The Florida Center for Early Childhood has launched a new campaign, “LEAP” (Learning through Exploration, Activity, and Play), aimed at raising $500,000 to provide crucial support to young children and their families. The organization hopes to immediately utilize any funding received through the campaign which has a targeted completion date of June 1, 2024.

The LEAP campaign will directly benefit young children and their families who receive early care, education and supportive services at The Florida Center’s Sarasota and North Port campuses. The campaign will allow for implementation of an early learning environment inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy. Through this initiative children will benefit from a setting thoughtfully designed to be open and inviting. Both the indoor and outdoor spaces will include a variety of natural materials and play equipment that promotes exploration and creativity. This unique environment is helpful for all children, especially those with developmental delays and disabilities who can be easily overwhelmed. The approach also encourages strong partnerships between teachers and parents, recognizing the importance of a collaborative and supportive network for children’s learning and development.

"Children truly thrive in a setting that provides a variety of ways for them to meet their unique potential." says Becky Schoonover, Director of Early Childhood Education at The Florida Center. "I've seen the impact that Reggio Emilia-inspired learning environments have on children, teachers and parents. Children go from feeling overloaded, to feeling secure and engaged in their learning environment in ways that are meaningful to them. Teachers feel excited to creatively work with students, and parents feel a sense of connection and community.”

Research has shown that for every $1 invested in high-quality early childhood programs, there is a return of $4-$16 to the community. This campaign will provide the setting necessary for children and families to LEAP ahead, overcome their challenges, and thrive and to kick off the campaign on a high note, an anonymous donor has pledged to match donations, dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $50,000. This incredible gesture will double the impact of contributions made toward achieving the campaign’s ambitious fundraising goal.

“We are thrilled to launch the LEAP campaign, which will enable us to provide even more comprehensive support to young children and their families,” said CEO Kristie Skoglund. “By investing in early childhood education and interventions, we can make a significant difference in the lives of young children facing delays, disabilities, or mental health challenges.”

The Florida Center invites individuals, organizations, and businesses to support the LEAP campaign and positively impact the lives of children and families in the community. Every donation, no matter the size, will help create a brighter future for vulnerable children.

Pictured: Children at The Florida Center for Early Childhood enjoy a butterfly encounter in the sensory garden. Photo courtesy of The Florida Center.

To make a donation or learn more about the LEAP campaign, please visit

On May 5, 2023, Samaritan Counseling Services was awarded a $25,000 grant provided by the James Franklin Warnell & Dorothy J. Warnell Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to support mental health services for uninsured and under-insured children and families in our community. “If there’s one thing that remains true from hearing our clients’ stories, it’s that mental health counseling remains critical to healthy development. Addressing the needs of the whole family, when possible, is vital as the family strives to move forward on a path to mental wellness. Because of this important investment, we can continue to instill hope and transform lives.” said Richard O. Howell, Executive Director of Samaritan Counseling. It’s important to note that the surge for mental health counseling has not subsided. Samaritan Counseling’s team of 30 licensed and accredited psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and interns will provide a combined 17,000 hours to over 2,000 individuals in 2023. This generous investment from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County will help Samaritan Counseling continue to provide affordable and accessible mental health treatment. 

Pace Center for Girls, a nationally recognized model that provides education, counseling, training and advocacy for more than 3,000 girls and young women annually, received a $90,000 grant from State Farm Insurance to support career and college preparation at 21 Pace Centers for Girls across Florida. The funding supports Pace’s comprehensive vocational and education program dedicated to providing at-promise girls with the necessary tools to obtain a high school diploma or GED, long term employability skills and support pursuing an education past high school, whether at a professional training program, the military, a community college or a four-year college or university. “One of the greatest responsibilities we have as a society is to ensure all girls and young women have access to opportunities to be successful as adults,” said Mary Marx, President and CEO of Pace Center for Girls. “We are grateful to State Farm for investing in Pace and providing us the opportunity to enhance our life-skills training and career and college readiness pathways.” As part of the investment, girls like Emily will represent 21 communities across the state of Florida and receive a State Farm Scholarship supporting college, vocational school, or certificate training. She will study psychology at Broward College this summer with plans to transition to Florida International University and become a therapist. Having lost someone close to her by suicide, she shared “maybe I can help people and change future outcomes so it’s not devastating to the person, the family, and people around them.” Pace has seen transformational improvements among girls personally and professionally. Eight out of 10 girls graduate from high school, pursue higher education or secure employment after the program, and nine out of 10 have experienced overall academic improvement. “We are proud to support Pace in their commitment to provide career and college opportunities to all girls,” said Jose Soto, State Farm Corporate Responsibility Analyst. “Our agents enjoy volunteering at Pace and accompanying girls on experimental trips that focus on job and school placement.” For more information about Pace Center for Girls, visit www.pacecenter.org. 

Pictured: Emily a Pace Broward Graduate.

A $400,000 grant from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation has been awarded to the Hermitage Artist Retreat in support of its efforts and impact as a leading national arts incubator for diverse and original works of music, theater, literature, visual art, dance, and more. The Hermitage offers one-of-a-kind artistic programming with a focus on community impact, education, and social justice. This grant will allow the Hermitage to further its commitment to celebrating bold and innovative new work without censoring or inhibiting the creativity of these extraordinary talents. 

Pictured: Aerial View of the Hermitage Artist Retreat. Photo provided by the Hermitage Artist Retreat.

Forty Carrots Family Center welcomes new Board of Trustee members Monica Van Buskirk, Principal of Monica Consults and Brian Volner, Managing Director with Sarasota Private Trust Company.  They will both serve three-year terms supporting Forty Carrots' mission of nurturing healthy child and family development and preventing child abuse, neglect, and other childhood traumas. Officers include Board Chair Susan Travers, nonprofit fundraiser, volunteer coordinator and event planner, Treasurer Valerie Dall’Acqua, Global Real Estate Advisor Premier Sotheby’s International Realty; and Secretary Tammie Sandoval-Badger, Principal, Sabal Trust. “I am honored to serve a third year as Forty Carrots’ board chair. We are delighted to welcome Monica and Brian to this inspirational group, working together to ensure the best outcomes for children and families in our community. As we continue to move our Generations of Change expansion campaign forward, we are more determined than ever to provide families with the skills, support, and education they need to thrive. Expanding our capacity in Child and Family therapy and parenting education is critical. The need has never been greater, and we are here for all families, no matter their circumstances.” said Chair Susan Travers. Remaining board of trustee members: Kevin Cooper, Dawn Doughty, Jag Grewal, Jackie Griese, Karimu Hill-Harvey, Chris Jarmul, Ben Jones, Eric Kaplan, Bob Lewandowski, Alan Ross, Joleen Searles, Susan Sakhai, Kevin Stencik, CEO Michelle Kapreilian (ex-officio) and trustee emeriti Kim Githler, Stanley Kane (deceased), and Jeff Steinwachs. 

Local Relief, a new nonprofit and social media app, is set to revolutionize the way we prepare for hurricanes. The app serves as a communication hub for locals during natural disasters, providing a platform for real-time updates, information on local resources, and community support. With hurricane season in full effect, Local Relief is a game-changer for those who live in hurricane-prone areas. The app allows users to connect with other locals, share information, and stay informed about what's happening in their community during a natural disaster. "We created Local Relief to help people prepare for and respond to natural disasters more effectively," said Heather Hackett, the founder of the app. "We believe that by connecting communities and utilizing citizen journalism to provide real-time updates, we can revolutionize the way locals communicate surrounding disasters." Citizen journalism is based upon public citizens playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing, and disseminating news and information.  The Local Relief app is available for FREE from the Apple Store or Google Play. For more information about Local Relief and how to get involved, please visit localrelief.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @localreliefapp. 

Sarasota Orchestra has been approved for a $15,000 Grants for Arts Projects award from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support the 2023 Sarasota Music Festival. The three-week Festival runs from June 5 – 24 and features a schedule of 12 different concerts, as well as a wide range of masterclasses, coaching sessions, and rehearsals. The internationally renowned program brings 60 fellows and 40 esteemed faculty artists from top conservatories and music schools to Sarasota to study and perform. Sarasota Orchestra’s project is among 1,130 projects across the country, totaling more than $31 million, that were selected during this second round of Grants for Arts Projects fiscal year 2023 funding. “The tremendous support from the National Endowment for the Arts ensures a bright future for the Sarasota Music Festival and we are so grateful for our partnership with the NEA,” said Sarasota Orchestra President and CEO Joseph McKenna. “The arts are needed now more than ever and this award will help us continue to share world-class music with our community.” 

For those on the front lines of tragedy and violence – such as veterans and first responders – the emotional impact of such service can be difficult to explain to others, including loved ones or friends. So many stay silent ... and, for some, the stress becomes so overwhelming that they see suicide as their only way out. In 2013, Janine "Mama" Lutz of Broward County, Fla. lost her son – Lance Corporal Janos V. Lutz, who served in the U.S. Marines in both Afghanistan and Iraq – to suicide. The next year, she formed the "Buddy Up" program, through which military veterans can network and form bonds, and really talk about what they are going through; the ultimate goal is that a buddy in crisis could be connected to needed resources before it becomes a life or death emergency. Lutz was determined that her son's death would not be in vain; she felt compelled to create a vehicle through which other veterans could, perhaps, be saved. In May of 2019, Goodwill Manasota's American Veterans and Their Families Program team – led by program manager Todd Hughes, with input and encouragement from Lutz – launched the Lutz Buddy Up program at its veterans services office on North Lockwood Ridge in Sarasota; a second location was offered in South County in 2021. Approximately 40 veterans participate at the two locations each month. Chris De Aguiar, a former "battle buddy" of Hughes's – with whom he served in Iraq – had been following the veterans services program's Facebook page and reached out to Hughes about the Lutz Buddy Up program. Hughes encouraged De Aguiar to start a chapter in his hometown of San Antonio, Tex. and connected him with Lutz for guidance and encouragement. After finding a host venue and doing significant outreach to the veteran community, De Aguiar planned the Lutz Buddy Up launch in San Antonio for April 27; Hughes flew out to Texas to provide support and to speak about the history and purpose of the Lutz Buddy Up program as well as to describe what he has observed since Goodwill launched the chapters in Sarasota and Venice. A total of 30 veterans were in attendance that evening and many promised not only to return the next month but also to bring fellow veterans to participate as well. Lutz Buddy Up gatherings are currently taking place in Sarasota and Venice. The Sarasota program takes place the third Wednesday of every month, 6-8 p.m., at Disabled American Veterans 97 (7177 Bee Ridge Rd.); in Venice, veterans are welcome the first Tuesday of every month, 6-8 p.m., at American Legion NO-VEL Post 159 (1770 E. Venice Ave.). Call 941-355-2721, ext. 451 for more information. Launched in 2013, Goodwill Manasota’s American Veterans and Their Families program was created to help eliminate barriers to employment, provide opportunities for higher-paying positions for veterans and their families, and connect veterans with needed social services. The program provides comprehensive case management and vocational services, while helping veterans navigate the wide array of available programs. The overall goal of the program is to help veterans successfully reintegrate into their families, communities and jobs. For more information about the American Veterans and Their Families program, visit experiencegoodwill.org/veteransservices or call 941-355-2721, ext. 451. 

Pictured: Todd Hughes, program manager for Goodwill Manasotas American Veterans and Their Families program, with his service dog, Ghost, and Chris De Aguia. Photo courtesy of Goodwill Manasota.

Getting People Talking | Canadian artist and sculptor Viktor Mitic is capturing the art community's attention from his new Siesta Kery beachside studio, May/June 2023. 

Read Here!