Community Corner
Safe Children Coalition honors 2025 Champions for Children
Child welfare organization recognizes Keith Monda and Veronica Brady, Teri A Hansen, and Jody Jester during 3rd annual Giving Breakfast
On March 27, child welfare organization Safe Children Coalition (SCC) presented its 3rd annual Giving Breakfast, with Leadership Sponsors Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Sunset Automotive Group. The organization’s 2025 Champions for Children – recognized for their contributions to caring for children in our community as well as for their support and advocacy on behalf of Safe Children Coalition – are: philanthropists Keith Monda and Veronica Brady, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation President | CEO Teri A Hansen, and nonprofit partner, Bridge A Life, Executive Director Jody Jester.
The event raised over $260,000 to support SCC’s critical work protecting children and strengthening families in Florida’s Circuit 12 (Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties). There were approximately 320 in attendance.
The guests were welcomed by SCC’s President and CEO Brena Slater and Board Chair Tony Gamelin. Highlights included videos paying tribute to each of the honorees as well as to feature two stories of impact: Axa Salas wanted to be the first in her family to attend college but didn’t know how to make that dream a reality. Through SCC’s Achievers (teen leadership) program, she received support, encouragement, and scholarships that enabled her to attend Florida State University, graduating in three years. Now an advisory board member for the Achievers program, her goal is to become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
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“Having other people believe in you is very powerful, especially in moments that you don’t believe in yourself,” she said.
Guests also enjoyed hearing the story of a youth – who is now an adult – who lived at the youth shelter. She was kicked out of her house while still in high school and became homeless. But thanks to the safe shelter and wrap-around services provided by SCC’s Youth Shelter – plus a couple of key mentors and a lot of hard work and grit on her part – she excelled in school and earned a full scholarship to college, where she also earned her doctorate. Now, she is a national education consultant, a mentor to underserved youths, textbook author, and motivational speaker.
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During the event, SCC Vice President Jacqueline House updated the attendees on the progress of the Youth Shelter Campaign, which has reached 85% of its Phase I goal of $9 million. The new Youth Shelter will enable SCC to expand its ability to protect and provide crucial services for youths and teens who are homeless.
Emcee for the event was Joe Girvan, who kept the program moving and led the paddle raise.
“Wow - we’ve tripled in size since our first Giving Breakfast three years ago! It has been my honor and pleasure to work with a compassionate and dedicated team to bring together resources to prevent child abuse and keep kids safe,” said Slater during her remarks. “We are incredibly grateful to our community – and especially to our 2025 Champions for Children – for their dedication to the children and families of our community. Change does, indeed, happen every day at Safe Children Coalition.”
Slater noted that, in the previous fiscal year, SCC served more than 9,300 children across all of its programs. Of those children, 80% were served in prevention and diversion programs, keeping them out of the child welfare system and safe at home with their families.
As the lead Community Based Care agency for Florida’s Circuit 12, SCC leads the way in establishing collaborations between local community agencies providing critical, life-saving programs and services for children, youth, and families in need. Visit sccfl.org to learn more.
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.
