Donations boost Safe Children Coalition’s Youth Shelter Campaign

As Safe Children Coalition continues its campaign to fund and build a new Youth Shelter for homeless teens in Florida’s Circuit 12 (Sarasota, DeSoto and Manatee counties), its efforts have been boosted by recent gifts totaling $550,000 from area individuals and couples as well as a local family foundation.

Partnering together to support the crucial effort were: Keith Monda and Veronica Brady ($100,000), Pete and Joanne Powers ($150,000), Scott Moore ($100,000), Maggie and Mark Sharff ($100,000) and the Steinwachs Family Foundation ($100,000).

There are numerous connections between the donors and the cause. Monda and Brady have been steadfast supporters of the Youth Shelter effort since before the fundraising campaign launched, and co-hosted a donor gathering – along with Pete and Joanne Powers – last January to engage more supporters in the cause. Longtime child advocate Scott Moore learned about the project after attending the aforementioned event. Mark Sharff is a Guardian ad Litem. And the Steinwachs are friends of Bob and Joan Geyer, who announced a $500,000 Gift Match Challenge (in collaboration with Gulf Coast Community Foundation) in support of the Youth Shelter Campaign early last year.

“Our Youth Shelter Campaign has truly been a grassroots effort, from the initial community advisory committee comprising our board and numerous foundation leaders to help us get organized, through the quiet phase of the campaign, to the public launch this past December; there are so many who have contributed their time, expertise and resources to help this dream come to fruition,” said SCC Vice President Jacqueline House. “We are immensely grateful for the individuals who are giving so generously to inch us closer and closer to the finish line, so that we can better serve and protect the at-risk youth in our community.”

The Youth Shelter is the only facility designated for homeless teens for Sarasota and DeSoto counties; it serves youth from Manatee County as well. Many of the teens served enter the shelter because of a mental health crisis and/or a parent’s inability to cope with a youth’s behavioral issues. In recent years, the SCC Youth Shelter has been at or near the top in facility utilization out of the 16 shelters in the Florida network, exceeding contracted bed days.

The new Youth Shelter will be located on Sawyer Road in north Sarasota, sitting on two acres of land. The nearly 9,000-square-foot building will provide safe temporary emergency housing for youths ages 10-17, providing nearly 3,000 safe shelter bed-nights a year and serving up to 200 youth annually for many years to come.

The Youth Shelter campaign has raised approximately 80% of what SCC leaders expect the facility to cost. In late February, SCC will hold a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the impending construction on the new shelter.

For more about Safe Children Coalition, or to inquire how you can support the Youth Shelter campaign, visit sccyouthshelter.org or contact Jacqueline House at jhouse@sccfl.org or 941-371-4799, ext. 1127.

About Safe Children Coalition, Inc.
Safe Children Coalition, Inc. (SCC) serves as the lead agency for community-based care for Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. SCC is a collaboration between local community agencies who provide services to children and families in need. SCC is committed to protecting children, strengthening families, and building community. The core functions provided by SCC include child welfare case management, foster care, adoption, independent living, prevention, diversion, quality management, and support services. Visit sccfl.org or call 941-371-4799.