Tomorrow’s Rainbow, Inc. 501(c)(3)
Grief Counseling for Children & Families
Tomorrow’s Rainbow is a non-profit organization whose mission is to nurture emotional wellness and resiliency for children, teens, and families experiencing grief, loss, or trauma. Heather volunteers as a Program Facilitator to provide free grief support and trauma counseling for children and their families. The loss of a loved one is one of the most difficult life events that a child can face, and Heather can relate to these children in a unique way that not all people are able to relate—Heather’s father died tragically when she was only 23 years old.
Tomorrow’s Rainbow is a special place for children and families that have experienced the death of a loved one. By incorporating miniature horse interactions with therapeutic play areas and facilitated peer support, children are given the tools necessary to take their own personal grief journey in a way that is meaningful to them. Tomorrow’s Rainbow is a safe place where children feel, often for the first time, understood.
Awards & Achievements for Community Service
The Mayor and City of Fort Lauderdale recently recognized Heather’s dedication and commitment to serving her community with an official City Proclamation of “Heather Lee O’Keefe Day” on January 7, 2020. Please click here to read more.
Heather is known for her love for giving back through community service. At the NSU Law Barrister’s Ball in February 2020, Heather was awarded the prestigious Larry Kalevitch Service Award, for which she was nominated by her fellow law school classmates.
Bit-By-Bit Medical Therapeutic Riding Center
Heather is a lead volunteer at Bit-By-Bit Medical Therapeutic Riding Center in South Florida, where she helps veterans and people with special needs to reach their full potential through the use of hippotherapy and other healing programs with the help of the horse. Hippotherapy is the use of horseback riding as a therapeutic or rehabilitative treatment, especially as a means of improving coordination, balance, and strength. Bit-By-Bit combines Heather’s love for horses with her desire to play a vital role in the wellness of children and veterans with special needs. This organization is close to Heather’s heart because she has personally experienced the therapeutic value of hippotherapy after she suffered a serious injury when she was young.
Little Lighthouse Foundation
The Little Lighthouse Foundation (“LLF”) is a registered 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization, that assists underserved children and their families throughout South Florida. LLF has over 20 proprietary programs with 33 partner facilities, including, but not limited to homeless shelters, hospitals, and youth centers. LLF’s programs include Adopt a Meal at Ronald McDonald House, Activity Hour, Story Hour and Move & Groove at Chapman Partnership, Craft Night and Beauty All Around at Lotus House, and more!
As South Florida’s top volunteer organization, LLF aims to continue expanding our reach and remain the leader in volunteerism. Our goals are to:
- Bring smiles and impactful experiences to the underprivileged youth of South Florida
- Fulfill our mission with proprietary programming and concepts with the support of like-minded partners and individuals
- Create accessible and diverse volunteer opportunities for those actively looking to donate their time
Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)
Heather is a committee member of the Broward County, Florida Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), a nationwide non-profit organization working in an advocacy role to protect marine resources and marine life. Heather’s chapter of CCA has implemented the largest artificial reef project in South Florida. These artificial reefs are crucial to protecting and preserving our marine ecosystems; they attract marine life and fishermen, and they serve as an underwater park for scuba divers. Heather’s chapter also collects fishing rods to give to foster children and takes those children on fishing trips. Most recently, Heather gave a presentation to more than 500 students at Ransom Everglades School to bring awareness to conservation efforts in her community.
Celebrity Soccer Match | Best Buddies
Heather is involved with the Celebrity Soccer Match in support of Best Buddies. This event promotes a culture of sports inclusion, social responsibility, and employment integration of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a way to make a positive impact in the community. Heather played in the soccer match alongside Miss Universe and Miss USA contestants, Sports Illustrated swimsuit models, TV stars, and professional athletes.
Click here to read the AP News article.
Miss Arc Broward
Heather is a volunteer for the Miss Arc Broward Pageant: A Pageant to Empower Young Women with Disabilities. This year, she even got to crown the new Arc Broward queens! Arc Broward’s mission is to transform the community by providing opportunities for people with disabilities and other life challenges to realize their full potential.
Click here to read the Sun Sentinel news article.
Dress for Success Miami
Heather is a brand ambassador for Dress for Success Miami. The mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Women in Distress | Kids in Distress
Heather is a volunteer for Women in Distress and Kids in Distress. The mission of Women in Distress is to stop domestic violence abuse for everyone through intervention, education and advocacy. Kids In Distress (KID) is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse, the preservation of the family, and the treatment of abused and neglected children.
Real Talk | Advanced Recovery Systems
Heather is a Real Talk Brand Ambassador for Advanced Recovery Systems. Real Talk is a program dedicated to providing education about the dangers of substance abuse. Supporting Real Talk is important to her because studies show that those who work in the legal profession are at an elevated risk of experiencing substance abuse disorders.
Autism Speaks
Heather enjoys participating in 5k walks/runs for charity. Here, she is pictured at the Autism Speaks walk in Miami during Autism Awareness Month on April 28, 2019.
Breast Cancer Awareness
Heather hosted a “Pinktober” event at her law school during the month of October. As the head LexisNexis representative on campus, she encouraged students to donate their Lexis points (which translate to cash value) to a charity, such as breast cancer research.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Heather is an avid volunteer and fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH).
Community Service Presentations
Heather enjoys giving presentations to spread awareness about the above causes. Here, she is pictured speaking to 500 students at Ransom Everglades School in Miami, Florida. Click here to book Heather to speak at your event.
Heather Lee O'Keefe 