Company: The Flora May Foundation
Company Description: We help families in immediate crisis. - We receive calls from parents at their wits end with their child/teenagers behavior; substance abuse, truancy, depression, suicidal, runaways & many other scenarios. - We continue to donate children’s books to CHOC/Children’s Hospital of Orange County NICU Family Stay Unit since 2015. - We offer an 8 week work reentry program Working Women Winning/WWW.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Organization of the Year - Non-Profit or Government - Small
 Nomination Title: The Flora May Foundation
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since January 1 2021, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
Written answers with video and attachments.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words)
Total 200 words used.
The Flora May Foundation was founded in 2015 by Debbie Hansen. Ms. Hansen is a 3rd generation volunteer, following in the footsteps of her Mother and Grandmother (both tireless hospital volunteers well into their 80's).
Debbie was called to create a non profit by having donated her time at Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC's) NICU. Realizing CHOC needed large quantities of children's books, she persued an in kind donor who would fulfil the hefty request. It took 3 years, 471 phone calls and much persistence, but she ultimately prevailed in convincing the worlds largest retailer to donate merchandise to us.
Having spent years comforting parents of criticallly ill newborns, Debbie came to realize; parents don't have resources for child rearing questions or concerns. Being a Mother to twin adult children, Debbie knew the road of parenting wasn't always "roses" and wished she had an organization to help guide her parenting journey with her own daughters. That is how The Flora May Foundation was born. Since 2015 FMF has donated mass quantities of in kind donations to CHOC's NICU Family Stay Area and has our own library in the unit. Our children's books are meant to be kept, not returned.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 247 words used.
Achievements Since 2021:
1. CREATING PARTNERSHIPS
The Flora May Foundation strongly believes that non profits are much better when they work together. We sought out like-minded partners with similar missions in the non profit industry. To date, some of our partners include:
- Girls Inc.
- EmpowHer Institute
- Kids in the Spotlight (KITS)
- Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)
- Santa Claus Inc.
- Project Cuddle
- TEKChills Foundation
- Rainbow Sandals Foundation
- Honorary Godparent
- StraightTalk Counseling
- Unite US
- I-5 Network
- The BILY Group
- Susie Q's Kids
- Men With A Vision
- The BILY Group
- Extraordinary Lives Foundation
- S&S Activewear
- Orange County Community Foundation
- Arts for All
- Amazon
The Flora May Foundation has won countless awards since 2021:
- Silver Stevie for "2022's Outstanding Non Profit" - American Business Association
- Silver Stevie for Debbie Hansen, "2022's Woman of the Year" - American Business Association
- U.S. Senate, 2021 - Certificate of Recognition
- U.S Assesmbly, 2021 - Hero Award
- U.S. Congress, 2021 - Dedication to Community Service
- County of Orange, 2021 - Outstanding Altruisic Efforts
- County Recorders Office, 2021 - Certificate of Recognition
- San Clemente Mayor, 2021 - Certificate of Commendation
- City of San Clemente, 2021 - Commendation for charitable, economic and civic success
Debbie Hansen was also a judge for the 2022 American Business Awards (in categories other than The Flora May Foundation's).
FMF created a work development program as well, helping women become gainfully employed - Working Women Winning (WWW). WWW is an 8 week work readiness certificate program for underserved women.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
The awards The Flora May Foundation has won have helped gain us national nortariety. In addition to helping CHOC's NICU, our primary focus is assisting parents struggling with their childrens behavior. When arguments escalate at home, there's usually no 3rd party around to help. We provide support to parents when they don't know what to do. Issues parents are grappling with concerning their kids are commonly:
- Truancy
- Drinking
- Substance abuse
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Self-harm
- In the juvenile system
- Disrespect
- Runaways
- Oppositional/Defiant
Our city, county, state and nation support our work with families and have been generous with their commendations.
Our program Working Women Winning doesn't have "competition"; but the closest we found for comparison purposes is Working Wardrobes. The differences between the 2 programs are significant:
- WWW is an 8 week course; Working Wardrobes is not/doesn't offer a program for upskilling.
- WWW is held in person; Working Wardrobes is not (they offer optional online courses).
- WWW does more than help women with interview clothing; Working Wardrobes helps with interview clothing.
- WWW courses are mandatory; Working Wardrobes are not and are held on pretaped webinars.
- WWW offers up to 1 year of job placement assistance; Working Wardrobes does not.
- WWW teaches popular business software; Working Wardrobes does not.
- WWW participants who successfully complete the program receive a certificate; Working Wardrobes participants do not.
It's difficult to compare the two organizations, since WWW is a comprehensive upskilling program. We focus on STEM/STEAM careers for our participants; whereas learning is optional at Working Wardrobes.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 245 words used.
Our non-profit's numerous awards and achievements demonstrate the tangible impact we've made in our community. For instance, winning 2022's Outstanding Non Profit of the Year award is a testament to our organization's exceptional service delivery, effective leadership and community engagement. It's evidence of our strong commitment to our mission, which is offering families wrap-around services. Awards are helpful towards creating awareness of what we do and who we can help. Similarly, winning a Silver Stevie for 2022's Woman of the Year recognizes Debbie's personal leadership and dedication to The Flora May Foundation's goals. It highlights her role in steering our non-profit towards achieving its mission and demonstrates that our work is being noticed and appreciated by lawmakers at the national level. Additionally, receiving the Hero Award from the U.S. Assembly in 2021, the Dedication to Community Service award from the U.S. Congress in 2021, and the Outstanding Altruistic Efforts recognition from the County of Orange in 2021 underscore our organization's commitment to improving the lives of people in our community. These accolades serve as evidence that we are making a difference and are being recognized for our hard work. The Certificate of Recognition from the County Recorders Office in 2021 and the Certificate of Commendation from the San Clemente Mayor in 2021 further highlight our organization's commitment to improving the community we serve. These certificates serve as proof that we are actively engaging with local government and community leaders to drive positive change.
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