As a freeze and review of USAID makes headlines in Washington, U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, said he’s ready to get rid of the foreign aid program altogether.

Steube filed legislation to abolish the United States Agency for International Development program completely, saying the program for too long has acted without effective oversight while spending public fund.

“For too long, USAID has funneled billions of American tax dollars into bloated, inefficient foreign aid programs that are riddled with waste, corruption and ideological bias,” Steube said.

“Instead of benefitting American taxpayers who fund these programs, USAID’s initiatives often push progressive social agendas that are out of touch with the values and interests of our nation. Worse yet, these dollars frequently end up in the hands of bad actors who do not have America’s interests in mind and misuse the funds for purposes far removed from their original intent.”

Over the last week, Steube took issue with several programs focused on LGBTQ rights on other countries. He criticized a “Rainbow Migration” program that provides legal costs for LGBTQ people to make asylum claims in the United Kingdom, a HIAS program in Peru providing for social and economic protections for women, girls and LGBTQ individuals, a Center for Population Health Initiatives program in Nigeria funding sensitivity for police dealing with LGBTQ and vulnerable populations, and an Africa Regional Democracy Fund urging greater social acceptance of LGBTQ people in Botswana.

“American taxpayers deserve better than unelected bureaucrats burning their hard-earned dollars on far-left vanity projects,” Steube posted on X. “We will not rest until we restore sanity to federal spending.”

Steube’s bill would halt all federal funding to USAID and redirect it to the State Department. He said this would create oversight and accountability for the funding. 

“American taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize misguided globalist experiments that do nothing to strengthen our country or protect our interests aboard,” he said. 

Photo curtesy Stub's Office Facebook: U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota.

Aviva Senior Living is proud to welcome a new member to its leadership team, Iris Martin as Sales and Marketing Director. Iris is deeply passionate about serving the senior population, with over 28 years of experience in the field, including the past 14 years specifically in senior living. She recently held positions at Freedom Plaza Senior Living in Sun City Center, FL and The Waterford in Juno Beach, Fl. Iris holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in Marketing from the University of Texas at Austin. Her diverse background in both healthcare and senior care has given her a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the needs of older adults.  Iris says, “I am committed to fostering a strong sense of teamwork by creating personalized experiences for our current and future residents that involve all departments.” 

Residential rental opportunities continue to grow at Wellen Park with the introduction of BB Living at Wellen Park, a brand-new neighborhood coming to the Playmore District. Under development by BB Living, this gated neighborhood will offer 200 three- and four-bedroom single-family homes for rent in a beautiful setting with natural wetlands, lakes and robust community amenities available exclusively to BB Living residents, all professionally managed and maintained by the onsite management team. For more information about Wellen Park, call 941-960-7805, go to wellenpark.com or visit the Welcome Center, open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 12275 Mercado Drive in Venice, Fla. 

Last week, Whole Health, a holistic and integrative clinic in Lakewood Ranch, celebrated the opening of a new shared office space for its partner practices, Her Health Gynecology and Whole Health Pediatrics. Whole Health, the collaborating partner with Her Health Gynecology and Whole Health Pediatrics, was founded by Dr. Kinga Porter in 2017 with one goal in mind — giving patients the health care they deserve. Located at 6600 University Parkway in suite 305 at the Center Point Medical Building, the 2,122-square-foot facility houses the two new practices, offering direct services to patients without the constraints health insurance typically impose.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Tuesday, Jan. 28 to commemorate the occasion.  

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Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP), a part of the county’s Land Acquisition and Management Program, has acquired two ecologically significant properties in Venice, furthering its mission to protect and preserve Florida’s natural habitats. The acquisitions, finalized on Jan. 21, include a 4.14-acre property on Lemon Bay Drive, purchased for $350,000, and a 5-acre property on East Venice Avenue, acquired for $950,000. For more information about Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection, visit SarasotaCountyParks.com. 

BayCare has acquired a 36-acre office parcel in the Tampa Bay Park which includes three buildings and two parking garages adjacent to St. Joseph’s, St. Joseph’s Children’s and St. Joseph’s Women’s hospitals. BayCare, West Central Florida’s largest health care provider, announced Tuesday that it had acquired a 36-acre office parcel just west of its St. Joseph’s hospitals' campus in Tampa to provide room for strategic growth. The partial acquisition of the Tampa Bay Park includes three buildings and two parking garages and is adjacent to St. Joseph’s, St. Joseph’s Children’s and St. Joseph’s Women’s hospitals. In the short term, BayCare is working individually with tenants of the facilities to support lease agreements. Relocating or adding BayCare offices and clinics to the property will happen over time.  

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Sarasota Partner Adria Maria Jensen has been named to the Pines of Sarasota Foundation Board of Trustees, furthering her commitment to giving back to organizations that provide critical services to the community. The Pines of Sarasota Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the mission of the Pines of Sarasota, a senior living community that provides rehabilitation, skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care services. The Foundation raises funds to enhance the quality of life for residents, provide nursing education programs, improve facilities, and ensure compassionate care for seniors, especially those who have outlived their financial resources. Dedicated to the betterment of her community, Adria has also held board positions with Meals on Wheels Sarasota and Legal Aid of Manasota. 

Tuesday, January 28th, SRQ Magazine hosted the annual Giving Coast and Good Hero Philanthropic Awards Luncheon. Local nonprofits, foundations, corporate donors, individuals and civic leaders came together to celebrate the community's spirit of giving and recognize leaders in philanthropy. Attendees were invited to share their “giving wishes” on behalf of area nonprofits by writing their wishes on gift tags and hanging them for display on the SRQ Giving Wish Tree.

The Senior Friendship Centers wishes for catering at their volunteer celebration events. To help facilitate this, reach out to Kathy Pappas (kpappas@friendshipcenters.org).
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens wishes to repair the Mangrove Walkway. To help with repairs, reach out to their development department (development@selby.org).
Second Heart Homes wishes to have new pairs of shoes for every resident. To be part of this initiative reach out to Megan Howell (megan@secondhearthomes.org).
The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation wishes to build a new performing arts center at The Bay. To help facilitate this wish, reach out to Kassidy Gardner (kgardner@performingartsfoundation.org).
Rise Above Performing Arts wishes for a new fog machine. To help with this wish, reach out to Jacob Ruscoe (jacob@riseabovearts.com).

As these organizations call on the community to fulfill their wishes, click on each organization to learn more and find ways to give back. The spirit of giving is for all who want to give back to our local community! 

SRQ Magazine's "Pets We Love" contest is now live! Send in a photo of your pet and a memorable story that captures what makes them special. From there, our editors will nominate this year's "Best in Show" who will then be voted on by our readers. The pets who receive the most votes will be invited to a special photo shoot at the SRQ Studios. The Pets We Love Best in Show photos and stories will be featured in the May/June 2024 edition of SRQ Magazine. Click here to submit your pet for this year's competition!