Results: Our program impacts persons who suffer from chronic mental illnesses (i.e. Schizophrenia, Bi-polar, Schizoaffective, etc.). They are often unable to provide for themselves because of acute or chronic symptoms. The illnesses affect their abilities to fulfill their most basic needs for shelter, food, clothing, medical, social supports, and assistance toward self-sufficiency. Chronic mental health conditions hinder people’s careers and abilities to become self-sustaining members of their communities. Besides impacting these individuals, it impacts their families, the criminal justice system, hospitals, clinics and the economy. Persons living with chronic mental health illnesses are the largest and fastest growing segment of disability income beneficiaries.
Throughout the years, Jeff Industries’ Live, Learn, Work program has been expanding its basic work- skills training programs which include more sophisticated embroidery equipment, graphic design software, and larger wood- working tools. Last year (2017-2018) 68 clients participated in the work training programs and 14 clients worked in community jobs. Seventy-percent (70%) of clients met the outcome of at least 92 work days per year (most others not meeting outcome were not in program long enough to meet outcome i.e. started program in the last quarter). We welcomed 8,757 (signed-in) visitors to the drop-in center. The drop-in center added a large monitor to display social and economic resources, Wi-Fi and additional personal computers to help facilitate our work skills training. The “Good Food for Good Mental Health” was created in response to medical research that indicates that healthy fruits and vegetables help to abate the effects of chronic mental health illnesses. Participants helped in planting and caring for a vegetable garden on Jeff’s property and, in addition, they received nutritional education from instructors from UF/IFAS Extension once a week for nine weeks. The program expanded its food pantry and kitchen in order to distribute fresh food and canned goods and prepare healthy lunches for the participants. They also worked preparing lunches and therefore continue to learn how to eat healthier. The food pantry distributed 24,703 lbs. of food last year. The agency started a Food Service training component that served 3180 healthy lunches. The meals offered were also used to teach healthy eating habits which improve health, wellbeing and quality of life. Good health contributes to better employment outcomes.
The agency is credited with developing Palm Beach County’s first Charter School “Ed Venture Charter School” in 1997 at the request of the Palm Beach County School District. This School is the result of a seven-year pilot project for mental health involved youth (1989-1996). The School-to-Work program serves exceptional student education youth (15-23) with emotional and behavioral challenges who are deemed unsuitable for mainstream school programing and have been unsuccessful i
Target demographics: at risk youth/families and adults with chronic mental illnesses
Direct beneficiaries per year: Over 400 persons in our community
Geographic areas served: Hypoluxo, Florida
Programs: Jeff Industries, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Florida in 1983, as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation focusing on mental health. The Live, Learn, Work program, also known as the Supported Employment Continuum (SEC), serves adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses. It provides peer support and employment service opportunities. The SEC has four components: (a) Recruitment A.M.I.G.O.S (Alliance for the Mentally Ill Group Offering Support) Drop-in Center (Level 1), (b) Entry Level Employment (Level 2), (c) Affirmative Enterprises Employment (Level 3), and (d) Competitive Community-Based Job Placements (Level 4). The A.M.I.G.O.S drop-in center offers peer support and self-help, social, leisure, networking and educational activities. The "Good Food for Good Mental Health" initiative offers nutrition education, balanced meals and healthy produce to qualified participants. The vegetable and fruit garden on our property augments our ability to prepare healthy meals and distribute fresh produce. The employment work center (Level 2 and 3) provides paid training and employment opportunities through the agency-owned businesses (i.e. graphic design , direct vinyl lettering, large format digital printing, embroidery, printing on garment , CNC routed and 3-dimensional sandblasted signs woodworking and food service), as well as, facilitates community competitive job placements (Level 4).
The Palm Haven Housing Project offers permanent, supportive and affordable housing for adults with mental illnesses in Lake Worth, Florida.
The Pathway to Graduation program serves (15-22 years old) at-risk youth with cognitive, emotional and behavioral challenges. It assists youth in acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to live and work in their community. The Pathway to Graduation assists youth enrolled in the Ed Venture Charter School to prepare and transition to post-secondary options. The organization provides staffing services to the school and facilitates the transitional services for the students.
The Organization operates in Palm Beach County, Florida.
