DERFIELD BEACH — In honor of what would have been automotive pioneer and philanthropist Jim Moran’s 93rd birthday, The Jim Moran Foundation awarded a grant of $93,000 to the Fort Lauderdale-based Intercoastal division of the Children’s Home Society (CHS) of Florida
A second grant for the same amount went to the Jacksonville-based Buckner division of the society.
The money is earmarked for the organization’s Safe Babies initiative.
The foundation announced the grants during Founder’s Day, an annual
celebration across all companies and locations of JM Family Enterprises Inc. automotive company Moran started in 1968.
Each year, the foundation provides two special grants in South Florida and in North Florida to continue Moran’s legacy of giving back to children and families.
“Jim believed every child should have a nurturing environment in which to learn and grow,” Jan Moran, chairwoman and president of The Jim Moran Foundation, said in a statement announcing the grants.
“By helping better prepare and equip moms and dads for the responsibilities of parenthood, as well as through offering them resources to create safe, loving homes today, we hope to strengthen families for generations to come,” Moran said.
Through the Safe Babies program, young or inexperienced mothers, some suffering from pre- and post-natal depression, and at-risk families with young children from birth to age 5 receive in-home counseling and behavioral health support. Therapists work with parents coping with stress and focus on improving family bonding and overall functioning.
“Providing new, often young, mothers with the support, guidance and counseling they need to provide safe, healthy, nurturing homes is critical for the safety and well-being of their children,” said Kymberly Cook, executive director of CHS’ Buckner Division. “The generous grant from The Jim Moran Foundation will allow us to help vulnerable families so more children in our community can grow up safe, healthy and prepared for life.”
As a best-practice model, Safe Babies also provides CHS therapists with comprehensive clinical training and train-the-trainer workshops through a partnership with Florida State University in order to build capacity for these skilled, uniquely qualified behavioral health providers.
“The time and efforts of staff, volunteers and community partners, like The Jim Moran Foundation, allow all of us to help children heal from painful memories and to help prevent more children from enduring the tragedies of abuse, neglect or abandonment,” said Regine Cordon, executive director of CHS’ Intercoastal Division.
Children's Home Society of Florida was started in 1902 and has grown into the sixth largest private not-for-profit in the U.S. and Canada. It is the oldest statewide organization helping children and families, serving more than 100,000 annually.
Headquartered in Winter Park, CHS offers services in nearly 100 locations and has more than 1,900 staff members.
The Jim Moran Foundation has donated more than $20 million towards education, elder care, family strengthening, after-school and youth transitional living initiatives since its inception in 2000. Its efforts are focused in Broward, Palm Beach and Duval counties. It gets most of its money from JM Family Enterprises and its subsidiaries.
The organization is located at 100 Jim Moran Blvd., Deerfield Beach.
For more information, call 954-429-2122 or visit www.jimmoranfoundation.org or call.
Photo: Regine Cordon
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