Non-Profits and Community Organizations

AFSC, Inc. provides support to families who have lost their child to murder and the case is a cold case presently unsolved. The mission of the organization is to educate and create awareness among youth, families and communities through promotion of programs, intervention, literature and other strategies to assist in the decrease of potential violent tragedies from occurring.

The Greater Tampa Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida (FL) is chartered for the local ACLU membership of Greater Tampa including the Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk and Sumter Counties of Florida. Pinellas County ACLU members have a separately chartered chapter. The southern Greater Tampa Bay counties are chartered to the Sarasota Chapter.

Mission Statement: To develop, nurture, coordinate and promote performing and visual arts in Hillsborough County, and to contract for artistic services all for the enjoyment, education, cultural enrichment and benefit of the citizens of Hillsborough County. The Council is the designated funding source for cultural services and is governed by a 15-member board of directors appointed by the County Commissioners. The Council has no membership, but does have a cultural alliance of leaders of arts organizations and artists to derive a common community-wide agenda and to provide a base for arts advocacy. The Council is divided into three divisions: Arts in Education, the Tampa Theatre, and Program Services.

A non-profit organization that provides mentors for at-risk children in the community. Volunteers are encouraged to spend just a few hours a month mentoring a child doing things they both enjoy: going to the park, baking cookies, helping with homework, or just hanging out. We also launched a new program called 'Sports Buddies'. Big Brothers have the opportunity to spend time with their Little Brother participating in sports together and also enjoying free tickets to various professional sporting events in the Tampa Bay community. We serve children in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Polk counties.

Tarpon Springs. For more information about the Education Center, please call 727-453-6800

CAIR's vision is to be a leading advocate for justice and mutual understanding. CAIR's mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. Fax. 813.514.1415

Located in Ruskin, on the Little Manatee River, this 160-acre Hillsborough County preserve packs a variety of Florida habitats into a small space, plus offers a Nature Center, Fossil Museum, Native Peoples Camp, butterfly habitat, native plant gardens and nursery, canoe launch, and trails through pine flatwoods, hardwood hammock and swamp. It is home to a healthy gopher tortoise population, plus an abundance of other interesting plants and wildlife. Camp Bayou is located 3 miles south of SR 674 at the end of 24th St SE in Ruskin and is operated as a partnership between the non-profit Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. and Hillsborough County Parks , Recreation and Conservation

Mail: 13014 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Box 363, Tampa, FL, 33618-2808 ~ The purpose of the Center for Inquiry is to foster a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry and humanist values. We invite your participation in our family-friendly, reason-oriented community in pursuing your principles in an effective and positive manner. CFI, the largest worldwide organization of freethinkers and skeptics, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational foundation that encourages evidence-based inquiry into science, pseudoscience, medicine and health, religion, ethics, secularism, and society.

Our non-profit is a new organization providing services for 30 counties in Central Florida. We offer training, information, and support to families who have children and young adults with disabilities or special needs. All of our services are free, and we are all parents or family members of children or individuals with disabilities ourselves! We understand your challenges and are here to help...Our organizational philosophies are: Parent to Parent Support, Cultural Respect, Grassroots Outreach, Informed Choice, Interactive Training, and Collaboration Vs. Confrontation.

A non-profit organization that assists in rescuing, fostering and adopting Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes. Foster homes and volunteers are always welcome. 100% of fees and donations go to the medical care, rehabilitation and re-homing of our dogs in need.

CLEAN WATER ACTION IS A NON PROFIT ENVIROMENTAL LOBBY COMMITTED TO ELECTING ECO FRIENDLY CANDIDATES AND PASSING PROGRESSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. WE WELCOME VOLUNTEERS,JOB APPLICANTS--AND ANYONE WITH A CONCERN FOR FLORIDA'S FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT.

Dial 2-1-1 to reach the Hillsborough County crisis hotline 24 hours/day. If you need assistance, please call 813-964-1964 (office) or 813-969-4934 (media contact) ********************************** Bringing help, hope and healing to people facing serious life challenges. We can help you cope with the devastating trauma of sexual or physical violence, domestic violence or abuse, depression and despair, substance abuse, financial problems, family issues or whenever life’s challenges start to weigh you down.

Mission Statement: To facilitate the enjoyment and understanding of our natural and cultural resources as relevant to Southwest Florida habitats, to promote environmental awareness and to foster responsible stewardship. Telephone/ Fax Number (941) 322-1000

Dachshund Adoption Rescue and Education (DARE) is a no-kill, non-profit, 501(c)3 rescue group. As such DARE specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of dachshunds and dachshund-mixes regardless of age or health-related issues. As all of the DARE members are volunteers, 100% of every single penny donated to DARE is spent to further DARE's mission of the rescue, rehabiliation and re-homing of dachshunds. As a non-profit, 501(c)3 rescue, all donations to DARE are tax-deductible and DARE will provide you with a receipt for all donations to ensure you are able to take advantage of appropriate and applicable tax deductions related to your DARE donations.

An International People's Declaration of INTERdependence for respect for nature, human rights, economic justice, participatory democracy, and a culture of peace.

Inclusive scouting program for boys and girls 3 to 17. Based on Earth Charter principles.

Farm-based Intentional Community effort in Plant City. Florida

Family Network on Disabilities is a national network of individuals of all ages who may be at-risk, have disabilities, or have special needs and their families, professionals, and concerned citizens. The mission of Family Network on Disabilities is to ensure through collaboration that individuals have full access to family-driven support, education, information, resources, and advocacy and to serve families of children with disabilities, ages birth through 26, who have the full range of disabilities described in section 602(3) of IDEA. Local Phone:727-523-1130

Our goal is to build a comprehensive array of services and supports that meet the individual needs of children with emotional, behavioral, and mental disorders and their families. Families are equal partners with community providers at all levels of program planning, implementation and evaluation. We are family, working as advocates, reaching everyone by developing a community based on family strengths.

The mission of the Florida Borderline Personality Disorder Association is to promote awareness, education, and research of borderline personality disorder and cultivate an atmosphere of support among professionals, consumers, and families throughout the state.

The FMoPA is dedicated to the art of photography. With it's outstanding exhibitions, classes, lectures and community programs, FMoPA is one of a handful of museums in the country dedicated to the art of photography. - Event reservations & memberships can be purchased online, via PayPal at www.FMoPA.org, by check payable to FMoPA & mailed to: Event Treasurer at the address above or by credit card, taken on the phone only.

The Florida Native Plant Society was organized in 1980 "to promote the preservation, conservation, and restoration of the native plants and native plant communities of Florida." The Tampa Bay area is served by four chapters, Pinellas, Suncoast (Hillsborough County), Nature Coast (Pasco County), and Serenoa (DeSoto, Sarasota, Manatee, and Hardee Counties). Each has monthly meetings and field trips which the public is invited to attend. FNPS is a scientific organization that promotes native plants through participation in local environmental events, awards to landscape professionals, research grants, conservation grants, an annual conference, and lobbying on policy and legislation at the state and local levels.

The Florida School of Traditional Midwifery, a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit corporation, is recognized as one of the most well-respected midwifery programs in America. Graduates are eligible for state licensure and national certification, and are providing families throughout Florida and across the country with safe, high-quality, cost-effective maternity care. The mission of the Florida School of Traditional Midwifery is to offer the finest in direct entry midwifery education in an environment that encourages students to reach their full potential. We believe it is our responsibility to promote awareness of and access to midwifery services. Our graduates are and will be community builders who use midwifery as their tool.

We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) in the Tampa Bay area that promotes animal rights and freedom, educating the masses on how to make compassionate choices for those without voices. Florida is growing rapidly, as is the reality that animal abuse and exploitation will not be tolerated. We were the first state in the nation to ban gestation crates for pregnant pigs, and cities such as Tampa, West Palm Beach, Winter Springs, Hollywood, and New Port Richey have passed Resolutions opposing the use of battery-cage confinements of egg-laying hens. Engaged in the Adopt-A-College program, we leaflet at college campus and events, educating the public about current egregious practices bestowed upon factory farmed animals. We defend non-human animals against exploitation, neglect, abuse and offer guidance and resources toward vegetarian and vegan (no milk, eggs or dairy) lifestyles, simultaneously reducing environmental destruction. Presentations for groups and classes are available on animal rights issues, and literature is available for those interested in learning how they too can be a part of the solution. Volunteers and contributions are always welcome! Help strengthen our voice for those that can't be heard.

Gloria Holloway, Director & Secretary ~ Friends of Florida Folk (FOFF) is a 501c3 non-profit organization. For over a quarter of a century, FOFF's mission has been to identify, protect, preserve, encourage and promote the folk arts, including folk music. A state-wide calendar listing of folk events can be found in our monthly publication "FOFF Focus" and on our website.

A volunteer operated, 501c3 public charity organization. Formed in 2005, named for the late singer/songwriter concert presenter, Joe Prine, we are dedicated to bringing quality music to a family-friendly, listening-room environment. An average of a concert per month is held at the Unitarian Universalist center 3140 Troy Ave. Lakeland. For information contact Anne Kearton, akearton@verizon.net or see our website.

Contact Person: Melissa Schultz Telephone Number: 813-334-6614 Fax Number: 727-859-4359 Email Address: Melissa.Schultz@gal.fl.gov Every Child Deserves a Hand, and a Voice. Guardian ad Litem Needs You! Thousands of abused, neglected or abandoned children in our area need a voice in court. Every year in Hillsborough County, thousands of children are trapped in hopeless homelife situations. Even when they are removed by law enforcement, far too many of these children have no one to speak on their behalf in court. These abused, abandoned and neglected children face a judicial system that does not hear what is in their best interests. That is why Guardian ad Litem exists. And that is why Voices For Children works tirelessly on its behalf. You Could Become a Guardian ad Litem. If you are 19 years of age or older, have common sense, good judgment and a heart with the room to help one of these children, you could become a Guardian ad Litem. This volunteer work is vitally important to creating a successful future for the child you help. To become a Guardian ad Litem at 813-272-5110, or email Tami.Dodd@gal.fl.gov for more information. If not you, who? Visit vfcgal.org or call (813) 272-5110 today! -END- Melissa Schultz Volunteer Recruiting Guardian ad Litem Tampa, FL 33602 Melissa.Schultz@gal.fl.gov

Founded in March 1995. The part-time volunteer board is comprised of community members, early education experts, elected officials and business people. Membership also includes Head Start and Early Head Start parent representatives from the Head Start Policy Council. As a pure volunteer enterprise, the Foundation looks for novel ways to fulfill its mission and new members to join in the delivery of those activities, whether as Directors, project leaders or participants. Contact: Colleen Pruitt Head Start Foundation Board Member

The Homeless Coalition works in partnership with organizations throughout the community to help meet our homeless neighbors’ basic needs and to implement long-term solutions to prevent homelessness and help those who are already homeless get back on their feet. We focus on four key areas: ~ Prevention – helping develop services that will prevent a household from becoming homeless. ~ Customer Service Center – a one-stop location where homeless and near homeless people can go and get connected to the services they need instead of having to visit/call multiple locations in search of the one that can help them. ~ Recuperative Care Center – a place where homeless people can go to recuperate when discharged from the hospital. ~ Permanent Housing/Supportive Housing – the inability to find affordable housing is the number one cause of homelessness. By working to develop the communities’ capacity to provide and the supply of affordable housing and related programs we can end homelessness through housing. In addition, we work with our partners to develop supportive services - such as employment, physical and mental health care, recovery services – that will help the person achieve self-sufficiency. Fax: 813-223-6178