Non-Profit Notices

t's the end of August and school at Banner Lake Academy is in full swing! We now educate 90 students grades K-5! With new students comes new staff and we're excited to welcome them to the Banner Lake family. We are also looking forward to our new building addition as well. This new wing will house more classrooms and additional space for students and staff!

At Banner Lake Academy, students are currently in the middle of MAP testing. They've also started their specials classes, including Art, STEAM, Soccer, and PE. Curriculum Night is coming up on Wednesday, September 9th.

Banner Lake Connects

For the seniors of BLC, the Banner Lake Connects Van took some very important trips this month. Geraldine, our Connects driver, drove several seniors to the polls as part of Souls to the Polls, a wonderful program that provides transportation to seniors in our community who need help getting to early voting.

Banner Lake Hero

Our new bus driver, Ryan Carter, stepped up to help an elderly woman in distress. While driving home from work, Ryan noticed her lying on the ground, stopped, helped her up, and made sure she got home safely. Thankfully, she's okay thanks to Ryan's quick thinking and kindness. Thank you, Ryan!

Banner Lake Back to School Day

Despite the rain, we had a great time! Students and families came out to pick up book bags, gently used clothing, and shoes ahead of the first week of school.

By the end of the day, we handed out 200 book bags to students in our community. Families also selected from 70 pounds of donated clothing, including 40 pairs of shoes and 175 pieces of clothing.

A huge thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, and showed up despite the weather! It made a real difference for our students. They're ready to start the year looking and feeling their best!

Community Partner Tours

Banner Lake Club's next Community Partner Tour is September 24th, 2026. If you are a business in the community looking to help support those around you, call or visit our website to book a tour of our campus!

Contact Emily Mass at 772-545-0953 ext. 151

Martin County Earns MVP Trophy in 2025–26 Florida FAFSA Challenge

Education Foundation of Martin County and Martin County School District partnership helps boost FAFSA completion by 4.8 percentage points, making Martin County the top-performing district on the Treasure Coast

STUART, Fla. — Martin County School District has been awarded the MVP Trophy for the 2025–26 Florida FAFSA Challenge, recognizing the district’s outstanding progress in helping graduating seniors complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and access opportunities for education beyond high school.

The achievement reflects a two-year collaborative effort spearheaded by the Education Foundation of Martin County (EFMC) through the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations' Building College & Career Readiness Grant secured by the Foundation.  EFMC Career Champions, including local community partners, foundation, school and district staff worked to increase FAFSA awareness, provide hands-on assistance to students and families, and remove barriers to completing this important step toward postsecondary education.

At South Fork High School, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) teacher Jennifer Morreale helped lead the on-campus effort, playing an instrumental role in encouraging and assisting students with FAFSA completion and helping them understand the financial resources available to continue their education after high school.

Jamie Herd-Tesson, South Fork High School (SFHS) assistant principal; Lori Desreuisseau, SFHS assistant principal; Jaime Thompson, SFHS principal; Jennifer Morreale, SFHS AVID teacher; Kathleen Wonnell, SFHS assistant principal; Lisa Rhodes, Education Foundation of Martin County (EFMC) executive director; and Lana Barros, Martin County School District (MCSD) coordinator of college and career readiness.

The results were significant. Martin County’s overall FAFSA completion rate increased by 4.8 percentage points during the 2025–26 school year, making Martin County the top-performing district on the Treasure Coast and surpassing the project’s goals.

“This recognition is a wonderful example of what can happen when our schools and community work together around a shared goal,” said Lisa Rhodes, executive director of the Education Foundation of Martin County. “Completing the FAFSA can open doors for students who may not otherwise realize that college, technical education or other opportunities after high school are within their reach. We are incredibly proud of our educators, Career Champions and community partners who worked together to help more Martin County students take that important next step.”

“We are honored to receive the MVP Trophy, but the real winners are our graduates,” said Lana Barros, MCSD coordinator of College & Career Readiness. “Every effort we make to expand access to education beyond high school graduation creates new possibilities for young people. When we open doors to opportunity, we help shape brighter futures for generations to come.”

FAFSA completion is an important predictor of whether students continue their education after high school, particularly for students from low-income families. By helping more students complete the FAFSA, this collaborative effort is opening doors to grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities and other forms of financial aid that can make college, technical education and other postsecondary pathways more attainable.

The Florida FAFSA Challenge MVP recognition demonstrates what can be accomplished when educators, schools, businesses and community partners work together toward a common goal: helping Martin County students access opportunities beyond high school and take the next step toward a successful future.

About the Education Foundation of Martin County

The Education Foundation of Martin County (EFMC) is the Martin County School District’s strategic nonprofit partner, with a mission to enrich and enhance educational opportunities and support for students and teachers in Martin County’s public schools. As an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EFMC works in partnership with the school district, educators, businesses, foundations and community supporters to connect resources with educational needs and provide opportunities beyond what traditional education funding can support. The Foundation raises and distributes private and corporate funds through established programs and initiatives, including classroom enrichment grants, literacy and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) programs, college and career readiness initiatives, professional development and support for teachers, scholarships, special initiatives, and programs recognizing outstanding teaching. Through these efforts and strategic community partnerships, EFMC helps students succeed and teachers thrive. For more information, visit www.EducationFoundationMC.org

Dancing with the Martin Stars 2026 Set to Dazzle the Audience and Raise Funds for Martin County Healthy Start Coalition

Stuart, Fla. – After months of rigorous rehearsals, costume fittings, and fun fundraising events, the curtain will soon go up on this year’s Dancing with the Martin Stars, presented by Martin County Healthy Start Coalition.

This is the 15th anniversary of the event, and it promises to be spectacular.

On September 26, eight community members will trade in their everyday shoes for dance shoes and take the stage at the Lyric Theatre in Stuart at 7 p.m. They’ll show the results of their training with seasoned professionals to master dances like the mambo, cha-cha, and waltz. This will be their opportunity to delight the audience and impress the judges.

It’s a friendly but intense competition for bragging rights. It’s also the signature fundraiser for Martin County Healthy Start Coalition and its vision: every baby born healthy, every mother supported, and every father involved.

“This event is always great fun for everyone involved,” said Martin County Healthy Start CEO Samantha Suffich. “The dancers are amazing, and their fans in the audience make the excitement contagious. But the event also has a very serious purpose: to raise funds to support our work.”

 Suffich noted the additional strain on expectant mothers since the nearest labor and delivery hospital unit closed last year. In response, the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition is working to create the Treasure Coast Maternity Center, a community-based birthing center in Martin County.

“The funds our dancers raise will support our ongoing prenatal programs, including our MOM Mobile that takes prenatal care into vulnerable neighborhoods. They will also help us move forward on our campaign for the Treasure Coast Maternity Center,” Suffich said.

This year’s dancers and their professional partners are Michelle Hance with Isabel Lowe, Laurie Laramie with Daniel Elhaddad, Brooke Lewis with Brian Spector, Kalista Kaplan with Antonio Torres, Dr. Michelle Massa with Chris Waterman, Zac Rockefeller with Emily Matos, Pete Lashenka with Marianella Tobar, and Michael Sihvola with Daisy Krakowiak-Wiebe.

A leaderboard on the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition website measures the progress each dancer is making toward individual fundraising goals and the overall event goal of $200,000.

“We’re in awe of the energy and commitment that every dancer has brought to the challenge,” Suffich says. “We encourage everyone to get behind them, enjoy the show, and support maternity care in Martin County.”

Major sponsors for 2026 include Shaun & Paul Feinsinger, Bob Saxon, Jensen Beach High School Drama, The Scoop, Ross Earle Bonan Ensor & Carrigan PA, Treasure Coast Ashley Capital, Closets by Design of Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast, REMAX of Stuart, Paul J. Feinsinger, CPA, CFPA, Florida Power & Light, and Culver’s.

Dancing with the Martin Stars is always a sold-out event. To reserve a ticket, go to the Lyric Theatre’s website,  https://www.lyrictheatre.com/show/11986-dancing-with-the-martin-stars. There’s still time to support a dancer. Make donations at  https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/DWMS26.

About Martin County Healthy Start Coalition

Martin County Healthy Start is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that every baby is born healthy. It provides educational and health services to pregnant women, new mothers and their families at no cost, particularly expectant mothers who are at risk for late or no prenatal care.

Part of a statewide coalition, Healthy Start connects pregnant women and young mothers with essential services including prenatal care, home visitations by a nurse or social worker, breastfeeding support, parenting education, car seat and sleeping safety, a free diaper pantry, and access to other community partner agencies. The David Cardno Fatherhood Initiative, also part of the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition, helps fathers to become more involved in parenting and offers legal assistance to fathers who are separated from their children.

The programs of Martin County Healthy Start Coalition are voluntary and available to all Florida residents at no cost.

For more information about Martin County Healthy Start Coalition and its ongoing programs, visit www.mchealthystart.org, call 772-463-2888 or follow the organization on Facebook.

Treasure Coast –  Every day, children in our community face unimaginable hardships—abuse, neglect, instability, and isolation. For more than four decades, Hibiscus Children’s Center has been a lifeline for thousands of children and families, providing safety, healing, and the chance for a brighter future.

Through residential care, counseling, and wraparound family support, Hibiscus is committed to helping children heal and thrive. This is only possible with the compassion and generosity of our community. Support for the Hibiscus Annual Fund Campaign does more than sustain programs—it transforms lives. Your contributions provide safety and love for children in our care, fund trauma-informed therapy, and deliver vital services that keep families together.

Liam’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact Hibiscus has. At just seven years old, Liam had endured more than most adults will in a lifetime. His home was unsafe. His voice was unheard. But when Liam came to the Tilton Family Children’s Shelter, everything began to change. Surrounded by caring staff, a safe environment, and consistent counseling, Liam began to smile again. He learned to trust and to hope.

Every child deserves the chance to feel safe, loved, and valued.  The Annual Fund Campaign makes that possible for children like Liam, and for so many others still waiting for their own turning point. The need is

urgent and countless children are still searching for safety and stability. Together, the community can help Hibiscus rewrite children’s stories with hope, healing, and love—ensuring brighter tomorrows for every child. 

To learn more about Hibiscus and to support the Annual Fund Campaign, please visit HibiscusChildrensCenter.org or call Michelle King, CDO, at 561-452-5791.    Thank you for your support! 

Hobe Sound Nature Center Introduces New Weekly Museum Programs

The Hobe Sound Nature Center is excited to introduce a new lineup of FREE weekly museum programs, offering visitors more opportunities to discover Florida's wildlife and ecosystems through fun, engaging, and educational experiences throughout the week.

WHO: The Hobe Sound Nature Center

WHAT: New Weekly Museum Programs

WHEN: Weekly throughout the year

WHERE: Hobe Sound Nature Center

Each week, visitors can enjoy a variety of programs featuring wildlife ambassadors, hands-on learning, and opportunities to discover the fascinating animals and ecosystems found throughout Florida.

Sunday: Snake Brunch – 12:30 PM Slither on over each week to watch our snakes enjoy a tasty treat while discovering their cool secrets and stealthy mealtime moves.

Monday: Turtle Time – 10:00 AM Get to know our shelled friends! Soak up some sunshine with our turtle ambassadors and learn about their stories, diets, and habitats.

Tuesday: Bug Buddies – 10:00 AM Creepy, crawly, and surprisingly cool! Explore how these tiny creatures survive, adapt, and play an important role in our ecosystems.

Wednesday: Tales & Scales – 10:00 AM Meet our resident baby alligators up close and discover what makes these incredible reptiles such fascinating survivors.

Thursday: Bubbles & Bites – 10:00 AM Splash into the morning and watch our fishy friends gobble up their breakfast while learning amazing facts about local aquatic habitats.

Friday: Nature's Nook Storytime – 10:00 AM, September–May Step into a world of wonder with lively nature tales, joyful songs, playful dances, and a chance to meet our resident wildlife.

These weekly programs are designed to make environmental education accessible, engaging, and fun for visitors of all ages. Through opportunities to observe wildlife ambassadors and connect with knowledgeable Nature Center educators, guests can build a deeper appreciation for Florida's incredible wildlife and ecosystems.

All weekly museum programs are FREE and take place at the Hobe Sound Nature Center. For more information and program updates, please visit: https://hobesoundnaturecenter.org/

About the Hobe Sound Nature Center

The Hobe Sound Nature Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works in cooperation with the Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge to educate and inspire people of all ages about South Florida’s critical habitats and wildlife.

Alpert Jewish Family Service Opens Neil S. Hirsch TMS Center in West Palm Beach

New center offers FDA-cleared, non-invasive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment for adults with depression, depression with anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder who have not found adequate relief through medication or psychotherapy

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — September 3, 2026 — Alpert Jewish Family Service (Alpert JFS) announced today the opening of the Neil S. Hirsch TMS Center in West Palm Beach, expanding access to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). TMS is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive treatment for adults with depression, depression with anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) whose symptoms have not adequately improved with standard treatments such as medication and psychotherapy.

TMS uses brief, focused magnetic pulses to stimulate the areas of the brain associated with mood regulation, which tend to show reduced activity in people with depression and OCD. There is no surgery, no anesthesia, and no systemic medication involved, and patients remain awake and alert throughout each session. A full course runs about 36 sessions over roughly six weeks, and patients can drive themselves to and from treatment. The FDA cleared TMS for depression in 2008, for depression with co-occurring anxiety in 2022, and for OCD in 2022 as an adjunct used alongside medication. In published studies, 50% to 66% of patients with treatment-resistant depression see a significant reduction in symptoms and about one-third reach full remission. [Sources: NNDC and Clinical TMS Society consensus review, 2024; Sackeim et al., Journal of Affective Disorders, 2020.]

“Too often, people struggling with mental health challenges like depression have lost hope and think that they will never feel better. Perhaps they have tried several medications that don’t seem to work, or they can't tolerate the side effects,” said Dr. Elaine Rotenberg, Chief Clinical and Strategy Officer at Alpert JFS. “TMS gives us another door to open, a new opportunity to be hopeful. For many patients, it’s the first treatment that’s actually worked.”

TMS differs from electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in several important ways. It does not require sedation or anesthesia. TMS is also not associated with the memory loss that can occur with ECT. The most common side effect is mild discomfort at or near the treatment site, which typically lessens after the first week of treatment.

The Neil S. Hirsch TMS Center, which will serve adults across the Palm Beaches, sits inside the organization's broader continuum of mental health care, meaning patients who start TMS also have access to Alpert JFS counseling, support groups, and case management services. As a nonprofit serving Palm Beach County since 1974, Alpert JFS prioritizes need and works to keep cost from standing between someone and TMS treatment. Most insurance is accepted and a sliding fee scale is available.

The Neil S. Hirsch TMS Center was made possible by a generous donation from the Neil S. Hirsch Foundation through the Foundation for the Advancement of Clinical TMS.  Alpert JFS is only the third nonprofit in the country to receive a grant of this kind from the Foundation for the Advancement of Clinical TMS

“Most of the people who reach us have been trying to feel better for years, and a lot of them have stopped believing anything will work,” said Dr. Kristi Wragg, Board-Certified Adult Psychiatrist at Alpert JFS. “TMS gives them a treatment with real evidence behind it that doesn't ask them to trade one set of side effects for another.”

The new Neil S. Hirsch TMS Center further establishes Alpert JFS as one of Palm Beach County's leading mental health providers. “At Alpert Jewish Family Service, we believe that mental health care must be coordinated, accessible and community centered,” added Dr. Rotenberg. “When individuals are struggling with depression or anxiety, other parts of their lives are often suffering too. The availability of comprehensive services like counseling, psychiatry, care management, food support, senior services, disability services and emergency services all within one agency can seamlessly direct individuals toward a healthy and effective next step.”

Alpert JFS will host a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening at the nonprofit’s West Palm Beach offices, 5841 Corporate Way, Suite 200, on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Patients interested in TMS should call 561-713-1892.

About Alpert Jewish Family Service Founded in 1974, Alpert Jewish Family Service (Alpert JFS) is one of Palm Beach County’s leading providers of mental health and social services. The organization strengthens families, promotes mental wellness, and supports vulnerable members of the community through counseling, psychiatric services, residential programs for adults with disabilities, food security programs, emergency financial assistance, and specialized services for seniors and Holocaust survivors. With more than 100 professionals serving over 12,000 individuals annually, Alpert JFS is a trusted resource for children, families, and older adults across Palm Beach County. For more information, visit www.AlpertJFS.org or call 561-684-1991.

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Jennifer Fox, MSW, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

Office: 772-223-2399 Ext. 110 |

612 SE Dixie Highway | Stuart, FL 34994  

SafeSpace Domestic Violence Summit Aims to Train Frontline Professionals, Improve Outcomes for Survivors

New regional training initiative planned for Oct. 13 focuses on recognizing risk, strengthening response and helping survivors move toward safety

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – A survivor of domestic violence may encounter many professionals along the path to safety. How each person recognizes and responds to the situation can make a critical difference in that survivor’s ability to get help.

SafeSpace is bringing those professionals together for a new approach to domestic violence training with the Domestic Violence Summit: From Awareness to Action – Safety. Solidarity. Solutions., on Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center in Port St. Lucie.

The regional Summit grew out of a need identified by members of the Circuit 19 Domestic Violence Task Force for more training across the professions that respond to domestic violence. The full-day event, held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, will bring together law enforcement and first responders, healthcare and mental health professionals, advocates, child welfare professionals and others who work with survivors of domestic violence.

“No single agency or profession can address domestic violence alone,” said Jennifer Fox, MSW, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of SafeSpace. “Every interaction with a survivor matters. We want to give professionals the knowledge and tools to recognize warning signs, hold abusers accountable, understand what a survivor may be experiencing, and respond in a way that helps move that person toward safety.”

Featured presenter Jim Schmidt, Gabby Petito’s stepfather, Board Member of The Gabby Petito Foundation and a former first responder, will lead several sessions throughout the day. Drawing on lessons from the Gabby Petito case and his work in domestic violence education, Schmidt will explore how missed warning signs, gaps in communication and other challenges can affect the response to domestic violence.

Participants will also break into specialized training tracks focused on first response and law enforcement, healthcare and mental health, and advocacy and child welfare. The day will conclude with a discussion of how participants can apply what they have learned and identify opportunities for continued regional collaboration.

“This is about what happens after the training,” Fox said. “We want participants to take what they learn back to their organizations and use it to strengthen how we respond to domestic violence throughout our region. Ultimately, the goal is to create a more informed, coordinated response that holds abusers accountable and helps survivors get the safety and support they need.”

Registration is $125 per person and includes continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments, conference materials and practical resources, and a certificate of participation. The Summit will also include networking opportunities and skill-building sessions. Continuing education units (CEUs) are being applied for across multiple professional disciplines.

The Summit is hosted by SafeSpace in collaboration with the Circuit 19 Domestic Violence Task Force and The Gabby Petito Foundation. Sponsors include the Wong Family Foundation as the Presenting Sponsor, Jan and Jessica Malasek and Inspired Closets as Community Partner Sponsors, The Gabby Petito Foundation as the Impact Sponsor, and House of Hope as the Supporting Sponsor.

To register, learn about sponsorship opportunities or get more information, visit SafeSpaceFL.org/events or contact info@safespacefl.org.

About SafeSpace

SafeSpace is the Treasure Coast’s only state-certified domestic violence center, serving survivors and their children 24/7. Since its founding, SafeSpace has provided more than 500,000 safe nights of shelter to over 40,000 victims and children. Its comprehensive programs include shelter, legal advocacy, financial literacy, counseling, prevention education, and specialized children’s services.

Florida Resilience Conference Returns to Charlotte Harbor Sept. 23-25 with Focus on Collaboration in Action

Charlotte Harbor, Fla. – Across Florida, resilience is increasingly moving from planning to implementation as communities confront challenges involving water, coastal systems, energy, infrastructure, land use and growth. Addressing those pressures requires coordination across disciplines, levels of government and the public and private sectors.

That need for coordinated action will be at the center of the 5th Annual Florida Resilience Conference, Sept. 23-25 at Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor. Co-hosted by the Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association (FSBPA) and Resiliency Florida, the conference is expected to bring together approximately 600 elected officials, engineers, scientists, planners, policymakers and industry leaders under the 2026 theme, “Advancing Resilience: Collaboration in Action!”

“Florida has made tremendous progress in identifying our resilience challenges, and now the focus is increasingly on putting solutions into action,” said David Rathke, Executive Director of Resiliency Florida. “This conference creates an opportunity to bring together the people making policy, designing infrastructure, managing natural systems and implementing projects across the state.”

The conference comes as Florida continues to invest in resilience projects and communities work to put those investments to use. Recent state action has placed additional emphasis on infrastructure improvements and nature-based approaches, while communities are navigating growing demands on energy, water and other critical systems.

Conference sessions will examine these issues through four tracks: Beach Management, Energy, Gray and Green Infrastructure, and Smart Planning. Topics will explore how communities are strengthening coastlines and natural systems, tackling demand and modernizing energy systems, integrating traditional and nature-based infrastructure, and aligning growth, land use and investment decisions with long-term resilience goals.

 “There is no one-size-fits-all approach to resilience in a state as diverse as Florida, but there are common threads” said Pepper Uchino, president of the Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association. “What works for one community may not work for another, which makes sharing expertise, lessons learned and proven solutions from across the state especially valuable.”

The 2026 program will feature state and federal leaders directly involved in shaping Florida’s resilience policies, programs and infrastructure investments.

Sen. Ana Maria Rodríguez addresses a crowd of more than 600 leaders at last year’s Florida Resilience Conference 

The conference also includes the annual meetings of the Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association and Resiliency Florida. FSBPA serves as a statewide voice for Florida’s coastal communities on beach and shoreline issues, while Resiliency Florida brings together public- and private-sector leaders to advance statewide and regional resilience strategies.

Registration and additional information about the 2026 Florida Resilience Conference are available at floridaresilienceconference.org.