I am proud to introduce the inaugural Charity Chat column! Each month will have a theme, a focus, and corresponding volunteer opportunities so you can get involved in our community. When Publisher Pamela Bradford Williams asked me if I was interested in writing this column, I was both humbled and excited.
As a Jacksonville native who has worked and volunteered in our local nonprofit community for nearly 25 years, I have extensive knowledge regarding philanthropy and the impressive collaboration between our many nonprofit agencies to serve those most in need.
Having lived in the San Jose area for many years, I’ve been an avid reader of Resident News since its inception 18 years ago, and I believe it’s the ideal platform for this meaningful column. In a serendipitous turn of events, the news group has just released Volume 10 of Circles – Social Datebook & Charity Register, North Florida’s only charitable giving magazine, which is now circulating its tenth anniversary edition throughout the city.
So, here we go! I hope you enjoy it and I would love your feedback. Please write to me at [email protected] with your thoughts and ideas.
February: Love and Kindness
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, our theme this month is Community, Support and Compassion. By caring for our neighbors in need with a compassionate heart, we can provide each other with support and kindness. This month, our two focus areas are mental health and domestic violence.
Mental Health
The Golden Rule tells us to “love your neighbor as yourself.” To be able to give love to others, you first need to look internally at how you treat yourself. Practicing self-care has become more popular in recent years but it can often be difficult to address topics of mental health. Nearly one in five people in the U.S. live with a mental illness, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, despite being widespread, there can still be a stigma against mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, which makes asking for help a challenge.Through Mental Health Matters, an initiative launched by Mayor Donna Deegan, the City of Jacksonville has partnered with Talkable Communities to offer Duval County residents Mental Health First Aid courses completely free of charge. This is an internationally recognized program that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health challenges. Registration for these courses is available online.
The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) has a local office in Jacksonville led by Executive Director Suzanne Mailloux. It offers free support groups in safe environments for those with mental health disorders, their families, caregivers and friends in Northeast Florida. Another NAMI resource is its non-emergency helpline.
Volunteers are welcome to join the Northeast Florida Mental Health Advocacy Group to help improve mental health legislation. If you feel you don’t know how to be an advocate, it also offers training. Other ways to volunteer include facilitating a connection to recovery support group for peers or for families, sharing your story, and answering helpline calls. Donations help provide support and advocacy for anyone affected by mental health conditions.
Hearts4Minds is a local nonprofit that grew from one family’s tragic loss. After the death of their son Alex in 2017, who suffered an overdose while struggling with depression and anxiety, Sheryl and Todd Johnson founded the nonprofit organization to break down the stigma associated with mental illness. A simple way to show your support is to purchase and wear a dragonfly pin, which is a symbol of hope, help and healing. A portion of sales is a donation. The organization also sells clothing, blankets, water bottles and sticky notes to write Messages with Heart and leave around the neighborhood as positive reminders that no one is alone.
Hearts4Minds provides a resource database of therapists, support groups and more searchable by zip code called H4M Connect.
In emergency situations, there is 24/7 help. For anyone personally facing a crisis, or if you are concerned about a loved one, call or text 988 Lifeline to be connected to trained crisis counselors at United Way of Northeast Florida.
Domestic Violence
Another focus in promoting love this month is addressing domestic violence. Every second, three people in the U.S. become a victim of domestic violence, which means each year, more than 10 million Americans experience domestic abuse. Types of domestic violence include coercive control, psychological and/or emotional abuse, physical or sexual abuse, financial or economic abuse, harassment, stalking and online or digital abuse.
Hubbard House is a full-service certified domestic violence center serving Duval and Baker counties. Led by CEO Gail Patin, Hubbard House’s core services include an emergency shelter, an outreach center, and a 24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline.
Hubbard House is the only local domestic violence shelter and relies on community donations. Give online to support basic but critical needs such as food for residents, cleaning supplies and staff support.
An easy way to volunteer for Hubbard House is by helping in its thrift store, You can also raise awareness at community events. Volunteering directly with survivors and their children requires 30 hours of training. This includes answering crisis calls and developing activities for children living in shelters.
Survivors of sexual abuse can find support and hope at the Women’s Center of Jacksonville. WCJ serves Duval, Nassau and Baker counties, providing full wrap-around care including immediate emotional support, sexual assault forensic exams, and explaining a survivor’s rights and options, whether or not they choose to report to law enforcement. Executive Director Teresa Miles and her team provide rape recovery, counseling and support, community education, prevention programs and support groups.
To keep all these services free for survivors, community donations are vital. Consider giving online. Volunteers are also key. Interact directly with survivors through trained volunteer roles such as on-call hotline advocate and rape recovery team assistant. The organization can also use help with administrative and marketing tasks as well as outreach. Visit the WCJ website to learn more.
Thank you for strengthening our community through your support and compassion.
Inspired to get involved or give back? Do you or someone you know require any of the services mentioned in this month’s column? Here is a full rundown of the contact information of the organizations we discussed:
Hearts 4 Minds
hearts4minds.org
H4M Connect: h4mconnect.org
Hubbard House
www.hubbardhouse.org
24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline:
904-354-3114, text 904-210-3698
Hubbard House Thrift Store:
6629 Beach Blvd.
Mental Health Matters
talkablecommunities.org/coj
National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) Jacksonville
www.namijax.org
NAMI Non-Emergency Helpline:
904-323-4723 or [email protected]
Women’s Center of Jacksonville
thewcj.org
24-hour Rape Crisis Hotline:
904-721-7273
988 Lifeline
988lifeline.org
