For Immediate Release
August 20, 2024

Jacksonville, FL – Florida ranks third in the United States for sex trafficking, with Jacksonville being the third highest within the state. In light of these alarming statistics, there is hope for Jacksonville: Villages of Hope has received a $500,000 challenge grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds for 2024. This grant will support the construction of a 13-tiny-house community by Villages of Hope, aimed at serving women seeking a life free from sexual exploitation and addiction.

The Community Foundation shared Delores’ sentiments when she recently stated, “I am deeply grateful for the hard work and dedication of nonprofit professionals both at home and around the world. Together, we will make a difference.”

Extensive research has identified a critical gap in Jacksonville: the lack of adequate housing where survivors can be safe and receive proper care. Existing options, such as sober living homes, homeless shelters, and rape crisis centers, present significant challenges and are not long-term solutions.

To date, the $2.4 million capital construction project has raised over $1.3 million and is fully permitted by the City of Jacksonville. The challenge grant requires Villages of Hope to raise $600,000 to receive the $500,000 grant that will fund the remaining cost of construction.

“We are incredibly grateful for the challenge grant,” said Donna Fenchel, Co-Founder of Villages of Hope. “We call on the community to help us meet this challenge and make a meaningful impact.”

Villages of Hope invites supporters to learn about the issue of human trafficking and join them in the “Build With Us” campaign. Together, we can provide safe, supportive housing for local women survivors of human trafficking.

About the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds
Delores Barr Weaver has an extraordinary legacy of philanthropy in Northeast Florida since moving to Jacksonville as co-owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1993. Since her historic gift of $50 million in 2012 establishing the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund, she has partnered with The Community Foundation on her philanthropy through numerous, multi-million dollar gifts, including the Foundation’s largest-ever gift of $61 million in 2023. She has established designated funds for more than four dozen nonprofits, including 20 that receive ongoing annual support through the Delores Barr Weaver Forever Event Fund, est. 2015. Today, her grant making exceeds $209 million, with support for more than 300 organizations in Northeast Florida and beyond.

About the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida
The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida (www.jaxcf.org), Florida’s oldest and one of its largest community foundations, works to stimulate philanthropy to build a better community. The Foundation helps donors invest their philanthropic gifts wisely, helps nonprofits serve the region effectively, and helps people come together to make the community a better place. Now in its 60th year, the Foundation manages more than $650 million in assets as of 12/31/2023 and has made more than $750 million in grants since inception.