U.S. Sugar Invests in Transformative Mental Health and Adult Literacy Initiatives in the Glades – seacoastonline.com

New Partnership to Advance Sustainable Development Goals in the Glades Community

Introduction

On January 6, 2026, the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties announced a strategic partnership with U.S. Sugar to address critical social challenges in the Glades region. This collaboration aims to strengthen mental health support and expand adult literacy opportunities, aligning with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Partnership Overview

The partnership represents a long-term investment of approximately $105,000 by U.S. Sugar, a company with deep agricultural and cultural ties to the Glades. The initiative focuses on building community resilience through evidence-based programs and family-centered education, fostering healthier and stronger families in the region.

“This partnership represents a new chapter for the Glades, one rooted in collaboration, long-term investment, and a shared vision for healthier, stronger families.”
— Danita R. DeHaney, President & CEO, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties

Strategic Goals and SDG Alignment

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Enhancing mental health services for youth through evidence-based interventions.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – Expanding adult literacy programs to support intergenerational learning and family engagement.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Addressing educational disparities and promoting equitable access to resources.

Key Initiatives Funded by the Partnership

1. Rebound and Recovery Mental Health Initiative

This initiative supports adolescent mental health by implementing a cognitive-behavioral program developed by Florida State University (FSU) at Crossroads Academy. The program is designed to improve emotional and social well-being, resilience, and decision-making skills among students.

1. Train-the-Trainer Model: School interventionists, including behavioral health staff and counselors, will complete 15 hours of FSU-led training to ensure program sustainability.
2. Student Leadership Development: Approximately ten students will receive additional training to become peer leaders, promoting positive social-emotional climates within the school.
3. Student Sessions: Fifteen structured modules will be delivered covering emotional-behavior connections, stress management, healthy relationships, problem-solving, and mental health awareness.

2. Adult Literacy Program

Addressing the literacy gap where 47% of third graders read below grade level, this program supports parents in acquiring foundational literacy and language skills, thereby strengthening family engagement and educational outcomes.

1. Parent Learning Academy: Conducted twice weekly alongside after-school programming, this academy provides structured literacy instruction and strategies for parents to support their children’s learning. Each cohort enrolls approximately ten families, with multiple cohorts planned for 2026.
2. Parent and Child Together (PACT) Time: Facilitates guided shared reading and literacy activities twice a week to reinforce skills and establish reading routines at home.
3. Family Literacy Nights: Quarterly events at Pahokee Elementary featuring interactive literacy activities, projects, and shared meals to celebrate and reinforce family learning.

Organizational Background

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties

The Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to local philanthropy and closing opportunity gaps through grantmaking and partnerships. Since 1972, it has distributed nearly $275 million in grants and scholarships supporting youth education, economic opportunity, thriving communities, and crisis response, directly contributing to SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

U.S. Sugar

Founded in 1931, U.S. Sugar is a South Florida-based agricultural company committed to sustainable farming and community development. Operating across multiple counties, it provides 3,000 jobs and engages in philanthropic efforts that support rural communities, aligning with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Conclusion

This partnership exemplifies a comprehensive approach to sustainable community development by integrating mental health support and educational advancement. Through targeted investments and collaborative efforts, the initiative advances multiple Sustainable Development Goals, fostering long-term resilience and equity in the Glades region.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article highlights mental health support initiatives for youth, specifically through the Rebound and Recovery Mental Health Initiative.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article discusses adult literacy programs and after-school literacy initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes for families in the Glades.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The focus on underserved communities in the Glades and efforts to close opportunity gaps through education and health services relates to reducing inequalities.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The partnership between U.S. Sugar and the Community Foundation exemplifies multi-sector collaboration to address community challenges.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment, and promote mental health and well-being.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults achieve literacy and numeracy.
   • Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 3 Indicators
   • Prevalence of mental health conditions among adolescents (implied through the focus on emotional and social well-being improvements via the Rebound and Recovery program).
   • Number of youth trained and participating in mental health resilience programs.
2. SDG 4 Indicators
   • Proportion of adults achieving literacy and numeracy (implied by the Adult Literacy Program targeting parents).
   • Percentage of children reading below grade level (explicitly mentioned: 47% of third graders read below grade level in the Glades).
   • Enrollment and completion rates in literacy and after-school programs.
3. SDG 10 Indicators
   • Reduction in educational and health disparities within the Glades community (implied through targeted programs for underserved populations).
4. SDG 17 Indicators
   • Number and effectiveness of partnerships formed between private sector and community organizations (implied by the strategic partnership between U.S. Sugar and the Community Foundation).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: seacoastonline.com