Community With A Heart is underway

A Community With A Heart board member looks over a case during a meeting at the Emergency Operations Center at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

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Posted November 27, 2023 | By Susan Smiley-Height, susan@magnoliamediaco.com

The annual Community With A Heart (CWAH) campaign helps individuals and families living in Marion County. The goal of the program is to help those who have experienced an unexpected major life event get back on their feet. The scenarios might include not being able to get to a job because of car trouble or missing a rent payment or two and being in danger of becoming homeless.

The campaign, which relies on donations, begins in early November and runs through the middle of January. The nonprofit group is governed by a board of 13 members who are affiliated with area help agencies. Those who are seeking assistance must apply through one of the agencies on the board, present recent documentation of the need and demonstrate self-sustainability.

“Community With A Heart is often the lifeline for individuals and families who don’t qualify for assistance with other local agencies,” said board chair Monica Bryant, the Family Violence Prevention Coordinator with the Marion County Children’s Alliance. “The key is, they must be able to pay their bills the following month if they get help.”

Now in its 37th year, CWAH has collected more than $1.8 million, of which just over $30,000 was raised during the 2023-2024 campaign. All of the donations go directly to help local residents.

The CWAH board members meet once a week during the campaign to review applications that have been vetted by board members. The board member must make a home visit and the applicant must show documentation to verify the need, such as two estimates from a certified car repair shop, if they are requesting help to get their car fixed or a current mortgage or rental statement showing how much they owe.

The board reviews each case and votes on who receives support. It has to be a majority vote and no money goes to the person; it goes to the landlord, the car repair shop, or the business providing the service. There is a cap of assistance at $1,200 and approved applicants may not apply again for three years.

Often, local businesses, churches and volunteers donate their services to stretch the giving even further, such as in the case of Casaundra Park, who needed her car fixed to get her daughter, who was diagnosed with a terminal illness, to medical appointments outside of Marion County. CWAH assisted the family by paying for the car repairs.

“Considering the current state of our economy right now, for many, CWAH is the only option,” Bryant said. “There’s definitely still a need for this program because we get calls year-round for help. I’m grateful the community continues to support it so we can help those who need a hand up, not a handout.”

How to help CWAH:

To support the Community With A Heart campaign, make a donation online at ocalafoundation.org/community-foundation-funds/community-with-a-heart/ or mail a check to CWAH Fund, P.O. Box 1777, Ocala, FL 34478. Donations are tax deductible and go directly to help residents in Marion County.

How to apply for CWAH assistance:   

To seek help from Community With a Heart, contact one of the following agencies for a referral to the program to receive assistance: Marion County Children’s Alliance, Brother’s Keeper, Interfaith Emergency Services, Marion County Public Schools, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida Inc., Ocala Housing Authority, Isaiah Foundation, Central Florida Community Action Agency, Marion County Community Services, Habitat for Humanity and Cleve Butler and James Jackson, who are Community-at- Large members. The CWAH program does not have a direct phone number. For questions or information, call one of the agencies listed above or go to fb.com/profile.php?id=100075921828652 to send a message. Please allow 24-48 hours to receive a response.

Ongoing needs for CWAH:

• Marion County Children’s Alliance: Funds for emergency shelter in motel/hotel for victims and survivors of domestic violence, gas cards and new, unwrapped toys or gift cards for youth 12 to 18 years old. (352) 438-5993.
• Brother’s Keeper: Gas cards, bus passes, non-perishable food items and unwrapped toys for children ages 1-12. (352) 622-3846
• Interfaith Emergency Services: Towels, gloves, bus passes, new socks and underwear for adults and non-perishable food items (352) 629-8868.