FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Arc Jacksonville receives $100,000 emergency response grant from
The Jim Moran Foundation

Jacksonville, FL, March 30, 2020: The Jim Moran Foundation generously approved an emergency response grant for $100,000 to The Arc Jacksonville to provide staff and individuals with intellectual and developmental differences (IDD) support for hunger relief, housing, child care, and loss of employment and income as a result of the global pandemic created by the Coronavirus. The intent of the grant is to provide the most immediate intervention to those who are being affected by this unprecedented health crisis.

?As with most nonprofits, we have changed the way we deliver services and are making every effort to maintain all 175 staff members on payroll. Although our day programs are closed, our five community homes and The Village remain open to serve and care for residents, with additional staff mobilized to support these locations. We have altered our mental health services to be conducted virtually. This much needed funding from The Jim Moran Foundation will ensure we continue to deliver our mission and support our dedicated staff.? said Jim Whittaker, President/CEO of The Arc Jacksonville.

The Jim Moran Foundation first partnered with The Arc Jacksonville in 2015 to support The Arc Jacksonville Village and was one of the key funding partners in making The Village a reality. Opened in April 2016, The Village is an affordable, independent-living, apartment-style neighborhood designed to maximize community inclusion for adults with IDD. Since then, The Jim Moran Foundation has funded the Career Alignment Sustainability Training (CAST) Project to create increased employment and community inclusion opportunities for individuals with IDD.

Established in 2000 by automotive pioneer Jim Moran to ensure his philanthropy would endure beyond his lifetime, 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 $140 million in education, elder care, family strengthening and youth transitional living initiatives with efforts currently focused in Broward, Palm Beach and Duval counties.

About The Arc Jacksonville
The Arc Jacksonville serves and advocates for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences to achieve their full potential and to participate in community life. Through incredible partnerships within the Northeast Florida community, The Arc Jacksonville, a local nonprofit, provides a full complement of residential, educational, training, work readiness, employment, mental health, and community inclusion initiatives.

Editor?s Note: The Arc Jacksonville is not an acronym and Arc should never be in all capital letters. When referring to the organization, please use The Arc Jacksonville, not The ARC, The ARC Jacksonville and never ARC. The Arc Jacksonville should be considered as a title or phrase. Refer to the individuals as having ?differences? and not ?disabilities.?

###