To solve the Gulf Coast’s greatest social problems will require more than just raising money to distribute to region’s neediest people, according to Mireya Eavey. Modern philanthropy requires more innovation, and since taking over as Sarasota area president for United Way Suncoast, she’s made it her mission to change the mindset around giving. “We have to change into more of a community impact model,” she explains. Thanks to that, SRQ names Mireya Eavey as the philanthropic newsmaker of the year.

Eavey took the reins at her new job in December 2015 but brought with her successful programs she had spearheaded for years. CareerEdge Funders Collaborative now operates as a United Way program, but still receives funding from Gulf Coast Community Foundation, a revenue source since the effort’s launch in 2008. This year, the collaborative was designated as a National Fund for Workforce Solutions. Eavey more recently saw the graduation of a class of certified nursing assistants through a new adult education program hosted at Booker Middle School. The common thread in the programs has been creating opportunities not just for people to have a basic need satisfied, but also to have the prospects for their own future improved. Eavey empowers low- and middle-income people to get promoted to better jobs in their place of work or to embark on new professional opportunities that may have appeared out of reach. And in turn, this spurs economic development in the region and satisfies an employer need here for skilled workers.

But like many a philanthropic leader, Eavey primarily feels motivated by the chance to help others. “I’ve lived in this community my entire life. I understand it and I’m connected to so many people that I know are struggling,” she says. “I get to hear from them and then think of strategies to share with the United Way team.” And in doing so, donations to her organization have gone up just as she focuses the organization to do the most with the funding they already have.

Honorable Mention: Mark Pritchett, Gulf Coast Community Foundation president, led a near-seamless leadership transition. John Annis, Community Foundation of Sarasota Countysenior vice president, spurred interest in the TwoGen approach to impactful philanthropy.

All this week, SRQ Daily names a newsmaker of the year for 2016. Individuals selected were chosen by our editorial team based on meaningful impact within a field where they have demonstrated leadership, effectively redirecting community conversation in important and lasting ways. Read tomorrow's edition to learn the cultural and architectural newsmakers of the year. 

Need a little om in your life post-holiday festivities? Head straight to Pineapple Yoga studio to catch a class and pick up the newest hot pants from legging line Teeki. The color-conscious printed pants are equipped with four-way stretch, expanding as your muscles tone and lengthen, with elastic-free material that stays breathable and chafe-resistant even in the most grueling Bikram classes or canyon hikes. Teeki's eco-friendly model takes water bottles and repurposes them into activewear, giving the once-trashed plastic a new life. Teeki supports an active lifestyle, helping you to realize your adventures and constantly moving forward alongside your body, mind and spirit.  

Pineapple Yoga Studio, 517 South Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, 941-210-3739.

Plans are in the works for an upscale waterfront community with private yacht club along a stretch of Tamiami Trail that is part of Manatee County’s newly approved “urban corridor” designation meant to trigger redevelopment of aging areas. Proposed by Sarasota Bay Harbor LLC, the planned community will be known as Blu Harbor and is slated to include four condominium buildings with up to seven stories and 212 units, significant on-site amenities, and a private yacht club and marina with up to 132 boat slips. While the property has an existing county-approved development plan, the Blu Harbor team is looking to modify that plan with a design that will be more attractive to the buyer and a reduction in number of units. 

Last year, Goodwill Manasota launched the Rick and Coni Fawley Scholarship Fund to help Goodwill team members who do not have their high school diploma earn their GED. This year, the program was expanded to clients of Goodwill’s free career services program, Job Connection. In mid-December, Mike Bryant—former business partner and good friend to Rick Fawley—presented Goodwill with a $5,000 check for the Fawley Scholarship Fund. Beginning January 9, Goodwill Manasota will provide ESOL classes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9am–4pm and GED/ABE classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am–4pm at the Goodwill Manasota Ranch Lake community room. 

Goodwill Manasota