The New Normal:

Naples, FL (July 28, 2020) —With Florida’s COVID-19 case numbers continuing to rise, it looks like working from home is here to stay, at least for the time being. The Community Foundation of Collier County is stepping in to help local nonprofits to make that transition a little smoother. Habitat for Humanity of Collier County was one recipient of a $5,000 grant to invest in remote workstations to help employees better serve local families while they limit the number of employees working in their offices as well as face to face interaction.

 “Because the work that we do is so hands-on, working from home has never been a big part of the equation. So, we’ve really had to adapt,” says Habitat Collier CEO, Rev. Lisa Lefkow. “Staff has done an incredible job of that so far, and this funding from The Community Foundation will help upgrade equipment and eliminate the need for some folks to use personal devices.”

Lefkow says that the pandemic has introduced many new challenges, but it’s technology that has really come into play to save the day. They rely on videoconferencing to meet with prospective families, hold required homeownership classes, and keep donors and volunteers up to speed on their work. Staff keeps in touch through bi-weekly zoom calls. With job sites open only to staff and subcontractors, the organization has shared video tours of completed and under-construction neighborhoods to show supporters that the work continues, even in uncertain times.

“It never ceases to amaze me how this community comes together in times of crisis to make sure their neighbor has everything they need. Because of that generosity and strength of spirit, we’ve been fortunate enough to keep operations moving so we can be there for families in need.”

It’s a story that The Community Foundation has seen across the board for organizations in Collier County. They provide support for many nonprofits in the area and the COVID-19 pandemic has affected them all—from those who are having a hard time adjusting to new working protocols to those who are struggling to keep up with increased demand for services and resources. Their Community Impact Grant Pool is one of the tools they are using to help support those organizations. It’s made up of generous donors who created funds that give the Community Foundation’s board the latitude to address current community needs like COVID-19. That grant pool is the source for Habitat’s remote workstation funding as well as funding for a number of other organizations in Collier County.

About Habitat for Humanity of Collier County

Habitat for Humanity of Collier County’s goal is to empower struggling families to build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Habitat Collier is one of the oldest and most successful Habitat affiliates in the nation. For more than 40 years, they have served the needs of Collier County’s workforce, building homes in partnership with families, volunteers and donors, and then selling them with an affordable mortgage. Since 1978, Habitat Collier has built more than 2,200 homes in Naples and Immokalee. For more information, visit HabitatCollier.org.

About the Community Foundation of Collier County

The Community Foundation of Collier County, now entering its 35th year, is a tax-exempt, public, charitable organization established in 1985 to increase and focus on local private philanthropy. Today, the Community Foundation of Collier County manages more than 750 funds, collaborates with hundreds of nonprofits, holds $214 million in assets and has distributed over $184 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and community programs. The Community Foundation of Collier County is one of Florida’s fastest-growing community foundations. For good. Forever. Learn more at cfcollier.org or call 239-649-5000.

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