Tag: NonProfit and Charities

ATLANTA, Ga. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The HBCU Green Fund is proud to announce GreenFest 2024, a vibrant celebration of sustainability, culture, and the power of unity within the Black community on Saturday, September 7, at Truly Living Well Farm in Atlanta, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The free, public event will feature food, live performances, eco workshops, activities for children, and an opportunity to meet V-103s Big Tigger who will broadcast live from the event.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- There's good news for old dogs this summer as The Grey Muzzle Organization announces the recipients of its annual grants, and dogs at the Sacramento SPCA are among the winners. The Sacramento SPCA is one of 100 animal welfare groups chosen from nearly 400 applicants to receive a grant to help local senior dogs and the people who love them.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Concordia Leadership Council is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Leadership Award: Mr. Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, for the nonprofit sector; Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer, for the private sector; and H.E. Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO, for the public sector. The three recipients will be formally recognized for their exceptional leadership at the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Lutheran Life Communities is hosting an "Aging Gracefully" sermon series at all four of their Chicagoland locations this September, focusing on the Five G's of Aging: Gather, Grow, Give, Go, and Gratitude. This enriching series is non-denominational and open to all. The Sunday series will be held weekly starting September 8 at the four Lutheran Life Communities.

BETHESDA, Md. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) today announced the members of its fourth class of scholars in its signature program designed to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the postdoctoral community and beyond. The six fellows in the NPA's 2024-2025 IMPACT Fellowship Program ("IMPACT") are postdoctoral researchers representing diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and geographies.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Lutheran Home is hosting a complimentary "Best Friends Guide to Dementia" educational series starting this month. The healthcare campus is part of non-profit Lutheran Life Communities and provides the most comprehensive constellation of memory support services, options and resources in Arlington Heights.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- California Safe Schools (CSS) celebrates their 26th annual pioneering "Your Life Is Now" Forum which brings together students, members of the public, local, state and federal government. 26 years ago, California Safe Schools (CSS) was founded by Robina Suwol with a mission to protect children on school sites from ever being exposed to pesticides.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Lutheran Life Communities, a non-profit senior living and services organization, announces the expansion of two of its 62+ senior living campuses with the planned development of up to 24 new cottage homes. The new cottages will be built at Pleasant View in Ottawa, Illinois and Wittenberg Village in Crown Point, Indiana. The cottages at these two entrance fee communities are designed for modern living and long-term peace of mind.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- In a landmark announcement during the 2024 Concordia Amazonas Summit last week, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali revealed plans to double Guyana's protected areas, currently covering around 8.4% of the country's landmass, within 18 months. The announcement was made during the opening dinner of the Summit at the president's home, featuring President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali along with H.E. Iván Duque, Former President of the Republic of Colombia and Chair of the Concordia Amazonas Initiative, Matthew Swift, Co-Founder, President & CEO of Concordia, and Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Natural Resources, Guyana.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Sacramento SPCA was awarded a $15,000 grant investment from national nonprofit Petco Love in support of their lifesaving work for animals in the Sacramento region.

NEPTUNE, N.J. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- In 2009, Move For Hunger began mobilizing transportation networks to bring food to communities in need. Since then the 501(c)(3) organization has created a network of over 1,200+ transportation partners committed to reducing food waste. Altair Global has been an integral part of this effort, and we're thrilled to announce that the team-up continues as we enter our ninth year of partnership!

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Lutheran Life Communities launches a fun and educational summer event series for its three entrance-fee Life Plan Communities in the Chicagoland area: Luther Oaks, Pleasant View and Wittenberg Village. While each location has a unique personality, they all deliver on the same promise: inspiring growth, connection and vitality for older adults.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- CapitalW Collective (CapitalW), the glass shattering non-profit benefiting women and their allies in mortgage capital markets, today announced its successful debut within the mortgage industry. Officially launched on May 1, 2024, CapitalW made its first appearance at the Mortgage Bankers Association Secondary and Capital Markets Conference in New York May 19-21.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Glancy Wine Education Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of several new members to its all-volunteer board, as well as its achievement of Platinum Transparency, the highest rating possible from Candid's Guidestar charity ratings system. Established in 2020, The Glancy Wine Education Foundation is a registered a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization.

MIAMI, Fla. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- This morning at its 2024 Americas Summit, Concordia - the leading public-private sector convener - announced a partnership with CrossBoundary Group's Fund for Nature (FFN). The announcement was made publicly during the session Expanding Access to Capital for Nature-Based Carbon Projects featuring H.E. Iván Duque, Former President of the Republic of Colombia and Chair of the Concordia Amazonas Initiative, Kate Wharton, Managing Director and Head of Natural Capital at CrossBoundary, and Matthew Swift, Co-Founder, President & CEO of Concordia.

ROCKVILLE, Md. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Charles E. Smith Life Communities (CESLC), in collaboration with Suburban Hospital, a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine, announced today the 14th annual Sara and Samuel J. Lessans Healthcare Symposium. This event brings together clinicians, caregivers and experts in the field of senior care to share the latest research, best practices and innovations in the industry.

DALLAS, Texas /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Today, The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute is proud to announce the two finalists of the Great Communicator Debate Series South Central Regional Competition held in Dallas, TX on the campus of Southern Methodist University, home of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

BOISE, Idaho /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Idaho Rural Water Association (IRWA) is extremely proud to recognize and honor Governor Brad Little with its prestigious annual award, "Friend of Rural Water." Each year, the award is presented to a champion of rural water who has made a significant contribution in helping public drinking water and wastewater utility systems throughout the state. On April 4, 2024, IRWA's CEO, Shelley Roberts presented the well-deserved award to Governor Little at the IRWA annual Spring Conference Awards Dinner in Boise, Idaho.

ROCKVILLE, Md. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Charles E. Smith Life Communities (CESLC) announced today a series of fun and enriching LifeLAB events for March and April 2024. Offering a glimpse into the vibrant senior living lifestyle at CESLC, these complimentary events promise to engage, educate and entertain attendees on a variety of captivating subjects. LifeLAB events range from delightful musical performances and fun, engaging social events to insightful panel discussions on the unique essence of residing at Charles E. Smith Life Communities.

SEATTLE, Wash. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- During its annual conference, the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) announced that Sarah Hokanson, Ph.D., Karen Peterson, Ph.D., and Sade Williams Clayton, Ph.D., are the 2024 winners of the organization's three most prestigious awards.

ROCKVILLE, Md. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) today announced that it would provide free membership to any undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at any Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU). The same is true for any postdoctoral scholar ("postdoc") working at such an institution.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The LA Sports Council, the region's premier sports trade association, is proud to announce the hiring of a new President and CEO of the organization, Matthew Cacciato. As President, Cacciato's first initiative will be the organization's 19th Annual LA Sports Awards, a flagship celebration honoring the best in LA sports and top moments of the year.

AUSTIN, Texas /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- BioAustinCTX, Central Texas' Life Science industry organization, announced today the appointment of Cindy WalkerPeach, PhD and Ryan Hawkins to its Board of Directors. BioAustinCTX is a nonprofit organization based in Austin, Texas focused on advancing the life science industry in the Central Texas Region.

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Carl Angus DeSantis Foundation recently held the first annual Catalyst Awards luncheon at LaCigale in Delray Beach. Pastor Bill Mitchell of CityLead Boca and Delray Beach police Sgt. Danny Pacheco Jr. of Delray Kicks were each honored as the inaugural recipients of cash grants of $32,500 each. The Catalyst Award program was established to celebrate the spirit of the late entrepreneur and humanitarian Carl Angus DeSantis.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The American Handwriting Analysis Foundation announced that their annual "Cursive is Cool"® contest is now open to North American students from Kindergarten to Grade 6. The contest dates are January 23 through April 15, 2024. Students are encouraged to enter early. Prizes will be awarded for First Place, Second Place, and Third Place based on legibility and neatness.

PORTO, Portugal /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Concordia has named Porto, Portugal as the host city for its 2024 Europe Summit, taking place May 28-29, 2024. Building on the 2023 Concordia Europe Summit, which took place last June in Madrid, Spain (view the report), Concordia's fourth Europe Summit will bring together 100 decision makers for a set of high-level, interactive, and largely closed-door conversations on key challenges, opportunities, and priorities dominating the European agenda.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) is pleased to announce the 29th Annual S. E. Manly African American Short Film Showcase (SEMAASFS) closing event, the weekend of January 19-21st, it will include 50 short films. BHERC is also hosting students to see the must-see film Origin, by talented and prolific filmmaker, Ava DuVernay, the first weekend of its release nationally. "We must go out and support our filmmakers and help make their films a success at the box office," noted BHERC President Sandra Evers-Manly.

LIVERMORE, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Four students from Las Positas College have taken on the challenge of improving financial education and resources among college students in California. Their non-profit organization, FinLit Initiative, has recently gained 501(c)(3) status and has already made a significant impact on students across the state.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- On Monday, December 4, 2023 at the California Endowment in historic downtown Los Angeles, California Safe Schools, a celebrated children's environmental health and environmental justice non-profit celebrated its 25th Anniversary with an event called "Your Life is Now" honoring seven trailblazing health and safety heroes and organizations.

LOWELL, Mass. /Massachusetts Newswire/ -- The Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO) has been inducted into the Barr Foundation's "Creative Vitality Grant Program," in order to continue its mission of providing the greater Lowell area with the most diverse classical music.

ROCKVILLE, Md. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Charles E. Smith Life Communities (CESLC) announced the recent promotion of Dr. Elisa Gil-Pires to executive vice president, medical affairs/chief medical officer and medical director of Charles E. Smith Life Communities. Dr. Gil-Pires leads a team of world-class doctors who still make house calls.

ROCKVILLE, Md. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Charles E. Smith Life Communities (CESLC) is proud to announce that their skilled nursing health center, the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, has been recognized as the Best Nursing Home in Maryland for 2024 by U.S. News & World Report. This is the fifth consecutive year that the Hebrew Home has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Glancy Wine Education Foundation (GWEF) raised $21,949 at the 12th Anniversary Celebration and Scholarship Auction with the San Francisco Wine School on November 11. A lively event with a signature Somm Olympics component featuring past scholarship winner Tonya Pitts.

ATLANTA, Ga. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Millionaire Mastermind Academy announced it received a recent grant from Truist Foundation to support program operations, technical assistance, and support services for diverse entrepreneurs. The academy has helped over 8,000 women entrepreneurs develop and grow businesses nationwide.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute is proud to announce the start of the 2024 season for the Great Communicator Debate Series (GCDS). The debate competition features a series of regional competitions across America culminating in the National Championship hosted at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. Finalists compete to receive their share of $50,000 in college scholarships.

DETROIT, Mich. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- It was just confirmed, Move For Hunger, a national non-profit organization that fights hunger and food waste, successfully broke the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the Most Cereal Boxes Toppled in a Domino Fashion with Topple Hunger. The previous record, set in 2021, stood at an impressive 6,391 cereal boxes.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- On Saturday, November 11th from 3:30-8pm, San Francisco Wine School invites the public to join their 12th Anniversary Celebration and Scholarship Auction featuring their signature Somm Olympics event benefiting the Glancy Wine Education Foundation, which provides scholarships to wine & hospitality professionals from diverse communities demonstrating financial need.

ROCKVILLE, Md. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Charles E. Smith Life Communities (CESLC) today announced the launch of a new LifeLAB program offering complimentary community classes, events and webinars for today's modern elder. The program offers fun and interactive learning opportunities to tour and learn about the benefits of living at Charles E. Smith Life Communities while enjoying music, wine, coffee, hors d'oeuvres, interactive art and more.

WILMINGTON, Mass. /Massachusetts Newswire/ -- Beyond Benign, in partnership with sponsors and partners including the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute (ACS GCI), is excited to announce the launch of the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC): an online hub for everyone in the green chemistry community to share, connect, learn, and grow together.

DETROIT, Mich. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Move For Hunger, a national non-profit organization that fights hunger and food waste, will attempt to break the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the Most Cereal Boxes Toppled in a Domino Fashion with Topple Hunger on October 12 at 5:30 p.m. ET. The Topple Hunger event aims to shatter the current record of 6,391 cereal boxes by more than double - toppling 15,000 boxes at the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center.

ROCKVILLE, Md. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- A new report released today from the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) published in partnership with Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, highlights both progress over the last decade in institutional support for postdoctoral fellows ("postdocs") as well as significant areas requiring attention. The report, 'Pressing Forward in Supporting Postdocs: 2023 National Postdoctoral Association Institutional Policy Report,' makes specific recommendations to institutions hosting the nation's 72,000 postdocs.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Manasvi Pinnaka is a senior at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley in San Jose, CA. She's also the founder and CEO of Nysha.ai, a nationally-recognized nonprofit organization committed to raising awareness for cystic fibrosis. Pinnaka's goals are to create awareness about this disease in all races and ethnicities while empowering and educating students to explore the world of AI research to advance the finding of a cure for the disease.

SANTA ANA, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Town & Country Life Plan Community celebrated the two-year anniversary of Grace Gardens Memory Care with a Dedication Ceremony on September 16. Dr. John Stumbo, the president of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, presided over the dedication, which was attended by city officials, business partners, residents, and their families.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Today, at its 2023 Annual Summit alongside the UN General Assembly in New York City, Concordia released its 2023 Amazonas Summit Solutions Report and announced Guyana as the location for next year's gathering. Concordia, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, is the leading public-private sector convener.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, in partnership with GE, are pleased to announce that the 2024 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program will open for applications on October 16, 2023. This program awards up to $400,000 in scholarships to deserving high school seniors across the country in 2024.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Heads of state from around the world will attend and speak at the 2023 Concordia Annual Summit, taking place September 18-20 at the Sheraton New York Times Square during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Sacramento SPCA announced today that they received a $25,000 grant investment from national nonprofit Petco Love in support of their lifesaving work for animals in the Sacramento region.

PHOENIX, Ariz. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Millionaire Mastermind Academy today announced Bank of America is its newest supporter for IMPACT AZ 2025, a three-year supplier diversity readiness program designed to close the racial wealth gap for black owned businesses. Other sponsors include the City of Scottsdale, APS, SRP and VIA West Group as well as title sponsor JPMorgan Chase & Co.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Fostering their continued efforts to create innovative programs to lead the charge in building a more sustainable future, the HBCU Green Fund, founded by environmental leader, Felicia Davis, has launched a self-titled publishing brand. Their first release, "MSITU: The Old-Growth Forest," is written by three women in STEM, Spelman college students and alumna, Serena Echols, Imani Blue and Nia McKenzie, and illustrated by Niara Powell.

ROCKVILLE, Md. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) today announced the members of its third class of scholars in its signature program designed to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the postdoctoral community and beyond. The six fellows in the NPA's 2023-2024 IMPACT Fellowship Program ("IMPACT") are postdoctoral researchers representing diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and geographies.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- In response to the Maui Wildfires that took place in Hawai'i on August 8, 2023, Creation Entertainment is partnering with Random Acts to help raise funding for rebuilding efforts in Maui. Random Acts is announcing a fundraising goal of $25,000 USD in disaster recovery to rebuild and support. Creation Entertainment, Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, and Misha Collins will match all donations until the $25,000 goal is reached.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Millionaire Mastermind Academy, a national nonprofit organization addressing the barriers to economic mobility for systemically underserved minority entrepreneurs, proudly announced that it will award $30,000 in grants to local Black-owned small businesses through Elevate Together® powered by Round It Up America® to accelerate their growth and prosperity.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The 2023 Concordia Annual Summit is taking place on September 18-20, 2023 at the Sheraton New York Times Square during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The leading public-private sector forum alongside the UN General Assembly, the Concordia Annual Summit upholds a remarkable legacy of uniting heads of state, policymakers, business executives, NGO leaders, entrepreneurs, and activists for over a decade.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Sacramento SPCA announced today that they hit a spay and neuter surgery milestone - altering the 300,000th animal in Sacramento since 2007. That's an average of nearly 19,000 animals a year - making the Sacramento SPCA one of the top clinics in the nation.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) will host its 25th Annual Reel Black Men Short Film Showcase and Virtual Film Festival. All in-person events will be held September 22-23, 2023, at the Regal L.A. Live in Downtown Los Angeles, California and the Virtual Festival will be streamed via BHERC.TV, from October 1-8.

PLEASANT HILL, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- On National Nonprofit Day, White Pony Express (WPE) announces that Charity Navigator has selected them as a nominee for the 2023 Community Choice Awards. The nomination is the result of WPE's outstanding achievements and reflects their commitment to transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in their community service endeavors.

PHOENIX, Ariz. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Fostering new connections and diverse business growth, the Millionaire Mastermind Academy, a leading nonprofit organization that has helped more than 8,000 diverse entrepreneurs across the country, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. hosted a Supplier Diversity Matchmaking event on Aug. 7 in support of IMPACT AZ 2025.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), the nation's largest trails advocacy organization, today announced that California's Sacramento River Rail Trail and Sacramento River Trail will be inducted to its iconic Hall of Fame.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Old dogs have something to wag about this summer, as The Grey Muzzle Organization announces the recipients of its annual grants, and dogs at the Sacramento SPCA are among the winners. The Sacramento SPCA is one of 90 animal welfare groups chosen from 370 applicants to receive a grant to help local senior dogs.

HUGHESVILLE, Md. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland (TCCSMD) is pleased to announce the date for the region's largest job fair, the 12th Annual "#TCCSMDGetHired" Hiring Event on August 23, 2023, at the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department. New this year, the 1st Annual Family Resource Day will be featured, connecting families with important community resources.

OLYMPIA, Wash. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- A new study commissioned by the Washington legislature, "Increasing the Economic Value and Sustainability of Washington's Agriculture Sector Through Industrial Symbiosis," identifies new opportunities for cost savings and additional revenue streams for farmers and food processors across the state of Washington, the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure (CSI) announced today.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- On July 17, 2023, the Millionaire Mastermind Academy, a leading nonprofit organization addressing the barriers to opportunity for underrepresented businesses, will host an economic empowerment "Diversity in Finance" Fireside Chat. The virtual event is part of an ongoing program and is sponsored by Blaylock Van, LLC, the nation's longest-continuously operating Black-owned investment firm.

AUSTIN, Texas /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- BioAustinCTX, Central Texas' Life Science industry organization, announced today the appointment of Hilary Graham, PhD to its Board of Directors. Hilary has studied and worked in the Central Texas life science ecosystem since 2005. She is a storyteller and commercial strategist with a growth mindset specializing in the molecular diagnostics and life sciences markets. Connecting people is her passion.

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Pap Corps Champions for Cancer Research (thepapcorps.org) recently presented a historic donation to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center of $8.4 million. This gift came in two parts, $3.4 million through the volunteers' fundraising efforts and $5 million from an anonymous donor. This is the largest single gift in the nonprofit's 70-year history.

DALLAS, Texas /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Abigail Erickson-Torres is moving on from her role as Chief Executive Officer of Bryan's House, the nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting at-risk children with special needs in North Texas. After eight remarkable years leading the organization, Erickson-Torres' tenure will conclude on June 2, 2023. Bryan's House executives anticipate a smooth transition with little to no impact on the families they serve.