Emma Jewel Charter Academy Cuts Ribbon on New Building

22 August 2018

EJCA ribbon cut 47e The Emma Jewel Charter Academy, a tuition-free public charter school in Cocoa, Florida, held a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony this week to celebrate the recent renovation of an additional building on the campus. The newly remodeled Building D adds 4 classrooms to this VPK-8 charter school in Brevard County, bringing the school’s enrollment to 400 students for the 2018-19 school year.

Present at the ribbon cutting were representatives from Brevard County Public Schools, Florida Community Loan Fund, and Building Hope…A Charter School Facilities Fund. FCLF and Building Hope worked together to finance this new 2018 addition to the school, as well as providing financing in 2013 for major rehabilitation of the formerly vacant school building.

The motto of Emma Jewel Charter Academy is “Helping the Village Raise the Child.” Its co-founder and principal, Thomas Cole, has over 20 years of experience in charter schools and is a long-time resident of Brevard County. School curriculum in this high poverty area focuses on health and nutrition, and individualization of the education process in an effort to create a unique choice option for families.

Pictured above, Emma Jewel Principal Thomas Cole celebrates the ribbon cutting with students, teachers, and parents.
Below, Thomas Cole of Emma Jewel Charter Academy, Richard Moreno of Building Hope, Cindy Ross of Florida Community Loan Fund, Corey Lancaster of Harlan Development, and Janet de Guehery of Florida Community Loan Fund.

EJCA ribbon cut 75e

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"FCLF understands and is a part of what we are doing: helping families have the American dream of owning a home." – Isaac Simhon, Executive Director

Housing Programs, Inc.

“The collaboration with FCLF and using NMTC financing allows us to bring the most ambitious projects to life to benefit the communities we serve.” – Elodie Dorso, President & CEO

Community Health Centers of Pinellas

"FCLF staff shares our vision and commitment to serve needy families and provide a high quality education to all children." – Thomas Cole, Founder

Emma Jewel Charter Academy

"FCLF plays a significant role in sustaining vibrant and thriving communities. We are pleased to support your ongoing community based efforts." – Ernie Diaz, South Florida Market President

TD Charitable Foundation

"The Fathers Table Foundation appreciates the services FCLF provides and the impact on the communities you serve. We believe in your organization and your mission." – Dan Gilardi, President

Fathers Table Foundation

"Without the FCLF initial loan to purchase land, we might not have been able to move forward with farmworker housing." – Peter Routsis-Arroyo, CEO, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice

Casa San Juan Bosco

“Thanks to FCLF we’re able to provide brand-new safe, affordable homes for 90 families in a sustainable mixed-use, mixed-income community." – Mitchell Rosenstein, Founder & Principal

Green Mills Group

“We cannot thank FCLF enough for this partnership, creating permanent housing for our neighbors in need, and their commitment to Florida communities.” – Shannon Nazworth, President & CEO

Ability Housing

"We appreciate how the work of FCLF primarily benefits low- to moderate-income individuals and areas and supports the needs of our community." – Maria J. Thompson, Community Development Manager

Third Federal Savings

"FCLF understood our context, embraced the project vision, and were willing to make an investment that others deemed as too risky." – Lynn Brockwell-Carey, Executive Director

Neighbor Up Brevard

"FCLF has a keen knowledge of Florida challenges & opportunities. We are confident our investment will be used to improve lives." – Kathleen Rizzo Young, Sr. VP, Community Development

HSBC Bank USA, N.A.

"Trinity Health is happy to partner with FCLF. We look forward to seeing the impact in the communities you serve." – Sr. Kathleen Coll, SSJ, Administrator, Shareholder Advocacy

Trinity Health

"BankUnited understands the challenges facing our communities; we applaud FCLF's efforts. Thank you for making our community a better place to live." – Katrina Wright, VP Comm. Dev.

BankUnited

“We are proud to partner with FCLF on this project, which expands access to innovative, quality, comprehensive primary healthcare in our communities.” – Annie Neasman, President & CEO

Jessie Trice Community Health

"Aida Palms will be a lasting asset to the City of Lakeland. This revitalization wouldn't be possible without financing partners like FCLF." – Mitchell Rosenstein, Principal, Green Mills Group

Aida Palms

"FCLF has proven its community impact and hard work. We are proud to partner with FCLF." – Leslie Watson, Analyst, Community Investments

Dignity Health

"We're thrilled to partner with FCLF to make our project a reality to serve generations of kids in our community." – Dawn Stanhope, President & CEO

Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County

“Our partnership with FCLF makes an enormous difference in overcoming the challenge of providing affordable housing." – Jo Ann Nesbitt, President/CEO

St. Jude Great Commission CDC

"Our relationship with FCLF provides the capital to achieve long-lasting impact." – Terri Murray, Exec Dir

Neighborhood Renaissance

“The partnership with FCLF is very exciting for us – an essential component in providing greater access to fresh healthy food in downtown New Port Richey.” – Jeff Wright, Owner

Wright's Natural Market

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FCLF staff are active at statewide conferences and events.

Support from Axiom Bank helps FCLF build strong communities.

FCLF representatives are ready to talk about your project success.

ASPIRA of Florida offers education & mentoring with a focus on low-income and Latino students.

New rental homes are available for farmworker families at Casa San Juan Bosco.

FCLF CEO and one of our supporters visit the ASPIRA Arts Deco school.

FCLF Financing to Neighbor Up Brevard helps provide affordable rental housing.

FCLF projects create jobs and stimulate development in low-income communities.

FCLF and the NMTC Program renovated a historic building into a small business incubaor.

FCLF Chief Lending Officer visits with the Executive Director of Neighbor Up (formerly BNDC)

Support from TD Bank Charitable Foundation helps FCLF build strong communities.

The duPont Fund used FCLF and NMTC Financing to revitalize downtown Jacksonville.

FCLF staff and US Legislative staff at an event honoring Youth of the Year.

The RCRI Conference allows FCLF staff to touch base with our religious supporters.

DuPuis Pointe offers affordable, hurricane proof homes in Miami.

FCLF supporter, the Northern Trust Company, hosted a housing roundtable in Sarasota.

Rep. Daniel Webster visited FCLF staff.

FCLF projects create jobs and stimulate development in low-income communities.

FCLF Staff are on hand at conferences and events to discuss our programs.

TD Charitable Foundation and TD Bank have supported FCLF's mission since 2006.

Support from Valley Bank helps FCLF build strong communities.

Rep. Ander Crenshaw visited KIPP Jacksonville School

FCLF financing to Housing Programs, Inc. helps provide affordable homes for ownership.

Nutritious snacks are a part of the healthy focused curriculum at Emma Jewel Charter Academy.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, financed the land for farmworker rental housing with FCLF.

FCLF Board Members represent our investors, borrowers, and technical experts.

Neighbor Up, formerly BNDC, offers affordable housing in Brevard County.

FCLF staff with Tampa's Chloe Coney at Metropolitan Ministries Tampa.

FCLF staff and supporters volunteer at Million Meals event.

FCLF Staff meet and greet friends at an FLACDC event.

FCLF and NMTC are creating a new facility for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County

Greater Heights offers new, safe, affordable rental homes in what was formerly a high crime area.

Emma Jewel Charter Academy offers education for the whole child in Brevard County.

Residents at Neighborhood Renaissance's Mathis Place enjoy affordable rent.

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