COUNTY LEADERS ATTEND FAMILY PROMISE DAY CENTER LAUNCH
New agency empowers unique interfaith community response to homelessness
( West Palm Beach , FL ) – Nearly 100 Palm Beach County community leaders gathered recently for a ribbon cutting and open house to launch the new Family Promise Day Center at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in West Palm Beach. The event honored donors, volunteers and supporters of the new nonprofit organization designed to offer homeless families the necessary support services to enable them to achieve their independence.
“We’re very proud that our community has gained a valuable resource and partner to help local children and families currently struggling with homelessness,” said Rhonda Clinton, executive director for Family Promise. “Every child deserves a home.”
Locally, Family Promise North/Central Palm Beach County will serve this community’s homeless children and their families. Guests at the ribbon cutting toured the day center and learned that families now make up 40 percent of Palm Beach County’s homeless population, and that there are more than 2,000 reported homeless children in the Palm Beach County School District . The new local organization is part of a national network representing 5,000 congregations and 135,000 volunteers working on behalf of families in transition. More than 350,000 individuals are served nationally.
“On any given night,” continued Clinton , “nearly 2,000 homeless children in Palm Beach County may have nowhere to sleep. Other programs in our community are not able to meet the increasing demand for services. Many of these families are sleeping in local parks or living in their cars. People come to Family Promise because there is nowhere else to go. Family Promise is closing the door to homelessness and opening the door for families.”
The agency takes referrals from local social service agencies to help families secure housing, employment and other services they may require. On a rotating basis, a unique network of interfaith congregations provide overnight lodging, meals and fellowship for three to five families from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. A network van then transports families to the Family Promise Day Center – which offers a mailing address for its families and a homelike atmosphere where they can conduct their employment and housing searches and care for their pre-school aged children. School aged children are transported to Palm Beach County schools from the Day Center.
“Our volunteers are the lifeblood of Family Promise,” said Kathy Perry, chairman of the Family Promise of North/Central Palm Beach County board of directors. “They cook, serve meals, help with homework and assist overnight guests. They interact with our families – providing them the respect and dignity they deserve and responding to them with compassion. Without them, this program would not exist.”
To become a Family Promise volunteer, or to support the agency’s efforts to assist the homeless in Palm Beach County, visit www.familypromisencpbc.org or call 561.318.8864.
HEALTH CARE DISTRICT TO EXPAND MEDICAL SERVICES FOR UNINSURED IN PALM BEACH COUNTY
Palm Springs, FL – The Health Care District of Palm Beach County is launching a new pilot program that will provide health care services for Palm Beach County residents who are currently not served by other health coverage programs. According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau report, approximately 265,000 or about 28% of Palm Beach County residents under the age of 64 lack medical insurance. Many of the recently uninsured cannot afford their COBRA payments to continue their coverage, yet do not qualify for other health coverage programs in order to receive needed medical services.
“Many people once they are uninsured do not necessarily become eligible for health coverage until they spend down a significant amount of their assets,” said Ronald J. Wiewora, MD, MPH, Health Care District Chief Executive Officer/Chief Medical Officer. “This stopgap program for the uninsured will allow that person who has high blood pressure, for example, to continue to receive medication while they are going through the eligibility process. This will be a nice addition to the programs that the Health Care District already offers the community.”
The Health Care District Board of Commissioners approved plans for the pilot program at its December 14th meeting. Through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process, the Health Care District selected three qualified vendors who will provide medical services within the vendors’ respective locations. The three responses were from Florida Community Health Centers’ Pahokee Center, FoundCare Health Center and Genesis Community Health, Inc. The cost of the new initiative will be approximately $1 million, which will come from Health Care District reserves, and will allow for 16,666 uninsured visits at a cost of $60 per medical visit. The program will begin in fiscal year 2011-2012 and will be evaluated after six months to determine its progress.
“We know more people are uninsured than ever before,” said Benjamin Frank, Esq., Chair of the Health Care District of Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners. “This new initiative, in collaboration with our community partners, is right in line with the Health Care District’s mission to ensure the delivery of quality health care services for Palm Beach County residents.”
Florida Community Health Centers’ Pahokee Center is a non-profit clinic located in Pahokee that provides comprehensive medical services to uninsured residents of western Palm Beach County. FoundCare is a non-profit health center located in West Palm Beach. Since January 2009, the center has served over 6,500 uninsured patients. Genesis Community Health, Inc. is a non-profit medical facility located in Boynton Beach. Opening in June 2010, the center is expected to become a medical home for over 4,000 medically underserved/uninsured residents. All three providers have integrated electronic medical records systems and capabilities that allow them to provide efficient medical services to needed patients. In addition, they have forged community partnerships through hospital agreements, university affiliations, and with the Palm Beach County Health Department, Project Access and the Ryan White program.
“This new funding will assist FoundCare Health Center to support some of the patient visits which are discounted on a sliding fee scale based on family income as FoundCare receives no federal funding,” said Susan Burwen, Chief Operating Officer, FoundCare Health Center.
“Genesis is grateful to be chosen to participate in this project with the Health Care District of Palm Beach County,” said DeAnna Warren, Executive Director of Genesis Community Health, Inc. “This project will allow Genesis to underwrite some of the costs associated with treating a large percentage of uninsured patients who normally qualify for our sliding fee scale.”
The Health Care District, along with five other organizations in Palm Beach County, funded a community health planning project that was overseen by consultants from Tripp Umbach, Inc., a market research and strategic planning consulting firm. The consultant’s results, presented during a joint meeting with the Board of County Commissioners in August 2011, contained four main recommendations for strengthening the safety net within Palm Beach County. One of the first recommendations stressed the need for Palm Beach County to define strategies to recommit to the primary care planning process and expand health care access to the uninsured by using existing assets and funding in innovative ways.
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About the Health Care District:
The Health Care District of Palm Beach County provides health coverage programs for uninsured residents, a nationally recognized Trauma System, dedicated nurses in nearly 170 public schools, a pharmacy operation, a long-term skilled nursing and rehabilitation center, and acute care hospital services at Lakeside Medical Center, the county’s only public hospital, serving t
AW Stories of the Month
Felicia Matula Runs for Mayor of Royal Palm Beach
By Krista Martinelli
Felicia Matula is someone who believes in getting involved in your community. As one of the few people who have shown up on a regular
basis to Royal Palm Beach town meetings, she points out that often there are just a handful of people, other than the elected officials, at these meetings that determine our future.
“It’s healthy to get involved,” she says. “And if you don’t trust the people who are currently elected, you should get involved in voting them out.” If you get involved only when there’s a serious problem, she explains, “sometimes you’ll find it’s too late.”
When Matula realized that no one was running against the current Mayor Matty Mattioli, she decided to throw her hat in the ring. “It’s time for a change,” says Matula. “We need to update the way some of the things are done. We need to move into new forms of communication, in getting the word out to more people in Royal Palm Beach.” She feels she could do more of reaching out to the community using tools of social media, for example.
She loves Royal Palm Beach for the sense of community that she feels here. It’s a village where “everyone seems to know each other well.” Originally from the Chicago area, Felicia Matula and her husband Dan moved to Florida to be closer to her mother and to escape the cold winters. She enjoys her time with her husband and three kids. Her kids are in 4th grade, kindergarten and preK classes, active in soccer, softball and other activities. Both Felicia and Dan enjoy being involved in their kids’ sports teams. “It’s a user-friendly community,” she says.
What would she do differently if elected as Mayor for the two-year term? She would start by running the meetings differently. Even if there were a large group of people showing up at a particular meeting, she feels strongly about every person being heard – even if it takes a little longer. “If people want to be heard, I would let them speak.”
Matula is an Independent. She’s the first person in Royal Palm Beach to get on the ballot by petition, instead of registering by making a payment. She felt that the process of collecting 250 names and addresses in person was a good start to getting out in the community and talking with people.
She points out that Mattioli has done well serving his time as
Mayor, but that it’s time for someone new to represent a different part of the RPB demographic. As a mother of three, she feels that she’s just at the beginning of her children’s process of going through the whole Royal Palm Beach education experience. She feels strongly about addressing one of the poorly rated schools in the area, the Royal Palm Beach High School (which was rated as a “D” school just a couple of years ago and now is rated as a “C” school). Matula questions how all of the feeder schools rated as “A” schools lead into a C-rated high school.
The 86-year-old Mattioli has served on the Council for a total of eighteen years and has put in his bid for re-election this year.
“I will fill a different niche on the Council,” says Matula. She believes she has a different perception of how council meetings should be run and what they should focus on.
Matula sees the position as a part-time job that she’s ready and able to handle, in addition to her position as a Director of Finance for a hotel management company. She has previously served on the Recreation Board for the Village of Royal Palm Beach and enjoyed her experience in that role.
When it comes to national issues, Matula takes a conservative stance and is primarily concerned that “the rich should not be taxed at a higher rate than anyone else.” She says she has seen the impact on businesses when they are overly taxed, in which employee family health plans almost double in cost. She also says, “I’d love to see more goods being manufactured here in the United States. We need to find ways to make things cheaper, faster, better,” she says.
She also believes that members of Congress should not receive benefits for life. “It’s unrealistic and it needs to stop,” she says firmly.
Regarding Royal Palm Beach issues, Matula is concerned about land usage, safety and security. For example, she was concerned about the way that 150 acres of land in Royal Palm Beach was put into the hands of an outside consultant, who came back with an idea that seemed much like CityPlace and did not “make sense” for the surrounding areas.
What can you do to get involved in Felicia Matula’s run for Mayor for the March 13th election?
“I just really encourage everyone to get out and vote on March 13th, no matter who they vote for,” says Matula. “The turnout is often very poor. Some our citizens don’t even know who the current mayor is.”
Financial contributions are always a great help in a campaign, says Matula. She has appointed local resident Sharon Powers has her campaign treasurer – [email protected]
To contact Matula, e-mail her at [email protected]. She also encourages people to visit “Felicia for Mayor” on Facebook and click “like.” Matula just launched her official website, where you can find current information about her campaign at: http://feliciaformayor.com/
“I’d really like to see everyone out there voting and getting involved this year,” says Matula. She estimates that the voting process on March 13th will take only about five minutes. “We’re all busy, but it’s just so simple to walk in and vote.”
Wellington to Host Connecting Cops and Kids Training Program
Wellington is the first city in Florida selected to host the Connecting Cops and Kids Training program. Developed by the Fred Rogers Company and provided by a grant through the National League of Cities and the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, the program is a no-cost training designed to enhance community policing services and public safety by improving law enforcement interactions with children and teens.
On Thursday, February 9, 2012, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County School Resource Officers, Wellington’s Safe Neighborhoods Office and local non-profits will participate in the Connecting Cops and Kids training from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at Wellington’s City Hall located at 12300 Forest Hill Boulevard.
“We are very excited to be among the 20 municipalities nationwide and the only city in Florida selected to host this no-cost training,” said Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen.
The Fred Rogers Company, well known for producing Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, has produced Connecting Cops and Kids, a video-based professional training program for law enforcement officers and community support agencies. Its goal is to help officers increase their effectiveness when interacting with children.
This training is designed to raise officers’ awareness of the tremendous impact their presence has on children and to demonstrate how basic knowledge of childhood development can enhance an officer’s influence and ability to achieve law enforcement goals. The training includes an in-depth look at how children see police, weighing options during encounters with at-risk youth, partners in crisis, children and trauma.
For more information about this training, contact Meridith Tuckwood, Neighborhood Advocate, at (561) 753-2476. For additional details about Connecting Cops and Kids, visit http://www.fci.org/cops/index.html.
For information about other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visit www.wellingtonfl.gov or watch Channel 18 for the latest happenings.
All Access Wheelchair Sports Day in Lake Worth
MALTZ JUPITER THEATRE’S ‘RED’ OFFERS A PROVOCATIVE PORTRAIT OF ARTIST MARK ROTHKO
This thrilling new American play and winner of the 2010 Tony® Award,
‘Red’ takes a novel look at Rothko and the assistant who challenges his ambition
January 23, 2012 (Jupiter) – “There is only one thing I fear in life, my friend… One day the black will swallow the red,” abstract expressionist Mark Rothko laments in John Logan’s Red.
A thrilling new American play and winner of the 2010 Tony Award®, Red at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre (February 14 through 26) offers a provocative portrait of the famed Jewish artist as he works feverishly in his studio on the Bowery to complete the biggest commission in the history of modern art. When his assistant challenges his ambition, Rothko is faced with the agonizing possibility that his crowning achievement could also be his undoing.
“We are so happy to be producing such a monumental, visceral new drama as part of our season,” said the Theatre’s artistic director, Andrew Kato. “We are stretching our programming and challenging our audiences with our play and musical selection, and this award-winning show reflects that.”
One of the most acclaimed – and often unhappy – artists of the 20th century, Red focuses on Rothko as he paints a group of murals for the luxurious and exclusive Four Seasons restaurant. He gives orders to his assistant, Ken, as he mixes the paints, makes the frames, and paints the canvases onstage with his signature style of filling oversized canvases with luminous color. Ken, however, brashly questions Rothko’s theories, and conflict ensues between teacher and student.
In reviewing the Broadway production, Variety called it “majestic” and the Associated Press called the show an “engrossing, often enthralling new play about art, an artist and the act of creation.”
The show won six of its seven 2010 Tony® Award nominations, including Best Play, and received the most wins out of any other theatrical production that season. It also received several Drama League and Drama Desk awards the same year.
“This play centers on the tense polarities that exist between young and old, employer and employee, master and apprentice, mentor and mentee, father and son,” said Red’s director, Lou Jacob. “Rothko warns his assistant Ken, ‘Consider; I am not your rabbi, I am not your father, I am not your shrink, I am not your friend, I am not your teacher – I am your employer. You understand?’ Despite Rothko’s blunt disclaimer, he becomes all of these, and we come to understand the combustible energy that existed within Rothko’s studio.”
A notable stage veteran, Jacob has directed new plays, musicals, classics and adaptations in the United States and across Europe and Asia . He has received numerous Drama Desk nominations for his work, including the recent Off-Broadway productions The God of Hell and Hard Times. His play Night Train to the Stars premiered in Tokyo at the Metropolitan Theatre.
“’Rothkos,’ as his pictures are named, exist like windows, challenging the viewer to enter – while also acting as a lens, forcing the viewer to look inward,” he added. “Through Rothko, John Logan has created an event that demands an active participant to speak, argue and ask themselves,‘What do you see?’”
For a behind-the-scenes peek at the Theatre’s show, visit http://www.jupitertheatre.org/shows/red. Unique sites have been created for all of the Theatre’s season shows; find links at www.jupitertheatre.org. Red is sponsored by Roe Green and The Roe Green Foundation.
The Theatre also has two other Red-themed events in January, including an appearance at the Norton Museum of Art’s weekly Art After Darkevent on February 2 and Paint the Town RED, a three-week public art display and fundraiser to benefit the Theatre’s 2011/12 season. Details can be found at www.jupitertheatre.org.
Matinee and evening performances are available, with group discounts for 20 or more. For tickets, call (561) 575-2223or visitwww.jupitertheatre.org.
About the Maltz Jupiter Theatre
The Maltz Jupiter Theatre is an award-winning professional not-for-profit regional theatre dedicated to the performing arts whose mission is to entertain, educate and inspire our community. The Theatre is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and is located east of U.S. Highway 1 at 1001 East Indiantown Road and State Road A1A in Jupiter. For more information about the Theatre’s upcoming shows and Conservatory of Performing Arts, visit www.jupitertheatre.org or call the box office at
Calendar items:
February 14 – February 26 – Red
This thrilling new American play and winner of the 2010 Tony Award, Red® is a provocative portrait of Abstract expressionist, Mark Rothko, as he works feverishly in his studio on the Bowery to complete the biggest commission in the history of modern art. When his assistant challenges his ambition, Rothko is faced with the agonizing possibility that his crowning achievement could also be his undoing. Showtimes vary; single tickets $44 – $62. Phone: (561) 575-2223. For a behind-the-scenes peek at the Theatre’s show, visit http://www.jupitertheatre.org/shows/red.
Thursday, February 2 – Behind the Scenes of RED at Art After Dark
The work and inner turmoil of abstract expressionist Mark Rothko is brought to life at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach . Join the Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s artistic director, Andrew Kato, and Lou Jacob, the director of Red (Feb. 14 – 26), as they take visitors on a journey through their staging of Rothko’s Bowery studio, setting up their portrayal of the artist as he works with his assistant on the largest and most difficult commission of his career. 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. All ages welcome: Admission is free to Norton members and children under 13; $12 for adults, $5 for students with a valid ID. Visit www.norton.org for directions and additional information.
Wednesday, February 22 – Paint the Town RED Party
Held at RosettaStone Fine Art Gallery in Jupiter, this benefit includes a silent auction of RED inspired artwork, RED hot jazz and great RED wine and tempting delights! Artwork is on display throughout the area from Feb. 1 – 22 at the following locations: 3800 Ocean, The Bistro, Braman BMW Jupiter, Lighthouse Center for the Arts, Mercedes-Benz of North Palm Beach, Northern Trust, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Seasons 52, and the following stores in The Gardens Mall: Tiffany and Co., Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales and Eileen Fisher. Proceeds to benefit the Theatre’s 2011/12 season. 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. $100 per person ($50 tax-deductible). Grand sponsors of the event are JoAnne Berkow and RosettaStone Fine Art Gallery . For sponsorship information or to charge your reservations by phone, call Kathy at 561-972-6124.
Don’t miss the Tony Award-winning musical Cabaret, January 10 – 29!
You’ll also enjoy…
8 p.m., January 22 – Chris MacDonald’s Memories of Elvis
8 p.m., January 28 – Cabaret After Dark
7:30 p.m., February 3 – Steve Lippia’s Simply Sinatra
Noon, February 4 – PNC Kids Korner Series presents Aesop’s Fables
8 p.m., February 4 – The Second City – Laugh Out Loud Tour
Wellington Garden Club’s Monthly Meeting
The Wellington Garden Club will meet on Monday, February 6, 2012 at the Wellington Community Center , 12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd. , with a business meeting at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch at 11:30 and a program at 12:15 presented by Dr. Joe Schaefer.
Dr. Schaefer is District Extension Director for the University of Florida/IFAS Florida Extension Services . He has a PhD in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation and has worked with a variety of critters including black bears in Maine , crows, coyotes and owls in Iowa , hawks in Kansas and several other species during his years as a professor. Each day there are opportunities to see wildlife around our homes and in our communities. Some of these animals are very secretive and do not wish to be seen, but nonetheless, are still our neighbors. His presentation, “Encounters With Our Wild Neighbors,” will help us to better understand and enjoy wildlife in our yards.
Guests are welcome and there is no admission fee, but seating is limited. To reserve a seat, please RSVP to Jayne at 561-791-0273.
PALMS WEST CHAMBER AND FOUNDATION PARTNER WITH MASON PHELPS, JR
The Palms West Chamber of Commerce and Palms West Community Foundation checked off an important new year’s resolution in January. The two organizations are pleased to announce a new partnership with the famed Wellington resident and equestrian, Mason Phelps, Jr.
“One of our top resolutions for the new year was to grow our equestrian presence and to become a stronger voice in advocating for the industry that delivers $185 million of economic impact to Palm Beach County,” said Jaene Miranda. “In order to accomplish that goal, we needed a great volunteer leader and Mason was on top of that list. We are extremely pleased that both he and his organization are on board to help us achieve our goal.” Over the past decade, Phelps and his public relations firm, Phelps Media Group, Inc., International, have established a large, equestrian based network in not only Wellington, but one that reaches all over the world. Phelps Media Group, Inc., International is recognized as one of America’s most progressive and successful equestrian public relations firms.
Phelps has recently become a Trustee of the Palms West Chamber of Commerce, and he brings with him a vast range of knowledge and talent that will strengthen one of the area’s largest Chambers. “We are so pleased to have Mason Phelps join us as a Trustee,” states Jaene Miranda, CEO of the Palms West Chamber, “the insight into the equestrian industry that he brings to our organization is invaluable and we are looking forward to including him in our list of major stakeholders of the organization.”
As is his nature, Phelps has jumped on board at the Palms West Chamber…with both feet! One of the first projects that Phelps has offered to assist with, is helping with the Chamber’s equestrian committee. “Over the past few months, we have been forming an equestrian committee,” explains Maureen Gross, Director of Development of the Foundation, “to better address the needs of the equestrian industry here in the Western Communities. Now, with Masons’ knowledge and network, our equestrian committee will blossom and become a viable, strong alliance for the equestrian community.”
Phelps will also help tackle some of the philanthropic projects of the Palms West Community Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Chamber. One of these projects will be assisting in the proposed development of an Equestrian Visitors Center, as part of the new Palms West Chamber building located on Southern Blvd. “I am looking forward to helping the Palms West Community Foundation in their efforts,” explains Phelps, “and to having the opportunity to help them grow as a philanthropic organization in the Western Communities.”
“Mason Phelps and his public relations firm—Phelps Media Group, Inc., International are such a great addition to our Chamber and our Foundation,” Gross added, “He brings the talent and expertise that will certainly strengthen both organizations. We are all looking forward to a wonderful partnership.”
The City of WPB e4 Sustainability Summit will be here soon!
Visit the Palm Beach State College Green Institute booth on Saturday, February 25 at the Expo. for more info!
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