JACKSONVILLE, FL - Ability Housing, a nonprofit developer of affordable housing, today announced the receipt of a $50,000 grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.
The grant will support the implementation of a new program that will build financial resiliency, income and wealth for Ability Housing’s residents — with the goal of lifting families living in their properties out of poverty.
In 2020, the average household income for Ability Housing’s residents was $12,912. Through this program, Ability Housing will collaborate with residents and community partners to address immediate barriers to income and increase opportunities for economic mobility.
“Collectively, we have become more aware of the systemic causes of intergenerational poverty. Having an affordable place to live is a key component of breaking that cycle. But, we at Ability Housing want to go further and help our residents use their housing as a springboard for their family’s future. Our ultimate goal is to interrupt the cycle of intergenerational poverty,” said Shannon Nazworth, President and CEO of Ability Housing. “This generous grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida will accelerate our efforts to support our residents’ short-term needs and long-term goals.”
Ability Housing will convene a team of residents and cross-sector organizations to launch this program. The first step will be listening to the residents, as they will be a lead partner in defining success, developing programs and evaluating outcomes. Solutions will be oriented toward both adults and youth, with an emphasis on physical health, financial literacy training and employment programs.
The Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund was established in 2015, with the goal of supporting Northeast Florida organizations that are taking on major challenges.
“Delores Barr Weaver established her Legacy Fund to be a transformational force for good through bold initiatives, such as this one,” said Nina Waters, president of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. “Her capacity for envisioning and supporting beneficial change is matched only by her determination to bring others along with her. We join her in congratulating Ability Housing on its selection for this grant, and we applaud their vision for solving the challenges of intergenerational poverty.”
About Ability Housing: Ability Housing is an industry-leading not-for-profit multifamily rental housing developer dedicated to creating high-quality affordable housing. We invest in communities through properties that enhance their surrounding neighborhoods, improve each community’s quality of life, and connect residents with a network of voluntary support services. For more information, visit AbilityHousing.org, like the organization on Facebook (facebook.com/AbilityHousing) and follow on Twitter (@AbilityHousing).
About the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund: The Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida was created by Delores Barr Weaver in 2015 as the natural evolution of the Delores Barr Weaver Fund, which has awarded more than $86 million in grants since she created it in 2012. She also provides separate, annual support to 20 local, non-profit organizations for their annual fundraising events through the Delores Barr Weaver Forever Event Fund. Like the Delores Barr Weaver Fund, the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund’s purpose is to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that do work she has supported over many years and to encourage others to do so as well. Mrs. Weaver has an extraordinary legacy of philanthropy, and she has provided transformative support to dozens of nonprofit organizations that uplift, enlighten and advance our community.
About The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida: Now in its 57th year, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida (www.jaxcf.org) is Florida’s oldest and largest community foundation. The Foundation works to stimulate philanthropy to build a better community – helping donors invest their philanthropic gifts wisely, helping nonprofits serve the region effectively, and helping people come together to make the community a better place. The Foundation has $548 million in assets and has made grants of $600 million since 1964.