The Season of Thankfulness

As many of you know, I am a long distance swimmer, and my open water swimming season begins mid-October and runs until the Crisis Center's annual Strokes for Hope 10k swimming event on March 31st. When I do these long swims around Harbour Island on Saturday mornings, my mind always wanders and two weeks ago, I starting reflecting on the month of November. I consider November the Thanksgiving season, and so I was thinking during this swim of all the incredible things for which I am grateful. Of course, my awesome family comes to mind first, but directly behind them, I am most thankful to be a part of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay!

The Crisis Center has been so fortunate this year! Thanks to our incredible supporters, we were able to enjoy a time of celebration on November 2nd as we completed our renovation project.

- MORE NEWS! -

Finding the Gateway to Help: Mya's Story

Mya lived week to week, paycheck to paycheck. Most of the time she was exhausted from working full-time and being a single mom to her young children, Alex, 8 and Ava, 6.

Her financial situation was extremely difficult, but she was usually able to keep up with her bills. That is until one month a substantial, unexpected charge was added to one of her utility bills. She knew she wouldn't be able to meet all of her obligations and started to worry about her ability to provide for her kids.

In desperation, she reached out to various agencies seeking assistance, but was told there were no appointments available. She started to contemplate suicide because she felt she had failed her children and they would be taken away. Thankfully, Mya found the courage to call 2-1-1 for help.... READ MORE

A Crisis Center Celebration!


	Cutting the Ribbon at the Renovated Crisis Center

On the morning of Nov. 2, local business and community leaders came to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay for a ribbon-cutting event that was a dual celebration of the newly renovated first floor of the Crisis Center and the 25th anniversary of Hillsborough County health care plan.

The renovations are part of the Crisis Center's five-year strategic plan, which is designed to help the agency increase efficiency in responding to requests for help from people in the community.

Guest speakers included Sandy Murman, Hillsborough County commissioner; Clara Reynolds, president and CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay; Dr. John Curran, Hillsborough County Health Advisory Board member; Jamie Klingman, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay board chair; Gene Earley, director of Hillsborough County Health Care Services; and Mary Ellen Gillette, Hillsborough Health Care Plan 25th Anniversary Blue Ribbon Committee chair. After the program, guests had the opportunity to tour the facilities and learn more about the services the Crisis Center provides to the community.

Thank you to the following donors who helped make the Crisis Center renovation project possible: the Traud Family, the Spurlino Foundation, the Corbett Family Charitable Foundation, and Jarcarlene Foundation.

The Crisis Center has Heart!


The Latest Addition at One Crisis Center Plaza!

The Crisis Center buzzed with excitement on the afternoon of Nov. 1, when the largest heart in Tampa Bay came home. The heart-shaped sculpture measures more than 10 feet high and 8.5 feet wide, and weighs more than 400 pounds. It was designed and donated to the Crisis Center by Dominique Martinez of Rustic Steel Creations. The new addition sits at the entrance of Crisis Center Plaza off Bearss Avenue and will be a recognizable landmark reminding people that the Crisis Center is the community's gateway to help, hope, and healing during difficult times.

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay would like to thank Rustic Steel Creations, Alro Metals for the metal, Rapid Metal Products for laser cutting, Candy Coated Customs for powder coating, and Construction Services Inc. and RAMCON Towing for the crane installation.

We hope you enjoy the sculpture!

Connecting Students and Families to Help, Hope, and Healing


	Delivering 2-1-1 Cards to Hillsborough Schools

On Oct. 27, the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay made a special delivery to Hillsborough County Schools. The Crisis Center was invited to participate in a meeting of high school guidance counselors, where CEO Clara Reynolds gave a presentation about services the Crisis Center provides to the community. At the meeting, 60,000 2-1-1 cards were distributed to high schools, based on their student populations. The cards encourage people to call 2-1-1 if they are facing a crisis in their lives. The Crisis Center is grateful for the opportunity to connect students and their families to emotional support and community resources!

Celebrating Life at World Suicide Prevention Day


Al Ruechel at World Suicide Prevention Day

The SCI Dining Hall at the James Haley Veterans Administration was transformed into a community resource fair and a celebration of life and resiliency on the afternoon of Oct. 14. People from the community who have been impacted by suicide gathered to be edified and encouraged.

This year's World Suicide Prevention Day event featured a slate of speakers. Al Ruechel, Grace Terry, Jesse Collins, and Emily Surak shared their personal connections to suicide, as well as thoughts about how to cope and connect to support. The event ended with a time of inspiration by the Synchrony Dance Company, and quiet reflection through a candlelight vigil. Thanks to members of the Tampa Bay Suicide Prevention Task Force for helping to organize this event!

Remember the Crisis Center on Giving Tuesday! (Nov. 28th)

This month you can look forward not only to Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, but also to Giving Tuesday - an opportunity to support your favorite non-profit organizations like the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay! On Tuesday, Nov. 28, charities, families, businesses, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate and encourage giving.

You can show your support for the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay by making a quick and easy online donation! Just click HERE.

For more ways to give, click HERE.

- Upcoming Events! -

Thieves of San Lorenzo: Babes in Toyland

Thursday, December 7th at 5:30pm
Quaker Steak & Lube

10400 49th Street North

Clearwater, FL 33762

Enjoy a holiday Happy Hour with the Thieves of San Lorenzo! Come dressed in your favorite holiday attire and be certain to bring an unwrapped toy or $10 donation for the Crisis Center's Holiday Giving Program.

For more information about Babes in Toyland, contact Jill at [email protected]

Gateway to Healing Tours
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

Tuesday, December 5

Thursday, December 14
12pm-1pm

Listen to stories about the people we help. See the facilities where we offer healing to clients. Hear about the urgent needs of the families we serve. Find ways to join us in making a difference in our community.

To learn more and register, click HERE

Thank you Corporate Partners!

Thank you Crisis Center of Tampa Bay Funders!