LIFEBUILDERS OF THE TREASURE COAST INC
Change a life, change the world!
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
For those striving to overcome poverty's barriers, all effort revolves around existence and survival. For those living paycheck to paycheck, a seemingly small hurdle such as illness or a car repair can become a monumental barrier to success. For those who have been involved in the court system, even more barriers exist such as lack of housing and employment opportunities. These barriers are enough to cause even the most motivated people to fall back into old habits and make poor choices, perpetuating the cycle of court involvement and poverty. When LifeBuilders is able to offer a "hand up," poor choices can be averted, lives can be changed, and the cycle can be broken.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Financial Assistance
LifeBuilders changes lives by empowering those affected by the 19th Judicial Circuit Courts to make positive changes and to pursue success.
Many hard working people, striving to overcome poverty's barriers, face financial stumbling blocks. LifeBuilders can assist in removing those impediments to their success. We address immediate needs such as housing and utility assistance, substance abuse treatment assistance, and items such as clothing, supplies, and tools for educational purposes and employment.
LifeBuilders is a funder of last resort, filling the gaps in community assistance. Our assistance is a one-time service to applicants who are striving to make positive changes and have a plan for sustainability.
Where we work
External reviews
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of eligible households assisted
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Financial Assistance
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Since 2019, LifeBuilders has been providing more assistance per household to enhance our donors' community impact. The number of households served may decrease, but total assistance has increased.
Total dollars disbursed for finanacial assistance
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Financial Assistance
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of families assisted with rent or mortgage to avoid eviction
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Financial Assistance
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
In 2020 our donors helped a larger number of families with rent assistance due to the COVID pandemic.
Total dollars distributed for rent or mortgage assistance
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Financial Assistance
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
In 2020 our donors helped a larger number of families with rent assistance due to the COVID pandemic.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
LifeBuilders strives to reduce recidivism, increase public safety, and enhance the rehabilitation available through the criminal justice system, while reducing overcrowding in our jails and decreasing jail and court costs.
Children whose parents are involved in the criminal justice system face a host of challenges and difficulties: psychological strain, problems in school, economic hardship, and more. Instability is one of the greatest risk factors for child development. Instability is the experience of change in individual or family circumstances where the change is abrupt, involuntary, and/or in a negative direction, and thus is more likely to have adverse implications for child development. Children experiencing residential instability demonstrate worse academic and social outcomes than their residentially-stable peers, including increased high school drop-out rates, and lower adult educational attainment. Incarceration of a parent increases a family's material hardship, contributes to housing insecurity and adds to the instability of family life, especially among poor children. Parents involved with the criminal justice system are more likely to experience instability; in housing, transportation, education and more.
Most indigent individuals involved in the court system have neither personal nor family financial assistance. Limited community services are available to meet the needs of low-income individuals as they progress through drug or mental health court, diversionary or in-jail rehabilitation or restorative programs or dependency court. When existing financial resources are exhausted, individuals cannot participate in much needed rehabilitation programs, or obtain specific items that would educate and guide them into a productive and crime-free lifestyle.
By filling the financial gap that exists after all public/family funding and community resources have been exhausted, low-income individuals involved in the 19th Judicial Circuit criminal or dependency courts can continue on a recovery path and return to a productive life in the community. The stability offered also has a long term impact on their children, reducing the cycle of long term familial court involvement.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
LifeBuilders helps remove the hurdles for those affected by the 19th Circuit Judicial System, empowering them to make positive changes and to pursue success. Many hard working people, striving to overcome poverty's barriers, face financial stumbling blocks. LifeBuilders can assist in removing these impediments to success. We address immediate needs such as housing and utility assistance, substance abuse treatment assistance, and items such as clothing, supplies, and tools for educational purposes and employment. LifeBuilders is a funder of last resort, filling the gaps in community assistance. Our assistance is a one-time service to applicants who are striving to make positive changes and have a plan for sustainability.
Applicants apply for assistance online at www.LifeBuildersTC.com and they are evaluated for compliance with eligibility criteria. Information is verified and a determination is made as to whether assistance can be provided and to what level.
The simple interventions provided by LifeBuilders can stop the domino effect of instability and prevent the exponential negative impact on children. LifeBuilders connects families with supports and financial resources to overcome short-term barriers and to maintain the stability needed to follow a path towards a productive, crime-free lifestyle for themselves, their families and their communities. This help comes in the form of:
• Work Assistance
• Education Assistance
• Driver's License or ID procurement
• Improved access to substance abuse and mental health treatment and specialized court interventions
• Rent and utility assistance
• Help with basic needs and transportation
• Support for medical and dental care
• Information and referral
LifeBuilders maintains an application Hotline (772) 882-1222 with phone hours Monday-Thursday, 9am to 4pm for individuals to inquire about, or submit an application. Applications for assistance may be made by the client or family/caregiver. LifeBuilders has partnered with many community agencies as well as local businesses to extend additional services and also has collaborative agreements with United Way agencies.
The Board, consisting of the elected Public Defender of the 19th Judicial Circuit, private attorneys, law enforcement, local businesses and those in charge of diversion court offers a unique vantage point that provides ongoing enhancement of LifeBuilders' quality of services.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
LifeBuilders has several key capabilities that ensure its long-term success and ability to continue to grow.
1) No duplication – The funds that are used by LifeBuilders are funds of 'last resort' and do not duplicate assistance that is provided by other entities. The organization strives to only fill the gaps that exist.
2) Collaboration - Staff and volunteers have worked closely with the Public Defender's office, re-entry specialists, employers, and other human service providers for nearly 10 years. With this network, we have the collective skills, abilities, and expertise to address the multitude of challenges faced by those we seek to assist.
3) Adaptable – LifeBuilders is well versed in managing its resources and successes through established databases, relationships, processes and procedures. The flexibility that has been built-in allows us to respond quickly to the unique needs of our applicants.
LifeBuilders' Board consists of many different professionals who are active within the 19th Judicial Circuit court system and have a strong commitment to helping those touched by the court to succeed. Each Board member has a passion for helping those who want out of the downward spiral of crime. Community support is reaching newer heights as President of the Board, Diamond R. Litty, and our Community Relations Coordinator, Eric Kohrhamer speak to philanthropic and business organizations about LifeBuilders' mission.
LifeBuilders maintains a year-around schedule seeking revenue from grants and fund-raising activities so that we can help fulfill the needs of the individuals who meet the criteria for assistance. Long-range planning includes additional grant and private donation requests as well as funding raising events.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
In 2022, LifeBuilders disbursed $245,524 in assistance to help 525 individuals and families stay on the path to becoming successful citizens who build strong communities. Since 2009, LifeBuilders has provided over $1.8 million in assistance to more than 5,600 individuals and families with low income who are striving to overcome poverty's barriers to success.
LifeBuilders has established relationships with more than 75 different community partners that provide referrals and services to ensure a comprehensive response to those whose lives have been affected by the 19th Circuit Judicial System.
We are continually seek grants and private donations, as well as scheduling fund raising events to help with our mission of "Changing Lives and Protecting Communities." We would like to be able to provide 100% assistance to all of our approved applicants, but if this is not possible, then at least partial assistance to all approved.
We want to continue to grow with additional collaborations with other agencies in the community so that we may pair our services to help those in need.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
LIFEBUILDERS OF THE TREASURE COAST INC
Board of directorsas of 01/14/2023
Mrs. Diamond Litty
Public Defender, 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Term: 2009 -
Diamond Litty
Office of the Public Defender, 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Lisa Fonteyn
Office of the Public Defender, 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Cameron Wadsworth
Business Owner
Katharine Alonzo
Office of the Public Defender, 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Edmond Alonzo
19th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Scott VanDuzer
Big Apple Pizza and The VanDuzer Foundation
Nicholas Derrico
Sky King
William Vega
Port St. Lucie Police Department
Carmine Izzo
Port St. Lucie Police Department
Lisa Kahle
Attorney - Vero Beach, FL
Cathy Townsend
St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners
Susan Adams
Indian River County Board of County Commissioners
Nita Denton
Office of the State Attorney, 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Vern Melvin
Retired from 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Not applicable -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No