South Florida Institute On Aging Announces Major Grant from The Jim Moran Foundation to Support Caregiving and Respite Programs
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The South Florida Institute on Aging (SoFIA) has announced a $75,000 grant from The Jim Moran Foundation which will support the non-profit organization’s caregiving and respite initiatives.
“Through the generous support of The Jim Moran Foundation, we are tackling the epidemic of loneliness that impacts the well-being and security of so many of our seniors,” said SoFIA President and CEO Peter Kaldes, Esq. “Just recently one of our senior companions was helping a woman with her mail and discovered an eviction notice. We were able to find the legal help to save the woman’s home. This donation will have a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of hundreds of local seniors.”
This grant provides funding for SoFIA’s Caregiver Assistance Program offering quarterly workshops featuring socialization and informational services to caregivers of frail individuals; the Senior Companion Program delivering respite services to caregivers of elderly individuals and disabled adults; and RELIEF for Caregivers providing in-home respite to relieve caregivers of older adults. SoFIA offers additional caregiving and respite initiatives including the Caregiver Coalition grassroots effort that works to identify and generate local solutions to help caregivers thrive and the Legacy Corps providing caregiver and veteran support services by and for veteran and military families.
“Knowing that caregivers often neglect their own well-being while compassionately tending to others, we are happy to partner with SoFIA and its many hardworking volunteers to help those who do so much for their loved ones,” said Jan Moran, chairman and president of The Jim Moran Foundation.
The Jim Moran Foundation also recently provided support which helped enable SoFIA to introduce of the award-winning Senior Planet program that trains South Florida seniors to use technology to improve and enhance their social and civic engagement.
About SoFIAA non-profit think and act tank, the South Florida Institute on Aging (SoFIA) creates planning and development strategies to deliver socio-economic support programs for South Florida seniors that can also serve as a model for other communities with aging populations. For more than 50 years, SoFIA has provided innovative services tailored to meet seniors’ caregiving and respite, civic engagement and economic security needs. In 2017, SoFIA’s 658 experienced senior volunteers provided 266,646 volunteer hours to serve nearly 4,800 residents including: veterans who received the mentoring of fellow veterans; seniors, disabled adults and caregivers who were enabled to live independently through caregiving and companionship programs; children in underserved communities that saw a 90 percent improvement in literacy skills through the Foster Grandparent program; and other non-profits that benefitted from experienced consultants. Visit www.theSoFIA.org for more information.
About The Jim Moran FoundationFounded by automotive pioneer Jim Moran, the mission of The Jim Moran Foundation is to improve the quality of life for the youth and families of Florida through the support of innovative programs and opportunities that meet the ever-changing needs of the community. The Foundation has invested more than $100 million in education, elder care, family strengthening, after school and youth transitional living initiatives since its inception in 2000 – with efforts currently focused in Broward, Palm Beach and Duval counties. Through a long-term Grant Agreement, The Foundation’s significant funders are JM Family Enterprises, Inc., and its subsidiaries, including Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC. It is located at 100 Jim Moran Blvd., Deerfield Beach, Fla. 33442. To learn more, visit www.jimmoranfoundation.org or call (954) 429-2122.
Media Contact: Savannah Whaley, Pierson Grant Public Relations, 954.776.1999 ext. 225, swhaley@piersongrant.com
