CHR Receives Grant From Charitable Foundation Of The Islands

Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) granted $25,000 to CHR (Community Housing and Resources), which will be used to provide emergency assistance for CHR residents, and an additional $2,000 to help with capacity building efforts.

“The Charitable Foundation of the Islands is, indeed, pleased to support CHR,” said CFI Board Chair Al Hanser, “as it is a very real part of the fabric of the community and provides such necessary support to so many. After completing a needs assessment, our board and grant making committee felt CHR was very deserving of this grant.”

As part of its mission of providing affordable housing on Sanibel, CHR maintains a special fund to help any of its residents who are in crisis. “Sometimes, life just happens and people need extra help to make it through a temporary financial crunch,” said CHR Executive Director Kelly Collini.

Richard Johnson, president of CHR’s board of directors, agrees: “The financial support provided through the grant from Charitable Foundation of the Islands will make a tremendous difference in the lives of our families, he said. “We appreciate the significance of our partnership with CFI and are eager to recognize the benefits they bring to our community.”

Residents must meet certain criteria to be eligible to receive financial assistance through the CFI grant. CHR also maintains close ties with other local nonprofit service agencies and is able to direct residents to other necessary assistance when needed. “That is the ‘resources’ part of our name,” Collini said. “CHR provides island housing that working people can afford, but we don’t stop there. We also help our residents to become engaged in their island community and we can sometimes help families through their difficulties. That, after all, is what ‘community’ is all about.”

CHR (Community Housing and Resources, Inc.) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing affordable housing for families and individuals who work full-time on Sanibel and for long-time or disabled residents of Sanibel. For more information, visit CHR online at SanibelCHR.org, or call 472-1189. Donations and contributions to CHR are tax deductible. 

Published June 5, 2016 in the Island Sun