Housing insecurity is an ongoing issue for many veterans. On Monday afternoon, together with its Board and a handful of generous donors, Gulf Coast Community Foundation and St. Vincent de Paul CARES celebrated the long-awaited groundbreaking of Sarasota’s first housing project specifically for those veterans.

"If you're a person who is just about ready to lose your housing and you don't have the resources to move into another house, that's housing insecurity. If you are sleeping every night or every other week on a different couch at a different home or you're sleeping in your car, that's housing insecurity. If you are sleeping under the Ringling Bridge or if you've not had a permanent residence for the last 15 years, that's housing insecurity,” explains Gulf Coast’s Senior Vice President for Community Leadership, Jon Thaxton.

The new housing initiative first came about when a group of donors with an interest in helping veterans came to Thaxton and asked if he would be able to do something with a million dollars. He put out some feelers and very quickly, the Office of Housing and Community Development and the City Commission came forward to help, designating land already zoned for 10 units. “We got additional cash resources from the Office Housing and Community Development and we got a pool of money from the donors fund and we just put it all together,” Thaxton says.

The Veterans Housing Initiative includes ten rental units in the city of Sarasota for low-income veterans, providing affordable housing to help our nation’s heroes. The units will be managed by key partner St. Vincent de Paul CARES, a nonprofit who has a successful track record of building and operating affordable housing for veterans. The apartments will be built on 25th Street, west of Orange Avenue and close to the bus line which will hopefully lead to greater employment opportunities. There are plans to paint a veteran's mural on one side of the building which will have shared borders with the African American Cultural Center of Sarasota on 27th Street.

“Our first focus is to occupy the housing units with north Sarasota County veterans because it is in a neighborhood that they know near support services that they already have in place,” says Thaxton. While the units will be on the smaller side, they will have laundry facilities as well as outdoor meeting space where people can gather and provide support to one another. “The amenities are going to be very similar to what we have in our own homes, including tiled floors, wood cabinets and high quality features donated by Home Depot,” he adds. The veterans will only be paying 30% of their income for rent and they will sign an annual lease which will instill a sense of responsibility and ownership, helping them to feel secure and safe. There will also be navigators available to help them make the most of their veteran's benefits.

“It's affordable and it will allow our heroes an opportunity to regain whatever ground they lost,” shares Thaxton. “In many cases, the ground that they lost was a direct result of them serving in the armed forces. Our goal is to have north Sarasota County veterans in safe, stable, high quality housing by this time next year.” 

CoreSRQ announced it will merge with the YMCA of Southwest Florida, a joint coming together that has long been desired by both organizations. In the past four years, CoreSRQ, has built a culture of community spirit and courage while operating the former Sarasota Y. That culture will be amplified with this union. The YMCA of Southwest Florida consists of eight different YMCAs in seven Southwest Florida counties with more than 60,000 members and participants under its umbrella.The Sarasota branches, located at Euclid Ave and Potter Park, will now be known respectively as Sarasota City YMCA Branch and Palmer Ranch YMCA Branch, names that reestablish the YMCA legacy founded in 1945. The CoreSRQ name was adopted following a grass roots community effort to keep the facilities open in 2019. In a six-week period, the Sarasota community united and through financial gifts by generous donors as well as members and concerned citizens, saved the wellness centers from closure. Through its Invest in Incredible (I3) program, Gulf Coast Community Foundation supported the facilitation of the merger. Phillip P. Lanham, President | CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation reflected, “The Y is one of our community’s legacy associations with a history of providing quality programs for 78 years. Generations of Sarasota County residents have grown up with the Y. We are proud to be a catalyst in bringing these two organizations together to ensure that legacy continues for future generations.” 

Save Our Seabirds (SOS), one of the largest bird rescue and rehabilitation centers in Florida, recently welcomed Brian Walton as its new executive director after a nationwide search. A strategic thinker with expertise in the nonprofit sector, Walton most recently served as executive director for North Brevard Charities in Titusville, Florida. During his time there, he led all aspects of the social service agency, which included operating 59 affordable housing units, a thrift store and two food pantries. Walton also raised millions in private and government grant revenue, and significantly increased multiple revenue streams. In his new role with SOS, Walton will be tasked with leading and managing all operational aspects of the organization and developing long-term strategies with the board of directors. Other responsibilities will include establishing goals for financial and operational performance, expanding the donor base, increasing brand awareness and enlarging the impact of SOS. Walton attended Johnson University and received a bachelor’s degree in counseling and a master’s degree in communications. He is a certified fundraising executive and certified nonprofit consultant. 

The Library Foundation for Sarasota County is thrilled to announce award-winning author, Colson Whitehead, as the featured speaker at their 12th annual Love Our Libraries Author Luncheon, to be held on February 9, 2024 at the Municipal Auditorium in Sarasota. The Love Our Libraries Author Luncheon is the nonprofit Library Foundation’s signature fundraiser. To date, the annual sellout event has raised more than two million dollars to support Sarasota County public libraries. Since its founding in 2011, the Library Foundation has secured more than eight million dollars in private funds to help ensure a bright future for Sarasota’s libraries. Whitehead is a #1 New York Times bestselling author whose most recent novels include Crook Manifesto (2023) and Harlem Shuffle (2021). His book, The Underground Railroad, an Oprah’s book club selection, was awarded the 2016 National Book Award and the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. His New York Times bestseller The Nickel Boys won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, making him the fourth author to win two Pulitzers in the Fiction category. The novel also won the 2019 Kirkus Prize for Fiction and the 2020 Orwell Prize for Political Fiction. This event is made possible by Presenting Sponsor the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Author Reception Sponsor Bookstore1 Sarasota, and by the generosity of numerous community partners. For sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, visit www.sarasotalibraryfoundation.org or call 941-404-3139. Tickets start at $225.

The Sahib Shrine Circus & Family Festival kicks off its fun-filled weekend (November 3-5) with a private circus performance for local children, teens, and adults from three local non-profit agencies that receive support from Suncoast Charities for Children. This special performance will take place on Thursday, November 2, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Sahib Shrine located at 600 N. Beneva Road. Individuals from Children First, The Haven, and The Florida Center for Early Childhood will be treated to a ringside seat and complimentary food and beverages. One performer in the show, Aodhan Lane, is autistic and will be making his circus debut by lighting up the stage in an aerial LED cube. He became inspired by Hugh Jackman’s performance as the Ringmaster in The Greatest Showman and immediately began training in circus arts and acting. He is a 3-time award winner of Autism’s Got Talent and in 2021 told his story of how he found his passion through circus arts in a short film “Juggling Autism.” Lucy Nicandri, Executive Director of Suncoast Charities for Children, shared: “I was so excited when the Sahib Shrine reached out to me with this special invitation to make it a special day for several local non-profits that we support. After hearing about Aodhan’s hope to inspire others to live their dreams with all their hearts and to never give up, aligned with our mission and made their invitation even more special.” The Sahib Shrine Circus & Family Festival will have afternoon and evening performances all weekend long beginning Friday, November 3 through Sunday, November 5. In addition to the indoor circus performance, there will be plenty of interactive and fun-filled children’s activities going on outside such as pony rides, bounce houses, games, and much more! Proceeds will benefit the local Shrine and charities that the Shrine supports. For tickets and information visit sahibevents.com or call (941) 870-7444. 

Sarasota Opera is grateful to have received a $60,000 Arts Appreciation Grant made possible through the Wiliam S. and Jean W. Scott Endowed Fund at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Aligning with their mission to find meaningful ways to invest in the arts, Gulf Coast Community Foundation allows grant award winners flexibility with their funding in order to pursue their own artistic missions. Gulf Coast Community Foundation will continue its longstanding support of Sarasota Opera by underwriting the 2023-24 season and will be recognized as 2024 Winter Opera Festival Sponsor. They are also a sponsor of the popular Curtain Raiser Dinner, and Sarasota Opera’s annual gala on February 3. “Gulf Coast Community Foundation has been one of the most generous and longtime supporters of Sarasota Opera. They have always recognized the importance of our arts and cultural sector and we are grateful for this generous support,” said Richard Russell, the company’s General Director. “For decades, Sarasota Opera has presented breathtaking, professional musical experiences and important educational programs for youth in our region. We are honored to support Sarasota Opera, as their artistic mission aligns with our vision to support thriving communities with opportunities for all,” said Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s President | CEO Phillip Lanham. 

Get tickets for Friendsgiving…A Dessert and Wine Auction - Saturday, November 11th, 6:00-10:00 pm at IMG Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton. It is going to be a fun-filled evening with live and silent auctions of locally made, delicious desserts plus fabulous gift baskets featuring sports packages, spa services, restaurant gift cards, fun excursions plus the famous Wine Pull. Limited seating. $25 tickets include a delicious menu, served buffet style from IMG Chef Rocky Fidelibus. Cash bar. Local celebrity Bob Slicker, Slicker’s Eatery owner, will be the auctioneer. It is going to be a fun evening! Benefits local shelter animals.  

Saturday, November 11th, 6:00- 10:00 pm at IMG Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton.

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Sarasota Orchestra has received a $70,000 Strategic Partnership Grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which comes from the Martha Leiter and Nancy Streetman Fund II. In addition to being the Foundation Title Sponsor for Sarasota Orchestra’s 2023-2024 Dinner Series, the Community Foundation’s grant funding will support Celebrate 75, the Orchestra’s Special Concert & Gala event, and the return of the family concert, Peter and the Wolf. As the Orchestra continues its search for a Music Director, six of the world’s most compelling conductors are coming to be part of Sarasota Orchestra’s 75th Anniversary season celebration. With funding from the Community Foundation, the Dinner Series offers an opportunity to meet these renowned maestros and dine with them at Sarasota’s most distinguished venues. Each unique dinner features a short performance by select Sarasota Orchestra musicians and a moderated conversation with the featured guest conductor. Hear them share their perspective and approach to making music, as well as the stories behind their passion for the classics. By funding the Dinner Series, this generous grant from the Community Foundation also provides essential support for Sarasota Orchestra’s full artistic season, which began this month and runs through May 2024. Sarasota Orchestra’s season of programming includes performances in a variety of venues and formats and is comprised of concerts in five different series: Masterworks, Discoveries, Chamber Soirées, Pops and Great Escapes. The season concludes with the ever-popular Outdoor Pops concerts at Ed Smith Stadium. Following the success of the program last season, and with the backing of the Community Foundation, Sarasota Orchestra is thrilled to offer two performances of Peter and the Wolf this season, one in English and one in Spanish. Both performances will take place on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at Holley Hall in the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center. Additionally, before and after each concert, children will get the chance to make some joyful noise in our musical "petting zoo," where they will be able to touch and interact with real instruments, meet Sarasota Orchestra musicians, and create their own music-themed arts and crafts! To serve all of our attendees and guests, Sarasota Orchestra will be doing a “petting zoo” in both English and Spanish. 

The Bay Park Conservancy (BPC), the non-profit organization responsible for designing and developing 53 acres of City-owned land on Sarasota Bay into a signature park, and then operating, maintaining and programming the park as it opens to the public, has announced that President and Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Crockatt has stepped down to pursue other opportunities. The BPC Board has asked AG Lafley, Founding BPC CEO, to rejoin as CEO, effective immediately. Lafley served as volunteer chair of the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization master planning committee (SBPO), and then as volunteer BPC Founding CEO between December 2019 and May 2023. Jennifer Compton, BPC Board Chair said, “I appreciate Stephanie’s efforts and wish her the best in her next endeavor. The Board is confident that AG will pick up where he left off and progress the park and Conservancy’s plans and priorities. I look forward to The Bay continuing to be a beloved gathering place for our community by delighting park guests every day with all the park has to offer.” Lafley says, “I am proud of what the BPC has accomplished thus far to create this signature ‘one park for all.’ Working with the many partners and the BPC team to build on this momentum, I fully expect we will continue delighting park guests who visit the current park; make The Bay Park Conservancy sustainable in every way – financially, operationally and environmentally; and build ‘more park for all’ with Phase 2 and beyond.” Crockatt, who joined BPC as its first full-time President and CEO in May 2023, was previously Executive Director of Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy in Buffalo, New York. Crockatt said, “I have complete faith that the leadership team will continue to carry the vision of the community forward and that The Bay will thrive and achieve its full potential.” The Bay recently celebrated its one-year anniversary of the first 10-acre phase of the park which opened in October 2022. More than 250,000 people visited the park in the first year. Design and development of Phase 2, the next 14-acre $65 million development, is underway and will be completed over the next 3 years. Phase 2 includes a revitalized Cultural District along Tamiami Trail, an extended resilient shoreline along Sarasota Bay, a magnificent Sunset Pier and the addition of day docks north of 10th Street. Phase 2 capital improvements are fully funded through a $48 million Tax Increment Funded (TIF)-backed bond and other government grants. For more information about The Bay and The Bay Park Conservancy, visit www.thebaysarasota.org, or contact Julia Groom at julia@dreamlarge.org or 941-786-8732.