According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., one in every eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. While the diagnosis often occurs in middle-aged and older women, younger women are also affected, and some, like local resident Gina Montes, age 42, want those women to know that support is available.

Montes, the mother of two young children, considered herself to be a very healthy woman prior to her diagnosis. “Last year, I was working out probably six times a week, meditating and doing everything I could for mind/body spirit,” she shares. “When I was diagnosed in January, it was pretty much a shocker because it’s not in my family at all. I was, however, grateful for my practice and strength in faith, mind and spirit which was like a practice run for the marathon I was about to enter.” Montes relied heavily on friends who had been diagnosed at young ages and says that if it wasn’t for their support, she would have felt completely lost. She felt it was a blessing to walk the path with others who have been in her shoes and although she knew there were support groups available, she found that the women in them were often much older and unable to relate to some of the issues she was facing as a mother of young children. To address this, Montes, along with two friends have created SRQ Pink Warriors, a breast cancer support group for women of all ages affected by breast cancer, whether they are cancer free now or recently diagnosed. The goals of the group are to empower breast cancer survivors and thrivers, support one another emotionally and spiritually, and to give back to the community through fun events and fundraisers.

“I want to take away the stigma that some women may feel about cancer and reassure them that they haven't lost their feminine side or changed because something bad has happened to them. It's just like anything in life that can challenge us and actually make us stronger and wiser,” Montes says. “When we think about cancer we tend to think of the scary parts. I want to empower survivors to portray strength and courage, not fear.”

SRQ Pink Warriors will have monthly events, with their first event taking place today, June 19 at 5:30pm at Summer Tap Juice Bar on Pineapple Ave. To learn more about SRQ Pink Warriors, reach out to Gina Montes at Gmontes@prmg.net or visit the group’s instagram page. 

Pictured: Amie Boyle and Christy Cohen threw a surprise farewell boobie shower at Pacific Rim for Gina Montes (center) before her mastectomy surgery. Photo courtesy of Gina Montes.

Senior Friendship Centers announces the continuation of its popular monthly authors series, “Joyful Journeys.” This engaging, free series celebrates the art of storytelling and highlights local authors. Each month, “Joyful Journeys” features a different author who will share their unique insights, captivating stories, and personal experiences. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in lively discussions, participate in Q&A sessions, and connect with fellow literature enthusiasts. These monthly events are on Thursdays, 5-6:30 p.m., at Senior Friendship Centers, 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota.  “Joyful Journeys” is free, but registration is required at https://friendshipcenters.org/category/events/. For more information about Senior Friendship Centers, call 941-556-3269 or visit FriendshipCenters.org. 

The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) honors the Sarasota Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division as the Community Partner of the Year. The Child Protection Center’s annual Community Partner of the Year award is presented to the community partner that has demonstrated significant achievements on behalf of children in the agency and the community. Sarasota Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division team members that accepted the award at CPC’s 11th Annual Blue Ties and Butterflies gala included Sergeant Charles Riffe, Detective Maria Llovio, Detective Angie Cox, and Detective Megan Buck. This group of professionals have over thirty-two years of combined experience working child abuse investigations and are dedicated to keeping our children and community safe.Executive Director Doug Staley comments that the Department’s staff are valuable members of CPC’s multidisciplinary team. They have collaborated with CPC personnel in training attendees who participate in the Florida Department of Health Forensic Interview Training, too. The dedicated work of the Sarasota Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Unit strengthens the child welfare system.

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s first Parent Leadership Grant funding has been awarded to eight local nonprofits that have committed to including parent voices in their decision-making. A total of $58,000 has been awarded. The Parent Leadership Grant is a new opportunity offered by the Community Foundation, made possible because of a generous donor, that supports the foundation’s longstanding commitment to 2Gen (or Two-Generational) approaches to family empowerment. A tenet of 2Gen approaches is inviting people with lived experience to help develop support systems for families that rely on nonprofit programs and services. This approach ensures parent and caregiver perspective informs program design, resting on the belief that those most aware of and proximate to challenges can best advise on effective strategies for helping families and championing systems change in human services. The Parent Leadership Grant helps nonprofit organizations develop parent advisory councils or otherwise invite family feedback in developing worthwhile programs, ensuring access to families of all types, and providing supports that help propel families forward. Funding will be used to support parent involvement by treating their experience as a skill that, like other skills, warrants investment. Parents will be paid for their time, and barriers to participation, such as childcare, will also be covered. Based on the idea that parent and child well-being are inextricably linked, 2Gen strategies disrupt intergenerational cycles of poverty through supporting both children and their parents or caretaking adults in their lives simultaneously and intentionally. The 2Gen philosophy has girded many of the Community Foundation’s initiatives since 2012, from parent scholarships for higher education to literacy support for youngsters. While focusing on whole families is not a new notion, the approach has been formalized through work of Ascend at the Aspen Institute, which convenes leaders from around the globe to innovate ideas that support multigenerational success. The Parent Leadership Grant bridges the gap between those who determine and execute systems and those for whom the systems are designed. For this grant cycle, the Community Foundation’s Parent Advisory Council—parents who have benefited from 2Gen support and inform the Community Foundation’s approaches to family empowerment—served on the review committee. As a partner to more than 700 nonprofit organizations serving the region, a primary function of the Community Foundation is to support strategies that empower nonprofits to be inclusive and intentional in developing programs and services. To learn more about available grant opportunities, visit www.cfsarasota.org/nonprofits/grants. 

The Ringling Museum in collaboration with the Sarasota African American Cultural  Coalition is proud to present a special Juneteenth talk from 6 – 8 p.m. on June 19 at the historic Leonard Reid House,  2529 N. Orange Avenue. The event will highlight the significant contributions of prominent African American artists  Eleanor Merritt and John Sims, and their impact on the local art scene. Both artists have shaped Sarasota’s artistic landscape, influenced a generation of young Black artists and expanded their  opportunities.  Jevon Brown, The Ringling’s first Merritt Fellow is the event's featured speaker. The Rhode Island School of Design  graduate majored in textiles with a concentration in the theory of art history and design emphasizing African American  artists. Jevon has a passion for community engagement. The Miami native is committed to fostering dialogue around race  and representation in art. The Ringling’s year-long fellowship provides an opportunity for young scholars such as Brown  to develop skills across museum departments and provides a platform to showcase their work. The Juneteenth talk increases public awareness about Sarasota’s diverse artistic heritage and encourages meaningful  discussions about race and representation in the arts.  Join us for an evening of insightful conversation. The event is free, but seating is limited. Please RSVP by contacting  Mydahlia Glover, mgloversaacc@outlook.com or call (813) 419-0454.  

Easterseals Southwest Florida announces that it has received a $10,000 economic mobility grant from Bank of America for Easterseals Academy, a K-12 academic program for students with intellectual and/or physical disabilities, including autism. This grant reflects a shared commitment to fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities for all members of our community. With a specialized curriculum tailored to the unique needs of its students, Easterseals Academy recognizes the importance of equipping young adults with the skills and confidence needed to navigate the workforce successfully. The Workforce Track at Easterseals Academy provides students with the tools, resources and training needed to thrive in the workforce, including vocational training, job readiness workshops and technology programs. The Workforce Track Program at Easterseals Academy is more than just a pathway to employment, it’s also a holistic approach to personal and professional growth. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, students are empowered to overcome obstacles, embrace their strengths and work towards an independent future. Easterseals Southwest Florida is just one of 11 Sarasota/Manatee nonprofits Bank of America is supporting with economic mobility grants awarded to nonprofits through the year to help tackle society’s biggest challenges. This first round of grants is focused on improving the lives of individuals and families by investing in health and jobs.  To learn more about Easterseals programs and services, including Easterseals Academy, Autism Services, Children Services, Adult Services, Employment Services, Therapy Services, Family Support Services, Hippotherapy and more, visit www.easterseals-swfl.org.   

The independent Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Charitable Foundation, Inc., is pleased to announce the addition of Lt. Chris Perz to the Board of Directors. Lt. Perz is a second-generation law enforcement professional and serves with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, where his sister has also worked for over 20 years. Perz started his career in 1999 and worked in Patrol as a deputy, sergeant and lieutenant. He currently serves as one of the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Bureau’s Administrative lieutenants and oversees SWAT, K9, Marine, UAS, the Fugitive Apprehension Unit, the Dive Team, the Hostage Negotiations Team and the Hazardous Devices Unit and has previously served as a Tactical Flight Officer in Aviation and as a member of the training unit. He was one of the founding members of the Sarasota K9 Search and Rescue team, a group of volunteers who respond to help find lost or missing persons and which also assists law enforcement in that service. Perz served 13 years as a Board member of the Florida SWAT Association and has served on the SSO SWAT team for over 20 years. He is currently the team commander. Lt. Perz is a lifelong resident of Sarasota County, where his family has resided since the 1940’s. Said Chair, Mike Quillen, “Lt. Perz is well known to SCSOCF supporters and donors through his leadership role with the Sheriff’s Office. Those community supporters who have been present at the Foundation’s annual sporting clay’s fundraising event likely recognize him from kicking off the Sheriff’s Office demos at the opening ceremonies and providing his personal testimony as to how the Foundation supported the Perz family during their own time of tragedy. Chris understands our mission and the capacity of the Foundation as a citizen-led independent organization which supports law enforcement in our community. We are honored he has agreed to join us on the Board. Perz joins Chair Michael Quillen, and current Board, Peter Abbott, Captain Debra Kaspar (SSO Retired), Captain John Walsh (SSO Retired), Anne Rollings, Jason Toale, Dennis Murphy and Foundation Administrator, Kim Noyes on the SCSOCF Board. The Board proudly serves on a voluntary basis and is a confidential resource of community solidarity to SSO employees in times of crisis.

The Gulf Coast Maritime Museum (GCMM), an esteemed institution dedicated to preserving and promoting Florida's rich maritime history, is proud to announce the election of three new board members. The museum, which plays a crucial role in conserving Florida's history of boat building, is excited to welcome these individuals who share our passion and commitment. The new directors include Thomas E. Grubb, CRPC®, Assistant Vice President, The Elzer Advisory Group, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Mr. Grubb hails from Bradenton, Florida. He graduated from Campbell University, North Carolina, with a bachelor's degree in business administration, which he earned while proudly serving in the Air Force. Tom and his wife Paula are avid sailors, enjoying racing and cruising on their sailboat in the Tampa Bay area and the Gulf of Mexico. Tom has served as Commodore of the Bradenton Yacht Club. David Hillmyer, a Sarasota native, has a deep connection to our local waters. His passion for sailing, which began at a Sarasota Youth Sailing summer camp in the mid-eighties, has led him to compete in 5 Laser Masters World Championships. When he's not sailing, David takes to the skies as a professional Boeing 787 pilot for United Airlines. His dedication to the maritime world is further demonstrated by his four-year tenure as the Board President of Sarasota Youth Sailing. David and his wife, Donna, an accomplished sailor, live in south Sarasota. Thomas Luzier, a board-certified real estate attorney, is a partner at Williams Parker. Tom's practice covers various real estate matters, representing individuals and businesses; in 2015, Governor Rick Scott appointed Mr. Luzier to serve on the Florida Real Estate Commission, which administers and enforces Florida's real estate license law. Mr. Luzier's other civic affiliations have included membership on the Board of Directors of the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art Foundation, for which he chaired the audit and governance committees, as well as the Board of Trustees of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, where he was a past board chair. Mr. Luzier is a graduate of Leadership Florida and, among numerous other civic involvements, has served as the Chair of the City of Sarasota's Historic Preservation Board, counsel to the Board of Directors of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of the Sarasota County Tourist Development Council. Tom, the son of iconic Sarasota boat builder Herman Luzier and the nephew of George Luzier brings a wealth of institutional knowledge to the GCMM board. Tom and his family enjoy spending time on the water in their Luzier boats.