Who We Support

    The Taylor Koulouris Foundation honors the life of Taylor, who had the ability to spread sunflowers and sunshine to children of all ages and stages. The nonprofit organization intends to carry on her ability of showing kindness, doing good, and giving back by cultivating opportunities for kids to inspire one another to grow big and stand tall together.

    From the donations Taylor collected for the Humane Society to her service with Best Buddies and Tampa Kids Therapy, this 15 year old world-changer lived to make a difference. It is through the foundation that her good work will continue. Funds raised will not only honor Taylor’s memory, but also send more kindness and light into the world. The organization intends to directly make an impact in ways that may include:

    • Children that require therapy but may not be able to afford the expenses will receive financial support.
    • Plant High School students can apply to advance their education and study for the job they want.
    • Money can be given across the community where there is need, so that good is done in her name.

    Learn more: taylorkoulouris.com 

    Project Sweet Peas, our Wee Rock...babies partner, is a 501(c)3 national non-profit organization coordinated by volunteers, who through personal experience have become passionate about providing support to families of premature or sick infants and to those who have been affected by pregnancy and infant loss.

    Project Sweet Peas acknowledges the importance of parental involvement in caregiving and decision-making in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and seeks to promote family-centered care (FCC) competencies in hospitals nationwide. Care packages, hospital events, peer-to-peer support, financial aid, educational materials, and other Project Sweet Peas services, support the cultural, spiritual, emotional, and financial needs of families as they endure life in the NICU.

    Learn more: projectsweetpeas.com

    Metropolitan Ministries, our Wee Love Tampa partner, is a nonprofit organization that cares for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in Tampa, FL through services that alleviate suffering, promote dignity, and instill self-sufficiency. First Hug, run by Metropolitan Ministries, is a child-centered case management program for families struggling with homelessness with children at birth through middle school ages. First Hug assures children are ready for school and connects parents to school and safety resources.

    Case Managers work with families by:

    • Assessing the unique needs of each family and work together to develop a client-driven self-sufficiency plan.
    • Reducing family stress and the impact of trauma.
    • Meeting weekly to assist families as they work towards stabilization.
    • Offering resources and tools to support healthy family relationships and safe living environments.
    • Providing employment, adult education, connection to job placement services
    • Identifying safe housing options.

    Learn more: metromin.org

     

    Give Kids The World Village, our Wee are the World partner, is an 89-acre nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, Florida, that provides week-long, cost-free wish vacations to critically ill children and their families from around the world who want to visit Central Florida. During one transformative week, wish families laugh, play, and create priceless memories together away from hospital visits and medical procedures. It's a magical week where wish kids can experience the simple joys of childhood, and where families can recapture some of the precious moments that may have been missed due to illness.

    Since 1986, Give Kids The World Village has welcomed more than 177,000 families from all 50 states and 76 countries. The Village is made possible by the support of donors and community partners, as well as thousands of volunteers, who give their time and talent making wishes come true.

    Learn more: gktw.org

     

    Feeding Tampa Bay, our nonprofit Wee and Mighty campaign partner, is ending hunger by fueling human potential in every family, child, and senior across a 10-county region in West Central Florida - because food makes tomorrow possible. In this area, 1 in 4 children are experiencing food insecurity. Feeding Tampa Bay has evolved its programming to serve nearly 1 million people in our community, and anticipates it will serve more than 85 million meals in 2022.

    Hundreds of thousands of students across Tampa Bay rely on programs by Feeding Tampa Bay for balanced, nutritious meals. The following programs complement the free and reduced cost school meal offering to make sure students receive the proper nutrients they need to learn and grow throughout the year:

    • Feeding Minds program opens food pantries at schools where the risk of food insecurity is prevalent, bringing groceries to students and families who may struggle to make ends meet.
    • After School Meals Program brings free meals and snacks to children in need through existing after school activities in the community.
    • Summer Meal sites provide children with lunch and snacks throughout the week during the summer months when school is not in session.

    Learn more: feedingtampabay.org

    Canines for Disabled Kids is our national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for Wee Pet Dogs. Their mission is to increase independence for children with disabilities and their families by promoting service dog partnerships, understanding, and awareness throughout the community.

    This is accomplished by:

    • Helping to connect children with the service dog that can best help them overcome limitations caused by a variety of disabilities. Since 1998, CDK has sponsored over 130 service dogs to support children with different disabilities.
    • Developing a strong educational presentation program to provide information to the public about service dogs, public access, and their role with individuals overcoming limitations of a variety of disabilities. These programs are offered all over the country to schools, civic groups, and businesses. Advocacy and awareness efforts have flourished from this. 
    • Scholarships to help cover the training costs required for specific medical needs of a child. By providing needed funding to the training organization, CDK was able to increase the number of children being accepted for service dogs to between 3 months and 1 year, rather than 2 years or more. Over 200 training programs are eligible for the scholarships offered.

    Learn more: caninesforkids.org

     

    TRIBE Seminole Heights, our Tampa Bay local partner, is a is a 501(c)(3) community-focused nonprofit that integrates unique learning experiences, family support, and strategic outreach with a focus on the wellness of children and families. 

    These goals are achieved by:

    • Offering more than 50 fun and educational activities per week, each for only $5. 
    • Maintaining a community closet that provides free donated clothing and shoes to children.
    • Aligning as a community partner to Seminole and Broward Elementary School, and continuously running community outreach programs.

    Learn more: tribeseminoleheights.com