News

Lake Worth Financial Advisor Secured Grant for Post-Pandemic Economic Stability for Women of Color

Lake Worth, Fla. – Monday, June 28, 2021 – Lake Worth West Resident Planning Group, Inc. announced today that it was the recipient of one of eight grants awarded by the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation (“Invest in Others”) in June. Grants were available to organizations that are working to create and enhance opportunities for communities of color, providing essential services to causes such as social justice, employment and education—with the goal of leveling the playing field and providing life-changing opportunities to underserved communities. Wilfredo Ortiz, Financial Services Representative at New York Life Insurance Company in Palm Beach Gardens, applied for the grant to support post-pandemic economic stability for women of color, which received $25,000 in funding from Invest in Others.

The Invest in Others Grants for Change Program was introduced in 2020 with the goal of funding specific programs or projects for nonprofits that display a measurable commitment to enhancing opportunities for communities of color. Nearly 200 applications were received and recipients were selected based on the impact the grant would have on the nonprofit and the community it serves.

Lake Worth West Resident Planning Group’s mission is to promote family unity and community safety by providing wellness, cultural and education programs for culturally, racially, and ethnically diverse adults, pregnant women, parents, and children that reside in and around Lake Worth West. The $25,000 grant from Invest in Others will be used to provide a series of culturally competent classes in financial literacy and job readiness skills for 50 low-income women of color seeking to improve economic stability. In-person or virtual classes, led by a bi-lingual Project Coordinator and community presenters, will be held at the LWW Community Center. 

About the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation

The inspiration for the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation came directly from the financial advisors who invest in others by giving back to their communities with overwhelming generosity and dedication. Since its founding in 2006, Invest in Others has amplified these efforts by providing a platform for advisors and other financial professionals to increase awareness, visibility, and funding to their favorite nonprofits. Over the past 15 years, IiO has given more than $3 million to 300+ charities across a variety of causes, including health and wellness, education and youth programs, arts and culture, hunger and poverty prevention, military and veterans and more. For more information, visit investinothers.org or follow Invest in Others on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

About Lake Worth West Resident Planning Group, Inc.

Our mission is to promote family unity, community safety and beautification, and provide wellness, cultural and educational programs for residents of Lake Worth West.   Lake Worth West Resident Planning Group, Inc. started as an organization in 1995 when residents decided it was time to fight back against crime and take back their community off Military Trail near Lake Worth Road in Palm Beach County, Florida.  Since the beginning, the residents have worked with publicly elected and appointed officials to push for infrastructure improvements and neighborhood beautification, increase educational opportunities, and continue to re-sew the fabric of the community. With help from Palm Beach County government, Lake Worth West became the first target revitalization area in what is now known as CCRT (Countywide Community Revitalization Team) that was established by the Board of County Commissioners within the Palm Beach County Planning and Zoning Department. To learn more visit our website at www.lakeworthwest.org. 

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Media Contacts: 
Kaileen Cote, Assistant Director of Marketing
Invest in Others Charitable Foundation
kaileen.cote@investinothers.org | 978.761.7883

Rhonda Rogers, CEO & President
Lake Worth West Resident Planning Group, Inc.
rrogers@lakeworthwest.org | 561-649-9600 ext. 101 

Aimee De Palma is a graduate of Florida International University and has focused the better part of her professional career on work that provides solutions and sustainability.

She has eight years of experience with volunteer outreach, donor relations, marketing, and nonprofit organizations.

A South Florida native, she believes that changing the world begins by addressing the issue in our local communities.

Her greatest passion on the job is educating, mentoring, and coordinating programs that aim to treat participants like family.

Thanks again to all of our sponsors, especially, our Problem Solver Sponsor – Joe DiMaggio Children’s Specialty Health Center and a BIG Thank You to our emcee Kathy Wall.

I’d like to acknowledge our top 10 auction donors to date.
Lana Golden
Heath Chute
Michael Gauger
Holly Stewart
Cobi Dunn
Catalina Posada
Joanne Greiser
Charlotte Wright
Theresa Lepore
Les Sonja Robinson     

The online auction has raised $1621.00
Thank you again for supporting our work.

To read our event program click here.

The winter holiday season is a time when many people and organizations are most charitable to those who are less fortunate.

That’s true for Lake Worth West Planning Group supporters who have opened their hearts and contributed to making Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years a cheerful and special time for our residents who often can’t afford fancy gifts or festive family meals.

Here’s a sample of the support our community received in recent weeks:

1) Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office donated 40 turkeys and trimming for families in Lake Worth West.

2) Palm Springs Seventh-day Adventist Church members helped serve cooked Thanksgiving meals to 150 people at our park on Nov. 17 as we celebrated the holiday with music and fellowship.

3) Palm Beach County Food Bank, United Way of Palm Beach County and WPEC CBS 12 teamed up to offer Project Thanksgiving. They provided five $10 gift cards to Publix for families in our community who didn’t get the donated Thanksgiving turkeys and trimming from the Sheriff’s Office.

4) New Leaders Council adopted us through their Ugly Sweater event on Dec. 12 during which each participant brought a gift worth $10 or more. Those gifts were later given to children in our youth programs.

5) Toys for Tots donated toys for our holiday party on Dec. 13. More than 300 toys were given to 115 families living in Lake Worth West.

6) Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Cruz took a child from our community on a toy shopping spree through the Shop-With-A-Cop program.

Our President and CEO Rhonda Rogers summarized the donations this way: “It reminds me that people are good at heart. They are so generous. We are truly grateful for all this outpouring of support and love for our community.”