We live in a world that prizes advice from those whose hard-earned experiences we can learn from. Everything from Yelp reviews to word-of-mouth recommendations are hot commodities in our society, helping shape our decision-making in valuable ways.

It follows, then, that when our society strives to create programs and services to expand the prospects for parents and families, we should listen to the voices of those whose expertise offers the ultimate inside track: parents.

This is the philosophy that guides the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Parent Leadership Grants. These grants encourage nonprofit organizations to explicitly seek out parental input to shape services and programs that they will ultimately engage with. By inviting parents to contribute their ideas as fully participating board members or creating Parent Advisory Councils that weigh in on organizations’ strategies for including and exalting families, family needs and desires are not overlooked, nor are assumptions made about the best ways to support families.

For more than a decade, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has maintained a focus on whole families, embracing a 2Gen philosophy that provides pathways to economic prosperity for families by focusing on parents and children simultaneously, emphasizing education as a pathway to family stability. Aside from education, the nonprofit sector provides many important resources to ensure family well-being, especially mental health, social capital and economic support.

In February, our Community Foundation hosted a “2Gen Connections” event, where organizations throughout our four-county region gathered to discuss the importance of inviting parents to the table and allowing them to be an equal partner in setting and achieving organizational and community goals. It was an opportunity to check in on three organizations that received Parent Leadership Grants—Embracing Our Differences, United Way of Charlotte County, and the Women’s Resource Center—and to spark conversation among attending organizations about how best to facilitate authentic engagement from parents.

For many organizations, it’s a new practice to see parents as true partners, to fully realize that their lived expertise balances or even at times outweighs guidance gleaned from textbooks and “best practices.” Listening to parents’ ideas and wisdom and seeing them as valuable collaborators takes the recognition of the assets their experiences bring to the table.

Yet voice and choice models should be considered a vital component to the success of programs and services that tap the wisdom of the unique insights, knowledge and recommendations gained from life experience. A community-wide paradigm shift where parents lead the way fosters trust that allows parents to become co-creators of organizational change. Listening to parents, valuing their experiences, and seeing them as contributors, rather than clients, will be essential for moving forward and advocating with and for families in the most meaningful and effective manner. While data and statistics are clearly important, fluency in case studies does not equate to understanding the struggles, dreams, and triumphs of a family creating their legacy that will pass from one generation to the next.

We follow the advice of those with lived expertise in just about every realm of our lives, from selecting which neighborhoods we want to live in to how to best navigate a promotion at work. Trustworthy information that can come only out of having experienced something is something many of us seek when making decisions both large and small. It’s time we regard parents’ lived expertise with the same enthusiasm.

Kirsten Russell is Vice President of Community Impact, The Community Foundation of Sarasota County. 

Pictured: On Feb. 18 the Community Foundation of Sarasota hosted 2Gen Connections a learning and discussion session attended by 50 nonprofit organizations focused on incorporating voices of parents and caregivers in programs offered to families.

In today's rapidly evolving job market, preparing the next generation for successful and fulfilling careers requires more than just classroom learning. That's why the Education Foundation of Sarasota County is excited to co-host an upcoming Future-Ready Career Night with Sarasota County Schools designed for both high school students and their parents. Scheduled for Wednesday, April 2 at Riverview High School, this event aims to bridge the gap between education and the workforce by providing direct access to industry professionals and actionable career insights.

Future-Ready Career Night is built on the belief that there is no "one-size-fits-all" pathway to success. Throughout the evening, students will engage with professionals from a variety of industries—from entrepreneurs to skilled tradespeople to those who have pursued traditional four-year degrees. By showcasing these diverse career journeys, we aim to empower students to explore opportunities aligned with their skills and aspirations.

The event is structured to provide tailored experiences for both parents and students. While students participate in small-group networking sessions with career professionals, parents will attend a session focused on understanding high-demand careers, earnings potential, and the different pathways to enter these fields. This dual approach ensures that families are equipped with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their children's futures.

The Career Night will culminate in a dynamic career fair, where local companies will offer on-site interviews, job shadow opportunities, and internships. This hands-on engagement not only connects students directly with potential employers but also fosters meaningful relationships between local businesses and the future workforce.

Events like these are vital for our community. They provide high school students with real-world insights, demystify career pathways, and help parents become better advocates for their children's career journeys. Moreover, they strengthen the local talent pipeline, ensuring businesses have access to skilled and motivated future employees.

In addition to connecting students with job opportunities, Future-Ready Career Night helps foster essential soft skills such as communication, networking, and professional etiquette. These skills are critical for long-term career success but are often not taught in a traditional classroom setting. Students also gain exposure to emerging industries and innovative career fields they may not have previously considered, broadening their horizons and sparking new interests. For parents, the event offers practical resources and strategies to guide their children through important educational and career decisions.

We believe that collaboration between educators, parents, and industry leaders is essential to preparing students for the workforce of tomorrow. That's why we are extending an open invitation to local business leaders: Join us in shaping the future. Your participation can make a profound difference by sharing your expertise and opening doors for the next generation.

If you are a business leader interested in participating in this transformative event, we want to hear from you. Together, we can empower students, support families, and build a stronger, more connected community.

For more information on how to get involved, please contact our Chief Collaboration Officer Thomas Williams or our Director of Student Programs Anayah Walker.

Jennifer Vigne is the President and CEO of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.