I recently had the privilege of attending a fundraiser for BEAM, one of Northeast Florida's outstanding nonprofit organizations. The experience reinforced a belief I have held for many years:
Nonprofits are the heart and soul of a community.
Without them, many of us would never fully understand the challenges facing our most vulnerable neighborhoods; communities that many people do not live in, work in, shop in, worship in or regularly visit. From homeless shelters and after-school programs to initiatives addressing food insecurity, substance abuse, domestic violence, mental health, child abuse, human trafficking and homelessness, nonprofits are on the front lines of service every day.
These organizations conduct research that few others undertake. They provide services that few others are equipped to deliver. In the world of child-serving nonprofits, they are often the only institutions rescuing and rebuilding the lives of young people who might otherwise be lost to gangs, violence, the juvenile justice system, incarceration or even death.
Yet nonprofits are sometimes criticized as being dependent on public resources or diverting funding that could otherwise support infrastructure projects, economic development initiatives or first responders. The reality, however, tells a very different story.
Nonprofit professionals are frequently the first to encounter families and children facing crises involving domestic violence, mental health emergencies, bullying, school violence, depression, suicide, gangs and gun-related incidents. Every day, they step into situations that require immediate intervention, compassion and expertise.
Simply put, nonprofits do work that no one else consistently does. Not government. Not churches. Not schools. Not colleges. Not first responders. Particularly when it comes to children, nonprofits maintain a laser focus on closing the gaps that prevent young people from being educated, safe and healthy. They identify those gaps, develop innovative solutions and create programs that deliver measurable results.
Equally important, nonprofits continuously evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts to maximize impact and ensure the greatest possible return on investment. Because resources are limited and needs are immense, nonprofit leaders must constantly assess community conditions and prioritize the areas where intervention is most urgently needed.
Over the years, nonprofits have also demonstrated their significant contributions to both crime prevention and economic development. Strong communities depend on strong nonprofit organizations.
Build Relationships, Not Buildings
Looking ahead, I believe child-serving nonprofits should expand their presence within Duval County Public Schools by delivering more services directly inside school buildings. I reached this conclusion in 1996 while working in Putnam County. I realized that I could serve significantly more young people by bringing services directly to where students spend most of their day. Today, I remain convinced that many nonprofits could achieve greater impact by adopting the same approach. Providing services on campus ensures that students receive a more consistent and meaningful “dosage” of support. It also creates substantial benefits for both the school district and nonprofit organizations. Schools gain access to valuable programs and services at no additional cost, while nonprofits can reduce the pressure of costly capital fundraising campaigns and focus more resources on direct services.
Rather than concentrating solely on constructing facilities, nonprofits should consider dedicating a portion of their staff, programs and resources to serving students where they already are: in schools.
When I served as CEO of the Jacksonville Children's Commission, we invested $38 million in after-school programs, mental health services, mentoring initiatives and related supports, with the expectation that these services would be delivered within school buildings. The result was clear: we were able to serve approximately twice as many children.
As we move forward, let us remain committed to making a massive positive difference for the greatest number of children in the shortest period of time.
That's a goal worth pursuing.
Jon Heymann
