The Patterson Foundation’s DeSoto Digest Newsletter strives to educate and engage while sharing the work of TPF initiatives and ways residents can participate. We each have a role in forging a positive future!

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS EDITION

• The Patterson Foundation Commits $500,000 to the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund for 2026 Hurricane Season
• Funding Opportunity: Gulf Coast Community Foundation Seeks Bold, High-Impact Ideas 
• Building a Stronger Network of Support for Families By Links2Success 
• What Florida's New Budget Means for DeSoto County
• What the 2026 ALICE Report Means for Families and Communities
• Community Champions Spotlight: Maria Castillo-Aguilar, United Way Suncoast
• Creating a New Trajectory of Hope and Possibility By Rich Harwood, The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation
• Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Strengthens Attendance, Literacy, and Learning in DeSoto County By Beth Duda, Director, Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading



Click here to read the Newsletter in Spanish. 

Haga clic aquí para leer este boletín en español.

Overview

Stay Connected to Community with DeSoto Digest

By Sherry Oehler, Consultant with The Patterson Foundation

The DeSoto Digest is a free monthly community publication available in English and Spanish, both in print and digitally. Find it at more than 40 locations throughout DeSoto County, where you'll discover upcoming events, stories about your friends and neighbors, and opportunities to get involved with the DeSoto County Ahead initiative.

You can pick up a copy at the Turner Center, All Faiths Food Bank, DeSoto County Library, Farmers Market at McSwain, Three Trees Brewery, Goodwill, DeSoto Memorial Hospital, Senior Center, Dragons Books, Laura's Good Vibe Tribe, Rose Café, Pine Level Church, El Charo, ReStore, Darrell's Road & Wrecker Services, Casa San Juan Bosco, Catholic Charities, Arcadia Housing, RCMA, Suncoast Credit Union, DeSoto Chamber of Commerce, and other community locations.

Interested in receiving printed copies at your organization? Contact Sherry Oehler at soehlertpf@gmail.com to be added to the distribution list. To receive the digital edition, email Kiarra Louis at Klouis@thepattersonfoundation.org.

The DeSoto Digest Is Growing

The DeSoto Digest continues to grow as a trusted community resource, with readers and distribution partners sharing encouraging feedback about its value and impact. Many say they "see it all around town" and that "people come in looking for a copy." One resident shared, "My daughter picked one up because of the pictures of her friends," highlighting how the publication's vibrant, full-color design draws readers in. Others have commented, "Love the paper and the full color—what a nice publication!" Community members also appreciate reading about local champions making a difference throughout Arcadia and DeSoto County. Continue reading about the Digest's growing impact here.

Voter Education Tip of the Month by Lyndsey Smith and Leah Verier-Dunn, Consultants with The Patterson Foundation 

Primary elections are how political parties choose the candidates who will appear on the ballot in the general election. They set the course for what’s next, but the primaries are tricky and sometimes confusing.

Why? Because it’s not just the primary races we’re voting on; there’s more on the ballot that we should pay attention to.

What else is on there? School Board elections, Hospital Board elections, ballot measures (a law, issue, or topic placed on a statewide or municipal ballot for voters to decide through an election), and other final elections can also occur at the same time as the primaries. 

Voter turnout is significantly lower during the primaries because of the misunderstanding of who can do what at the polls. Remember, election outcomes reflect who shows up at the polls. We all get a voice in August. Let’s use it!



Upcoming Election Information

• Election Day: Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Vote-By-Mail Request Deadline: No later than 5:00 PM on the 12th day before the election
• Voter Registration Deadline: Midterm Monday, October 5, 2026

Theme 3: Nonprofit, Business, Resident, and Economic Opportunities to Support DeSoto County

The Patterson Foundation Commits $500,000 to the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund for 2026 Hurricane Season

As the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins, The Patterson Foundation is strengthening our region’s resilience by committing $500,000 to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund (SDRF). The funding will support ongoing and future long-term recovery and resilience efforts in areas of Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties impacted by hurricanes and other disasters.

The Community Foundation established the SDRF in 2022 in response to Hurricane Ian’s catastrophic impact. All contributions to the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund are dedicated to long-term recovery efforts. These needs are identified in the months following an event such as a hurricane, after initial emergency response and short-term relief efforts have concluded. “Preparedness is more than having supplies on hand or a plan for when a storm approaches — it also means ensuring our region has resources at the ready to cover the needs that emerge long after the winds and waters subside,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation.

Continue learning how the SDRF is specifically focused on supporting vital community resources in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties to improve individual, family, and community resiliency while helping people rebuild their lives beyond initial reconstruction. 

Funding Opportunity: Gulf Coast Community Foundation Seeks Bold, High-Impact Ideas 

There is a new funding opportunity from the DeSoto Impact NOW! Initiative, a partnership between the Elsa & Peter Soderberg Charitable Foundation and Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Submissions are accepted on an ongoing basis. Nonprofit organizations serving DeSoto County are eligible to apply. Please review the Request for Proposals here for full details.

The first step in the application process is to submit the LOI through the grant portal here. Their team must approve the basic information before the full application becomes available to you. As a reminder, nonprofit organizations serving DeSoto County can also access Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Invest in Incredible capacity-building services. You can learn more here. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Tiona Settles, Community Partnerships Officer, at tsettles@gulfcoastcf.org. Feel free to share this opportunity with your networks as well.

Discover DeSoto: Asha Campbell’s Impact in DeSoto County by Alicia Exantus, Consultant with The Patterson Foundation

In this episode of Discover DeSoto, host Alicia Exantus welcomed Asha Campbell, a woman who embodies leadership, service, and local pride. She is a tax professional, business consultant, and CEO of the nonprofit JRpreneur Brunch. Asha’s journey is rooted in the heart of DeSoto County, where she’s lived since the age of five. Her deep connection to the community drives everything she does, from mentoring the youth to becoming a Public Innovator. With her nonprofit JRpreneur Brunch, Asha leads programs focused on youth education, financial literacy, and leadership development. Her mission is clear: to empower others to thrive. Listen here. 

Theme 4: Technology/Digital Access for All

Is Your Home Back-to-School-Ready? By Maribel Martinez, Consultant, The Patterson Foundation



As Suncoast students start to see their summer vacation slip away, caregivers are bargain shopping for long lists of school supplies. Parents, did you know your student’s school may qualify your home for a more affordable internet bill? 

Every four years, a school’s eligibility to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is recalculated. The CEP is a program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), allowing high-poverty schools and districts to provide free meals to all enrolled students. What does CEP have to do with home internet? Everything. Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) use this data to create discounted broadband internet offers that make monthly subscriptions more affordable to consumers. The federal government also provides a $9.25 discount on home internet subscriptions for eligible households, and if a student attends a CEP school, their household is likely eligible. Taken together, the discounts can bring a monthly internet bill down to around $6. 

Low cost does not mean low quality, slow speeds, or bad service. Want to know more? Digital navigation is a free and confidential service that is provided by trained Digital Navigators to help people find and subscribe to low-cost internet plans, obtain the right affordable or free computer if needed, and even learn how to use technology in personally meaningful ways. That means they can teach you computer skills at no cost.

To prepare for back to school, Digital Navigators are available in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties to help you determine how much internet speed your home needs based on your usage and which subscription plans might be best. Thanks to ongoing support from The Patterson Foundation, Digital Navigators can call/text/email - whatever is convenient for you. If you are interested in speaking to a Digital Navigator, email digitalaccess@thepattersonfoundation.org.

Continue learning how much internet your home needs in preparation for back-to-school, and how to make it more affordable before the first bell rings.

Theme 5: Family Fun Friendly Events with Sustainability

Community News

– What’s Happening in DeSoto County: From the Florida Rodeo to the DeSoto County Fair, there are festivals, shows, and games for everyone in the family. Join us to explore Florida Wild! Visit https://visitdesoto.com/events.

– See a variety of community flyers sharing opportunities here.

– RCMA is accepting job applications: Learn more here. 

– Summer Events: See what’s available here.

– Turner Center Presents Sunday Movie Fun Day: A mix of classic and recent-release family favorites. All movies will be PG-13, PG, or G. The movies are FREE. Concessions will be open for food, snacks, and drinks. Ages under 14 require adult supervision. The next Movie Fun Days will be held on July 26 from 2:00–4:00 PM at 2250 NE Roan St., Arcadia, FL

– Florida’s Suncoast Region Plans of Safe Care Initiative: Improving outcomes for infants prenatally exposed to substances and families affected by substance use disorders. This work covers Judicial Circuit 12 (DeSoto, Manatee, Sarasota). Multiple workgroups are in place and have representation from all three counties, but there is room for growth. The pilot is currently being implemented only in Sarasota, but will soon be rolled out across all three counties. We encourage residents from DeSoto County to get involved, recognizing that what works in one county may not be the best fit for another. Therefore, voices and leadership from each county are important. Especially the voice of obstetrics and pediatrics treatment providers, lived experience, etc. Note: If a DeSoto or Manatee County mom intersects with any of the Sarasota providers participating in the pilot, she will be screened and, if she opts in, referred to peer support. Learn more here.

able for families who need it because every child deserves an incredible summer.

Get Involved in DeSoto County Government Committees

Community involvement is a cornerstone of effective local government. Our boards, committees, and advisory councils provide residents with meaningful opportunities to participate in the decision-making process and help shape the future of DeSoto County. These volunteer groups bring together citizens, community leaders, business professionals, and subject-matter experts to provide guidance and recommendations on important issues affecting our county. Each committee plays an important role in supporting the Board of County Commissioners and strengthening the quality of life for residents. 

– Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) – Evaluates local housing needs and provides recommendations to expand affordable and accessible housing opportunities for DeSoto County residents. Contact Social Services to learn more.

– Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) – Supports initiatives that encourage business growth, job creation, investment, and long-term economic development within DeSoto County. Contact the Economic Development department to learn more.

– Planning Commission – Provides recommendations on comprehensive planning, zoning, land development, and future growth to support sustainable community development. Contact the Planning and Zoning department to learn more.

– Tourism Development Council (TDC) – Promotes tourism, visitor engagement, and destination marketing efforts that support local businesses and strengthen the county’s economy. Contact the Tourism department to learn more.

– Value Adjustment Board (VAB) – Reviews property assessment appeals, classifications, and exemption disputes to ensure fairness and consistency in the property valuation process. Contact the Administration department to learn more.

The DeSoto County Government encourages residents to stay informed, attend public meetings, and consider serving on a board or committee. Meeting schedules, agendas, public notices, and additional committee information are available at desotobocc.com. Whether you volunteer your time, attend a meeting, or provide public input, your involvement helps guide the future of DeSoto County.

Theme 7: Support Advanced Focus on Education Enhancement

Meet the 2026 Class of Selby Scholars By Susie Bowie, President of the William G. & Marie Selby Foundation 

Forty outstanding graduating high school students have been selected by the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation to represent the 2026 Selby Scholars class. Each will receive a scholarship award up to $7,000 for each year of college toward the total cost of attendance, based on individual student need.

Selby Scholars have demonstrated academic preparedness and rigor, resourcefulness, grit, and desire to use their education to help others. Community volunteers, including representatives from local youth-serving organizations, higher education, and Selby Scholar alumni, worked both together and independently to select in the competitive process, which included an application and an interview.

Throughout their college experience, Selby Scholars have access to special opportunities such as student-designed activities to connect and share their experiences; mentor matching with professionals in their fields of study; and learning sessions in requested areas such as mental health, financial literacy, and time management. Twenty-five 2026 Selby Scholars are first-generation students, the first in their immediate families to go to college. Selby Scholars’ diverse majors at universities across the United States and Florida include disciplines that position them to succeed in our rapidly changing environment in careers or continued post-secondary education. They include Chemistry, Astrophysics, Global Business, Marketing, Elementary Education, Neuroscience, Nursing, and Urban Planning.

The 2026 Selby Scholars were celebrated with their families and guardians on May 11, 2026, at the Carlisle Inn in Sarasota. See the full names of Selby Scholars.

DeSoto County Schools Early Literacy Success Story By School District of DeSoto County 



For the second year in a row, DeSoto County Schools kindergarten students made tremendous growth and nearly met or exceeded the state average in early literacy. Even more exciting, our students were above the Florida state average in phonemic awareness and phonics, two of the most important foundational reading skills for future success. This growth reflects the hard work of our students, educators, literacy coaches, school leaders, and families who are committed to strong early literacy instruction each and every day.

*Fall 2025 data are based on state-released reports.

*Spring 2026 numbers are raw data from the Florida Reporting System.

How Are America’s Children Doing?

New 2026 Data Reveals the Trends 

The 2026 KIDS COUNT® Data Book is published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation

The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently published the 2026 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, featuring new rankings, scores, and national- and state-level data that show how kids are faring across the country. KIDS COUNT® indicators capture what children and youth need most across four domains: Economic Well-Being, Education, Health, Family and Community. Each domain includes four indicators for a total of 16. While rankings show how states compare with one another, scores (ranging from 0 to 1,000) show how far apart states are, where states can make improvements, whether child outcomes in each state are progressing or declining over time, and offer a way to track progress since 2019, the last full year before the pandemic. Learn more and explore the interactive book to see your state's score, ranking, and the latest data on child well-being. Every state has strengths to build on and challenges to address. [For the purpose of the DeSoto Digest, we’re focusing on Education in Florida.]

Theme 8: Reconnect with Students, Parents, Teachers, and Administration for Educational Support

Strengthening Attendance, Literacy, and Learning in DeSoto County By Beth Duda, Director, Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading

The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (SCGLR) continues to strengthen opportunities for children and families across DeSoto County through initiatives that support school attendance, summer learning, and family engagement.

During the 2025-26 school year, Memorial Elementary School, Nocatee Elementary School, and West Elementary School all participated in SCGLR’s Attendance Awareness Poster Contest and the inaugural year of Motivating Improved Attendance (MIA). The MIA initiative encouraged schools to identify students who were beginning to show patterns of chronic absenteeism and reach out to their families early, before attendance challenges became entrenched. Through positive, supportive communication and intentional follow-up, the three schools reported a 35% reduction in the number of students who were on track to miss more than 10% of the school year, helping more children stay engaged in learning. Continue learning how SCGLR’s commitment to literacy extends beyond the school year.

Harwood Highlights: Unleashing The Community’s Potential

Creating a New Trajectory of Hope and Possibility

By Rich Harwood, The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation

DeSoto County, Florida, is a deeply rural community that has been knocked down four times by hurricanes in just the last few years. Yet each time, people have gotten back up, helped their neighbors, and kept moving forward. Resilience isn't just something people do here—it's part of who they are.

The question is whether the community can begin to see itself as more than resilient. Whether it can begin to see itself as thriving. At our latest workspace, people talked about the actions they're taking together in ways they had never come together before to do. But in an even deeper way, they talked about the civic culture they're creating—the ways they're working together differently, the collaborations that are happening, and the growing sense of respect, trust, transparency, and accountability across the community. And as people talked about these things, they began to use the word "thriving." It was the first time in nearly three years of working in DeSoto County that I'd heard people use it.



As I've traveled across Florida in recent weeks—from North River Manatee County to DeSoto County and beyond—I've seen communities choosing a different path. In a time when so many people feel stuck, DeSoto is another proof point that when people come together around what matters, they can create a new trajectory of hope and possibility for their community.

Youth Team Comes Together to Strengthen Collaboration and Community by Ashley Coone, Consultant with The Patterson Foundation 

The DeSoto Youth Team recently gathered in person for a collaborative workspace meeting of Harwood Public Innovators. Bringing partners together around the same table created an opportunity to strengthen relationships, share ideas, and continue building a shared vision for serving youth in our community. Throughout the meeting, participants explored ways to collaborate more intentionally, worked through elements of the Harwood approach to community engagement, discussed upcoming initiatives and events, and shared updates from their respective organizations. The conversations reinforced the importance of listening to one another, identifying shared goals, and working collectively to create meaningful opportunities for young people. Although the youth team meets biweekly, these in-person gatherings are so meaningful. We all left with the reminder that lasting community change happens through strong partnerships, open dialogue, and a commitment to working together.

Interested in Submitting a Story to Be Featured in the Desoto Digest?

We are looking for stories that reflect the spirit, resilience, and aspirations of DeSoto County. Stories should align with The Patterson Foundation’s belief that communities can shape their own future by involving people and organizations in the process. By collectively pursuing shared aspirations, they can strengthen themselves and their communities as they shape the future. We welcome contributions that reflect the collective efforts and everyday actions moving DeSoto County forward. Please read our guidelines here. 

Missed an Issue of the DeSoto Digest?
Find past issues in English or Spanish here. To receive digital copies of the newsletter, sign up here or email Kiarra Louis at Klouis@thepattersonfoundation.org. 

Do you have a story or idea to share with the DeSoto County community? Contact AspirationstoActions@thepattersonfoundation.org. Learn more about The Patterson Foundation at thepattersonfoundation.org