- November 27, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
The following is adapted from a Flagler Volunteer Services press release.
Flagler Volunteer Services will use funding from a grant to create a BEST Neighborhood Program in the R-section, of Palm Coast.
The BEST program, which stands for Build-Engage-Sustain-Transform, is based on neighboring, a concept of community engagement that uses volunteering as a tool to empower, mobilize and facilitate positive changes within communities.
The BEST Neighborhoods program recognizes that every resident in a community has something to offer that can help a neighbor. By reaching out to marginalized populations, these BEST programs lift up citizens and communities through their volunteer engagement in getting together and rolling up their sleeves to meet local needs.
This area has a high number of low-income households, a high unemployment rate, and public safety issues at one of the local parks, as well as many students who are struggling in school.
Flagler Volunteer Services has more than 10 years of experience in overseeing federal and other grant funding to conduct and manage volunteer-driven programs in Flagler County. The agency provides volunteer support to more than 60 nonprofit organizations and government agencies in the area.
Executive Director Suzy Rutherford stated: “Through the BEST Neighborhood Program we will utilize the strong relationships that we have in place with the Flagler County School District and Rymfire Elementary School, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and the Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis Club and K-Kids program at Rymfire, as well as reach out to the family members of the children we already serve in that area through our I Can Read and Giving Store programs.
"This wide base of resources will allow us to touch potential volunteers of all ages, many that have never been asked to serve as volunteers before, through community conversations, which will help residents to identify community challenges and plan to work together in developing solutions that directly align with these challenges.”
Best of all, Rutherford said, residents themselves will identify the needs to be addressed.
The first community conversation will be 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, in the Cafeteria at Rymfire Elementary School, 1425 Rymfire Drive. All community residents in the area are welcome to attend. Access is through the east back entrance to the cafeteria.
For more information, call Jean MacAllister, BEST Neighborhood program coordinator, at 597-2950.
