Intero Foundation Day at the Giants

On July 25th Intero Real Estate agents from all over the Bay Area and real estate affiliates will be heading to San Francisco for the 2nd Annual Intero Foundation Day at the Giants. A $60 ticket provides each fan a catered tailgate lunch, drinks, raffle, live music and of course a bleacher seat to watch the Giants take on the Padres with 350 other Intero-Giant fans. It's destined to be a great day! Tickets are still available... Fill out the form below and return it to Kelli Dixon. Last year nearly $8,000 was raised for the kids in our communities and with the momentum building this year, we plan to raise even more. If you are interested in sponsorship, there are still opportunities. Please contact Kelli Dixon at kdixon@interorealestate.com.

Go Giants!

Intero Giants Game Registration Form

The Intero Foundation donated $275,000 in 2011 to organizations that support children in need

2011 was a record year in raising contributions! $275,000 was granted to organizations benefiting children in need. The Intero Foundation has become a large organization, but not too large to remember that we are part of something still larger: a community to which we must give in order to receive. It is our vehicle for expressing a meaningful and sustained commitment to our community.

The Intero Foundation continues to impact the growth and well being of children and youth in the communities we serve. Empowered by Intero agents and employees, the Intero Foundation has given over $1.9 million in grants to nonprofit organizations that support children in need.

To read more on the Intero Foundation’s success in 2011 click here.

The Intero Foundation donates over $200,000 in 2011 to organizations that support children in need

Intero Real Estate Services Agent’s and Employees Contribute Back Silicon Valley, California (November 28, 2011) - The Intero Foundation (www.interofoundation.org), a non-profit organization, founded by Intero Real Estate Services founders in 2002 to benefit children in need, announced that it has donated over $200,000 to 20 charities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area in 2011 as part of its mission to positively impact the growth and well being of children in our communities.

John Thompson, Intero’s Executive Vice President explains, “Agents donate a portion of their commission per transaction. As a company, this commitment makes a big statement. Therefore, when you drive by an Intero for sale sign or work with an Intero Realtor, feel good that at risk children in the community will be served and we thank each and every one of you for your support.”

“When Intero Real Estate Services was founded just nine years ago, its founders set out to create a company that was different. That difference would be based on values,” states Founder, President and CEO of Intero, Gino Blefari. “One of those values is Commitment. The Intero Foundation is our vehicle for expressing a meaningful and sustained commitment to our community.”

Intero Foundation CFO, Cathy Jackson adds, “The organizations we support may be smaller, but they have a huge impact on thousands of lives in the Bay Area. Unfortunately, they’re often over shadowed by the larger nonprofits that people are more aware of. For many of the organizations we give to, our donation makes up a large portion of their annual budget. They really rely on us for help in keeping their programs and services up and running.”

The Intero Foundation continues to impact the growth and well being of children and youth in the communities we serve. Empowered by Intero agents and employees, the Intero Foundation has given over $1.9 million in grants to nonprofit organizations that support children in need. In 2011 alone, over $200,000 was granted to organizations benefitting children in need.

Small Steps Family Connections Advocates for Children Family Supportive Housing, Inc. Just Read Centers Rape Trauma Services My New Red Shoes Breakthrough Silicon Valley Abilities United Achieve Kids JustMATH At the Crossroads CASA of San Mateo SPARK Pajama Program Role Model Program Reach Potential Good Karma Bikes CCPY Turning Wheels for Kids

The Intero Foundation is funded, promoted and governed by Intero agents – each of whom are vested in the health of the communities in which they work and live. An executive committee, led by Intero President and CEO Gino Blefari, provides strategic guidance. All members of the Intero community – executives, staff and agents – donate their time to further the Foundation’s mission.

Intero and its agents have always believed in the importance of giving back to communities in which we serve, and 2011 was a perfect example of ‘paying it forward’.

Intero Foundation Provides Much Needed Grants

Local nonprofits Family Connections, My New Red Shoes and Spark received much needed grants from The Intero Foundation.  Grants to the three organizations dedicated to assisting children totaled $20,500.

Founded in 2003, the non profit Intero Foundation has raised more than $2 million to benefit children living in the communities we serve. The Intero Foundation is funded, promoted and governed by the real estate agents at Intero Real Estate services. All members of the Intero community – executives, staff and agents – donate their time to further the Foundation’s mission.

To date, the Intero Foundation has lent its support to over 70 local charities – organizations that range in size and mission, but all work to positively impact the growth and well being of children by enhancing their education and personal development.

Who Funds the Intero Foundation?

Next week, The Intero Foundation is about to distribute funds from grant requests to kids who really desperately need help and support.  I was pondering that today,  and felt such deep appreciation of the  amazing Intero agents who give to the Foundation at the close of every escrow, allowing us to give to the kids —to the tune of almost $2 million since 2004.  It occurred to me that most people don’t know that the Intero Foundation is FUNDED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY BY THE INTERO AGENTS! I am sure that there is no Real Estate Company in the world that cares so much about the community and then DOES SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE ABOUT IT, especially in the form of a 501C3 nonprofit organization that exists solely to raise funds for childrens’ charities. Just think about that: isn’t it an inspiration and a testament to the deep care that our agents feel for children who have been abused, are homeless, or have disabilities or illnesses?

I know what motivates me to be both a donor and a Foundation representative: I was one of those kids who so badly needed help, needed someone on my side, and no help was available. I had to go to considerable, painful effort as an adult to find my inner balance because I had no anchor as a child. I remember saying to myself at the age of seven, “I will spend the rest of my life making sure that any child who needs help will get it”. The children are our most precious resource, and it takes so little effort to make a huge difference for them. That’s why I am proud of my fellow Intero agents: with all they have going on in their lives, they give their very hard-earned money to truly help transform the lives of the kids in our community. That’s what life at its best is all about loving, caring and giving from the heart. So from my heart to the hearts of all the Intero agents who have donated to the Foundation, THANK YOU AND I LOVE YOU FOR CARING AND SHARING!

I am not the same person

One of the most rewarding experiences of my life has been to be a representative for the Intero Foundation.  Gino and the founders of Intero had this amazing idea of giving back to the community from which we earned our living and the Intero Foundation was born.  I was inspired by the idea of helping children and was committed to “our mission” from the very beginning.  Those who know me well know the foundation is my true passion.  It has been the perfect vehicle for me to contribute back to the community which has given so much to me and my family. I truly believe that the opportunity to affect a child’s life in a positive way is a privilege not to be missed.  In our current economic environment, the purpose and goals of the Intero Foundation are more important than ever.  Children with a positive start in life inevitably have a better chance to grow up and be productive adults.  I’ve seen with my own eyes how our foundation’s assistance has made an immediate impact to the programs and children involved.  At the end of my life, I want to know that I did everything possible to make a difference.  Nurturing these children has been one of the most worthwhile endeavors of my life.  Standing before you right now, I am not the same person I was when we started the Intero Foundation.  I feel lucky to uphold the principles that created the Intero Foundation.

I want to express my deepest, heartfelt thanks for the support given to our foundation throughout the years.  It is indicative of the strong character and quality of human beings in this room that even through challenging times, the contributions have been constant.  I urge you to keep the momentum going by continuing your generosity.

The Intero Foundation’s Grants - 2010

IF Grants2010

For some, the path to a better life begins here!

marlen2

Thank you Intero Foundation! Did you read the Mercury News today?  The Wish Book.  They talk about a young girl who was headed down the wrong path and Alum Rock Counseling Center helped her turn around.

marlen

Alum Rock Counseling Center received a grant from The Intero Foundation in the past…. so that means The Intero Foundation had a hand in a young person getting on the right path.... the path to a better life, to college, to a career. She is now getting good grades because of the direction this Counseling group has set her on.

We, at Intero Foundation, have raised $200,000 this year… a year that has been a challenge for the real estate industry. Those contributions have helped 20 non-profit organizations help children in our community.

2010 has been a great year for the Intero Foundation... A great year of giving.

Thank you Intero Real Estate Agents for your generosity.

Thank you Intero Foundation!

Special Olympics Schools

Special Olympics Schools Program of San Mateo received a grant from the Intero Foundation, Los Altos office.  The program is designed to help children between the ages of two through seven with developmental disabilities and introduces them to developmental appropriate play program.  The Intero Foundation is delighted to be actively involved with the Special Olympics.

JustREAD

Intero Los Altos agents had the pleasure of presenting a grant to the JustREAD program in Mountain View.  The optional tutoring opportunity is dedicated to improving the reading skills of  high school students in need of assistance and helping them become self directed and motivated learners one student at a time.  We look forward to seeing the continued success this program has achieved through the years.

Intero Foundation Grant Presentation for TheatreWorks

Most recently, MaryAnn Wallace from the San Jose office, brought forth a grant request for the Children’s Healing Project at TheatreWorks. At first glance, we thought… we don’t need to entertain kids… we need to fill their minds and stomach and put shoes on their feet. We need to give them some extra tutoring or transportation – something measurable we can see benefiting their lives quickly.

But, then we visited the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto and both learned and saw with our own eyes what our money was doing. Our donations were contributing to entertaining these children who were sick, constrained to their rooms & living their young lives in this hospital, due to their illnesses. They could not go to a library, play out on the sports fields or go visit the theater. So, with our donations, actors were brought in to the rooms of these sick children to brighten their day. When asked what she does when visiting these sick children in their rooms, teaching artist, Emily Jordan said, “make them smile.” Through improv and activities, these young children are brought to life.

One young patient at the hospital, a little girl, was asked if she liked the actor who would come to her room, and she answered, “it’s the highlight of my day.” Imagine… with your donation, you have provided a small girl, a highlight, an experience, she would not have had otherwise. This is a gift. When you put your head on your pillow at night, and all the tension and craziness of the day starts to fade. Remember, you made that little girl’s day!

Thank you. You, with your donation, and the Intero Foundation, do good things for children!

Congratulations.

Cathy Jackson & Sydney Ereno

THE SMILES OF CHILDREN!

THE SMILES OF CHILDREN! We, as the foundation reps, are getting ready to do our grant requests for Silicon Valley.   It is an exciting time in our roles as the office representative.  We have much to review and we have to make decisions on which group is the appropriate group for your dollars.  A few of us have done this many times…but each time it is challenging and we all get butterflies thinking about our roles as your representative.

Helping-Children-Articulate_medium

We know that our decisions will affect the lives of children in our community.  It jolts us forward to think of new ways to earn money so we can have more to give to these children.  In our minds, we see their faces as they are handed the teddy bears, maybe the new shoes or a jacket, or a extra hour of school help.  Sometimes our contributions mean they have someone extra that cares about them and encourages them to the future.

Each time we do this I get emotional with tears in my eyes thinking about these children…how we wish we could help them all.

Please continue to contribute…maybe even raise your contribution…just a little…we will make sure that we represent you.

in the best way.  Make your dollars go to the best place…and on your behalf …our children smile just a little more!

holding hand

The Intero Foundation for Children…does good things!!

Hope & Homes for Children

Breakthrough of Silicon Valley It Really Does Work!!

I hired a young man the other day…for some help in my yard. He was very polite and well mannered.

I picked him up at his house and we had about a 10 minute ride back to my house.

I asked him –“Where are you going to school?  He said he is going to Bellermine…”

And what do you want to be when you are older….He replied he wanted to be a doctor.

I know that he came from simple beginnings and this was a big dream.

I replied…”Wow that is a big dream…how did you ever know that is what you wanted”.

He said “I was lucky enough to join a group at school that helped me realized that I can do anything I want to do…and I can go to a good high school and college”.

I thought those are big dreams…but  good ones to have.

I asked “what’s the name of the group”

He replied “Breakthrough of Silicon Valley”.

His name is Ramon Garcia.  His father is my gardener and my friend.

I am so proud that this group received one of Intero Foundation  grants.

We do good things!!

Our Foundation helps bring children confidence!

We had the great opportunity to meet with one of our grant recipients…Breakthrough of Silicon Valley.

They are currently having summer classes. Each day begins with a song and then short presentations from all the classes.

I was so impressed by these young children who stood up in front of a crowd of strangers and sang or recited poetry that they had written, or even performed a short skit. They seemed so fearless. So proud of what they could do.

I was very impressed. They said they learned this confidence from Breakthrough.

And then we were given a tour of the classrooms. There were 4-6 students in each class. Now that was impressive and the teachers were all young …some in high school but it was obvious to me they knew what they were doing.

Our tour guide was a nice young 7th grader who said she was so grateful to be involved in Breakthrough. She said each student makes a commitment to go to class from 7 to 4, five days a week and then 2-3 hours of home work every night. Imagine if we each made that kind of commitment in our lives.

Then we heard from the previous years young teachers who are now teachers with classrooms of their own. They have come back to donate more of their time, they want this program to last. It set the stage for the kind of teachers they are today. I am proud that we at the Intero Foundation choose them to be one of our grant recipient. And everyone in the room was grateful to Intero for the grant.

Think about it, these children are our future. We are helping them attain a brighter future.

We do a good job!

We had our June meeting for the Foundation last week.  It was a good group…we were all anxious to get our Grants reviewed and funded.  The reps presented their grant requests and listened as we each spoke.  We all had our reasons to give money to one group and more to another.  We are very passionate about our jobs as foundation reps. We each take our job very seriously so you can imagine this meeting was full of emotions. Our main goal is to get the funds to the children…

We are a good team and we do good things….sometimes it is stressful and full of challenges but we help put shoes on their feet…and teddy bears to hold at night…and someone to help in their lives.…we do a good job with your money!!

Thank you all for contributing to these children…

we appreciate your support.

I absolutely love this Intero Foundation!

Intero Foundation Grant Proposal

Are you interested in applying for a grant from the Intero Foundation?  The mission of the Intero Foundation is to positively impact the growth and well being of children in the communities in which we work, by supporting organizations focused on assisting in their education and personal development. If your organization aligns with our mission and would like to submit for a grant from the Intero Foundation please click here to download the Program Guidelines & Application Procedures.   In addition to the requirements in the guidelines, we will need the following financial documents to complete the proposal.

1. Complete & recent 990 tax return of your organization.
2. Current financial statement (prefer audited).
3. Current operating budget and an estimated project budget.
4. Current 501 (c) (3) statement.
5. Your NTEE code.

We review grant applications on a quarterly basis and have divided the quarters geographically. We are currently accepting applications for the following regions:

For the Peninsula and Intero Franchises,  please submit all applications by June 1, 2010

Silicon Valley October  please submit all applications by October 1, 2010

If you have any questions in regards to the grant application process please email sandy@sandytroia.com.

Supporting Children in Need

At the June meeting of the Intero Foundation I will be presenting a grant request from Rape Trauma Services.  RTS is requesting a grant to support its Sexual Services Program for Children and Youth.  At our office meeting today, Jessica Hollander, RTS’s Education Director, presented artwork as seen in the video to the San Mateo Intero office.  The artwork has been created by some of the children as recognition of the support RTS has received from the Intero Family through the Intero Foundation in the past.

Jessica also discussed two examples of how RTS is “there” for children involved in sexual abuse and assault in San Mateo County.  This past weekend she provided counseling and support to a 15 year old girl that was abducted and sexually assaulted by three men and assisted a family with two sisters, 3 and 6 after an attempted molestation by a neighbor.

RTS is the only rape crisis and violence prevention program in San Mateo County. The Sexual Services Program for Children and Youth provided direct intervention assistance to 312 children and youth in the past 10 months. Also, counselors spoke to 398 youth in RTS’s 24 hour hotline during the same period.  RTS conducted 302 Rape Prevention Workshops reaching nearly 3000 young people in San Mateo County as well.

Information about Rape Trauma Services and how they support children and families that have been traumatized by sexual abuse, assault and harassment is available at www.RapeTraumaServices.org.   For information on how The Intero Foundation, supported by Intero Real Estate Agents and employees, gives back to the communities it serves can be seen at www.InterFoundation.com.