In the September/October issue of Boca magazine, we talked with five parents who founded nonprofits after their children died from cancer, a car accident, and a drug overdose. Here are four more Palm Beach County nonprofits lead by parents who are working to make a difference for other families:
The Live Like Jake Foundation was founded after Keri and Roarke Morrison lost their son, Jake, to a drowning accident when he was 2. On top of sharing their story, the foundation also focuses on spreading awareness for childhood drowning prevention, providing financial and emotional support for families who have experienced a drowning accident and providing scholarships for self-rescue swim lessons for families that cannot afford them. livelikejake.com
Play for Blake is a nonprofit founded in memory of Blake Buchbinder, who was killed at 13 when a car hit him while riding his bicycle. Blake was a passionate soccer player and the foundation believes that soccer can give individuals the power to thrive. Play for Blake works to give access to every child no matter their circumstances, so they too can experience the joy of soccer. playforblake.org
I-Shine Like Esti is a program to help elementary and middle school-aged children living with illness or loss in their families. It was named in memory of Esti Moskowitz, who died of cancer when she was 8. I-shine provides afterschool programming and pairs the young participants with high-school aged mentors and counselors who can provide not only fun but also assistance with homework and advice. Dinner, snacks, and transportation are all provided with the program. chailifeline.org/ishine
After Joshua Nadelbach struggled with anxiety and depression and died by suicide, his mother, Cindy, wanted to spread awareness for pressing mental health issues. Now, Josh’s Benches is a 501(c)3 dedicated to do just that. Yellow benches are placed in schools, college campuses, and public parks/areas to serve as symbols of support surrounding mental health, and are also safe spaces for students. Each bench includes the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988, formerly 1-800-273-8255). The overall vision for Josh’s Benches is to work alongside schools and organizations to help those struggling, while also leaving a legacy of Joshua. joshsbenches.com
This Web Extra is from the September/October 2025 issue of Boca magazine. For more like this, click here to subscribe to the magazine.
