Donation to Safe Children Coalition elevates Youth Shelter Campaign to Phase II

A recent major gift has helped Safe Children Coalition (SCC) to close out Phase I of its Youth Shelter Campaign, a fundraising effort that is supporting the construction of a new Youth Shelter for homeless and other vulnerable children in Florida’s Judicial Circuit 12 (Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties). A second donation of $250,000 from the Leonard and Judith Schwartzbaum Family Foundation has pushed SCC over its $9 million goal for Phase I; this increases the Schwartzbaum Family Foundation’s investment for the Youth Shelter Campaign to $500,000.

Phase I funding will cover the construction of the new facility. Phase II involves outfitting the backyard to make it suitable for teens and furnishing the shelter with beds and all of the furniture and supplies needed to make it a safe and comfortable place for its temporary young residents. The remaining costs to finish the project are estimated to be around $700,000.

“We recognize the vision, effort and collaboration that have gone into planning and creating a safe and supportive place where young people can find stability, care, and hope. Your new facility represents far more than bricks and mortar – it embodies compassion, opportunity, and the belief that every young person deserves a secure path forward,” said Schwartzbaum Family Foundation President Anne Brozoskie and Director Judith Schwartzbaum. “We are honored to partner with you in bringing this vision to life.”

For the past four years, the SCC Youth Shelter has been first or second in facility utilization out of the 16 shelters in the Florida network, exceeding contracted bed days. This past fall Charles Harris, Residential Program Director who oversees the Youth Shelter program, was named Program Manager of the Year by the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, Inc. and the Department of Juvenile Justice. The new Youth Shelter will enable the organization to serve and protect more at-risk youths in the coming years.

“We are immensely grateful to the Leonard and Judith Schwartzbaum Family Foundation, and all of the foundations, businesses and individuals who believe in our vision for a new Youth Shelter and have entrusted us to carry out this important project,” said SCC President and CEO Brena Slater. “We were thrilled to partner with the Leonard and Judith Schwartzbaum Family Foundation for this additional capping gift, which has enabled us to move to Phase II of our Youth Shelter Campaign. This gift moves us that much closer to opening the new facility.”

SCC’s new Youth Shelter will be located on Sawyer Road in north Sarasota; the exterior construction is well underway.

For more information or to contribute to SCC’s 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.