Community Partners: Creating self-sustaining families

What does Community Partners of South Florida do?

Community Partners of South Florida is a housing and financial empowerment, child and family mental health, and community services to create lasting social change for generations.

How does your agency benefit the community?

Studies have shown that poverty is the single greatest threat to a child’s well-being, contributing to social, emotional and behavioral problems as well as poor health and mental health. We know it often takes more than one solution to help families overcome adversity and succeed. That’s why we target three strategic areas at once — health, housing and community — to help lift families out of adversity permanently.

When we help families up the ladder of economic mobility, ensure their mental well-being, make it possible to become homeowners, and encourage civic engagement, we’re not only changing the odds, we’re changing life’s path for future generations. And when that happens, we’re able to drive and grow our local economy for everyone’s benefit.

What is your agency’s focus for the future?

To support growth in the community, Community Partners is taking a neighborhood-by-neighborhood approach in areas where opportunities for upward economic mobility in Palm Beach County are greatest.

One example is RISE, a future Purpose Built Community in the north end neighborhood of West Palm Beach. RISE is a community-based solution focused on breaking the cycle of poverty through a model that focuses on holistic community revitalization by addressing housing, education, wellness and employment opportunities.

Community Partners is providing management services to RISE during its incubation stage through a grant from the Quantum Foundation and works closely with neighborhood residents to engage their expertise and address their needs and concerns.

How can the community help?

Community Partners has a wide variety of opportunities for individuals and groups to volunteer their time or contribute financially. Volunteer opportunities include mentoring children and youth, serving on committees and advisory groups, and helping with events. A gift to our nonprofit

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Mission Statement

Community Partners of South Florida partnersteams up with communities to change the odds for children and families facing social, emotional and financial adversity.

Key Programs

Housing and Financial Empowerment: Since 1995, Community Partners has helped more than 1,200 people realizeachieve homeownership, creating upward economic mobility and self-sustaining families and neighborhoods in the process. Th The agency provides coaching, financial counseling, purchasing guidance and first-time buyer loans are provided to offer a hand up, not a hand out,on the pathway to homeownership for the workforce in the 80%-120% of Area Median Incomes ($60,000-$90,000 household income per year) — largely housing to professionals such as teachers, nurses, firefighters, and other workers whose wages do not keep pace with the rising cost of homeownership. Additionally, we provide permanent, affordable and supportive housing in community settings where neighbors can unite in support and friendship. and we are the Palm Beach CountyWe also are the county affiliate for NeighborWorks, a national nonprofit organization that helps individuals, families and communities thrive through comprehensive approaches to affordable housing and community development.

Child and Family Mental Health Services: While a home provides stability, we know that children are the building blocks to every strong community. Children thrive in a home committed to the ideals of education, safety, mental health, love and trust. We put a strong focus on early childhood development, socioemotional well-being and positive parenting. Our team of 50 therapists specialize in treatment for trauma, depression, attention deficit disorder and anxiety and other issues affecting children and teens so they can achieve academic success and reach important goals and milestones. We’re proud that we were chosen as a mental health provider for Palm Beach County’s “Safe Schools” program that is funded as part of The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act following Parkland to implement a system of mental health care in the School District.

Community Services: The goal of our third pillar of Community Partners is community services to build strong, safe and self-sufficient communities. We cultivate trusting relationships that encourage residents to engage and advocate as stakeholders for the betterment of their lives and communities. Examples include teen outreach programs, mentoring services and after-school programs. We also operate six BRIDGES programs as part program of the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County to connect local families to community resources so more children are born healthy, remain free from abuse and neglect, are ready for kindergarten, and are on grade level by the end of third grade.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS OF SOUTH FLORIDA: 2001 W. Blue Heron Blvd., Riviera Beach, FL 33404. 561-841-3500; www.cp-cto.org