Local organization Project Pride SRQ--in collaboration with Senior Friendship Centers and Golden Girls Solutions--will present Silver Pride Sarasota, celebrating LGBTQ+ ages 50 and better on Saturday, June 8. This free event will take place from 12-5 p.m. at Senior Friendship Centers (1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota). The afternoon will feature a performance by Azara Ballet, a DJ and dancing, drag performances, games and raffles, food trucks, tabling by local businesses and organizations, and appearances by various community leaders–including Sarasota County School Board member Tom Edwards–who will address the importance of knowing and understanding LGBTQ history. Additionally, in alignment with its commitment to celebrating the rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ relationships, Project Pride will present special legacy couples’ gifts for those who have been together for five years or more and register with the organization in advance of the event.

“As the older adult population in the United States grows, with the aging of the Baby Boomers, it’s important to understand the unique challenges faced by older LGBTQ adults, including economic and health disparities as well as social isolation resulting from the stigmatization of being LGBTQ in previous generations,” said Project Pride President Jason Champion. “It is such a thrill for us to see hundreds of community members who are so happy to be able to be who they are–openly–during the festivities and feel the joy of being part of an inclusive, warm and welcoming crowd.”

Champion was honored in March at the Senior Friendship Centers annual fundraiser at Selby Gardens. In his speech, he said “Love is the universal language and it transcends race, creed, color, denomination, orientation and age because if we believe in love, we can believe in a better society. Like the spectrum of a rainbow that showcases many colors, our community encompasses a spectrum of age and backgrounds and when we are able to accept that diversity and build bridges, we can open hearts and open minds, one heart, one mind at a time. Together, and only together, will we be able to work toward a better society of creating something that’s compassionate, understanding, and loving. And when we do that, diversity is celebrated, love has no boundaries, and our aging community is honored and respected.”

Erin McLeod, President and CEO of Senior Friendship Centers noted that the partnership between the organizations came about when her team recognized a whole demographic of older adults that they felt the need to be more proactive about. “We needed to learn all we could so that the seniors that we were serving would feel welcome and safe and they could be fully engaged in life,” she said. “We are incredibly proud to partner with Project Pride to celebrate our LGBTQ+ older adults. Silver Pride is a wonderful opportunity to honor their resilience, acknowledge their contributions, and ensure they feel seen and valued and never need to ‘go it alone. We want all seniors to know that no matter who they are, the color of their skin, how much money they have or what their lifestyle choices are, we see them and recognize that they have an uphill climb.”

The week prior to Silver Pride, to kick off Pride Month in “grand” style, Project Pride will present its annual fundraiser–the Grand Carnival In Bloom–at the Sailor Circus Arena (2075 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota) on June 1. Silver Pride is free and open to the community. Valet and individual parking will be available on-site.

For more about Project Pride SRQ and its Pride Month events, visit ppsrq.org. 

Pictured: On June 8, Project Pride SRQ and partners will present Silver Pride Sarasota, a free event celebrating LGBTQ+ ages 50 and better. Photos provided by Project Pride.

Children First, the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services for Sarasota County, is proud to announce the launch of its new website. This marks a significant milestone since the agency’s last design was completed in 2016. With an emphasis on empowerment and education, the launch represents a fresh digital experience aimed at fostering positive change in the lives of those they serve. “We’re thrilled to have this new platform, which serves as a vital tool in our mission of strengthening children and families across our community," says CEO Philip Tavill. Crafted with care and precision, the website offers a seamless digital experience, inviting visitors to explore a wealth of impactful programs, inspiring success stories, and opportunities for community involvement. From its sleek design to seamless navigation, every aspect of the website reflects Children First's dedication to improving the lives of those it serves. This achievement wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of our partners. We extend our tremendous gratitude to the Truist Foundation for their unwavering commitment to our mission. Together, we are paving the way for brighter futures and stronger communities! Additionally, we express our appreciation to the team at Captivation Agency for their expertise and creativity in bringing our vision to life. So, what are you waiting for? Join us in putting Children (and families) First by diving into our new digital playground today! Together, we can make a lasting impact on our community now, and for generations to come.  

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The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) is awarded $155,000 for a new elevator at their Sarasota office from an Anonymous Fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Eluned and Edward Russell Charitable Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Harry Sudakoff Foundation, The Hurlburt Foundation, and William G. and Marie Selby Foundation. The Child Protection Center responds to over 3,200 reports of child abuse and neglect annually and the office in Sarasota houses the Child Protection Team (CPT) on the second floor. CPT is legislatively mandated, working with the Department of Children and Families and local law enforcement on cases of children who are suspected victims of abuse and neglect. The elevator is in use all day long, and ensuring it is up to code per the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) safety codes for elevators and escalators is vital to the organization’s operations. Awarded grant funds ensure equitable and safe access to all levels of offices for clients now, and for decades to come. The Child Protection Center’s (CPC) mission is the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse, as the organization envisions a community where children are safe from abuse and free to thrive. For over 40 years, CPC has been serving Sarasota and DeSoto Counties in the State of Florida and is accredited by the National Children’s Alliance. For more information on CPC or to inquire about ways to get involved, please visit them at  www.cpcsarasota.org or call 941-365-1277. 

First 1,000 Days Suncoast is a regional initiative with a mission to support and connect families with resources during pregnancy and throughout a child’s first 1,000 days of life, when critical development occurs. It helps families find food, housing assistance, mental health services, childcare, educational opportunities, and more. With a partnership of over 90 partner organizations and technology to better connect families with resources, the initiative is building a strong web of support for parents, and served 306 clients in 2023 alone. First 1,000 Days Suncoast has also pioneered a family navigation program as a key part of their work, ensuring that families are accessing the services they need the most. Utilizing a care coordination technology platform, called Unite Us, a family navigator connects parents with over 200 nonprofit agencies providing individualized care to meet their needs. According to Pam Beitlich, executive director for Women and Children’s Service at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, the support of multiple community partners cultivates a collaborative and coordinated approach to serving the community. Preliminary results of the navigation program showed that there were significant improvements in support networks, perceived stress levels, and mental health outcomes after assisted by a navigator. Parents reported an 89 percent improvement in their knowledge and awareness of concrete support, as well as a 35 percent increase in perceived access to social support during times of need. For parent Alysa Falk, a mother of three, being connected to First 1,000 Days Suncoast helped her deal with postpartum depression and other mental health challenges. Building a community with other mothers and families also helped her find a support system she didn’t previously have. Collaborating with Unite Us, the network streamlines the referral processes so families can be paired with assistance that most meets their needs. Data captured by Unite Us is also crucial to gaining a larger understanding of the community. 

All Star Children’s Foundation has welcomed Janeen Meifert as its new chief financial officer. In her new role, Meifert will oversee a broad spectrum of responsibilities, including financial management, budget development and oversight, campus operations, grant compliance, and information technology. Meifert has a distinguished track record across various industries, including higher education, financial services and insurance. She has served as CFO at Hmong American Peace Academy, Glacier Hills Credit Union and Silver Lake College of the Holy Family, and Marian University, all in Wisconsin. Her strengths lie in successfully managing budgets, implementing cost-saving strategies, enhancing operational efficiency, and leading significant renovations and projects. Meifert holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in accounting from UW-Milwaukee. All Star Children’s Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to interrupting the intergenerational cycle of abuse and neglect with children and families in foster care. All Star’s clinical team treats children and their families with trauma-informed, evidence-based therapies. Its five-acre Sarasota campus features six foster homes and a state-of-the-art clinical center. All Star also equips foster parents with training and skills to navigate the challenges of children who have been separated from their biological families. For more information, visit www.allstarchildren.org.

Safe Children Coalition's Youth Shelter campaign has recently received a major boost, with a leadership gift of $1.5 million - including a $500,000 challenge match to inspire greater giving from the community - from the Roberta Leventhal Sudakoff Foundation. Currently, homeless/unaccompanied youths are being cared for in a temporary facility while the funds for a new Youth Shelter are being raised. There are more than 2,000 teens who are homeless in the 12th Judicial Circuit - which includes Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties - at any given time. The new Youth Shelter is expected to provide nearly 3,000 safe shelter bed-nights a year and serve up to 200 youths annually for many years to come. The Youth Shelter campaign has raised nearly 75% of what SCC leaders expect the facility to cost; additional community support will be crucial to getting the effort over the goal line. It is hoped that the $500,000 challenge match from the Sudakoff Foundation will help SCC as it works to complete the fundraising campaign. 

The Fire Charity Fishing Foundation is thrilled to announce the new angler division, Near shore, at the highly anticipated 17th Annual Fire Charity Fishing Tournament and Festival presented by Old Salt Marine Inc.  Bring a lawn chair or blanket to this year’s Fire Charity Festival which includes 50+ vendors, food trucks, beverage sales, fun games, a fantastic live music line-up, an exciting tournament weigh-in, and other attractions to make a memorable experience for all ages. In addition, Rossi Park offers a splash pad, playground, and a partially shaded lawn for attendees to watch the show! Further details about the event, including registration information and sponsorship opportunities, are available on our website www.firecharityfishing.com. 

Sarasota Orchestra is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $20,000. This grant will support the presentation of the 2024 Sarasota Music Festival. In total, the NEA will award 1,135 Grants for Arts Projects awards totaling more than $37 million as part of its second round of fiscal year 2024 grants. Celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year, the three-week Festival runs from June 2 – 22 and features a schedule of 13 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. For more information on other projects included in the NEA’s grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news. 

2024 WOMEN WHO ROAR APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN | SRQ Magazine invited our readers to nominate women in our community who best exemplify the attributes of professional acumen, philanthropic passion, personal integrity, and community leadership and who have deeply contributed to our community. Applications close Friday, May 24, 2024. 

OUR YOUNGEST CITIZENS | Through mentorship, counseling, support and leadership, Meghan Serrano has been a champion for Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, May/June 2024. 

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