Hello Mike,

On behalf of every heart and family connected to Community-Based Connections, Inc., we invite you to our 3rd annual, Green Blazer Awards Gala.

As one of the fastest-growing non-profits in Broward County, CBCI is committed to providing our youth with the resources, skills, and support they need to thrive as adults.

Through our Early Achievers and Young Believers programs, students receive in-school, after-school, and summer instruction complete with field trips, evidence-based learning, and STEM education. Additionally, through our Markham Health and Resource Hub - funded by the Community Foundation of Broward - CBCI brings together organizations, government agencies, and corporations to meet the needs of at-risk families and community members of Markham Elementary. 

We know we can't do this work alone and want to honor those who've labored alongside us. 

On Saturday, December 2nd, at 6 p.m., we will host our flagship fundraiser at Colony West Golf Club in Tamarac. A black-tie event, complete with live entertainment and a three-course meal, we will not only recognize the efforts of our honorees to improve the community - but present them with the coveted CBCI Green Blazer. 

This year's honorees include Dr. Latori Fulton, Principal of Deerfield Beach Middle School, Sheri Brown Grosvenor, Director of Community Impact at Community Foundation of Broward, and Maria Hernandez, Chief Program Officer at the United Way of Broward.

To view our sponsorship deck and learn more about the life-changing programming and services we provide, click here. Tickets, tables, and sponsorship packages for this year's 'Green Blazer Gala are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking the button below.

I look forward to seeing you in December and working with you in the future as we continue the heart work of servicing Broward County's most vulnerable populations.

In Service,

Mike Olbel

Chief Executive Officer 

Community-Based Connections, Inc.

If you missed last year's Green Blazer Gala, check out the recap below!

On Saturday, August 5th, from 9 AM to 12 PM at Markham Elementary, Community-Based Connections, Inc., the Community Foundation of Broward, and over 20 community partners and vendors came together for the school's "Back to School Kickoff!" 

More than a book bag and school supply giveaway - Markham's "Back to School Kickoff" included a backpack and school supply distribution, raffle drawings for free grills, health checkups, school & bus registration, access and introduction to social services, games, sweet treats and giveaways for the children along with a food distribution and music. 

By the end of the event:

• 195 families participated in our event and received boxes of food
• 90 of those families were able to walk away with gas grills
• Over 500 children received book bags, socks, physicals, vision screenings, blood pressure and glucose checks, hotdogs, hamburgers, and more!

Community Foundation of Broward, Markham Elementary, iSee Group, Children's Services Council of Broward County, Broward College, Broward Community Family and Health Centers, Inc., Broward Health, The Housing Authority of Pompano Beach, City of Pompano Beach, Hands on Broward, Deerfield Beach Housing Authority, RNWL Church, Broward County Public Schools, F.A.C.E., Humana, Pompano Beach Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale, Goodman Jewish Family Services, HCA, iThink Financial, Department of Health, UNSC Cares Foundation, Pompano Strong BEHS, NSU Florida, Feeding South Florida, Spirit Charitable Foundation and Homeless Hearts

If you missed this year's kickoff, click below to view our video recap.

After a successful back-to-school kickoff, over 25 employees from HCA Florida Northwest Hospital, met us back at Markham Elementary for a school-wide cleanup! Not only did they help spruce up the school, they brought school supplies and $800 in gift cards for teachers to get additional supplies!

When we say we’re expanding the options that change the odds -

this is what that looks like to us.

THANK YOU to every HCA employee who helped plan this cleanup and who volunteered their time. Together, we are ensuring the students of Markham are positioned to make this school year the BEST school year!

The Results Are In...

To learn more about this program, contact Program Manager

Maxine Brivitte, mbrivitte@

communitybasedconnections.com

Before the start of school, CBCI provided breakfast for over 115 teachers and staff at Deerfield Beach Middle School. Arlene Connelly, CEO of ISEE Group, LLC, delivered a motivating back-to-school message to help us kick off recruitment efforts for our Young Believers program.

Our Young Believers program supports up to 100 at-risk 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students at Deerfield Beach Middle School at risk of academic underperformance. Students enrolled in the program receive:

•  School day, after-school, summer, and enhanced parent involvement activities
•  One year of STEM enrichment, character development, and access to extracurricular activities, as well as 
• Supportive services that target satisfactory classroom performance

If you'd like to learn more about this program and how you can support our work, contact Program Manager Ashlee Townsend-Nibbs, at [email protected]

The Young Believers Program is sponsored by Children's Services Council 

of Broward County.

After years of abuse and being strangled almost to death, Shaunte Robinson left Kentucky to start a new life in Florida.

The mother, pregnant at the time with her 7th child, feared if she did not leave this time - there might not be a next time. Packing up as much as she could, leaving friends and family behind, she left for Florida with her five youngest children. She found shelter with a friend of a friend, but as the adage says, “When it rains, it pours."

Despite helping with the friend's rent, they were evicted because the friend had not been paying the rent.

Due to Shaunte's stress, she went into labor and had her baby prematurely. Unable to find respite with friends in Florida, devoid of family support, and turned away by local shelters that were at capacity, the mother of seven became homeless. 

CLICK THE READ MORE BUTTON TO LEARN HOW CBCI WORKED WITH SHAUNTE TO CREATE A PATHWAY TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY!

Fathers enrolled in the A.D.A.M. (Awesome Dads, Awesome Men) Fatherhood Mentorship program hit the open seas with their sons in July for a good old-fashioned fishing trip!

Did you know that, according to the National Fatherhood Initiative, children who have active fathers are less likely to experience teen pregnancy, substance abuse, juvenile incarceration, or commit suicide?

We believe in giving children every opportunity to thrive. Through our A.D.A.M. program, we provide fathers with the parental resources, support, and encouragement to be awesome dads and men who raise happy and healthy children.

If you're as passionate about fatherhood involvement as we are and want to adopt this program or become a sponsor, please get in touch with Amber Vaughan, our Director of Community Engagement, at [email protected]

It takes a village to ensure that our children are happy and healthy. Please take advantage of your opportunity to help strengthen our village by planting a seed to secure the success of our future!

The A.D.A.M fatherhood Mentorship program is sponsored by the Jim Moran Foundation.

As you can see, the staff at CBCI have been extremely busy serving and empowering at-risk children and families in Broward County, and with your help - we can do even more. There are lots of ways that you can support the work that we do here by sponsoring a program, family, child, or our expansion as we work to establish a satellite location to better serve the community.

For more information on how you can support the heart work we do in touching over 500 families on a daily basis, contact our Director of Community Engagement, Amber Vaughan by email, [email protected] or phone at (754) 275 - 8038.

Together, we can create the change we hope to see in the world. Until next time, take care of yourself and each other.

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