RED BANK, NJ — Shore House of Long Branch is the first of 12 area nonprofits to benefit from the Count Basie Center for the Arts’ Giving Year program, the center announced.
The yearlong campaign begins this month, and it recognizes and rewards organizations for their contributions to the community. The initiative is run by the Count Basie Center for the Arts and Bank of America.
The mental wellness nonprofit Shore House will receive $1 from every Count Basie Center ticket sold in January, along with tickets for the organization’s clientele and volunteers.
“Part of our responsibility as a nonprofit organization is to look inwards and say, ‘What more can we do?’” said Adam Philipson, president and CEO of the Count Basie Center for the Arts.
“Because we have this status as a place where world-class musicians, actors and performers come to play, we also have this opportunity – and responsibility – to lend our visibility to others.
“Bank of America and the Basie Center want the Giving Year to become a pedestal for organizations that deserve to have their hard work and purposes known and recognized,” Philipson said in a statement.
Shore House, founded in 2010 in Long Branch, has as its mission to “empower and restore hope, independence and self-worth for people living with a mental illness,” according to the organization.
Shore House is the only New Jersey organization accredited by Clubhouse International, which advocates for work, wellness and socialization opportunities for those living with mental illness, the Basie Center said in its announcement.
“Support through The Giving Year will enable us to continue our mission of providing hope, independence and self-worth for people living with mental illness,” said Rich Ambrosino, executive director of Shore House.
Shore House is a local community resource. People who participate are known as members, with membership open to adults living with a mental illness. It’s not a treatment program, but a place where members can learn new skills, develop new relationships, and explore new opportunities, the organization said.
“Shore House relies on the support of community partners like the Basie Center and Bank of America to allow us to continue to be a vital community resource. We are proud to share this partnership in support of people living with mental illness,” said Peder Hagberg, president, Shore House Board of Trustees.
“Mental health is a top priority at Bank of America, and it is important that we continue to support and expand mental health initiatives in New Jersey,” said Alberto Garofalo, president, Bank of America New Jersey. “The mental wellness programs that Shore House provides are vital to our community.”
“The everyday work at Shore House exemplifies the types of organizations The Giving Year is looking to award, platform and highlight,” said Jeremy Grunin, chairperson of the Count Basie Center for the Arts Board of Trustees. “This is an organization with boots on the ground right in Long Branch, providing a community resource for mental illness – a circumstance present in most everyone’s circle of family or friends.”
Bank of America and Basie Center employees and board members started reviewing applications in November.
The program will focus on organizations serving causes related to arts and culture, health/wellness, food insecurity, diversity, equity and inclusion, or financial management or other services to under-represented populations, the Basie Center said.
Organizations interested in consideration for this program may learn more and apply for consideration at www.thebasie.org/thegivingyear. Organizations only need to apply once, and will be considered on a rolling basis throughout 2023.
The Count Basie Center will donate $1 from every ticket sold to one of 12 area nonprofits, with a different organization highlighted each month, with organizations eligible to receive up to $15,000 during their month. Plus, complimentary tickets will be given to the chosen organization’s volunteers and beneficiaries.
February’s beneficiary organization will be announced in mid-January.
For more information about the Basie Center for the Arts, visit www.thebasie.org.
Source: news.google.com
