Non-Profit News

Here is an organization I have worked with during my undergraduate degree: D.O.C. (Disciples of Christ) Missions is an umbrella service group that works alongside and for all other ministry and service related clubs on-campus. They hope to become a nonprofit organization and start a real-world position in the nonprofit market.

Lakeland, FL (February 26, 2008) – Talbot House Ministries, run on an estimated 1.6 million dollar budget, gives a lot to the destitute in Polk County. But according to Anthony Fusaro, Director of Development for the Talbot House, the poor aren’t the only ones benefiting from its programs.

The Talbot House boasts of being the most comprehensive care center for the poor in this region. With several programs running simultaneously, the employees and volunteers of this nonprofit are determined to make sure it is effective.

Started in 1979 as a soup kitchen, the Talbot House was located in an old wooden building on Massachusetts Avenue in Lakeland, FL. After two years, the program became a night shelter, offering 48 beds.

“The program began to expand; a part-time psychologist started the resident renewal program. Then a couple nurses started the free medical clinic.” said Fusaro, 70, on February 26, 2008.

In all, 16 residential beds were offered for members of the resident renewal program, which attempted to bring the residents to full independence by the end of their eighteen month stay. The free clinic occurred each Saturday morning, offering health care to those who could not pay for it.

The Talbot House programs expanded so much, Fusaro explained, that the main room came to be used for everything, including a cafeteria, office, Saturday clinic, and nightly bunk room.

“That went on for about ten years. And when we moved here [814 N. Kentucky Ave], everything expanded again.” said Fusaro.

The Talbot House now has 160 beds, although sometimes the program still uses the main room to house overflow guests. Fusaro estimated that their shelter sometimes gives a shower, fresh clothes, two meals, and a bed to over 200 guests. In addition to the night shelter, the residential renewal program now maintains 60-70 inhabitants at any given time.

“We now serve about 500-600 meals a day. In the community, we send out over 40,000 meals a year to the poor.” said Fusaro.

In addition to the night shelter, residential renewal program, and community meals, the Talbot House also maintains its free clinic five times a week. Fusaro estimated that over 20,000 medications are administered a year through the free clinic.

“No other shelter near here has a medical clinic. It serves an element of the population that no one else does; the homeless. That alone makes our organization much more comprehensive.” said Fusaro.

Several other programs are offered at the Talbot House, from GED or college preparation to music lessons, led by Fusaro himself.

Aside from all the beneficial programs, what makes the Talbot House unique? And who other than the poor benefit from its programs?

“We are the only shelter with a big back yard; our daytime safe haven program provides care for the homeless.” said Fusaro. He noted that this has been good for businesses in the downtown area.

In addition to local businessmen, Fusaro estimates that 70 local churches benefit from the Talbot House.

“We remind churches that we are an extension of their ministry. All Christian churches are supposed to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and heal the sick. They can’t afford to do it all on their own; they do it through assisting us.” said Fusaro.

But with so many extensive programs, what is it exactly that the Talbot House does?

In answer, Fusaro returns to the primary mission of the Talbot House.

“Our main mission was, and still is, to be a homeless shelter. We are here to address the needs of the whole person; not just the physical needs, but the spiritual needs, the limitations, and the aspirations. We are the only shelter I know of that addresses all of these.” Fusaro said.

To read more about the Talbot House, visit Talbothouse.net.

Just found a site listing local help with all the necessary contact info.

This is a good starter list for services offered through the United Way. I’m excited to see all these resources for Polk County residents and can’t wait to research some of these sites further. Especially exciting is that several nonprofits I have already worked with are listed!

Check out Wendy’s site at:

http://wendyusuallywanders.wordpress.com/lakeland-florida-help-with-money-housing-health-food-etc/

Tomorrow I will interview Anthony Fusaro, Director of Development for the Talbot House in Lakeland, FL. As you already know, I have been working alongside Fusaro for several weeks on this nonprofit’s biggest fundraise, the “Have a Heart for the Homeless” concert.

 Already familiar with some of Fusaro’s work, I am interested to see a more in-depth take on his nonprofit work: how does he ensure the Talbot House is funded, staffed, and above all, effective?

This just in: another nonprofit news site! It seems that Ashley is discovering some success secrets of her own.

 I’m excited to see where this nonprofit-teer goes!

 Check her out at: http://www.betweendreamsmag.com/nonprofits/

Working at the Talbot House today, I was reminded of another public relations necessity: a target audience.

 The Talbot House, while promoting its “Have a Heart for the Homeless” concert, is attempting to define their own target audience. They have already advertised to the community through newspaper coverage and community posters, but are now targeting specific subgroups in the community. Anthony Fusaro is heading up the efforts; targeting audiences for a musical variety concert being housed at a local church.

Some examples of our targeted subgroups: today I spent some time contacting retirement communities to let them in on this upcoming event. Fusaro has also spent significant time alerting area churches. I believe even in this case, where a broad audience must be appealed to, there are still specific ways to appeal to each audience.

Fusaro and the Talbot House team are trying to appeal to each audience in their own way: bulletin inserts for churches, posters and phone calls for retirement communities. A personal touch is necessary for these subgroups, so Fusaro’s influence in the community has become increasingly important in the promotion efforts.

With my background in public relations, I hope to define and advertise to target audiences for my organization with a high level of efficiency. I am also noting the importance of a community relationship in Fusaro’s promotions and hope to offer that to my organization as well.

 As part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Polk County chapter has done its fair share of emergency relief. From the 2004 hurricane season to recent house fires, this nonprofit organization is out to make a difference with its donated dollars. Phil Attinger, Director of Public Relations, attributes the chapter’s success to volunteers, frugality and not surprisingly, press releases. 

“The Red Cross, on its most basic level, is here to help people in their community with whatever disaster they experience.” Said Attinger, 37. He worked as a volunteer with the American Red Cross for several years, then joined as an employee in June of 2006.

Offering disaster relief, health and safety training, armed forces communication, and international social services, the American Red Cross has broad goals. But in the midst of its numerous programs, the Red Cross has certainly pinpointed its purpose.

“When volunteers created the American Red Cross, their intention was not to be a successful nonprofit organization. Their intention was just to be there. It’s our job to provide aid in a situation when people feel helpless.” said Attinger.

Disaster services in the American Red Cross provide immediate food, water, shelter, and clothing for victims. Health and safety services include classes in CPR, first aid, HIV-AIDS awareness, and other life-saving abilities. Through their links in the armed forces, the Red Cross is able to convey emergency messages to and from troops worldwide. Finally, as part of the International Red Cross Movement, the Red Cross is dedicated to protecting and aiding victims of war and violence worldwide.

As an individual chapter in the Red Cross network, Polk County has stayed busy. From July 2006-June 2007, the Polk County American Red Cross responded to 166 local disasters in Polk and Highlands County, including 154 house fires, according to their website. Their chapter also offered 1,350 lifesaving skills classes, as well as provided emergency contact for 386 families.

With such extensive programming and events, the American Red Cross is a commendable organization. And according to Attinger, their success is no accident.

Attinger emphasizes volunteer involvement as the most significant success factor in this nonprofit organization: the Red Cross in Polk County has approximately 630 volunteers. According to their website, this large volunteer core makes up 97% of their workforce.

“We are a volunteer organization. That’s the only way we can do what we do.” said Attinger.

In addition to volunteer involvement, Attinger lists media coverage as a step to non-profit success.

Finally, Attinger hints at frugality as a source for success for Polk County’s Red Cross. Rather than receive government funding, the American Red Cross is financed entirely through donations. Even the forty percent of funding received from United Way is sponsored through private donations, according to Attinger. However, even with community generosity, Attinger acknowledges that thriftiness is important for nonprofits.

“We pool all the resources we have, and then we stretch them. That’s one big thing that has made the Red Cross a success.” said Attinger.  

For more information on the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter, follow the link to polkcountyfl.redcross.org.

I will soon be posting my second feature, and my, how much I learned!

 The American Red Cross Polk County Chapter has certainly kept busy! They have been involved in various forms of disaster relief over the past year. I was very interested to learn how one individual chapter of such a large organization is funded, manned, and promoted.

Phil Attinger, Director of Public Relations at the Polk County Chapter, was just the man to tell me about it.

This book by Shane Claiborne, one of the founders of The Simple Way, is taking nonprofit work to a new level. The Simple Way is a monastic community that takes a grassroots stand on changing their Philadelphia community.

 Claiborne’s book titled “The Irresistible Revolution” changed the way I view nonprofit work. His desire to change the hearts of people, rather than just their economic situation, called me to a higher level of service.

I recommend this book for all faith-based nonprofit workers reaching for a higher purpose in their work. Let me warn you though: this book targets those willing to reach the dregs of society.

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical

The American Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters each year, including home fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, and more. When disaster strikes, there are sometimes thousands of victims needing assistance. This non-profit organization has not only me, but all of America impressed.

I am currently communicating with Phil Attinger, the Public Relations representative for the American Red Cross in Winterhaven, Fl.  I hope to interview him over the next few days to discover exactly how Red Cross is funded, staffed, and managed.