Newsletter
July-August 2016                 Vol. 7, No. 7 
One of our young guests
has new wheels of his own
One of our current guests, Brandon, unfortunately had his bike stolen before he entered our program. His mom mentioned how much he loves to ride, and it seemed a real shame he wasn't getting that enjoyment. 

One afternoon, I told him only that we would be going on an adventure, and we took him to the Salvation Army. When we got inside we told him we were getting him a bike. He was ecstatic! The fellow that we asked to look for one took a very long time in the back and came out with the perfect bike ... and he said it was the only bike they had. What luck! 

Here is a photo of a very happy 11-year-old. I don't think he stopped riding all afternoon. 

-- Caroline Chambliss, director of development
Dine Out coming up on Aug. 8
Enjoy some delicious seafood at Surf Shack on St. Armands on Monday, Aug. 8, from 5-9 p.m. Proceeds will help support Family Promise children and parents. The restaurant is located at 326 John Ringling Blvd. The menu has a lot of variety, and if the online reviews are any indication, we're in for a real treat. 

PARTIES OF 4 OR MORE should call ahead for a reservation. 941-960-1122. 
SAVE THE DATE:
MUSIC ON MAIN
Make plans to join us on Friday, Nov. 4, for Music on Main , a free outdoor concert series. The event, which goes from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., is held th e first Friday of every month on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch, and November's event will benefit Family Promise. We're looking for volunteers to help sell beer and wine. If you're interested, please call our office at 952-1800. If you just want to DRINK the beer and wine or try out some food trucks, we'll look forward to seeing you there.
SAVE THE DATE:
SUNCOAST BLUES FESTIVAL
The Suncoast Blues Festival has named Family Promise as its charity recipient for 2017! The third annual festival will take place Jan. 27-28 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. Local businesses, including Textmaxx Pro and Paymaxx Pro, are signing on as sponsors. Other information, including how to buy tickets, is at www.suncoastbluesfestival.com .
NEWS AND UPDATES
A staff hiring update
Our search continues for a new network director. Thank you to staff member Caroline Chambliss, to our board members and to all our volunteers for stepping up to help in new ways during this time of transition.

An update to our website is also coming soon. Stay tuned!
 
A time for learning
Board of Trustees President Sally Reeder and Director of Development Caroline Chambliss went to a regional meeting of Family Promise affiliates on July 15, hosted by Family Promise of Greater Brandon. Directors, case managers and board members from around the area talked about challenges, successes and fundraising. Caroline and Sally both said the event was beneficial, with a lot of ideas both shared and received.
TWO NEW FACES ON THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Meet Shawna Machado 
Shawna Machado, a new member of the Board of Trustees, is an MSW student at The University South Florida Sarasota-Manatee,  where her focus is on creating a trauma informed society while working with the community to invoke positive change. She is currently an Adoption Specialist for The Safe Children Coalition, chair of the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, a commissioner on the Sarasota County Florida Commission on the Status of Women, and Student Representative for the Sarasota Chapter National Association of Social Workers. Formerly homeless from 2010 to 2012, she works as an advocate to create awareness of the effects of being homeless. Personally Shawna has experienced challenges throughout her life, which helped her realize that all people, even those suffering hardships, need a voice; that stereotypes need public awareness; and that change only comes from collaborating for a common goal. Welcome, Shawna!
Meet Joy Mayer, your new newsletter editor
I'm a new addition to the Family Promise Board of Trustees. I began my Family Promise work in the Fall of 2015, first on my own, and then with my new church, First Congregational United Church of Christ. I quickly figured out that this is an organization worth supporting in whatever way I can. My husband, two boys and I have recently returned to Sarasota after a decade in the Midwest, and we're thrilled to be here. I have a background in journalism and in teaching, and I'll be helping with publicity. 

CAN YOU HELP ME?
I'd love to feature in the newsletter examples of why Family Promise is such a meaningful organization to be involved with. If you'd be willing to tell me why it matters to you - or you have an idea of who I should pose that question to - will you let me know! You can reach me at joy.m.mayer@gmail.com or 941-444-0402. Thank you! 

WHO ELSE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN WHAT WE'RE DOING?
Please forward this newsletter on to people or organizations who would appreciate hearing the updates. They can email joy.m.mayer@gmail.com if they'd like to be added to the list. Also consider sharing our news with your congregation and letting them know how much we appreciate their efforts. 

Family Promise of Sarasota Contact Information
Mailing: PO Box 48199, Sarasota FL 34230-8199
Telephone: 941-952-1800
Website: Family Promise of Sarasota
Facebook: Family Promise of Sarasota
E-mail: Family Promise of Sarasota
   

Family Promise of Sarasota Inc.
is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) Florida Corporation. 
Our volunteer Board of Trustees consists of  Sally Reeder, president; George Lavigne, vice president and secretary;  Jeanne Zeigler, treasurer; and Sandee Davis, Tyler Hayden, Wendy Leventhal, Nancy Levine, Andrew Lowther, Shawna Machado, Joy Mayer, Betty Pelletz, Stanley Pelletz, Meredith Strahle, Terri West-Corali; and Danielle Bourque, Community Youth Development board member.  Our staff member is Caroline Chambliss, director of development.