360 EATS, Inc.

Enhancing Food Security and Reducing Food Waste in North Pinellas County with the Sustain-A-Bowl Food Truck, $45,000

The Sustain-A-Bowl Food Truck project provides free, nutritious, and high-quality meals to those in need, via a unique and elevated dining experience that ensures recipients are served with dignity. Currently, the project primarily targets Mid- and North-Pinellas County, due to these areas’ relatively low density of existing food assistance services. Combined with soaring gas prices and limited public transportation, many of those in need have trouble accessing these services. Furthermore, physical/mental limitations, time/financial constraints, or lack of culinary skills/facilities act as barriers to access for many others. The mobility and on-board kitchen of the Sustain-A-Bowl Food Truck allow 360 Eats to reach those most in need of food assistance–a group which includes homebound seniors, the homeless, people with disabilities, those living on fixed incomes, and at-risk youth.

Additionally, the project helps 360 Eats reach its sustainability goals, with 100% of the meal ingredients sourced from local food establishments and suppliers who donate excess food. For every meal produced, an estimated 5 pounds of good food is diverted from the landfill. The project still requires an additional $45,000 to cover the remaining operational expenses in 2023 and Q1 of 2024, which 360 Eats hopes to acquire through its continued partnership with CFTB. Funding will cover all operational expenses, including gas, propane, insurance, maintenance and repairs, supplies, and payroll.

Beth-El Farmworker Ministry, Inc.

Wimauma Together Collaborative: Promoting Prosperity and Thriving in Early Childhood, $25,000

Wimauma Together is a collaborative of residents and organizations committed to working together so that Wimauma becomes a community where everyone experiences a sense of belonging and is thriving. This includes finding ways to disrupt the powerful forces of poverty. The Collaborative is centered in a place-based collective impact strategy with the goal of whole community positive change. This project will focus more specifically on promoting thriving in early childhood, which is especially relevant in the rural community of 10,000 people in Wimauma, where 40% are children and almost 10% are under age 5. Funds will be used to develop a process for residents and organizations to discover the diversity of lived experience among families with young children in Wimauma, and then use these discoveries to co-design and prototype an early childhood community building initiative with families. Approaches will incorporate design thinking, storytelling, and GIS mapping. This will increase the community’s capacity to harness local wisdom about the experience of early childhood in Wimauma and to be self-determining, will increase the engagement and involvement of families with young children in the community and the collaborative, and will develop a growing range of opportunities to bring about the thriving of all young children in Wimauma.

Firehouse Cultural Center, Inc.

Revive, Survive and Thrive – Sustaining Access to Arts and Cultural Activity in the Southshore, $30,000

The Project, Revive, Survive and Thrive – Sustaining Access to Arts and Cultural Activity in the Southshore, provides accessibility & high-quality arts education, cultural immersion opportunities and exposure to underserved families, children, youth & seniors living in South Hillsborough. FCC is requesting $30,000 to ensure that the momentum of more than 10 years of partnerships and serving the community is not erased by a pandemic that has shuttered so many arts and cultural venues and disrupted artists incomes and lives across the nation.

The project will maintain and expand our no fee offerings: i.e. Children & Teen Art Studios; Lecture Series, “Poetry Workshops”, “Music”, “History”); workshops, events and live performances. We continue to provide scholarships to fee based programs & summer camps for both youth and low income adults.

FCC serves six communities: Wimauma, Sun City Center, Ruskin, Apollo Beach, Riverview & Gibsonton. Three, Ruskin, Wimauma & Riverview are recognized by the Federal Government, HUD, as having 50% of its residents with low to moderate incomes. These demographics pose programming challenges. Most students in South County Schools are Title I and receive free and reduced lunches. 11% of seniors are at the poverty level.

Funds will be used for program resource materials, honorariums, workshop, artist and instructor fees. Our county grant funding structure assures that no administrative salaries are funded by other grant sources.

Gasparilla Music Foundation

Recycled Tunes Instrument Program, $12,000

The Gasparilla Music Foundation’s Recycled Tunes program takes an innovative approach to address growing funding deficiencies for arts education in Hillsborough County’s primary schools. GMF uses its annual music festival to promote elementary school music programs and to raise funds for its Recycled Tunes program. Originally, the program collected used instruments to refurbish and donate to underserved music classrooms. The program has grown significantly in the past few years and now provides a broad scope of services and supplies to music classrooms. In its FY2022, the program provided 719 new and refurbished instruments, equipment, supplies, and repairs to 42 schools in Hillsborough County, primarily Title 1 elementary schools. As a testament to Recycled Tunes’ growing impact in 2022, the Gasparilla Music Foundation was awarded the Hillsborough County Elementary Music Educator’s 2022 Encore Award for outstanding business supporting music education in the county and the Florida Music Education Association’s 2022 Exemplary Model Music Program Award for the state of Florida.

Gasparilla Music Foundation is requesting $12,000 from the Community Foundation Tampa Bay Competitive Grant for support of its Recycled Tunes Program. Funds will be used to support the Recycled Tunes instrument workshop in Tampa and allow Recycled Tunes to purchase instruments, parts, and other equipment to fulfill the growing music related needs in Title 1 classrooms in Hillsborough County.

Girls Rock St. Pete

Girls Rock St. Pete: The Legends Program, $13,000

Girls Rock St. Pete uses music and other best-practice curriculum as a platform for teaching life skills that empower and transform the lives of girls, women, and gender-expansive folk. The demand for Girls Rock St. Pete’s summer camp increases each year with limited capacity and barriers for those unable to commit to a full week of camp. The expanded “Legends” program will offer year-round learning and engagement driven by the core values of Girls Rock Camp, but with increased access for continued learning, mentorship, and collaboration. Each 6-week session includes lessons that target increasing a girls’ sense of self-worth and resilience, body positivity and overall confidence. This model encourages intergenerational learning and mentorship by pairing youth and adult student learners in a safe and nurturing environment. While participants learn the fundamentals of music, they also learn critical life skills such as positive conflict-resolution and collaboration, building confidence through resilience, healthy boundaries and communication. As a result of participating, girls are empowered to take up space, use their voices, and support each other as allies and leaders. Girls Rock St. Pete requests $13,000 to launch this intergenerational initiative to expand the reach of our services to wait-listed youth and adults, those unable to access our program by committing to a full week of camp and to underserved populations such as foster youth, Black and Latinx girls and women.

Museum of Fine Arts of St. Petersburg, Inc.

MFA | Picture of Health Expands, $25,000

Despite the extraordinary need for mental-health offerings in the Tampa Bay area, especially for communities who experience monetary and discriminatory barriers, the community we call home continues to experience a dearth of welcoming services. A growing light is Picture of Health, a suite of programs conceived with providers in accordance with research into the impact of the arts on well-being. We know that communing with art objects is a palliative and contemplative antidote to the frenzy of contemporary commerce and screen use. People who utilize our museum’s programs also deserve the assurance that the environment honors their backgrounds and benefits their health. Innovations previously funded by CFTB to harness the power of the museum as a place of healing include Mood Tours to focus on depictions of emotions, Sensory Saturdays for low-sound access, & Museum on Prescription complimentary entrance by health referral to experience healthful aspects of the MFA. Expansions include EnChroma Lenses to reveal colors for those with color vision deficiency, The Mirror teen poetry program to reduce social isolation, Cell-Phone-Free Hours, Yoga, & Meditation. Picture of Health remains unique in Florida. Such programs elsewhere have proven successful; for example, in 2022, Brugmann University Hospital announced a museum-prescription program with Centrale in Brussels. The MFA respectfully requests $25K for mental-health-programming continuity and expansion through provider expenses.

NOMADstudio

Studio on the Block: MicroCamp Initiative, $12,000

Through our Studio on the Block: MicroCamp Initiative, we deliver free, small-scale, weekly pop-up art programs in Tampa Bay neighborhoods that lack safe access to enrichment opportunities for children who have been adversely impacted by structural systems or policies. We provide neighborhood artists with resources to co-create no-registration art-making experiences with the children in their neighborhoods. MicroCamps happen weekly in front yards, parks, and parking lots, and by participating in creative self expression in a non-judgemental environment, neighbors build mutual trust and grow comfortable sharing details of their lives with one another. This provides all participants with a more holistic understanding of community and individual needs and it strengthens the culture of community, mutual aid, and collective care.

NOMAD teaching artists live in the neighborhoods where they teach, which provides opportunities for lasting connection and ongoing community building. They have been facilitating MicroCamps in their neighborhoods for over two years, and the events have evolved into hubs where healthy relationships are nurtured, and where people, especially children, can speak openly about their needs. This $12,000 request would cover three teaching artists’ annual wages for this program, allowing us to support community resilience by delivering a weekly MicroCamp in two Tampa Bay neighborhoods for one year.

Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association

iCreate Community Cultural Art Experience, $19,800

The iCreate Community Cultural Art Experience is a new initiative by the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association (THJCA) that brings cultural art workshops to communities of concern throughout Hillsborough County. Adapted from the popular paint and sip concept, this create and sip workshop series will engage families in art, music, dance, and culinary art using culturally relevant themes to promote health and wellness, literacy, and quality family time. We believe the arts are a great means for families to come together in a fun, authentic way while learning better lifestyle choices. Unfortunately, communities of concern suffer from health and literacy disparities that take away from their wellbeing. The lack of transportation and low incomes also create a barrier to the arts for many families in these communities.

Through the iCreate Community Cultural Art Experience, families can overcome these issues. To reach them, we will use existing partnerships with Hillsborough County Public Schools, community gardens, and a local arts group. These partnerships will allow us to reach families in Tampa Heights, East Tampa, the University Area, Temple Terrace, Town ‘n Country, Seffner, Riverview, and Wimauma. To ensure a quality program, we are requesting $19,200 from the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay to pay instructors to teach three workshops in each community. Funds will also support a stipend to a program administrator, rent for host facilities, and the cost of supplies.

University Area Community Development Corporation

Harvest Hope Park, The Heart of the University Area (UA), $16,748

The proposed project will support program and safety enhancements for three of the Get Moving! health and wellness youth programs that operate at Harvest Hope Park (HHP). HHP is on 7-acres of land in the UA and is a vibrant, resident friendly green space in a marginalized neighborhood historically plagued with brownfields and redevelopment challenges. The population served by HHP includes the 26,500 residents of which almost 58% live below the federal poverty level. HHP was built in four phases, opening in November 2019. This urban oasis promotes family play, healthy eating, environmental sustainability, education, community interaction, and includes a community garden, teaching kitchen, sports fields, playground, outdoor fitness stations, walking trail and 1-acre freshwater fishpond for fishing. HHP has been a springboard for transformational change as it affords residents of all ages the opportunity to improve their mental well-being by communing with nature and learning eco-friendly ways to sustain their community at large. HHP is the heart of the University Area, playing a major role in its vibrancy and redevelopment and enhancing the environment and promoting healthy lifestyles for all its residents of all ages. Funds will be used for kitchen supplies for the bi-weekly youth nutrition class that incorporates fresh produce from the HHP Community Garden, tools for the youth gardening class and lighting and storage for the fields used in the sports programs.

Audubon Florida

Management and Habitat Improvement of Tampa Bay Waterbird Islands, $25,000

The Alafia Bank is an important area filled with bird nesting islands in Florida with annual counts consisting of 14 species totaling up to 10,000 pairs, including five state-Threatened species of nesting birds, and includes the iconic Brown Pelicans and White Ibis. 3D DMMA hosts thousands of pairs of waterbirds each year, including three state Threatened beach-nesting birds. Audubon is requesting funding to cover the costs of management and habitat improvement at these important sites, including invasive vegetation removal and predation management as part of ongoing restoration efforts on the islands ($30,000), installation of additional native plants ($7,500), and staff salary to oversee the work ($12,500). Audubon manages three island sanctuaries in Hillsborough Bay, Green Key, Whiskey Stump Key and the Richard T. Paul Alafia Bank Bird Sanctuary Critical Wildlife Area, which is owned and managed in collaboration with the Mosaic Company and Port Tampa Bay. Audubon works with Port Tampa Bay and Port Manatee to manage waterbird nesting at 2D and 3D Dredge Material Management Areas (DMMA). In 2020-21, we restored over 20 acres on the Alafia Bank, Green Key, and Whiskey Stump Key by clearing and treating invasive vegetation and planting more than 1,200 native plants. Additionally, we are undertaking another round of re-treatment at these sites during fall and winter of 2022-23, providing high quality nesting habitat that many of the region’s iconic birds rely on.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Inc.

Amigos de las Tortugas, $20,000

Education is key to protecting our marine ecosystem. CMA’s Sea Turtle Conservation Program teaches guests to appreciate their marine environment while promoting conservation. Programs range from onsite presentations and exhibits to offsite events. The Amigos de las Tortugas program takes these principles and shares them directly with the Spanish-speaking population throughout Tampa Bay. Sea turtle conservation is vital to the overall health of the marine ecosystem, and guests participating in this program would not otherwise have access to this type of direct, tailored education. In partnership with the Hispanic Services Council, Urban Strategies, and Hispanic Outreach Center, we have identified and targeted our program to the growing population of Spanish speakers in our community. The program is available to families throughout Tampa Bay.
Funds from this grant will be used to expand and enhance Amigos de las Tortugas. To date, we have reached 659 participants through 36 workshops, and with this grant, we will be able to provide at least 15 additional workshops to over 300 participants in 2023. To enhance the program by learning strategies to bridge communities and technology for marine turtle conservation, we will send a program leader to the International Sea Turtle Symposium in Cartagena, Colombia. This will provide a direct link between the program and leading research into sea turtle conservation, which will be focused directly on Spanish-speaking populations.

Keep Pinellas Beautiful Inc.

Keep Pinellas Beautiful: Planting Seeds for a Healthy Pinellas, $17,000

KPB proposes to enhance three recreational green spaces within Pinellas County to reduce the spread of invasive vegetation, plant native species to restore natural habitat, and educate youth on the value of these habitats along the way. The nature parks/preserves include: Brooker Creek (Tarpon Springs), Moccasin Lake (Clearwater), and Boyd Hill (St. Petersburg).

This program is designed to engage residents of all ages with a special emphasis on high school youth, looking to reduce their environmental footprint and explore how they might take steps in becoming environmental leaders in the community.

This grant will include:
* Hosting quarterly beautification/restoration projects at each location (i.e. invasive vegetation removals, litter cleanups, and trail restorations)
* Introducing native flora into each park to minimize the long-term impacts of invasive species and restore habitat
* Conducting bimonthly educational outreach presentations at Moccasin Lake (Mid County) for the community
* Hosting two – five day youth outdoor experiential learning workshop, at Brooker Creek (North County) and Boyd Hill (South County)
* Creating and installing educational signage throughout high trafficked areas to educate the public and support conservation efforts.
KPB will use funds to support our youth workshops, obtain supplies to remove invasive species that are causing biological and economical damage, and install native plants to increase biodiversity through the three parks. 

Tampa Bay Watch, Inc.

Native Wetland Planting Program, $25,000

Tampa Bay Watch (TBW) seeks funding to support the expansion of our Native Wetland Planting Program with the development of our Adopt-a-Nursery Program. The Native Wetland Planting Program provides the opportunity for community volunteers to participate in hands-on restoration of degraded wetland habitats around the Tampa Bay watershed. In collaboration with our local partners, we lead community volunteers and school groups to plant wetland emergent plants in coastal riparian areas. Over the next year, our goal is to develop community nurseries to provide plants for native planting projects. The new Adopt-a-Nursery volunteer service program will be responsible for maintaining those plants and furthering our outreach initiative. The program will expand our audience to be more inclusive of community members that aren’t physically capable or comfortable transplanting in harsh field conditions. The plant nurseries will be built in public locations in collaboration with our various restoration partners. TBW will host volunteer training events where community members will be educated on the ecology of wetland ecosystems, the benefit of wetlands to coastal communities, and methods for properly caring for their adopted nurseries. CFTB support would allow us to build 2 new community nurseries, reach 800 community volunteers in the bay area, and restore at least 20,000 sq. ft. of habitat at various restoration sites in Manatee, Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties.

The Florida Aquarium

Spring to Shore Explorers: Free Environmental Summer Camp for Youth, $17,376.86

Project Description: One of the Aquarium’s most successful programs for underserved youth combines a treasured summer experience with environmental education. Spring to Shore Explorers (SSE) is a week-long day camp that takes children on an eye-opening journey to parks in the Hillsborough watershed, from local freshwater springs to beaches of the Bay. Campers immerse themselves in area water resources, testing water quality, observing flora and fauna, swimming, canoeing/kayaking, and even snorkeling. Campers learn about the connections between water resources, water quality and quantity, and habitat protection and are empowered to take a leadership role in conservation by learning simple steps that they can implement at home to help protect the environment.
* Population Served: With support from our community, we will offer this program for five weeks during the summer, impacting up to 60 children.
* How the funds will be used: Funding will pay for five weeks of transportation for students to each camp location, camp meals, shirts and supplies, as well as fees for students to access some of the environmental activities, such as kayak rental and admission to parks. Funding will also support hiring camp instructors.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Inc.

School-To-Work and Big Futures Mentoring Program, $20,000

We will use these funds for our School-To-Work and Big Futures Mentoring Programs in Pasco and Hillsborough County: School-To-Work serves high school juniors and matches them with a workplace mentor for two years (their junior and senior year of high school), who meet half a day per month during the school year. Matches participate in workplace trainings including resume writing, financial literacy, and so forth. Then, matches meet one-on-one to participate in job shadowing and building the mentor relationship. This year our agency will have 10 School-To-Work sites in Hillsborough and our first partnership in Pasco County. Big Futures Mentoring is offered to young adults who have graduated high school (or turned 18) and completed our other mentoring programs including School-To-Work. At graduation, they are eligible to enroll in Big Futures which provides advanced mentoring up to age 26. Our goal is for these young adults to be enrolled, enlisted, or employed after high school graduation and earning a livable wage by age 26. Our program has never had any income, geographic, or demographic restrictions. In 2021 72% of School-To-Work students and 68% of youth enrolled in Big Futures received free or reduced lunch while in school, a proxy to measure income. We receive referrals from teachers and guidance counselors and priority is given to those youth who need additional support and guidance due to struggling academically, not having a clear path for the future, and so on.

Cristo Rey Tampa High School at Mary Help of Christians, Inc.

Summer Business Training Program – Creating a Pipeline for Tomorrow’s Workforce, $25,000

We are requesting $25,000 for our Summer Business Training Program, the introductory program for all new students including ninth graders and transfer students. This two-week program provides an introduction to college preparatory school rigor and prepares students with tools and skills to enter the workforce as part of the Corporate Work Study Program, the signature feature of the Cristo Rey Network. Students gain real-world work experience and career exposure from corporations and non-profit organizations in the community. They develop professionally through entry-level jobs working five days each month with our Partners, who are committed to enriching the students’ lives through coaching, mentoring, and supervision. Students in the Summer Business Training Program learn to build their intellectual, emotional, social, and critical thinking skills through executive function training for the classroom and the workplace. Specific skill training is provided along with standards of professionalism. Students learn to function in an academic setting and transition into the workforce environment which requires different skill sets. This program sets the foundation. Our students come from low-income families with the determination to create a better life. They come from all backgrounds and faiths, represent 46 zip codes in the community, and 96% of students are of color. These funds will allow us to better prepare our students and give families more access to attend.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

Providing Resources to Counter Elder Fraud and Exploitation in Hillsborough County, $15,000

This project, Providing Resources to Counter Elder Fraud and Exploitation in Hillsborough County, aims to raise awareness and educate the elderly community of Sun City Center, Florida against elderly fraud and exploitation through the use of educational materials, advertisements, and community engagement. According to the 2020 US Census, the target population of Sun City Center is home to approximately 31,000 residents. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is requesting a grant amount of $12,000.00 which will be specifically used on varying advertisement types and law enforcement personnel training to attain best practices and in turn deliver quality service to the elderly community it serves. The impact of this project has potential to go beyond the target populations due to its use of advertisement and collaborations with community partners.

Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay

Addressing Structural Inequities in Education and Expanding Economic Mobility Through 3DE Schools by Junior Achievement, $25,000

Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay in partnership with Hillsborough and Pinellas County schools will further expand the 3DE high school model in the fall of 2023 to three additional schools. Designed to strengthen and enrich the lives of our neighbors and the communities where we live and work the 3DE model is the solutions provider addressing structural inequities in education, expanding economic mobility for all. 3DE re-engineers high school to be more relevant, experiential and connected to the complexities of the real world. Through case methodology and joint venture partnerships with the business community, 3DE increases student engagement and relevant connectivity through project based application. The model taps into student’s innate desire to learn by creating communities of engaged and aspirational teens empowered with the skills to drive toward economic opportunity. A $75,000 investment in 3DE would be an investment to support the launch and expansion of the 3DE model at three high schools, Blake, Jefferson and Lakewood. Identified by district administrators each of these schools has lower than state average scores on all year end assessments and at least 53% of the population receives free/reduced lunch. Investment would support the relevant content, teacher development, local partnership development, experiential learning and systems improvement that the 3DE model brings and advance our goal to create systemic change by engaging over 30% of area high schools.

LiFT Inc, (Learning Independence For Tomorrow)

LiFT’s Community Partners Internship Program To Create Pathways to Employment and Economic Mobility for Neurodivergent Adults, $15,000

Since 2014, LiFT’s Community Partners Internship Program has collaborated with over 30 local businesses, from large corporations to smaller local organizations, to effectively place job-seeking neurodivergent adults (18+) with varying disabilities into internships to explore different career fields that align with their skill sets, talents and interests; enabling them to gain valuable work experiences that create pathways to paid employment for a population that is largely un- and underemployed so they may improve their economic status and capacity to live independently. Internship placements last 1-2 semesters, with each students’ unique abilities and interests carefully evaluated to match them with internships that align. Funding is used for job coaches/personnel, evaluation and transportation (as the majority of our students are unable to drive and most lack the financial means/ability to navigate public transportation). LiFT transports students to internships weekly ensuring reliable transportation; and job coaches work directly with students on-site at the internships, providing hands-on training to accomplish job tasks and provide assistance to individuals with communication barriers or needing to improve soft skills. At the internship’s conclusion, students are hired for paid employment by their internship provider or alternatively will secure jobs at another location with the support of recommendations provided by their internship providers.

Metropolitan Ministries, Inc.

Rise to the Top Adult Education and Employment, $30,000

Rise to the Top provides adult education and employment services to 250 people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity annually in Hillsborough County. Community Foundation funds will cover certification costs. Completion of certification courses leads participants to earn a higher wage.
For those wanting to attain a certificate or credential, the Adult Education Manager completes an educational assessment, discusses educational pathways, and helps participants enroll in a program that best matches their needs and goals. Common certifications are in the medical and IT fields. MM also has an on-site GED program and provides in-person and virtual instruction. MM covers certification fees, educational materials, testing costs, and job-specific necessities such as uniforms, bus passes, etc. 50 people attain a credential or certificate annually.

Employment Case Managers work with participants to develop employment goals, create a household budget, and identify positions that pay a living wage. Case Managers help troubleshoot barriers to employment by working on soft skills and helping participants address transportation and childcare needs. MM holds quarterly Employment Boot Camps with expert speakers, panel discussions, and employment workshops. Employment skills, financial literacy and budgeting classes are provided to help participants conduct effective job searches and prepare for interviews. Of the 250 people who complete the program, 90% attain employment at exit.

Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation, Inc.

Pasco-Hernando State College – Inspiring Brighter Futures for Educationally Disadvantaged Youth Through Pre-Collegiate Mentoring and College Readiness, $10,000

Pasco-Hernando State College’s Office of Global and Multicultural Awareness offers pre-collegiate mentoring programs to assist students who aspire to achieve higher education. The College Reach Out Program (CROP), Centers of Excellence (COE), and National Achiever’s Society (NAS) aim to motivate and inspire underserved students annually to graduate high school, obtain postsecondary education, and secure sustainable careers.

Through this funding, approximately 75 low-income students in grades 6-12 will engage in enriching academic and cultural programs with a goal of promoting academic excellence, community-centered work ethic, and reducing negative peer pressure associated with academic achievement. By building a community of support and helping young people believe that they can be successful, these initiatives provide mentoring and support to students who have a higher likelihood of dropping out of high school. Activities include reading, math, vocabulary building, creative writing, computer skills, and career exploration. In addition, students participate in a social behavioral workshop, various field trips, and a university residential visit. Parents and caregivers are also provided with guidance and resources to help their child succeed. 

Ready for Life

Ready for Life – Economic Mobility Project, $20,000

The Ready for Life – Economic Mobility Project will provide 60 former foster care youth who at age 18 opted to “age out” of the system rather than stay in extended foster care and young adults between 18-25 who were in foster care at one time in their life. RFL will provide access to evidence-informed life skills training that included: getting and keeping a job, personal finance, resiliency, communication skills, and independent living. This target population is statistically at great risk of economic downward mobility, and this will fill the gap as they explore adulthood.

Participants will be enrolled in LYFT Learning, LLC’s Life Skills Reimagined course. Life Skills Reimagined utilizes brain-based learning principles in the life skills curriculum design including – Multisensory learning experiences that are more engaging and memorable: learning objectives that drive teaching method; Microlearning (short bursts) which increases retention and recall.

RFL staff will have a rolling admission with groups of 15, 4 times a year and will provide at least 4 workshops including business and educational campuses to tour. RFL will help participants obtain legal documents such as a driver’s license and assist them with next steps: educational enrollment or job placement. Funds will help offset costs associated with preparing for school or work, field trips and group meetings with a goal of being enrolled in higher education or job placement within 6 months of participation.

Starting Right, Now

Advancing Homeless Youth Economically, $40,000

Starting Right, Now (SRN)’s holistic program creates a solution to youth homelessness and its associated traumas. We serve homeless, unaccompanied youth – high school students who cannot live at home and are ineligible for foster care, due to hazardous circumstances (abuse, neglect, eviction, etc). After fulfilling basic needs – stable housing, access to food, showers, laundry facilities and school transportation – SRN students access academic assistance, life-skills training, financial literacy classes, career prep, mentors, planning for post secondary education and facilitation to social services/healthcare.

Recognizing these youths have fallen behind academically, never addressed fiscal responsibility, and need to learn healthy coping strategies, SRN developed a unique curriculum to address these areas- “Advancing Homeless Youth Economically”. This series of after school enrichment classes and activities help bridge the equity gap. Academic and soft skills, for example anger management and mindfulness, taught in our after-school classes, enable youth to be workforce ready, thus economically mobile, and uplifting to our entire community.

Community Foundation Tampa Bay would enable our 2023 cohort to gain permanent skills to change their life situation. Funding would be used for after school classes to support education beyond high school and career readiness training – such as emotional intelligence, financial literacy, computer fluency, SAT/ACT prep, etc.

Suncoast Voices for Children Foundation, Inc.

Opportunity Passport – A Collaboration with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, United Way Suncoast, Ready for Life and Cetera, Inc., $20,000

In 2020, Voices became the first independent organization authorized to deliver Opportunity Passport (OP), an Annie E. Casey Foundation program that is the gold standard of financial programs for young adults who grew up in foster care. Voices adopted a collective impact model by partnering with United Way Suncoast (UWS), Ready for Life (RFL), and Cetera, Inc., which has produced above-average results when compared to other sites across the country in just 2 years. RFL, a skill-based learning center for young adults exiting foster care, assists in facilitating the classes and provides wrap around services like mentoring, resource support and life skills training. After the classes, graduates pair with a UWS Financial Coach to help them apply what they’ve learned to reach their financial goals. Graduates who are in college will work with a College Coach from Cetera to set goals and navigate their college career. Coaches use a research-based curriculum created by Cetera Founder & Director Jamie Bennett that is used at Casey sites and colleges nationwide. Thanks to UWS funding, graduates can access a $3,000 savings match for assets like vehicles, housing & more. (Ex: Von wants a car for $1,000. Von saves $500, Voices pays $500 directly to the vendor. Von has her car and another $2,500 available.) In 2 1/2 years, 82 graduates have purchased over $185,000 assets. If awarded, Voices will use 100% of the funding to support a Cetera Coach position to serve Pasco & Hillsborough youth.

The QL+ Program (QL+)

Linking America’s Bravest with America’s Brightest, $12,700

QL+ links America’s bravest with America’s brightest. Our creative and innovative program offers life-altering assistive technology to our heroes, designed and built by engineering students as part of their Senior Capstone Projects. Currently, we partner with 21 universities. This request is in support of 3 projects at the University of South Florida during the 2023-24 academic year.

Our projects serve disabled veterans and first responders (who we call Challengers), all want to maintain an active lifestyle despite their physical limitations. We have created a voice-activated bicycle gear shifter for a veteran with prosthetic hands that are connected to the handlebars; prosthetic feet/ankles that are more agile for hiking; modifications for paralympic bobsledders to more easily enter and exit the bobsled, to mention but a few.

QL+ pays the universities $1,750/project for hosting a QL+ project; $5,250 will be allocated to this expense.

QL+ budgets $200/month/university for each of 10 months for printed materials, promotion, shipping of finalized devices, etc.; $2,000 of grant funding will be allocated to this expense.

Challengers need to travel to the universities to meet with their student teams. QL+ budgets $500/month/university for each of 10 months; $5,000 of grant funding will be allocated to this expense.

Student teams experience miscellaneous needs. QL+ anticipates this and budgets $150/team; $450 will be allocated to this expense.

ALPHA House of Pinellas County

ALPHA House – Critical Services and Residential Maternity Housing for Homeless and At-Risk Teen Girls and Women, $20,000

Grounded in authentic collaboration, equity, and lived experience, ALPHA House (AH) provides a full continuum of trauma-informed housing and specialized services for pregnant women, teens, new mothers with infants, and families experiencing crisis pregnancies and homelessness. The 16 beds it provides to women ages 14 – 41 allows us to serve 32 individuals (16 mothers and 16 babies) each night for 8 months up to 3 years and they are merely a fragment of the program’s complexity.

The target population for shelter and services at AH includes pregnant women and new mothers with no family or other safe place to experience their pregnancy and the birth of their child. Demographically, they are 51% white, 44% Black, 4% Latinx, 1% Other, 0% LGTBQ+, 0% disabled. 100% are survivors of either human trafficking, or abuse (emotional, physical, and/or abandonment), and many are experiencing crisis pregnancies because of the trauma they have experienced. The majority served prove that homelessness and teen pregnancy are directly linked to previous physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse. Most have already engaged in negative behaviors and are at risk of perpetuating abuse, and neglect and becoming victims of intergenerational poverty. If funded, every general operating dollar will be leveraged to the full benefit of the population served through the provision of shelter, medical care, counseling, nutritious meals, clothing, education/employment services, and life-skills programming.

Empowherment Community Center

Empowering Women = Thriving Women, $22,720

As part of our many programs here at EmpowHERment, we provide a confidential and safe place for
clients to meet with therapist to discuss their circumstances. Women come to us with many different physical and emotional needs — including temporary financial assistance, housing, employment, and help with emotional issues. We have licensed and degree-holding therapists working on a weekly schedule. We also have an extensive network of medical and housing agencies throughout the Tampa Bay area. Clients receive the services and information needed to understand their options’ full range and make fully informed decisions. All therapy services are held in-person at our community center.
We are requesting funds to continue providing no cost therapy sessions for the women and families we serve. Each women and family is allocated 15 therapy sessions each. Setting the foundation and allowing them to heal while also alleviating the financial burden. In the past year, we have logged over 400 therapy hours. Our program works and we would like to continue making sure we are able to support women and girls. “Thank you again for helping me. I can’t tell you enough how much this means to me. I’ve been seeking and praying for help for years. I cannot afford much as a single mother but without mental help I won’t be much good for anything else. I really need this. Looking forward to the growth and the change, the new perspectives and the bond we will share.” – One of our clients stated. 

Enterprising Latinas, Inc.

Project 2025: Preparing Women for the Workforce & Self-Sufficiency, $50,000

ELI will continue the implementation of Project 2025: Preparing Women for the Workforce & Self-sufficiency to increase the economic prosperity of 100 low- to moderate-income women living in the South Hillsborough County communities of Wimauma, Ruskin, Riverview, and Gibsonton, particularly Black & Latina women who face multiple barriers to economic prosperity and wealth building. Over 12 months, the project will provide workforce development through workforce and entrepreneurship training and basic skills training that lead to higher-wage employment or self-employment. In addition, ELI will continue job coaching and job placement supports that help members access quality jobs as well business technical assistance and growth opportunities. Some members will also receive complementary Economic Mobility Mentoring (EMM) services, ELI’s approach to building essential behaviors and decisions that lead to self-sufficiency. We are requesting $50,000 through the Women and Girls priority to promote economic opportunity for women and cover partial costs of coordination & services, training partner fees, program supplies, recognition activities, and overhead expenses. Other sources contribute $241,407.

Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, Inc.

Girl Scouts Community Troop Program, $17,000

We have been delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) in Pasco County for decades, but often there are barriers to a High Quality GSLE. We’re proposing a “”Girl Scouts Hub”” model, in a central location staffed by representative community members leading program delivery to foster long-term relationships by engaging families and community members in Girl Scouts. Activities required include:
(1) uniform and insignia creating belonging
(2) regular meetings led by caring adults
(3) 4+ badge experiences
(4) 2 family engagement celebrations
(5) 2 field trips
(6) 1 outdoor experience
(7) Cookie Entrepreneur Program.
Funding to reach more girls through our Girl Scout Community Troop Program in a community hub allows us to target underrepresented areas currently with little to no Girl Scout footprint. We currently serve 1% of girls in Pasco County. We believe more girls are not participating in Girl Scouts due to barriers including affordability, transportation, absence of adult support, language barriers, or technology barriers. The target population of our project is girls, grades K-8, living in Port Richey targeted zip code 34668. Funding will support staff for Girl Scout Hub, uniforms, badges, program supplies and experiences, leasing, memberships, and printing costs. We believe the GSLE is a benefits every girl, and our Girl Scout Community Troop Program is a targeted effort to ensure we eliminate the barriers to participation in our program.

Girls on the Run Greater Tampa Bay

Program Expansion Initiative, $10,000

Girls on the Run uses running and other physical activities as a platform for teaching life skills that drive transformative and lasting change in the lives of girls. The Program Expansion Initiative will ensure that girls who would not typically have access to quality youth programming have the opportunity to participate in Girls on the Run (3rd to 5th graders) or Heart & Sole (6th to 8th graders). Each 10-week curriculum includes lessons that specifically target helping girls improve in Competence, Confidence, Caring, Character, Connection, and Contribution. Girls learn critical life skills such as how to manage emotions, help others, make intentional decisions, and resolve conflict that they use at home, at school, and with friends. As a result of participating, girls are empowered to be the leader of their lives and to make positive contributions in their own lives and the lives of others.

Girls on the Run is requesting $10,000 in grant support for our Program Expansion Initiative. This initiative will expand GOTR to at least 10 low-income Title 1 schools within Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties to ensure that at-risk girls will have the opportunity to participate in the life-changing GOTR program during our 2023 Fall and 2024 Spring Seasons. With grant support, these girls who so desperately need our program will be able to participate.

PACE Center for Girls – Citrus County

Pace Art Empowers, $10,000

Pace Art Empowers (PAE) will provide opportunities for mental health improvement and potential future economic self-sufficiency to our community’s most vulnerable – girls who have already experienced trauma. Pace girls typically love the arts, even if they aren’t artists or performers themselves. Research has shown strong connections between art as a therapeutic activity and higher self-esteem, which would benefit our girls. And by exposing them to live arts and allied career opportunities (bookkeeping, social media, etc.) the door is open to potential careers through the arts. PAE will provide: 1) weekly sessions on drawing “”feelings”” in class with discussions on representation of the drawing; 2) bi-monthly speakers from the arts community to share career information; 3) visits to museums (such as the Citrus County Historical Courthouse for arts exhibits, and the Dali) and performing arts centers to experience arts such as the Nutcracker ballet or other plays; 4) creating a fine art piece under direction of a professional artist for a Pace exhibit open to parents and the public, and also performing art in an after-hours play for parents as final semester projects. The budget of $10,000 includes teacher time for weekly art work and discussions in the Spirited Girls (life skills class) and coordinating activities; all art supplies, transportation for field trips, food for girls on field trips and tickets to museums and performances.

PACE Center for Girls – Hillsborough

PaceWorks, $15,000

PaceWorks is an enrichment program within the Pace Center for Girls Hillsborough framework designed to help girls attain career goals, develop vocational skills and pursue higher education for a brighter future. PaceWorks is delivered through a daily comprehensive curriculum that is facilitated by a certified teacher and supported by educational and vocational exploration that directly expose girls to both traditional & non-traditional career and educational opportunities. All girls enrolled in PaceWorks receive an elective credit through Hillsborough County Public Schools upon successful completion of the course.

* The population served for the PaceWorks program are girls between the ages of 11-18 who have been identified as “”at risk”” for delinquency. Girls must meet risk factors in 3 or more of the following domains to be considered for placement: 1) Victimization 2) School 3) Family Instability/Conflict 4) Physical/Mental Health 5) Behavior Domain Per our 2020-2021 data:
88% were failing one or more classes prior to coming to Pace
57% were suspended or expelled prior to coming to Pace
22% had involvement with the juvenile justice system

* The funds will be used to support the implementation of the PaceWorks program. The program is supported by a Certified Teacher, who delivers the daily curriculum, the PaceWorks Coordinator who oversees the experiential components and transition planning and the Program Director who guides and oversees the entire program.

Selah Freedom

Selah Freedom Assessment Solutions, $10,000

Selah Freedom operates and owns an “assessment home” established in an undisclosed location in Hillsborough County. This home address is not publicized because the women and girls who go there for their initial assessment and program service intake are highly vulnerable and are often escaping from a very dangerous situation relating to human trafficking. This grant request for $10,000 will help continue providing a safe and nurturing environment dedicated to providing a period of pause, rest and reflection. The professional staff walk alongside the survivors as they begin their recovery journey. This rest phase allows survivors to reflect and decide if they are prepared to step forward into the new life Selah Freedom offers. Staff members assess what the best long-term solution is for each of the survivors.

Most survivors transition to Selah’s long-term residential program or another anti-human trafficking program in the United States. It depends on their individual needs. While each survivor is at Selah’s assessment home, they receive medical care, three hot meals a day, healthy snacks, a comfortable place to sleep, clothing, and therapeutic services such as counseling, and nutrition education. The assessment home model is extremely successful at stabilizing each survivor as they begin their journey with Selah’s compassionate care and therapy toward a new, healthy, and legitimate life. Funds from this grant will help provide food, clothing & counseling services.

United Food Bank of Plant City

Feeding Our Legacy, $25,000

United Food Bank and Services will expand a pilot program, Feeding Our Legacy, in which 275 vulnerable seniors, including a majority of elderly women of color, who are low-income and live off of minimal, fixed-income resources, in East Hillsborough County, often in rural portions, will have access to healthy food, food security, and resource navigation that can keep them stably housed, in better health, and secure. This vulnerable population, predominantly elderly women of color, who are food insecure and live in the eastern portion of the county will be provided with a culturally informed intake assessment, with 80 percent of these seniors participating in a follow-up assessment within a 6-12 month period of the intake, or sooner if needed, to determine changes to their lives that lead to food security and progress toward strengthening their individualized outcomes. A culturally informed approach will be taken to menu planning with each individual enrolled in the program, and a resource guide–to meet their needs in the nine communities served–will be updated and distributed. With the input of a medical professional from USF and Diversity and Inclusion input from current funding partners, the proposed program expansion will increase its ability to grow from serving seniors in the historic African American community of Bealsville and in HUD’s 202 Supportive Housing to include Hispanic seniors in neighboring Plant City and Dover, among other United Food Bank service areas.

West Florida Center for Trafficking Advocacy, Inc. DBA Justice Restoration Center

Tampa Bay Area Survivor Empowerment, $25,000

The Justice Restoration Center (JRC) has worked extensively since 2013 in the justice space as it relates to human trafficking victims and survivors. (“Victims” refer to those still being exploited, and “survivors” refer to those who have been able to leave the exploitation.) Women and girls make up an overwhelming majority of survivors recovered out of trafficking situations, and that is reflected in JRC’s client demographics. Thus, JRC necessarily focuses on the restoration, well-being, and life improvement of trafficked women and girls through the provision of critical legal services. Those legal services are provided at no cost to the survivor. Some 90% of trafficked women leave the sex industry with a criminal record. Statistics show, in turn, that those survivors with criminal records will live in poverty absent the expungement of criminal records. In that light, JRC’s focus is on giving survivors access to justice in the form of criminal record expungement under Florida’s human trafficking victim expungement law and credit restoration through the federal Debt Bondage Repair Act. To date, JRC has expunged over a 1,000 criminal charges for Florida survivors. Criminal record expungement removes barriers to housing, employment, and education which are cornerstones to survivor recovery. JRC’s funding comes from a mix of private donations, churches, and private grants, and 100% of the funding goes directly to providing free legal services to survivors.

Bay Area Legal Services, Inc.

FosterPower: Bay Area Legal Services Helps Florida Youth in Foster Care to “Know Your Legal Rights,” $30,000

CFTB will help BALS to fully develop and deploy FosterPower, a website and app to provide access to comprehensive information on the legal rights of Florida youth in foster care. Teens in care, and those “aging out” of care at 18, rarely know they have legal rights. FosterPower (FP) will transform an innovative but now outdated PDF/hard-copy 60-page guide (developed and updated annually by Project Lead attorney Taylor Greenberg) into a user-friendly, resource for youth throughout Florida, easily accessible online and via a mobile app as developed by our Digital Project Manager/DPM (CFTB funded July-Nov 2023). The app expands on previous content with updated education and independent living rights info, and also enables FP staff to regularly update relevant law and resources as they evolve.

Intentionally designed with in-depth youth input and feedback at the forefront, through focus groups across Florida, FosterPower will now empower youth in foster care to exercise their individual agency, access vital resources, and become their own advocates, while FP trainings will raise awareness and understanding of foster youth rights within the child welfare and legal professional communities. The website, app, and trainings are mindfully designed to serve as a blueprint for adaptation in other states nationwide. FosterPower is purposefully created in partnership with foster youth themselves – they know they are helping not only themselves but those who remain in care or will follow.

Champions for Children, Inc.

Kids on the Block Educational Puppetry Program, $20,000

CFC requests a grant to continue bringing our Kids on the Block (KOTB) program to elementary schools in the South Shore region and throughout Hillsborough County. KOTB is a troupe of educational puppets that provide children with knowledge to recognize and report abuse and other mistreatment, and to seek help, thus destigmatizing victimhood and preventing traumas with lifelong impacts on mental well-being. We proudly offer the option to present shows and answer questions in Spanish. We project reaching 18,000 children countywide this year including 1,800 in South Shore.

In the Child Abuse Prevention show, our trained puppeteers teach 3rd grade audiences how to safely recognize and report child abuse and neglect when it happens to them or a friend. Listening to the puppet characters’ age-appropriate stories, students learn abuse is never their fault and to use the NO, GO and TELL safety message.

For 4th and 5th Graders, KOTB presents the Bullying & Stereotyping Prevention show to promote school safety and increase awareness of bullying and its impact on victims. Respect of physical, developmental, and cultural differences is also addressed.

Finally, KOTB’s Personal Safety Performance delivers age-appropriate versions of the messages from the other two shows primarily to 1st and 2nd grade audiences. These shows focus on concepts such as creating an Emergency Safety Plan; when to call 911; how to use the “NO, GO and TELL” safety message; and how to identify unsafe adults.

Chapters Health Foundation

Circle of Hope Grief Center at Hernando-Pasco Hospice, $50,000

Following an evaluation of space utilization, selling the Hernando-Pasco Hospice (HPH) facility in Hudson, FL, where the Hospice Center for Grieving Children had served thousands of individuals for many years, was determined to be an efficient action. Doing so allows us to relocate to space currently underutilized in New Port Richey, FL, near the HPH Marliere Care Center. It also provides the opportunity to invent, imagine, and introduce innovative features into the new “Circle of Hope Grief Center.”

The new Grief Center will provide a larger, refreshed space that integrates the most current and innovative best practices in children’s grief therapy for the communities that HPH serves. The Grief Center will also be the hub from which all grief programs launch to support Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus residents, including the annual Grief Camp for Children and Teens, in-school grief groups, Grief Support Toolboxes for parents, guardians, guidance counselors, social workers, and others, and Age-Appropriate Grief Comfort Kits for grieving children and teens to take and keep at home to help them with their grief journey.

Funding from the CFTB will support new childhood grief therapy programs for the Circle of Hope inaugural year, including new grief support materials, the development and production of the Grief Support Toolboxes and the Age-Appropriate Grief Comfort Kits, marketing and outreach to area organizations, and a portion of the professional childhood counselor’s salary.

Children’s Home Society of Florida – Suncoast Tampa Bay Area

Mort Elementary Community Partnership School, Mental Health Enhancement, $22,000

The Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS), Suncoast Region, is requesting $21,937 to support a portion of a full-time bi-lingual clinical counselor (salary and fringe) to provide therapy to students attending Mort Elementary School in the University Area of Tampa. Funding will be utilized to support 33% of the Clinical Counselor’s time to support therapy for uninsured students and offer anxiety screening at parent events at the school. The Counselor will provide therapy for approximately 40 children during the school year. Parent events at Mort often have 50 to 100 or more parents participating. Anxiety Screening would be offered on a voluntary basis to parents who are concerned about their child’s behavior (if they are age 8 or up). Since this has not been piloted previously, predicting the number of parents participating is difficult. However, we believe that at least 60 parents will take advantage of this service during the school year. Then based on the screening result, CHS would refer the parent to counseling provided by CHS or other resources as appropriate for their needs. Screening results that indicate a high need for treatment will be prioritized for counseling services. This will be the first time our agency has conducted this type of anxiety screening with parents; and if determined to be effective and useful, this model would be shared with the other 25 Community Partnership Schools operated by CHS.

Clearwater Free Clinic

Integrated Healthcare at the Clearwater Free Clinic, $25,000

Kevin was referred to the Clearwater Free Clinic (CFC) by one of our hospital partners after a hypertensive crisis landed him in the Intensive Care Unit. During his initial visit, Clinic practitioners prescribed medication to lower his blood pressure and provided education on heart health. While he was being examined, he mentioned concerns about his mental health. He was then quickly enrolled in our Behavioral Health Program. Since becoming a patient at the Clinic, Kevin’s blood pressure has stabilized and he continues to improve under our care. As a patient of the Behavioral Health Program, Kevin was selected to attend our art therapy class.

“Everyone at the Clinic is extremely helpful and supportive. They genuinely try to help in any way they can. What I really like about the [art therapy] class is being introduced to new mediums of art that I’ve never tried before.” – Kevin

The Clearwater Free Clinic has developed a model of integrated healthcare where patients can get support for their physical ailments and mental health challenges in the same place as part of their comprehensive care plan. The Behavioral Health Program at the CFC provides free care to low-income, uninsured patients who have been referred by our volunteer or staff healthcare providers.

If we are awarded this grant, we will be able to expand our impact on our patients through counseling services and group therapy classes.

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Inc.

Youth in Transition, $10,000

Funding received from Community Foundation Tampa Bay would support our Youth in Transition program. This program works with individuals between the ages of 16 to 25 who either have, are experiencing symptoms of, or are at risk of developing a serious mental health condition. Our team of care coordinators work with this population to provide direct linkages to treatment and support services in our community, both within our own organization and with partnering agencies and organizations throughout Tampa Bay.

Over the past few years, the need for this service has greatly increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, political unrest, and social injustice. The mental health of this population has suffered due to teens and young adults being unable to transition from where they are to where they want to be.

We are requesting $10,000 in support of our Youth in Transitions program to fund a Care Coordinator. After a client reaches out to the Crisis Center, the Care Coordinator works hands on with each of their clients to provide ongoing emotional support and resources for the duration of the client’s time within the program. This grant would be braided with other existing funding to fulfill the entire program need for this fiscal year.

Guardian Ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay Inc.

Trust-Based Relational Interventional Training (TBRI): Preparing Guardian ad Litem Volunteers and Staff to Help Improve Mental Health Outcomes for Abused and Neglected Children in Tampa Bay, $22,550

* This project will provide training on trauma-informed care to Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program staff and volunteers who serve the needs of children and families in the child welfare systems in Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties as well as relative and non-relative caregivers of those children. At a two-day conference, participants will be trained on Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), an evidence-based program facilitated by certified trainers through the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development, a program of the Psychology Department at Texas Christian University.

* The ultimate beneficiaries of this program are children ages 0 to 18 in the child welfare systems in Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties who are served through the Guardian ad Litem programs of the 6th and 13th Judicial Circuit Courts. Currently, more than 5,000 children are served through the two programs in the three-county region. TBRI is designed to meet the complex needs of children who have experienced adversity, early harm, toxic stress, and/or trauma. Because of their histories, it is often difficult for children in the child welfare system to trust the loving adults in their lives, which often results in perplexing behaviors.

* Funds will be used to hire and provide travel for two TBRI certified trainers, print program and marketing materials, provide day of refreshments and lunch to attendees, and for AV equipment and facilities needed to host the two-day conference.

Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas Inc

Supportive Counseling Services, $25,000

The Coalition is experiencing an increased need in supportive counseling for pregnant and new mothersand their babies who are uninsured, score high on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and needhelp covering the cost of mental health counseling. Many new mothers and moms-to-be are reportingincreased stress and anxiety. The EPDS is used for screening women during and after pregnancy to identifywomen at risk for “perinatal” depression. This Scale coupled with the Coalition’s Mothers and BabiesProgram curriculum (MBPC) in supportive counseling sessions to help women’s mental health and wellbeing.

Screening Intervals include (staff can screen sooner if they feel there is a need)
26 – 30 weeks prenatal
1 month postpartum
2 months postpartum

Interventions by score:If a score is <8 – No referral, client receives self-care with Partners for a Healthy Baby curriculum (PHBC).If a score is between 8 – 12 a client receives MBPC and sessions.If a score is above 13+, the client is referred to a local mental health agency or behavioral counselingPHBC and MBPC are provided by Healthy Start staff.Client may not be referred if they are already receiving services.

Population Served: Any uninsured pregnant woman or new mother in Pinellas County, scores 13+ on the EPDS and needs assistance to cover the cost of counseling services.

Request & Use: $25,000 for counseling sessions and staff support.

K9 Partners for Patriots Inc.

Operation Rescue 8.0, $12,500

K9 Partners for Patriots gives veterans a second chance at life through the experience of training and caring for their own service dog. Our organization focuses on veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and/or Military Sexual Trauma and provides them with a rescue dog and a six-month instructional program to train that dog as a service animal, all provided at no personal cost. After a veteran’s graduation from the program, we continue to provide veterinary care, annual recertification, and regular aftercare events to keep our veterans and dogs connected with their peers.

Our program is unique because we include the veteran in their dog’s training from day one. This allows the veteran and animal to build a bond of trust, communication, and companionship. This also encourages the veteran to break the pattern of self-isolation that so often leads to the premature end of a life. Engaging with this process has helped many former service members return to a routine, a sense of purpose, and meaningful connection with their veteran and home communities.

K9P4P has placed 665 veterans from 39 Florida counties into our program and rescued over 200 shelter dogs. However, there are thousands of struggling veterans in the Tampa Bay area alone that we have not yet been able to serve. Additional funding would enable us to start more training classes, serve more veterans, and save more dogs.

Kids and Canines

ADAPT (A Dog Assisted Program for Teens) Program, $18,366

With 20 years of experience working with children who have emotional and behavioral disabilities, we created the ADAPT Program. In the ADAPT Program, youth learn how to train dogs used in our reading programs, gaining essential skills like patience, kindness, and teamwork. The kids love the program because of the dogs. But they also feel pride knowing their efforts are helping others. Programs are offered at Title I schools, detention centers, and group homes to kids with special needs. Annually, we provide 1400 services to 120 youths through 12 to 24 sessions, depending on the child’s need. We bring six dogs into the schools to work with six kids for individualized attention. Each session is built around a specific SEL goal and allows us to use the dog dialogue to relate the lesson to the child’s life. For example, the first session is on the importance of first impressions and is done when the kids meet the dogs. The dogs are assigned based on the child’s and the dog’s personalities. Shy kids are paired with high-energy dogs to help build their confidence; high-energy kids are paired with low-energy dogs to help moderate their behaviors. This is important when working with youth who have ADHD. In training, the kids learn how to create and celebrate success through positive reinforcement, often altering their thinking. They practice kindness through grooming. Your funds will support this program’s costs and allow for expansion.

Red Tent Women’s Initiative

Red Tent Project Redirect, $15,000

Project Redirect is a diversion program, that began at the James B. Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Center in December 2022, offered to women (generally first-time nonviolent offenders) by the judge and/or Public Defender’s Office as an alternative to incarceration.

Project Redirect, a trauma informed program teaches participants skills to:

• Identify symptoms of trauma that led to poor choices and behaviors including substance abuse.
• Reframe negative past events using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
• Develop tools to handle emotional dysregulation that can often lead to self-medication.
• Learn and apply tools to build resilience including a science-based program, Heartmath
• Enhance interpersonal communication skills.
• Prepare the women for employment.

Classes are held once weekly for three hours. Trained facilitators teach the program to a maximum of 15 women per 8-week session. Local agencies such as Dress for Success of Tampa Bay are incorporated into the curriculum to provide vocational/workforce preparedness services to participants.
The projected first year service level for Project Redirect is four sessions of 15 women for a total of 60 women. In addition to the intensive 8-week sessions, RTWI provides follow-up case management services to Project Direct participants.

Funds will be used for facilitator salaries and supplies.

St. Petersburg Free Clinic, Inc.

SPFC Transitional Housing Programs – Increasing Mental Well-Being, $20,000

SPFC Transitional Housing Programs provide safe housing where those who are experiencing homelessness and recovering from substance use gain stability in their recovery while obtaining and maintaining employment, saving money, and building relationships. SPFC requests $20,000 to support personnel costs associated with mental health services for both Baldwin Women’s Residence (BWR) and SPFC Men’s Residence. At SPFC, we recognize the need to address mental health challenges which contribute to substance use and homelessness. Therefore, we have implemented in-house mental health services to augment case management. These services increase resilience and work to address the high rate of co-occurring disorders in a trauma-informed manner. Residents have access to 12 free sessions with a licensed clinician, including weekly group counseling and one-on-one sessions based on client need. Therapy sessions help clients build emotional regulation and stress management skills which are beneficial for shared living, job skills, and addressing root cause of addition. Funds will be utilized to support the salaries of licensed clinicians. For clients like Rick, who lost his partner of 25 years and due to immense grief, began using substances. “While at the Men’s Residence, I learned that I deserve to live. My desire to live is back again. Physically, I feel better, but most of my improvement has been with my mental health. I feel happy, hopeful, and have a desire to give back,” Rick shared.

Tampa Bay Thrives, Inc.

Let’s Talk Enhancement and Expansion, $50,000

Tampa Bay Thrives (TBT) was founded in 2019 by a diverse group of local leaders in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, and Polk counties who work in industries and communities greatly affected by mental health and substance use disorders. They aimed to improve the lives of friends, families, neighbors, and co-workers seeking help. TBT launched its first pilot project, Let’s Talk, in Hillsborough County during summer 2021. Let’s Talk is a free, confidential, 24/7 behavioral health support and navigation line, connecting callers to counselors trained to provide emotional support, information, and referrals to help people begin their journey to better mental health. Let’s Talk is currently open to all residents of Hillsborough and Pasco Counties, ages 17 and older. TBT respectfully requests $50,000 to support operations enhancement and expansion of Let’s Talk. TBT will continue to enhance Let’s Talk services in Hillsborough and Pasco Counties with behavioral health immediate care for individuals with urgent mental health needs, allowing connection and access to same-day services. Piloted in 2022, this will now scale further. Expansion of Let’s Talk will include services to all residents of Pinellas County (ages 17+) beginning with emotional support, information, and referrals. Let’s Talk will partner with community providers to fill an existing gap in mental health services for the “worried well” in Pinellas County to prevent mental crisis and reduce long wait times for therapy.

Academy Prep Foundation, Inc.

Graduate Support Services, $25,000

Recognizing that the majority of students at Academy Prep will be first generation college students and all are low-income, we developed Graduate Support Services (GSS) to ensure that our students have the support and resources they need to overcome any challenges and obstacles that may prevent them from not only enrolling in college, but graduating. For at least 8 years after graduation, GSS helps Academy Prep graduates navigate the high school and college financial aid and admissions processes and engages students in college focused activities while offering a variety of academic prep services. GSS also assists in covering the costs of ancillary items needed for graduates to continue their education. Students gain social and emotional support through long term relationships with program staff. The goal of GSS is to provide graduates a smooth and successful transition into high school and post-secondary education so they are in the position to support themselves and their families, and help change their communities. The program has proven successful with 98% of graduates graduating high school on time and 82% enrolling in college. Academy Prep is currently serving 730 alumni and 115 7th and 8th grade students preparing for high school. A $25,000 grant will be used for direct service GSS staff salaries and ancillary items needed for alumni including textbooks, technology, summer programming, fees for registration and testing, tutoring, school visits and more.

Bess the Book Bus, Inc.

Joy of Reading Pop Up Book Fair, $6,412

We are requesting $6,412 to bring our Joy of Reading Pop-Up Book Fair to Foster Elementary pre-K through 2nd grade students, 4 times in the 2023-2024 school year. Foster will be 1 of 7 Hillsborough County Transformation Network Schools to receive visits. Our colorful book bus will set up at the school in a safe and accessible area. Our rolling book carts and colorful signage will create a book shopping environment and each class will visit at a scheduled time. Our book fairs: (1) Promote literacy and change behaviors around reading in an effort to continually improve school readiness and a student’s identity as a reader and a scholar. (2) Provide access to and choice of high-quality, relevant, age-appropriate books that take into account student’s interests in an effort to expand their knowledge. (3) Create a fun and interactive environment that facilitates discussion about books in a joyous and celebratory way. (4) Make book ownership special and something to be proud of. (5) Help students identify as readers. (6) Give teachers the opportunity to choose the books that they need to build classroom libraries that they feel would be most beneficial to their students. During each visit, students and teachers will “shop” for 2 books to keep, resulting in home and classroom libraries of at least 8 books each. The funds will be used to provide staff, volunteers, planning, transportation costs, set up, tear down, books, and bookmarks needed for each of the 4 book fair visits.

Friends of the Children – Tampa Bay Inc.

Family & Community Partnerships to Support Youth Learning, $40,000

Friends of the Children–Tampa Bay enrolls youth who face tremendous barriers: generational poverty and trauma, disparities in health and education, systemic racial discrimination, and more. We pair children with professional mentors (called “Friends”) who provide weekly 1:1 mentoring for 12+ years—through high school graduation. Friends support youth in their school, home, and community, helping them build a path to positive, self-determined life goals.

Our model combines the power of relationships with skill-building to help children learn and grow in resilience. In addition to 1:1 relationships with youth, Friends connect with families and community partners to build a network that supports each child’s well-being, learning, and growth.

Family & Community Partnerships to Support Youth Learning will fund our work to support youth learning and social-emotional development:
* Supporting youth in school, where Friends spend up to 2 hours with each child weekly.
* Expanding our network of partner agencies to offer even more enriching learning opportunities to youth. YMCAs, cultural events, and other community experiences help our youth build life skills and love learning.
* Expanding our services to caregivers through a research-based two-generation (2Gen) framework that empowers them to access resources and achieve their own goals.
Ultimately, our program helps youth break generational cycles of poverty and trauma, with benefits to the entire Tampa Bay community.

Gentlemen’s Quest of Tampa Inc.

Life Class and STEMQuest Summer Program, $30,000

By attending Life Class and the STEMQuest summer program, at-risk minority male students are provided with critical life skills they need to build their intellectual, emotional, and relational capacity to construct an identity based on respect, accountability, and responsibility. Life Class is offered to high school students after school on a weekly basis and tutoring is available 5 days a week. The students engage in structured activities that result in enhanced relationships, increased school performance, and strengthened family connections, leading them to become positive contributions to society. Students who attend Title 1 schools in Hillsborough County are admitted to the program after receiving a referral from a guidance counselor, social worker, or the court system. A Success Coach meets with each student to identify three goals and create an action plan to meet milestones on the path towards their goals. The Success Coach meets every week with students to monitor their progress and make adjustments if they are off course. STEMQuest is a 3-week long summer program exploring STEM careers. Eight teams of 4 students will be mentored by representatives from local businesses and government departments to complete a case study to discover how drones would be valuable to their organizations. Funds will be used to include sessions with our Success Coach, meals for students, Drone Certification facilitator, STEMQuest facilitator, drone kits and supplies for the summer program.

Hillsborough Education Foundation

Transforming Early Literacy Initiative, $40,000

Student achievement gaps are widening in Hillsborough. Kindergarten Readiness scores have declined 4% over the past four years and is at an unacceptable 52%, falling short of the state average of 57%. 3rd grade ELA Reading proficiency has dropped from 53% to 50%. When disaggregating the data, proficiency drastically decreases showing only 32% of black students and 41% of Hispanic students reading on grade level. Data shows the importance of early grade success, and in particular, early literacy, in creating a strong academic foundation for students. High quality instruction is critical for student learning. Transforming Early Literacy Initiative (TELI) aims to focus on improving educator practices through job embedded coaching as well as align standards and practices between PreK and Kindergarten (K) to increase student achievement. Literacy coaches will ensure PreK and K teachers’ instructional skills are effective and reflect best practices with real-time observation and continuous feedback. TELI will also create PreK and K alignment to provide the systemic change necessary across both grade levels to create a smooth transition for students and parents. By focusing these efforts in twelve of our highest need schools that have significant low proficiency scores, TELI will act as an accelerant to bridge the achievement gaps and build a systemic and policy-based foundation for academic success impacting over 3600 students over a 4-year period.

Parents and Children Advance Together (PCAT) Literacy Ministries, Inc.

Expanding PCAT Positive Education at Ruskin Elementary, $10,000

PCAT will provide after-school educational programming to a total of 90 children in kindergarten through second grade attending Ruskin Elementary during 2023-2024 school year. This school year (2022-2023), PCAT is expanding to serve second graders for the first time. $10,000 is requested for PCAT Positive Education, which will allow us to continue serving Kindergarten through second graders next school year. Ruskin teachers refer students who are not reading or reading below grade level to the program. By addressing children with learning challenges early in their school experience, the program is able to ensure that children who are most at risk for academic failure improve their reading skills. As a result, last school year 100% of the students served were promoted to the next grade. Ensuring that all aspects of the program utilized positive education approaches is expected to improve the long-term impact of the program on students and their families. This strength based approach is particularly important to assist students in recovering from the detrimental impacts on emotional health resulting from the pandemic. Funding will be utilize to support students through curriculum, activities, staff salaries. The program will also host an event to help parents learn proven and successful methods to help their student improve their social and emotional learning skills through literacy and real life skill mastery.

R’Club Child Care, Inc.

R’Club’s Early Learning Social-Emotional Project, $8,659

R’Club Child Care requests $8,659 for our Early Learning Social-Emotional Project at 8 licensed Early Learning Academies (ELAs) in Pinellas County. This project supports providing high-quality early childhood education for projected 630 enrolled children and 532 families from communities hit hard by COVID-19.

Five of eight ELAs are in At-Risk Zones designated as high-poverty communities with 79% of children receiving free/reduced meals. Enrolled children identify as 80% BIPOC (Black & Indigenous People of Color) and 23% Hispanic ethnicity. (Source: 2021-22 School Year)

To address behavioral issues arising during COVID-19, R’Club’s ELAs need social-emotional training and tools to maximize children’s learning time and reduce challenging behaviors. More time spent on learning improves children’s outcomes for kindergarten.

With $8,659 requested funding, R’Club will use $1,489 to train 150 staff on Conscious Discipline modules and $7,170 for 30-Behind the Little Red Barn Door Activity Kits to support children’s social-emotional development. R’Club will offer $27,000 in-kind for 1,800 hours of paid staff training and secure funding for Procare’s Parent Engagement App and Teaching Strategies Gold assessments at all ELAs.

R’Club’s Early Learning Social-Emotional Project gives teachers the tools to enhance our high-quality programs, strengthening children’s social-emotional skills, and supporting parent involvement in their child’s education, mental health, and future success.

Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay, Inc.

Foster Grandparent SEL Enhancement, $49,851

We are seeking $49,851 for our Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) Social Emotional Learning (SEL) enhancement, to address education inequalities for impoverished minority children. Without your help these children are more likely to fall even farther behind.

FGP is a long-standing evidence-based program that helps children overcome life obstacles for academic & lifelong success. We engage trained, culturally relevant, aged 55+ volunteers to provide one-on-one mentoring/tutoring in low-income schools. Volunteers serve 5-30 hours/week in the same classroom for the entire school year, serving as the consistent, caring adult that struggling children need to thrive. Volunteers attend monthly expert trainings on Learning Styles; Trauma-informed Teaching, & Social Emotional Skills. They support students with teacher-guided academic tutoring to build literacy and Social Emotional Learning activities to help kids face adversity in productive ways. Outcomes independently accessed by teachers last year showed 91% improved literacy; 97% improved SEL.

* FGP serves impoverished children in Pre-K-3rd grade classrooms who face challenges in & out of the classroom & are at risk of falling behind.

* Funds support enriched SEL training for tutors to use with children they serve; ongoing one-on-one literacy tutoring for kids who need it most, and enhanced outreach to sustain and build partnerships with schools to help our most vulnerable children succeed in school and beyond.

Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation, Inc.

SPPF High School M.A.S.T.R. Plan, $25,000

SPPF is launching a new program for 6th-10th graders, the SPPF: High School M.A.S.T.R. Plan This program provides robust and targeted support for students transitioning from middle school to high school including a) core skill development and tutoring, b) planning tools to develop and maintain an evolving high school success plan, c) personality and career assessments, d) test preparation classes (PSAT, SAT, ACT) e) career awareness building coursework and “pre-apprenticeships.” Students (and parents) will learn to set goals and track progress using award winning Naviance software, which is used by 15+ million students. The software was recently launched by Pinellas County Schools but still has extremely low awareness and use in the south St. Pete community.

Adjusting from middle to high school presents significant change and uncertainty, regardless of student background. New class structures, new teachers and friends, and increased responsibility and expectations can be daunting. Students from south St. Petersburg typically struggle with added burdens rooted in generational inequity. Most parents are ill-equipped to help students navigate this transition. SPFF will provide a holistic educational experience that is often out of reach for low-income families. The program builds naturally upon the successful SPPF M.A.S.T.R. Kids Program where 80% of enrolled K-8th graders routinely avoid summer slide, and 70%-80% improve grade level reading performance annually.

Sing Out and READ, Inc.

The Family Literacy Project – 2023 Expansion, $14,500

Family Literacy Project (FliP) is an after-school, in-home e-learning reading intervention to help at-risk Pinellas & Hillsborough County children ages 6-12 achieve reading proficiency through the power of singing. Our unique approach fosters positive education as it disguises learning through gamification, a theory in education that learners learn best when they are having fun. The majority of students are from low-income families; nearly 85% are Black; attend Title 1 schools & 100% receive free/reduced lunch. FLiP works in parallel with schools; is delivered free of cost on a tablet (locked so only the reading program can be accessed) directly to the student. Students who successfully complete the 12-week program are rewarded the tablet (unlocked) to acknowledge their hard work & accomplishment. FliP uses instructional software (library of over 200 songs grouped by difficulty level K-8th grade) and takes 900 minutes (2 songs/day) to complete. FLiP coaches establish relationships with parents and troubleshoot difficulties. Overall students gain1 full year in reading comprehension level after program use; students more than 2 years behind in reading can repeat the course. Through repetition, visual learning & explicit vocabulary instruction, students progress through levels with comprehension tests. 100% of our request will be used to purchase tablets (250 Amazon HD Fire 7″ tablet at $58/tablet = $14,500) to meet the increased demand for our program, 166% increase from 2019.