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Susan Adams, Board Chair Board of County Commissioners Indian River County Vero Beach, FL April 20, 2017 Dear Madam Chair, I am writing to support the Roseland Women's Club in their request for assistance in ensuring the continued use of the Roseland Community Center. Community and a sense of place are essential to the healthy functioning our society. As we see our society fragment, with people relying increasingly on artificial "connectors" such as social media, maintaining real connection becomes more and more important. The Roseland Women's Club is one of those real connectors. I had the great good fortune to address the Women's Club regarding SafeSpace and the services available through this sole provider of certified Domestic Violence services on the Treasure Coast. As always, the club provided financial assistance, within their modest capacity, for battered women. They also provided a large number of "hospitality kits" for our clients — filled with cosmetics, toiletries, and various other essentials. There were ones for adult women and teenagers. And ones for small children, filled with coloring books, stuffed animals, etc. — in short, the kinds of items that would help a child feel cared for and somewhat "settled" in these most trying circumstances It was not only a thoughtful and generous gesture, but it evidenced a deep empathy for the needs of these people who often leave their batterers with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The Women's Club has provided similarly generous outreach for over fifty community agencies including CareNet Crisis Pregnancy Center, the Ecumenical Council, the Marion Fell Fellsmere Library, the Florida Children's Home, the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch, the Hacienda Girls Ranch, the March of Dimes, IRC Meals on Wheels, the North County Library, Our Father's Table, Roseland Library, Roseland Methodist Church, Roseland Sunday School, the Roseland Volunteer Fire Department, the Samaritan Center, The Lord's Table, and The Source. This generosity and this tradition spread back well over ninety years. It appears that the Community Center building is in need of significant and expensive repair. As might be expected, this older building has settled and has suffered insect intrusion and damage. It is to be commended that the County had chosen to deal with the differential settlement issue. I am hopeful that the County will also try to remediate the termite problem. Competitive bids, and perhaps a community -minded pest control company, might put the cost of these repairs in a reasonable range. As I reflect on my visit to these generous women, I can so vividly remember the personal concern and connection they had with one another— inquiring about health, expressing concern and support over the loss of a loved one, planning to visit a fellow member in the hospital. These are the connections that make life worth living. And the connections that build a viable community rooted in a sense of place. I urge you to try to find some way to keep this local community intact and functioning. Thank you. Respectfully, Tom Manwaring