Degroof Petercam’s Post

Hosting "Standing Up for Our Community," Jewish Family & Community Services East Bay's briefing one month after the 2024 election with our immigration legal leaders Reena Arya and Sarah Gakenia Cleveland and Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies director of public policy and advocacy, Jonathan Schrag has been a way for us to turn knowledge into power for community action. Takeaways: - Proposed federal policy changes will have real consequences for our economy, our neighbors, our own families. - Low-income, older adult, and immigrant members of our community are likely to experience negative effects of proposed changes most acutely. - Policy changes may present new opportunities to support community members and new ways for our state, regional and city governments, businesses, and nonprofit ecosystems to step up. - There are opportunities to take action with JFCS East Bay. Stay informed, volunteer, raise your advocacy voice, and donate. View the briefing: https://lnkd.in/gtnpjQ2V Join us: request help, learn more, sign up for our newsletter: https://jfcs-eastbay.org/ #refugeeswelcome #immigration #volunteer #community #publicpolicy

Are you engaged in your community? 🤔 In 2023, Serve Virginia and the Virginia Service Foundation introduced the Virginia Community Engagement Index (VCEI). This groundbreaking study aims to understand the current state of service, volunteerism, and civic action in Virginia, as well as to identify the community's top priorities. Take a look at some of the interesting highlights such as, "Why we serve," "Where we serve," "how we serve," and more! https://lnkd.in/eQszbxnE

Libraries aren't just buildings. Librarians do outreach and provide bookmobile service. If you live in rural or underserved areas, libraries will do their best to serve you. Let's make sure to provide them with the funding they need for the extra support! #libraries #publiclibraries #bookmobiles #libraryoutreach #governance #localgovernment #stategovernment #federalgovernment

Check out the article!

GROW CHURCH ENGAGEMENT: Imagine turning a one-time visitor into a regular volunteer. We'll show you the steps 👉 https://ow.ly/Qtbu50Rwi4i #ChurchGrowth

I appreciated the opportunity to present to the Fraser Valley Estate Planning Council on "Estate Planning for Disabled Beneficiaries" earlier this week. I shared a comprehensive resource I created for families to help them navigate all the various information and programs that may apply to them: https://lnkd.in/ge-9Nmja. One potential estate planning option for disabled beneficiaries that is lesser known is the Lifetime Benefit Trust (LBT). Established in a will, the LBT is intended to address the problems that can arise if the financially dependent child suffers from a mental impairment. Under the LBT structure, you can leave your RRSP/RRIF on a tax-deferred basis to a trust (not a RRSP or RRIF) established for a mentally infirm and financially dependent child. The trust transfer is conditional on the child being dependent, because of mental infirmity, on the deceased individual immediately before their death and must be a personal trust where, during the child’s lifetime, no person other than the child may benefit from the income or capital of the trust (s. 60.011 of the Income Tax Act). The entire RRSP/RRIF payout must be used to purchase a qualifying trust annuity (QTA). An annuity is a form of investment that pays an annual amount for the remaining lifetime of a specified person (in this case, the infirm dependent) or for a fixed term (in this case, the maximum fixed term would be equal to 90, minus the age of the child). There is some negotiation room as to the exact terms of the annuity acquired. However, the annual payments will usually depend on economic expectations and interest rates that are prevalent at the time that the annuity is purchased. The LBT would acquire the annuity and would receive the annuity payments. The trustee would then decide whether and to what extent to pass the annuity payments through to the child. All amounts passed through to the child would be taxed as ordinary income of the child. On the death of the child, any remaining value of the annuity will be taxed as ordinary income of the child. The terms of the LBT could provide that the after-tax amount be paid to other persons after the death of the child. Precedent language for a LBT, drafted by Mary Hamilton and Sadie Wetzel, is included at the bottom of the website www.disability-planning.ca.

Veteran Housing Corp says that IF YOU ARE NOT PART OF A PERMANENT AND LASTING SOLUTION TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS AND HOMELESSNESS, YOU ARE THE PROBLEM! THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX IS BROKEN AND NOT WORKING FOR AMERICAN TAXPAYERS Veteran Housing Corp would ask every TAXPAYER to demand and get answers from their elected and appointed government officials the below questions as they relate to any affordable, workforce, or supportive housing project in your community! 1. How much local, state, and federal funding, tax credits, or other government benefits or incentives did the project receive? 2. What is the affordability period for each project? Is the affordability period permanent and in perpetuity? 3. What guarantees exist have your local, state, and federal government officials obtained in writing that rents will not go up or that tenants will not be displaced or evicted after the "affordability period expires? Every local, state, and federal housing authority and affordable or workforce housing stakeholder should adopt the State of Vermont's "permanent affordability" policy as a model for all future government funded or subsidized housing projects or developments, no exceptions! https://lnkd.in/eFEUC8c8 Additionally, local, state and federal housing agencies should look to the Helsinki, FINLAND MODEL of ending homelessness by providing affordable housing for all 'It’s a miracle': Helsinki's radical solution to homelessness https://lnkd.in/er9HZSQU Even the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AGREES THAT adopting FINLAND'S MODEL OF ERADICATING HOMELESSNESS may be of great value to resolving the affordable housing and homelessness crises in America https://lnkd.in/gkSZWYRU

🌟 Let's Shine a Light on Youth Homelessness! 🌟 As someone who has experience working in the youth sector, I've witnessed firsthand the significant barriers young people face when trying to secure accommodation. Many of them lack the resources to navigate services independently and rely heavily on support from non-profit organizations (NFPs/NGOs). Consider this: In 2022–23, more than 38,000 young people aged 15–24 presented alone to a homelessness service. This staggering statistic highlights the urgent need for action. This Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD) on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, let's unite to raise awareness and drive meaningful change. #YHMD24 is a national day that sparks conversations and action around child and youth homelessness. It's a day to recognize the resilience of young people and push for sustainable solutions to support them. Join us in making a difference: 📢 Raise Awareness: Spread the word about YHMD and the realities of youth homelessness. 💡 Get Involved: Organize or participate in YHMD activities in your community. Register your event with Yfoundations and access our campaign kit for ideas and resources. ✍️ Sign the Petition: Advocate for a standalone National Child and Youth Homelessness and Housing Plan by signing Yfoundations petition. 💰 Make a Donation: Support NFP/NGO's efforts to end youth homelessness by donating. Please see below for some events that may be held in your local LGA. #YouthHomelessness #homelessness

THIS WEEK ON BANNER AND CO, MY CONVERSATION WITH HAL CATO, CEO OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. HOW DID HE START HIS SUCCESSFUL CAREER OF SERVICE? AND WHERE ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN THE NON PROFIT LANDscape?

As we observe Memorial Day, let's remember the bravery and sacrifice of those who served. 🇺🇸 It's a day of reflection and gratitude, reminding us of the values that drive us to serve our community with integrity and dedication. This Memorial Day, we are harnessing the power of personalized engagement and emotional connections; check out our latest blog post, https://lnkd.in/gSNDt4Up #MemorialDay #HonorAndServe #DigitalMarketingEthics #CommunityFirst #ReflectionAndGratitude