs,” said United Way of well as aeroponic and in-ground growing to provide more citizen to keep Martin beautiful, and she has enlisted her
Martin County President/CEO Carol G. Houwaart-Diez. than 1,400 packages of fresh, high quality produce each week friends and business acquaintances in raising community
“Beyond the three community impact grants receiving to the Client Choice pantries and partners. awareness about the importance of litter control.
funding this year, they have also been an incredible partner Project HOPE seeks to move individuals and families Marilyn Gavitt, past coordinator at the Environmental
working with us throughout the pandemic to administer past their crisis, stabilize the households, and work with Studies Center and current volunteer there, worked for
CARES Act funds and COVID Relief funds to support our clients to develop a plan toward economic self-sufficiency the Martin County School Board as a teacher for more
most vulnerable neighbors.” that will break the cycle of poverty. Outside of COVID than 30 years. She raised her children to understand
During the COVID-19 pandemic, House of Hope reached emergency protocols, every client that enters House of Hope the importance of environmental awareness and action
new highs in the number of individuals and families who receives some level of case management to start the process. and has won stewardship awards several times for her
needed assistance. Thanks to donors and volunteers, the In addition, the case management team makes over 1,200 activities within the school district and the community.
staff distributed almost two million pounds of food within referrals a month to connect clients to programs and services “We are excited about the energy these new board
12 months. provided by a vast partner network. members will bring to Keep Martin Beautiful,” said Craig
“House of Hope has always been at the heart of meeting The Golden Gate Center for Enrichment is a hub of Ahal, president of Keep Martin Beautiful.
community needs for basics like food and household goods,” activity offering a variety of classes and programs focused A Successful Great American Cleanup
said Rob Ranieri, CEO of House of Hope. “We’ve become on the fields of health and nutrition, education, job skills and Bankert, Delekta and Gavitt join a very active organization.
very innovative in how we produce and distribute fresh job training, the arts, and family-friendly social opportunities. During the spring, hundreds of individuals, groups, families
food, educate our clients, and help them make connections Classes and programs are delivered by House of Hope staff and organizations took part in Great American Cleanup
to break their cycle of poverty. We’re grateful to United Way and volunteers and by partners and businesses that bring their activities supported by Keep Martin Beautiful, removing
for sustaining their support as we look to the challenges and expertise and knowledge to the participants. Some of the more than 1,000 pounds of litter from areas in Hobe Sound,
opportunities for the coming year.” available classes and programs include English as a Second Banner Lake and Indiantown, exotic vegetation from Rio
House of Hope operates four Client Choice pantries Language, financial literacy, computer instruction, career Nature Park; cleanup and planting events throughout East
throughout Martin County (Indiantown, Hobe Sound, coaching, smoking cessation, early learning, homework Stuart; and ongoing Adopt-a-Road activities.
Stuart, Jensen Beach). Four nutrition gardens located in helpers, and diabetes education sessions.
lower-income neighborhoods are a source of fresh produce About House Of Hope
Founded in 1984, House of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization that empowers Martin County residents to
overcome hunger and hardship. House of Hope touches
the lives of more than 7,000 people each month helping
with basic needs such as food, clothing, furniture, financial
assistance, as well as longer-term case management services
that help build life skills for a more self-sufficient future.
The organization has service centers and thrift stores in
Stuart, Hobe Sound, Indiantown, and Jensen Beach. House
of Hope’s Golden Gate Center for Enrichment in Stuart
offers free programs, technology, and workshops designed
to enhance life skills, earning potential, health, and overall
well-being.
House of Hope also operates the Growing Hope Farm
At the Grow Farm, staff and volunteers grow fresh and in Palm City and several nutrition gardens that provide
healthy produce for House of Hope clients in hydroponic sustainable sources of fresh produce for clients as well as
gardens. nutrition education and vocational opportunities to the Thomas Bankert, Marilyn Gavitt, Rachael Delekta, Tiffany
community. For more information, visit hohmartin.org or Kincaid, and Craig Ahal
call (772) 286-4673. Updates and announcements can also
be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Nonprofit News on page 9

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Mary-Beth Zipsir
Agent in Charge

O: (772) 233-4444
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It's our policy that you know yours

The historic Golden Gate building hums with activities
thanks to House of Hope staff and community partners as
they offer a wide variety of classes and courses.