"State can't abandon those most in need" The Miami Herald, by Ruth Shack
The late Gov. Lawton Chiles used to have a repertoire of wise, old Florida cracker sayings. "You don't eat your seed corn," was one of them.
Simply stated, it means that you don't do things today that are going to jeopardize your future. If you eat your seed corn today, you can't plant and eat it next season.
The recent legislative sessions made clear that our leaders are eliminating Florida's "seed corn." It's foolish to balance the state budget with continued cuts to social-service programs. Failing to invest in our communities in exchange for tax cuts for the few will be costly. Less funding for cultural programs will hurt their economic benefit and our quality of life.
At Dade Community Foundation we continue to be diligent stewards of our community's trust funds, positioning us well today and for the future. Our sustained and critical grant-making is crucial, especially in a year of economic uncertainty and international turmoil. Our investments of philanthropic dollars are sound, our long-term vision is clear and our focus remains to meet today's needs while preparing for tomorrow's challenges.
So far this year, the Foundation has awarded $887,100 in grants to 91 local nonprofit organizations. Here are just two stories of people who were helped by our grants:
Lee Ann, 74, is a Liberty City woman raising five grandchildren. The task was increasingly difficult, and she was close to the breaking point. Each day she would wake before dawn to get grandchildren, ages 10, 9, 8, 5, and 2, ready for school.
When she finally knocked on the door of Urgent Inc.,a nonprofit organization that helps grandparents raising grandchildren, she wanted help in finding Christmas presents. The organization fulfilled this and other needs through its intergenerational project. Lee Ann received caregiver support and parenting classes. Her grandchildren participated in activities to help build self-esteem.
Today Lee Ann is less stressed, and her grandchildren are doing well.
Leo, is in the fifth grade at Ludlam Elementary School in South Miami. He was struggling in school, academically and socially. However, Leo was a gifted artist. A new curriculum, The Art of Business for Kids, by KidVentures, Inc., has improved Leo's academic performance.
Leo and his classmates developed and ran a business. They conducted market research and established a line of greeting cards. Leo now is fully engaged. His classmates selected his design for the school mural.
At the Foundation we will continue to do our part. I am confident the non-profit sector, as always, will continue to take risks and perform miracles. Our donors will continue to support the good organizations and vital tasks they perform each and every day in this community. But government, especially our state leadership, needs to do its part as well.
The nonprofit sector needs reliable partners. We must protect our seed corn and enhance our ability to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Nonprofits will depend more on the generosity of private-sector donors, as well as on collaboration with the public sector.
The state should adhere to its obligations, not simply shift responsibilities to local communities. It should draw down federal dollars without reducing or supplanting state dollars dedicated to a particular need.
When all is said and done, it mean understanding that there are Lee Anns and Leos throughout this community and this state who need our help today and into the future.
Ruth Shack - President, Dade Community Foundation, Miami
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