Focus Tallevast - Give 8/28

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A nonprofit fundraiser supporting

Family Oriented Community United Strong Inc Focus
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2024 Update

$400

raised by 2 people

7 years left

2023 End of the Year Update

Update posted 1 month ago

Happy New Year! With twenty years of dedicated service to the Tallevast community, Family Oriented Community United Strong, Inc. (FOCUS) celebrates our collective achievements and renews our commitment to achieving justice for Tallevast. As a supporter of FOCUS, we wanted to update you on our recent efforts and extend warm holiday wishes to you and your family.


Origins of FOCUS and the ABC Contamination

Formed in 2003 to address community redevelopment issues, FOCUS discovered contamination from Lockheed Martin's ABC facility, prompting immediate action to safeguard Tallevast. Over the years, our advocacy secured various protections, compensation, and enhanced transparency, ensuring the community's safety and well-being. Regarding the groundwater contamination cleanup, FDEP approved a cleanup plan against our objections, ongoing engagement has been vital. Despite setbacks, our involvement in the cleanup continues. We've closely monitored reports, engaged environmental consultants, and advocated for more efficient cleanup efforts.


Groundwater Contamination Cleanup

Despite challenges with the cleanup plan's approval, FOCUS has vigilantly tracked and engaged with experts, consultants, and government agencies to rectify flaws in Lockheed's approach. Through consistent review, engagement, and advocacy, we're striving for a more efficient and safer cleanup process.


New Industrial Development in Tallevast

FOCUS actively opposed the introduction of new industry into Tallevast, representing the community in rezoning and site plan processes. Advocacy efforts included legal testimony, community outreach, and extensive engagement with county officials to protect the community's interests and needs.


Community Engagement and Outreach

Our commitment extends to community meetings, surveys, partnerships with educational institutions for beneficial projects, and enhanced communication technologies to ensure broader community involvement and access to information.


Despite challenges, our efforts led to numerous safeguards and benefits for Tallevast

- Ensured transparency in the contamination investigation.

- Required Lockheed to share documents and reports.

- Secured compensation for property owners affected by well closures.

- Implemented a program for public water connections.

- Advocated for health assessment and monitoring programs.

- Engaged non-profit support for legal negotiations.

- Collaborate with two colleges/universities to conduct projects beneficial to the community (environmental testing/monitoring and community vision)

- Partnered with the University of South Florida’s Center for Brownfields Redevelopment and Research

- Actively communicating with Manatee County to address the needs of the Tallevast Community such as:

Industry takeover issues, lack of recreation, utility needs and desires.


2021 The FOCUS (Tallevast) organization is joining Give 8/28. 2021 marks the fourth year the Young, Black & Giving Back Institute (YBGB) will promote financial giving for Black-led and Black-benefiting nonprofits on August 28! The current movement for racial justice highlights the importance of investing in the leaders working directly in our communities. Join the ONLY day dedicated to giving back to Black nonprofits!


In May 2003, Tallevast community leaders decided to form an organization to focus on revitalization and redevelopment in the community. This decision was spurred on by such activities in other neighboring communities, the work of the NAACP, and the Rainbow Push Coalition, after several land use and zoning decisions were passed or proposed for the area but not supported by the community.


FOCUS’s initial primary efforts were aimed at housing, employment, community services, and redevelopment. The discovery of contamination within the Tallevast community shifted FOCUS’s efforts.


Now more than five years into the cleanup, FOCUS and the community are growing weary of a future which means for most of them spending their lifetime surrounded by contamination; FOCUS is seeking longer term solutions to address these issues. 


FOCUS has been left to try to determine how to help those who want to live their lives without further impacts from the site while also trying to help those who remain with minimizing the impacts from living in this contaminated community. 


FOCUS’s current, primary activities include continuing to liaison with government officials and Lockheed to understand what is taking place at the contamination site (ground zero) and relevant other properties.


We are accepting donations until Monday, September 06, you can help us by supporting this black-led non-profit organization.

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