Safe Children Coalition Raises $270K for Sarasota Shelter

Safe Children Coalition raised nearly $270,000 at its fourth annual Giving Breakfast on March 26 and completed a $9.9 million campaign to build a youth shelter serving Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.

More than 300 attendees heard from three former clients. Aiyana, a former foster child, earned bachelor's and master's degrees through the organization's Post-secondary Educational Services & Support program and plans to attend law school. Alana entered the Children and Parents Together Always program at 18 while homeless with two children; she now attends college pursuing a nursing degree. Sonya overcame addiction and incarceration through SCC case management, regained custody of her children, and works for the National Alliance on Mental Illness helping other parents navigate the child welfare system.

Safe Children Coalition recognized three Champions for Children: Phillip P. Lanham of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Drayton Saunders of The MSC Foundation, and Colleen Thayer of NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

SCC President and CEO Brena Slater and Board Chair Tony Gamelin reported the organization served more than 10,000 children across all programs in 2025, including foster care, adoption, services for homeless students, and prevention programs.

Vice President Jacqueline House announced the Youth Shelter Campaign, first launched at the 2023 breakfast, exceeded its $9.9 million goal. The new shelter for homeless and vulnerable teens will open by fall 2026.

Gulf Coast Community Foundation's Legacy of Impact Fund served as leadership sponsor. Sunset Automotive Group was honoree sponsor.

Safe Children Coalition serves as the lead community-based care agency for Florida's Circuit 12, providing child welfare case management, foster care, adoption, independent living services, and prevention programs across the three-county region.