Brena Slater, CEO of the Safe Children Coalition, is known to be a tireless advocate for child welfare in our community. Described by her colleagues as someone who is “truly compassionate, understands the child welfare system and knows what it takes to run a successful community-based care agency,” she is well-deserving of SRQ Magazine’s Good Hero Philanthropy Award. Slater was born in Germany but because her father was in the military, her family moved around to many states including Virginia, Colorado, North Carolina and several others. Today, the Hillsborough County resident is the proud mother of two amazing children, a 25-year-old son who is an engineer and a 15-year-old daughter that keeps her parents busy with travel volleyball. When she’s not working, Slater enjoys time with her family and friends.
Despite her successful role as a leader, Slater did not come from the corporate world. Her professional journey began with work in the child welfare arena. She came to Florida in 1996 and began working with the Suncoast Region of Child Welfare. “I have been passionate about child welfare since 1989 when I began my career at a runaway shelter for teen girls,” she shares. Over the years, she has worked for the Department of Children and Families as a child abuse investigator, case manager and operations manager over Circuit 12 which is Sarasota Manatee and Desoto Counties. She began working with the Safe Children Coalition in 2013 as the Vice President overseeing child welfare and she became the CEO/President in 2019.
Slater’s job is a big one and no day is ever the same. “Safe Children Coalition served over 9,000 children last year and I have over 300 employees working tirelessly in multiple programs,” she explains. “We have a budget over 60 million dollars a year and are responsible for the care and custody of children in our community. We serve thousands of children and families through diversion and prevention in-home services so the family can remain together, foster care for children who have been removed from their families and a reunification program to help heal the families so they can be together safely. We also have adoption services so children can find their forever family and a shelter for children that need a respite when they or their families need more intervention services.” A good deal of Slater’s time is spent advocating locally and statewide for additional funding for the children and families in our area. So far, Safe Children Coalition has raised over 7 million dollars toward their 9.5 million dollar goal for a new youth shelter. “Our youth shelter is the only one for homeless, truant and runaway teens in Sarasota and Desoto counties. We serve teens from Manatee county too,” she adds.
The team at Safe Children Coalition believes in the strength of community partnership and collective wisdom. Their approach is inclusive, valuing the voices and contributions of children, youth, families, staff and community partners. “I like working with other nonprofits to colla-borate so our area can be the leader of best practice in the state,” Slater says, sharing this quote by an anonymous author: “Our success is not measured by the number of services we provide, but by the lives we transform and the communities we empower.”
Safe Children Coalition is proud of the work and services they offer and they often take prospective donors on tours of their shelter. “Donors should get involved where they feel most passionate and Safe Children Coalition is a good choice,” Slater shares. “We are a public/private partnership and have been providing services for children and youth in Circuit 12 (Sarasota, Manatee, and Desoto counties) as the lead community-based care agency since 1997. Our programs are solid, and provide an opportunity for anyone who cares about children to make a difference.”
Slater humbly acknowledges being named a Good Hero and accepts the nomination with pride. “Being honored as a Good Hero signifies a deep commitment to making a positive, lasting impact. To me, it represents the acknowledgment of efforts that go beyond personal gain, focusing on improving the lives of others and contributing to the collective well-being of the community. It recognizes my service, compassion and the drive to create meaningful change,” she says. “It also reflects the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility—it is an honor to work with others to solve challenges, advocate for vulnerable groups and create opportunities for everyone to thrive. In the context of child and family well-being it is a way to reinforce the idea that small, consistent actions add up to significant transformations in people’s lives. Ultimately, it is a humbling reminder of the ripple effect that good work can have. This honor isn’t just personal recognition, but for the chance to inspire others to get involved, make a difference and continue building a more caring, supportive and brighter community.”
Those wanting to learn more about how they can help can visit Safe Children Coalition’s campaign website at sccyouthshelter.org”
Brena Slater was honored as a Good Hero by SRQ Magazine in December 2023.
