Share the Plate
In December 2006, we began sharing our Sunday Collection Plate with the wider community in a Share-The-Plate program. This program was widely embraced by the Congregation (and visitors), as evidenced by the doubling of plate contributions. Half of each collection helps to pay the bills at UUFBR, and the other half goes to the Share-the-Plate Fund. When the Fund reaches $1000, that $1000 is given to the selected organization.
The Share-The-Plate program also raises awareness of volunteer work done by so many of our members who suggest these worthy organizations. Over these several years, UUFBR has given thousands of dollars to groups working outside our walls!
All recipients of this program are non-profits suggested by UUFBR members; often these are active participants with the particular organization.
As a UUFBR member, if you would like to suggest an organization to be a recipient of Share-The-Plate contributions, please click on the following link for a PDF form that can be printed, completed, and returned to any Community Service Team member or the UUFBR office – (561) 482-2001:
Past Shares
D.I.S.C. (Developing Interracial Social Change)
D.I.S.C. is a community-driven organization committed to fostering inclusivity, social progress, and unity within Boca Raton’s diverse populace.
Conceived in 1994 as an intentional fellowship of five white Catholics and five black Baptists, D.I.S.C. (Developing Interracial Social Change) has grown into a voice and a force for interracial justice and cooperation. Working with a diverse group of partners, including the City of Boca Raton, Habitat for Humanity, Florida Atlantic University, faith communities, other non-profits, and many more, D.I.S.C. organizes and implements a wide variety of community initiatives devoted to social justice, the arts, and racial harmony.
Learn more about their initiatives at www.discofpearlcity.org
Sierra Club Inspiring Connections Outdoors
Sierra Club Inspiring Connections Outdoors
We host a number of nature-focused overnight and day outing trips for youth living in underserved, low-income neighborhoods. These children often have limited opportunities to travel away from their urban neighborhoods to explore Florida’s wetlands, uplands, rivers, and wild beaches. By way of these trips, the children will learn about nature, take in Florida’s natural beauty, develop outdoor leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal skills while taking an active role in protecting the environment.
P.E.A.C.E. (People Engaged in Active Community Efforts)
This is an organization of approximately 30 congregations working to fight injustices in Palm Beach County. Currently P.E.A.C.E. is working on: Affordable Housing (Homelessness), Police Community Relations, and Mental Health and Addiction.
Everglades Angels Dog Rescue
Everglades Angels Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization started in 2014. Their mission is to end the suffering of thousands of abandoned pet, feral and breeding packs of dogs, by physical rescue & rehoming.
Our organization is unique because our dedication to the truly in need, with no shelter, food and basic chance of survival. We seek out the tortured, sick and debilitated dogs, in the most remote areas of the everglades in Florida. We also strive to educate the public and bring awareness about the tragedy of Everglades abandonment.
Family Promise of Southeast Florida
Family Promise of Southeast Florida (formerly Family Promise of South Palm Beach County) helps families experiencing situational homelessness by providing case management, counseling services, empathy and a listening ear. They offer a temporary shelter program called Road to Independence, continuing services for the graduates of that program and additional community outreach efforts.
Sunflower Creative Arts
Sunflower Creative Arts Empowering children and families to be confident, creative and compassionate through Play
Sunflower’s mission is to empower children and families to be confident, creative and compassionate through play, nature and the arts…and Sunflower began here at UUFBR! It is one of several nonprofits that found their first home with us. Supporting outside organizations was an intentional ministry of our Fellowship from our beginnings in the 1960s. Those early UUFBR folks worked to help found the Florence Fuller Child Development Center, and also set up a tutoring program in UUFBR’s first building on Palmetto Park Road in East Boca. While the Fellowship moved to our present location in the 80’s, our buildings are still used regularly by several groups, and Sunflower was one of them for 22 years. Eventually Sunflower outgrew us and needed a home of their own so they could be a model learning center and launch more programs in the broader community. https://sunflowercreativearts.org/
Boca Helping Hands
Since founding as a modest soup kitchen in 1998, Boca Helping Hands has become one of the largest nonprofit service providers in South Florida, now with 23 staff members and 300+ core volunteers assisting nearly 35,000 clients annually.
In 2022, BHH distributed nearly 90,000 pantry bags from five Palm Beach County locations and served more than 90,000 hot meals. The organization expands access to affordable medical, dental and behavioral care through its partnership with Genesis Community Health (serving clients at clinics in Boca Raton and Boynton Beach) and Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing Community Based Clinics (serving clients in West Palm Beach).
In addition, BHH sends weekend meals home with food-insecure elementary school students via the BHH Backpacks Program and serves 13 schools across south Palm Beach County. The BHH Resource Center provides emergency financial assistance to Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach residents in crisis to help with rent, overdue utilities, and the rising cost of childcare through the Children’s Assistance Program (CAP).
With an increased focus on client self-sufficiency, BHH awards scholarships for qualified candidates to attend accredited vocational training classes that prepare them for careers in the healthcare, information technology, construction, and transportation industries. BHH also offers free English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes and courses in health and wellness, financial management, and other life skills classes. Staff and volunteer mentors counsel the unemployed and underemployed in basic workplace skills and help them polish resumes and search for jobs.
https://www.bocahelpinghands.org/
I Can Living and Learning Center
I Can Living and Learning Center creates lasting support and advocacy for people living with disabilities such that they are presented with opportunities to find dignified independence and gainful employment.