25 families served to date, 57 children and 91 people total, 52 day average stay
DAY CENTER UPDATES
Our Backyard Project is progressing nicely. The fence went up and it looks wonderful! We are finalizing the playground equipment and other structures which will be scheduled to install soon. I will keep everyone updated at this happens. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped to make this possible!
DATES TO REMEMBER
Homeless to Home Luncheon, 6-20-2017 from 11:30-1:30 - The next 2 months will be in Venice at the Jacaranda West County Club located at 1901 Jacaranda Blvd. This is a networking and information gathering luncheon sponsored by the Steve and Janine Marrone Foundation. Lunch is no charge to you and many concerned individuals in South County attend these luncheons to get and give information. It is open to the public. If you are interested in attending, please contact Judith Plecas at jplecas@aol.com
FAMILY UPDATES
We have taken our 25th family into the program. The 2 current families are single moms with 3 kids each. They are both working very hard to get back on track and we are very proud of them. In order to preserve their privacy, they have asked that I do not use photos of them.
Samantha stopped in the Day Center for a follow-up visit and I got to talk with her. She and the kids are doing well and wanted me to say thank you again to everyone who helped them and cared for them during this time in their lives. She said she is not sure what she would have done without this program and all of you!
DAY CENTER NEEDS
List of Day Center needs for our families
8 oz bottled water
Speedway $15 fuel only gas cards
Lysol spray & wipes
Frozen roasts or hamburger *follow-up care
Publix and Walmart gift cards *follow-up care and **support of sized items
Store bought Frozen meals (like lasagna or casserole) *follow-up care
Nutritional snacks and juice drinks (individual size)
*Food stamps do not cover some items so we try to provide other resources and/or expensive items so the families can save money on groceries in follow-up care
**We do not take diapers, clothes and shoes as we never know what sizes we will need and have very limited storage. We buy those items for the families with the gift cards when we know what we need.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
It has come to our attention that the Giving Challenge, 24 Hours of Online Giving, will not happen this year through Sarasota Community Foundation. Our Board was already working on some events that we are considering now that we are getting close to 2 years in operation. We are considering a possible Walk this fall and Gospel Brunch next spring. I would like to encourage anyone who has donated through the Giving Challenge to consider supporting us in these events when announced. If you find that you cannot participate, please get in touch with us at the Day Center if you would like to Donate directly to us. Thank you so much to everyone in the community who has been so supportive of our efforts and our program. As soon as the plans are finalized, I will release information for the events in our newsletter.
I would like to say a special Thank You to my Board! They are so supportive and amazing! Many of them are Coordinators or Volunteers at their church for Family Promise as well as serving on our Board and I would be lost without them. They offer so much support and time that it is truly a blessing!
