Newsroom

Rock Island, Ill. (September 25, 2024) – Royal Neighbors of America, a nonprofit life insurance organization has presented Melissa Dohme Hill, executive director of Clearwater nonprofit Hands Across the Bay, with a Nation of Neighbors empowerment award and $10,000 grant.

Nation of Neighbors℠ is Royal Neighbors’ signature women’s empowerment program. This national award recognizes and supports women who work to empower women and girls through a nonprofit, business, or program. Nation of Neighbors recipients are influential leaders who exemplify the Royal Neighbors “neighbor-helping-neighbor” mission of community service.

Ms. Hill’s journey to becoming the executive director at Hands Across the Bay is one of miraculous resilience, endurance, and selflessness. In January 2012, she endured a vicious domestic violence attack, suffering 32 stab wounds to her face, neck, arms, and hands. Hands Across the Bay played a vital role in her recovery, offering support and a platform for her to share her story.

Through her recovery journey, Ms. Hill says she felt called to give back to the organization that had supported her. She began working as an advocate for Hands Across the Bay, using her personal experience to help others facing similar circumstances. “God saved my life so I can be a voice for those hiding in silence and to educate teens on the dangers of domestic violence,” she said.

Hands Across the Bay fills the gap in community resources by partnering with law enforcement, nonprofits, safe shelters, and other professionals in the community who support community members in crisis. The organization also provides moving assistance, furniture, clothing, hygiene items, toys, baby supplies, food, counseling, and a safe place for survivors to connect. “We are helping hardworking families experiencing the downward spiral of crisis and trauma find hope, healing, kindness, and a boost of love.”

Hands Across the Bay will use its Nation of Neighbors grant to assist 40 more families within the Tampa Bay area. “This grant will greatly expand our capacity to help families in need,” said Ms. Hill. “With each dollar we spend, we invest in families that truly want to get back on their own feet and change their lives for the better.”

Royal Neighbors of America’s CEO and President Zarifa Reynolds presented the award and grant to Ms. Hill on September 12. “Our mission is to support and empower women who are making a difference in their communities. Melissa Dohme Hill embodies the spirit of this mission through her extraordinary work,” she said. “Through the Nation of Neighbors Award and Grant, we aim to celebrate and amplify the impact she is making on families across the bay.”

About Royal Neighbors of America

In 1895, nine founding women created a membership community. They were one of the first to make life insurance accessible to women. Nearly 130 years later, Royal Neighbors remains committed to its mission of Insuring Lives, Supporting Women, and Serving Communities℠. The organization’s 265,000+ members, chapters, employees, and appointed agents across the country drive the mission through localized volunteerism and Philanthropy Programs making social impact the cornerstone of their work.

Royal Neighbors members experience Insurance with a Difference℠ through their tailored life insurance and annuity products, opportunities to make an impact in their communities, and access to a variety of Member Programs including savings on prescriptions, health screenings, grief support, and more.