I can't fully express how wonderful it is to take a client by the hand and walk them no more than a couple hundred feet from our office to another agency that can help them when they are in crisis.
The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center is called the “Campus of Caring” because it is home to over 20 nonprofit health and human services agencies that help low income and at risk adults, children and families. The center occupies 14 buildings in a location selected for its accessibility by public transportation. It is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Founder Dr. Kay Glasser’s purpose for the Center was twofold – in her own words, “to provide accessible and affordable service to low income people” and “to save agencies operational dollars so that they would have more resources for services.” That was in 1988.
Through her volunteer efforts, she developed an alliance of public and private philanthropy. A seed money donation from the Schoenbaum family was instrumental to the creation of The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center which officially opened in March of 1990.
Today, 30 years later, we remain true to her concept, providing a “one-stop” center for those in need that is home to 20 human service nonprofit agencies on one 5-acre campus of 14 buildings. Our business model is charitable. We charge our tenant partner agencies $8.50 per square foot per year, which covers approximately 41% of our annual expenses to run the Center. Their nominal rent includes all utilities, security, maintenance, cleaning, and building insurance.
Dr. Kay Glasser and Betty Schoenbaum
Why are nonprofit centers important? Tenant partners report that they are better able to achieve their goals (the Center’s name lending additional credibility) by maintaining stronger revenues, delivering higher quality services, operating larger programs, and benefiting from improved staff morale, recruitment, and retention.
In 2018, our Center’s tenant partners touched the lives of over 26,000 individuals in our community through 76 programs delivered by over 200 staff. The economic impact is profound, as the tenant partners’ budgets totaled over $17.3 million dollars. Those dollars help to offset and alleviate burdens on other major social welfare systems such as healthcare, the criminal justice system, and education.
The Center’s operational expenses are covered by the agencies’ rent payments, grants, returns from investments held at local foundations, and donations from generous community members. In recent years, the Center has expanded its services with the roles of Community Liaison for 211, Administrator of the Community Alliance and EFSP/FEMA, and Fiscal Agent for Season of Sharing and Publix Charities dollars for those in need.
I can't fully express how wonderful it is to take a client by the hand and walk them no more than a couple hundred feet from our office to another agency that can help them when they are in crisis.
Beyond the savings we experience, we are so grateful for the truly supportive environment both our clients and staff experience on the campus. The collegial nature of our organizations fosters a spirit of health and wellness.
As a small organization with a staff of two, employee safety was a big consideration when we were looking for office space. We did not want our employees to be in a place where they were alone. Being on the GSHSC campus has been great because there is a whole community of like-minded professionals.
We are a small and young organization and having the ability to network and partner with other community organizations is key to the quality and impact of our work. In addition to the affordable space that The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center provides to all of us, it inspires us to use this collaborative model as we work to empower our students and their families.
