Kathy Bravo from JCP CARES visits out club.

Posted by Charles Schoonmaker 
 

Kathy Bravo was the speaker this past Tuesday night at the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach Sunset.  She introduced the club to her volunteer organization JCP CARES which stands for:  Julington Creek Plantation - Community Active Residents Engaged in Service.  JCP Cares is an all volunteer organization that was started in June 2007.  Their mission statement is “Uniting the community through helping others in need.”  She was quick to point out that by community she meant ALL of St. John’s County.

Some quick facts on JCP CARES:

·         Provides assistance to local charities and those in need through donations and time. 

·         They divide charity efforts into four different categories; Animals & Environment, Senior & Medical, Children, and Homeless & Abused.  They focus on one specific group per quarter from each of these categories throughout the year.  

·         Over 109 volunteers– NO salary for anyone – No overhead expenses

·         Logo created by Bartram Trail High School student

·         Generated $170K in donations

·         Average $20 donated to charities for every $1 spent in expenses

·         4,000 hrs donated hrs

Kathy stated that her #1 goal is to bring awareness to the charities in St. Johns County.  Most people are unaware that state and federal funding is based on the per capita income of the county.   St. Johns County is the 3rd wealthiest in Florida but that is driven by the northern half of the county.  In truth the southern half is very poor.  JCP CARES is trying to make people aware of the situation in southern half.

JCP CARES is involved in a variety of charities and events throughout the county all year long to drive awareness.  Kathy had mainly come though to introduce the club to the farming community in south St. John’s County.  Specifically the horrible living conditions of resident and migrant workers in the community.    90-95% of these workers are US citizens but live in conditions that would shock you.  Once a month the St. Luke’s Mobile Health Van makes a visit to the community and there is a dinner held that night at the SEA Community Center for the workers.  Monday August 15th dinner will have a “Back to School” theme in which The Rotary Club of PVB-Sunset will be participating by conating and handing out school supplies to the children of these workers.    

It was a pleasure to have Kathy as our speaker and look forward to seeing her again at the ‘Back to school” event.