Grant funding will strengthen programs to support Jacksonville’s 32209 community

Tables of bagged groceries at Center of Hope at Emmett Reed during a grocery giveaway in 2023. The Center of Hope received more than $10,000 in grants in February to support their efforts to strengthen the 32209 community. (Photo by Oliver Green, Family Support Services, oliver.green@fssnf.org)

(JACKSONVILLE, FL — Feb. 21, 2024) Sunshine Health, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, announced Tuesday the latest winners of their Community Connections Grants, which support nonprofit community organizations across Florida. Family Support Services initiative Center of Hope at Emmett Reed, which serves Jacksonville’s 32209 community, is one of the grant’s recipients.  According to their release, “this round of grants was targeted to groups that provide storm relief assistance or address food insecurity, housing and other social service needs.”

“The Family Support Service of North Florida’s (FSSNF) Center of Hope is so thankful for Sunshine Health awarding us the funds to expand our crisis services to families in need in the 32209 community of Jacksonville,” said Jada Hunter, Executive Director of Community Reinvestment at the Center of Hope. “As the Center of Hope continues to empower and strengthen families living in the 32209 community, this grant will help mitigate the financial crisis of these underserved families.”

FSSNF Center of Hope will use their grant funds to assist families with housing, rental assistance, transportation, food and utility assistance.

According to their release, Sunshine Health awarded $100,000 to 36 nonprofit organizations to address social and environmental factors that can impact health outcomes in underserved areas. Each grantee received up to $3,000 to expand or build upon the vital resources they provide to their communities. Additional grants were awarded to organizations providing storm relief and assistance related to Hurricane Idalia. Click here to see the full release, including the complete list of grantees across the state and award information.

The EverBank Charitable Contribution Program also announced a $10,000 award to Center of Hope this week, part of their commitment to community giving. In an email announcing the award, EverBank stated:

“EverBank takes its commitment to the community seriously and your efforts are equally important and worthy of support. Your organization has been chosen for support based on specific criteria and through a competitive grant process that elevates our commitment to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and the communities we serve. We are proud to be counted among your supporters and we look forward to making positive change in the community, together.”

The funds will support training for community leaders at Center of Hope.

Learn more about the Center of Hope and their community events at CenterofHopeFL.org

Follow Center of Hope on Twitter and on their Facebook page

For media inquiry about Family Support Services or Center of Hope, email media@fssnf.org