FBH Prosperity hosts a beautification project in Daytona Beach

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

by: Kelley Harrell

FBH Prosperity Program Manager

Food Brings Hope Community developed FBH Prosperity with a goal to reduce poverty in the 32114-zip code by 10% by 2030. FBHP seeks to foster economic growth for participants by enhancing education, workforce development, employment, health and wellness, and homeownership through wraparound services and appropriate referrals to local entities. FBHP, in conjunction with Homes Bring Hope, works one-on-one with participants to help them overcome obstacles and achieve their goal of homeownership.

HBH currently has two homes under construction for two deserving families, one on Walnut Street and the other on Aberdeen Street. Beyond helping the soon-to-be homeowners, FBHP and HBH aims to give back to the community even further by beautifying the neighboring properties on those streets. FBHP worked closely with our local utility companies to remove dangerous hanging wires from these streets. A total of 11 properties received professional services such as power washing, lawn care, and intensive landscaping by the hands of volunteers under the direction of professional landscape architect, Michael Weremay with MJ Weremay Design. All services were performed at no cost to the homeowners.

“We were delighted to work with our valued partners to beautify 32114 zip-code as part of the FBH Prosperity initiative," said Forough Hosseini, founder and chair of the FBH Community. "Our partners worked tirelessly to beautify these two streets and have already signed up for FBH’s next beautification project.”

On Saturday, April 30, over 100 volunteers from local agencies, banks, hospitals, and schools participated in this event and were ready to get their hands dirty to give back to the 32114 community. FBH Prosperity Beautification Project teams included these vital community partners AdventHealth, Bank of America, Daytona State College, Hope Florida Care Navigation Department of Children and Families, Florida Department of Health in Volusia County, Halifax Health, JPMorgan Chase &Co., SMA Healthcare, and Volusia County Schools.

“The FBH Prosperity Beautification Day was an investment in the 32114-zip code which aligns with the vision of JP Morgan Chase," said Will Perez private banker with JP Morgan. "JP Morgan Chase & Co. has made a $200,000 donation to the FBH Community, whose mission is to change the trajectory of the entire 32114 community. This donation will not only help countless families achieve their goal of homeownership but change the very community they will call home.”

To make things more exciting, teams competed for top awards: Prosperity Beautification, Homes Bring Hope, Most Creative, and Team Excellence awards. Volunteers also included employees from ICI Homes, Halifax Urban Ministries, and future homeowners participating in the Homes Bring Hope Program. With each group of volunteers assigned to a home, FBHP supplied the team with trees, plants, fertilizer, mulch, and extra tools donated by Madden’s Ace Hardware and Volusia County Public Works.

In addition, FBH Prosperity shares many thanks to the following local businesses who donated in our first ever Beautification Project, Donnie’s Donuts, Publix Supermarkets, Inc., and Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. With a timeslot of 3 hours, the volunteers got busy. Coming in first place, earning the Prosperity Beautification Award was the Florida Department of Health, Volusia County.

“The Department of Health staff members proudly serve on the FBH Prosperity Initiative," said Public Health Services Manager Tarayn Korkus-Nix. "It was a labor of love for my team to work on this beautification project. We worked hard at trimming trees, raking, and bagging leaves, debris removal and planting trees and shrubs. Of course, we left the family with information about healthy living and the importance of eating fruits and vegetables.”

Congratulations to Hope Florida Care Navigation Department of Children and Families for earning the Homes Bring Hope award. Team Excellence was earned by JP Morgan Chase, & Co., and Most Creative was awarded to ICI Homes.

FBH Prosperity and Homes Bring Hope currently have seven homes under construction, which include four on North Caroline Street and one on Spruce Street. These two streets will be home to the next Beautification Project. FBH Prosperity is looking forward to welcoming its families to their new homes and beautifying those additional streets this fall. Existing partner volunteers are excited to continue bringing prosperity to more 32114 neighborhoods. For exciting news, events, additional information and to view our pictures from the event please visit FBHCommunity on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.