Tag Archives: Communities

Art

Why join the Y? South County YMCA offers a Variety of Programs that Help Enrich our Communities

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Since its inception in 1844, the YMCA has strengthened communities all over the world through programs that develop our youth and enrich the lives of families.

Soledad, CA, June 26, 2019 — Since its inception in 1844, the YMCA has strengthened communities all over the world through programs that develop our youth and enrich the lives of families.

The South County YMCA is a charitable organization that follows that path, offering membership and programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body.

Your local Y can help you live healthier through exercise, but also by connecting you with your neighbors and creating opportunities to volunteer in your community. Membership builds a better you, but also a better us!

Why join the Y in South County? Here are more great reasons:

• A wide variety of programs for all ages at sites in Soledad, Gonzales, King City and Greenfield.

• Summer youth camp 2019 with 11 hours of fun each day for up to 11 weeks.

• Wide variety of group exercise classes, youth sports, youth programs, teen programs, child care and camps.

• No contracts, no hidden costs, no yearly maintenance fees and no enrollment fees.

• Financial assistance available so everyone has the opportunity to take advantage of the Y’s programs and services.

• Keeping kids and teens safe through after-school programs and YMCA-run sports leagues.

• Personalized support through a Y-trained wellness coach.

• Sports and group exercise classes for adults.

• Adult wellness programs in diabetes prevention, blood pressure self-monitoring and more.

South County YMCA’s office is at 560 Walker Drive, Soledad. For more information, call 831-678-1239, visit our Facebook page or online at www.centralcoastymca.org.

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.centralcoastymca.org

Art

Goodwill Central Coast Launches Donation Drives Across Three Counties on the Central Coast

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Residents of the Central Coast can make a difference in their communities, empower people to work and preserve the landscape by diverting millions of pounds from landfills by donating to Goodwill Central Coast today.

Salinas, CA, June 03, 2019 — Residents of the Central Coast can make a difference in their communities, empower people to work and preserve the landscape by diverting millions of pounds from landfills by donating to Goodwill Central Coast today.

Goodwill Central Coast is encouraging residents in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo counties to donate to their local Goodwill store or donation station. From home pick-ups to tax write- offs, Goodwill makes giving to Goodwill as easy as possible.

It’s easy to declutter when you know Goodwill will be there to accept your donations and repurpose those items that don’t “spark joy” in you, but may do so for someone else.

Retail sales from donated items allows Goodwill to continue empowering thousands of people through employment every year. Goodwill gratefully accepts everything from clothing and accessories to small household appliances and furniture, electronics, books, fine china, art and other collectibles in good or new condition.

For more information, contact Goodwill at 1-800-894-8440 or donorservicessc@ccgoodwill.org, ccgoodwill.com or facebook.com/goodwillcentralcoast.

About Goodwill Central Coast

Goodwill Central Coast, a private 501(c)3 non-profit organization, began in 1928 in the city of Santa Cruz and today has expanded into three counties: Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo. Goodwill Central Coast now employs over 600 people, including employment training professionals, sales personnel, donation center attendants, warehouse and distribution workers, and administrators. Its programs strengthen communities by improving job growth, the lives of individuals and families, and the health of our environment. Each year Goodwill assists more than 13,000 job seekers get back to work and reclaim financial and personal independence. Goodwill provides a positive learning environment that creates brighter futures through connecting people to meaningful work.

Goodwill Central Coast

1566 Moffet Street

Salinas, CA 93905

(831) 423-8611

https://www.ccgoodwill.org

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

https://www.ccgoodwill.org

Sports

Safe International™ offers a Self-Defense Certification Designed for Communities

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SAFE International™, a mobile self-defense business with certified partners in Canada, the US, and Australia, is offering a Self-Defense Certification for all interested individuals looking to not only improve their safety, but also bring the self-protection process to their communities.

Lunenburg, ON, April 10, 2016 – SAFE International™, a mobile self-defense business with certified partners in Canada, the US, and Australia, is offering a Self-Defense Certification for all interested individuals looking to not only improve their safety, but also bring the self-protection process to their communities. Unlike other Self-Defense Certifications, SAFE’s is designed to translate the self-defense process into an easy to apply business prospect for interested applicants.

“Our mission at SAFE International™ is to teach real self-defense skills to as many women, children, and men as possible,” said Chris Roberts, Founder and Owner of SAFE International™. “By creating a Self-Defense Certification that breaks down the crucial components of self-awareness and harnessed protection in an easy to grasp way, we are hoping participants bring their newfound knowledge back to their respective communities – and even pursue it as a business venture.”

SAFE’s certification helps entrepreneurs, inspired business owners, and regular people who have always wanted to operate their own business understand the self-defense principles while transforming it into a profitable and meaningful business.

“By the end of the Self-Defense Certification, all participants will be officially equipped as a SAFE International™ Certified Partner to not only protect their own lives, but the lives of people around them,” said Roberts. “Everyone wants to feel safer, especially in today’s world that is sadly filled with unexpected violence. We are encouraging any blossoming entrepreneurs out there to pursue our certification and establish an important business for all community members to associate with.”

Founded in 1994, SAFE International™ has been providing their practical and real-world knowledge of self-defense to participants and community members worldwide for over two decades.

For more information, or to signup with SAFE International’s immensely beneficial Self-Defense Certification today, visit: http://www.safeinternational.biz/self-defense-instructor-certification.html

Contact:
Chris Roberts
SAFE International™
15535 Cooper Rd.
Lunenburg, ON
Canada K0C 1R0
1 800 465-5972
info@safeinternational.biz
http://www.safeinternational.biz

Education

Communities in Schools Pennsylvania Announces Continued Improvement Graduation Rates

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Every 26 seconds, a young person in America drops out of school. When students drop out, they are more likely to end up in poverty, suffer poor health, be dependent on social services, and enter the criminal justice system

Harrisburg, PA, May 16, 2014 – As kids around the country are graduating, Communities In Schools of Pennsylvania – part of the nation’s largest and most effective organization dedicated to keeping kids in school and helping them succeed in life – today released a report demonstrating the organization’s impact on dropout rates, highlighted by local success stories. The report was released as part of a national public awareness campaign featuring young people from around the country who have graduated from high school as a result of their involvement with Communities In Schools.

“The work we do has changed the lives of thousands of Pennsylvanians, and we look forward to continuing our services and empowering students to stay in school. said Ryan Riley, President of Communities In Schools Pennsylvania, in the new report, entitled Changing the Picture of Education in Pennsylvania. “Our staff has the talent and past success to positively change the future for even more students across the Commonwealth.”

Every 26 seconds, a young person in America drops out of school. When students drop out, they are more likely to end up in poverty, suffer poor health, be dependent on social services, enter the criminal justice system and cost the U.S. billions of dollars each year in lost revenue and increased spending on government assistance programs. To change the picture in Pennsylvania, Communities In Schools is serving nearly 39,000 students in 58 schools this year, working hand in hand with districts, communities, partner organizations and families to surround students with a strong network of support.

According to the new report, Communities In Schools Pennsylvania achieved the following during the 2012-13 school year:

• 5 elementary schools, 12 middle schools and 41 high schools were served.
• Approximately 39,000 students were served by Communities In Schools Pennsylvania; 33,489 of students received Level One supports (school-wide prevention services) and 4,662 of students received Level Two supports (targeted and sustained interventions).
• 69% percent of seniors receiving targeted and sustained interventions (and for whom data were available) graduated.
• 75% percent of the students in grades K-11 who received targeted and sustained interventions (and for whom data were available) were promoted to the next grade.

“When I look at the state of education today and what it takes to serve the whole child—Communities in Schools is providing the solutions our schools, students and communities need” said C. Russell Mayo, Ed.D., Allentown School District Superintendent.

To raise awareness about Communities In Schools, a public awareness campaign is running nationwide, featuring short videos by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Errol Morris and photos by renowned photographer David Harriman. These videos and images are online at communitiesinschools.org.

Communities In Schools Pennsylvania is part of the national Communities In Schools network, which operates in more than 2,200 schools in the most challenged communities of 26 states and the District of Columbia. Working closely with school districts and partner organizations, Communities In Schools serves 1.3 million young people and their families each year. Based directly inside schools throughout the country, Communities In Schools connects students and their families to basic and critical educational and community-based resources, tailored to each student’s specific needs. Learn more about Communities In Schools Pennsylvania at www.cis-pa.org.

Changing the Picture of Education in Pennsylvania is one of more than two dozen Communities In Schools reports being released around the country today in time for graduations.

ATTENTION JOURNALISTS: For a full copy of the Communities In Schools Spring 2014 Report: Changing the Picture of Education in Pennsylvania, or to arrange interviews with local spokespersons, please contact: Ryan Riley, 610-800-8863/717-233-4330/Ryan@NoMoreDropouts.org. B-Roll is also available upon request.

Contact:
Ryan Riley
Communities in Schools of Pennsylvania
2101 North Front Street
Building 1, Suite 100
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-233-4330
SMICommunications@earthlink.net
http://cis-pa.org/

Business, Energy

FPL Installs New Poles to Strengthen Electric Grid and Help Communities Prepare for Hurricane Season

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“FPL takes hurricane season very seriously and we prepare for it year-round,” says Keith Hardy, FPL’s vice president of Distribution.

Juno Beach, FL (June 22, 2012) — From Sarasota to Stuart, Miami to Merritt Island, drivers may not think much about the orange signs seen along Florida roadways warning of utility work ahead. However, if a hurricane strikes in the coming months, this seemingly insignificant work could help Florida Power & Light Company better serve its customers in these communities.

“FPL takes hurricane season very seriously and we prepare for it year-round,” says Keith Hardy, FPL’s vice president of Distribution. “We are investing $200 million this year to strengthen our electric grid, replace poles and improve reliable service. This is one of the ways we help prepare the communities we serve.”

Following the unprecedented hurricane seasons of 2004-2005, FPL, under the guidance of the Florida Public Service Commission, embarked on a long-term infrastructure strengthening effort to help communities better respond to severe weather. The work improves FPL’s service reliability throughout the year, but Hardy says its greatest value lies in its potential to help the utility restore power to customers faster after a storm strikes.

“We work closely with the governments, customers and first responders in the 35 counties we serve to identify critical infrastructure – facilities like hospitals, 911 centers, police and fire stations – places that provide for the health and safety of the public,” says Hardy. “We worked to improve the infrastructure around these facilities first, as we know they provide essential services to our communities.”

Since 2006, FPL has strengthened the electric grid serving many of the top critical facilities in the state, and is now expanding its efforts to include important thoroughfares – along with grocery stores, pharmacies and service stations – that can help communities return to “normalcy” faster. In these areas, FPL reinforces existing utility poles with stronger wood or concrete poles, some of which stand 55-feet tall and weigh more than 8,000 pounds. Stronger poles are expected to improve restoration time as setting new poles takes much more time than replacing downed wires.

”We have 280 residents and patients – and that’s a lot of lives to be responsible for,” says Carmen Shell, director of the Morse Geriatric Center in West Palm Beach, one of the critical care facilities FPL services. “Restoring power rapidly is the best thing that can happen because not everything works on a generator.”

Hardy reminds customers that hurricanes are devastating forces of nature, and that in a serious storm there will be power outages, which could be lengthy. He encourages customers to develop plans accordingly.

“While no utility can be storm-proof,” says Hardy, “FPL’s ongoing investments in line strengthening and storm readiness are designed to help limit the impact of storms on the electric system and enable the utility to restore service to customers faster when outages do occur.”

Media Contact:
FPL Media Line
Florida Power & Light Company
700 Universe Blvd.
Juno Beach, FL 33408
305-552-3888
amelia.gomez@rbbpr.com
http://www.fpl.com

Business

TCG Receives Prestigious Awards at the Fourth Annual Florida Communities of Excellence Ceremony

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MIAMI – Apr. 12, 2012 – The Continental Group (TCG), a FirstService Residential Management company, received numerous recognitions at the Fourth Annual Florida Communities of Excellence Awards hosted on Friday, March 30, 2012 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Conference Center in Hollywood, Florida.

 

Sponsored by the Florida Community Association Journal, the awards recognize communities from across the state that are setting the standards in meeting today’s communities’ challenges and for outstanding achievements that benefit residents, enhance property values and contribute to the quality of life in Florida. A panel of independent experts, including representatives of leading state and local government departments and agencies, judged the awards. With 10 award categories, winners were chosen from both smaller communities (fewer than 400 units) as well as larger communities.

 

The 2012 “Managers of Excellence” Award included TCG Community Association Managers, Kathy Jean Pinchuk of Valencia Shores in Lake Worth and Kristoffer Schaeffer of Solaire at the Plaza in Orlando, who were inducted during the Florida Communities of Excellence Conference & Awards Ceremony, which honored a total of seven of the state’s outstanding Community Association Managers. The managers were chosen based on the cumulative performance of their associations.

The Carbonell Condominium in Brickell Key won in the small communities’ category for “Energy & Water Conservation (Non-Landscaping)” for its sustainable practices and resource conversation programs. Other TCG managed properties recognized were Edgewater Condominium of Broward County in Coral Springs and Anclote Point Town Home in Tarpon Springs, which both won in the small communities’ category “The Comeback Kid.” This award presented by BB&T Association Services recognizes communities whose boards and managers have developed and implemented successful turnaround programs by revitalizing distressed properties.

 

“The Continental Group strives to bring the industry’s top professionals and finest resources together to deliver exactly what our associations and residents need to thrive,” said Tim O’Keefe, President of TCG.  “We are proud of the TCG communities and professional staff that were recognized in the different categories of the Communities of Excellence Awards.”

 

The Continental Group was also a Diamond-level sponsor of the awards program joined by other sponsors who have business interests dedicated to the servicing the needs of residents of condominiums and homeowner associations.

About The Florida Communities of Excellence Awards

The Florida Communities of Excellence Awards is a unique recognition program that shines a spotlight on the positive and productive initiatives taking place in condominiums, homeowners associations and cooperatives across Florida. Now in its fourth year, the independently judged program enables the top communities in the state to promote their accomplishments and raise their profiles while documenting their success and enabling others to learn from their examples. For more information, please visit communitiesofexcellence.net

About The Continental Group, Inc.

Founded in 1990, The Continental Group’s corporate headquarters is located in Hollywood, FL.

It also has regional offices in Boca Raton, Miami, West Palm Beach, Wellington, Vero Beach, Orlando, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Jacksonville and Destin. The company is the largest manager of condominium and homeowner associations in the state, and one of South Florida’s leading private sector employers.

 

Today, The Continental Group manages and maintains 1,500 Associations and more than 310,000 residential units. As the leading community association management company in Florida, Continental pioneered many of the practices widely utilized throughout the industry today.

 

The Continental Group is a subsidiary of FirstService Residential Management (FSR). FSR is the largest manager of residential communities in North America, overseeing more than 5,600 properties and over 1.3 million residential units.  FSR is a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation (NASDAQ: FSRV, TSX: FSV), a global leader in the rapidly growing real estate services sector, providing a variety of services in commercial real estate, residential property management and property services. More information about FirstService is available at firstservice.com.

 

To learn more about The Continental Group, call (954) 925-8200, toll-free: (800) 215-2316 or visit tcgmgt.com.