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 | |
DeSoto County Ahead Community Resource Festival – 2027
Save the Date
The Patterson Foundation strengthens people, organizations, and communities in ways that foster wide participation around shared quality-of-life aspirations.
As we look ahead to the DeSoto County Ahead Community Resource Festival on Saturday, February 13, 2027, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., the Community Resource Festival will offer opportunities to connect, learn, and share while exploring a wide range of resources and services available to the community.
– Save the Date: Saturday, February 13, 2027 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
– Exhibitor Registration: Registration for organizations interested in participating as exhibitors is officially open and closes November 21, 2026. Access the 2027 DeSoto County Ahead Exhibitor Flyer here.
– Attendee Registration: Registration for community members opens November 2, 2026.
We will share additional event details and registration information as the festival approaches. We look forward to another opportunity to bring the community together and connect people with resources, information, and one another.
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Looking for a printed copy of the DeSoto Digest?
The DeSoto Digest is available in English and Spanish, in print and digital formats, and is available at 40 locations throughout the county. To find a list of community locations, click here. To have physical copies delivered to your location, contact Sherry Oehler at soehlertpf@gmail.com. To request an electronic copy, please email Kiarra Louis at Klouis@thepattersonfoundation.org
By Sherry Oehler, Consultant with The Patterson Foundation
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Looking Ahead: December DeSoto Digest Goes Digital
The November/December print edition of the DeSoto Digest, arriving around November 20, will be our final printed issue of 2026. There will not be a separate print edition in December; instead, the December edition will be available digitally only. Regular printed editions will resume in January 2027. Sign up for the free digital newsletter today to receive the December edition and stay connected to future DeSoto Digest updates.
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Bringing DeSoto’s Eight Aspirations to Life
Each issue of the DeSoto Digest is intentionally organized to showcase real examples of how community members, nonprofit partners, funders, and local organizations work together to bring the eight themes and shared aspirations, which emerged from a series of purposeful, facilitated conversations, to life. See a list of all eight themes here.
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Local Youth Give Back Through Community Cleanup
(Theme 1)
Beacons Rise Up, a YMCA initiative, and S4G: Striving 4 Greatness, a local nonprofit, recently came together to host a community cleanup day in DeSoto County with students enrolled in the programs. The cleanup provided an opportunity for participants to learn about leadership while showing up, serving others, and taking pride in the community they call home.
The group of students, many of whom are players on the DeSoto County High School basketball team, were joined by their mentors, Darrel Nicklow and Asha Campbell, along with City Marshal Quinn Jones. Together, they picked up litter and helped clean areas of the community that needed some extra care. While the work involved trash bags, cleanup supplies, and plenty of hands-on effort, organizers saw the day as a chance to teach something bigger. The young men were encouraged to think about responsibility, teamwork, brotherhood, community pride, and what it means to contribute to the place where they live.
Keep reading to learn how the community cleanup reflects several priorities residents identified through DeSoto County Ahead community conversations. Those interested in getting involved or learning more about the programs can contact Asha Campbell at ashacampbell@ymcaswfl.org or Darrel Nicklow at dnicklow@ymcaswfl.org
By Asha Campbell (YMCA) and Darrel Nicklow (S4G and YMCA)
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MCR Health Fair Brings Screenings and Health Resources to Arcadia
(Theme 3)
MCR Health hosted its annual health fair in DeSoto County, bringing residents together for health screenings, wellness education, and connections to care. This year’s fair took place in Arcadia on September 12, with more than 500 community members, 106 medical staff and volunteers, and 51 partner agencies in attendance. The event was held in partnership with the Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network and Moffitt’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, along with Moffitt screening teams. Organizations involved included MCR Health, Moffitt, MammoLink, All Faiths Food Bank, the Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network, and the Turner Agri-Civic Center, along with other partner agencies. The annual fair offered DeSoto County residents access to a range of screenings and health resources in one community setting. Screenings reported at the event included: 110 blood glucose screenings; 102 skin cancer screenings; 96 head and neck cancer screenings; 75 blood pressure screenings; 73 breast cancer screenings; 40 dental screenings; 26 vision screenings; and 3 lung cancer screenings.
By Ashley Coone, Consultant with The Patterson Foundation
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Women Learn Beginner Digital Skills at Casa San Juan Bosco
(Theme 4)
For the first time last month, Clara Alvarez, Program Manager at Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, launched beginner computer classes at Casa San Juan Bosco, an affordable housing property for agricultural workers in DeSoto County. It was her first time facilitating a digital skills class, and I had the privilege of working with her to make the free workshops a reality.
“For me, it was very important to offer computer classes to our community because I want to give people the digital skills they need to help their children with homework, pay bills, access important information, and become more confident and independent in today’s digital world.”
In partnership with the Women’s Resource Center, Casa San Juan Bosco residents began using North Star Digital Literacy to overcome their apprehensions with laptops and work on the basics.
Continue learning how the collaboration with the Women’s Resource Center allowed Clara to pilot her digital skills classes without committing to additional subscription expenses up front, enabling Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice to host the classes and then analyze participant data to determine whether moving ahead with its own subscription to the learning platform is justified.
Join us in celebrating Clara’s bravery and that of the women growing their digital skills today for a brighter, more capable tomorrow.
By Maribel Martinez, Consultant with The Patterson Foundation. Photos courtesy of Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice.
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Shape DeSoto County's Future Together! DeSoto County Comprehensive Plan
(Theme 3)
The Central Florida Regional Planning Council is partnering with DeSoto County to update the DeSoto County Comprehensive Plan. Share your thoughts on how our community develops over the next 20+ years. Click here to learn more.
Take the survey here.
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Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Grant and Scholarship Dates
(Theme 3)
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County announced its schedule for the upcoming Grant and Scholarship opportunities. All opportunities are available in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties.
Capacity Building Grant Cycle: Capacity Building grants are designed to strengthen and support local nonprofits to build internal capacity, resilience, and long-term sustainability.
- Closed on October 18. The next cycle will open on April 1, 2027, and close on May 1, 2027.
Animal Welfare:
Supporting organizations that serve animals and promote their humane care.
- Opens on November 15, 2026, and closes on January 3, 2027
Community Impact:
Community Impact Grants are designed to support nonprofits that help individuals, families, and households achieve lasting wellbeing and economic mobility, and reflect the foundations’ areas of impact: Community Care, Empowerment and Success, and Belonging and Culture
- Opens December 1, 2026, and closes on January 17, 2027.
Scholarships:
- Traditional Scholarship (under 24 years old): Opens on December 1, 2026, and closes on February 1, 2027
- Adult Scholarship (over 24 years old): Opens on February 15, 2027, and closes on April 15, 2027
By Michelle Croft, Director, Community Impact, Community Foundation of Sarasota County
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Community Champions Spotlight: Liz Coronado, DeSoto County Library Manager (Theme 3)
In this Community Champions Series, we are spotlighting Liz Coronado, Library Manager for the DeSoto County Library. She has lived in DeSoto County for 42 years. She is proud to be involved with several organizations and initiatives throughout DeSoto County, including the DeSoto County Library, Harwood Public Innovators, Advisory Steering Committee for the First 1,000 Days, DeSoto Results Team, and Suncoast Remake Learning Days. Each of these opportunities has allowed her to connect with others working to make a positive difference for families and children in the community. Her aspirations for DeSoto are to see the community become even more unified while finding the perfect balance between maintaining the cozy, friendly hometown feeling that makes DeSoto County special and embracing the modern amenities and opportunities that will help it grow and prosper. She hopes her grandchildren can grow up here and experience the same sense of community and pride she has felt throughout her life as a DeSoto County resident. Read her mini-interview here.
“Liz is an exceptional example of a community champion in DeSoto County. Through her work with the library, she connects individuals and families with valuable resources while listening closely to community feedback to help shape programming for people of all ages. Liz brings a genuine passion for this community and a lifelong commitment to making it stronger. She approaches her work with a smile and is always looking for meaningful ways to give back. Her willingness to go beyond her job responsibilities to serve others reflects exactly what it means to be a Community Champion. – Ashley Coone
By Ashley Coone, Consultant with The Patterson Foundation
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DIGITAL ACCESS FOR ALL DEVICE DONATION DRIVE
Don’t Dump It, Donate It!
Click here to enlarge
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Take the Digital Access for All
DeSoto County Internet Usage Survey 2026 (Theme 4)
TPF created its Digital Access for All initiative to explore cross-sector efforts to expand access to technology that connects people and fosters inclusion and well-being. It focuses on three elements that are essential to digital access: connectivity, devices, and skills/support. Because TPF is so invested in DeSoto County, FL, we are collecting information from residents, businesses, and nonprofit organizations across the City and County about your current experience, or lack thereof, with the internet. Complete the survey here.
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Community News (Theme 5)
– 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.
– Save the Date: DeSoto County Ahead Community Resource Festival: Saturday, February 13, 2027 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
– Save the Date: Suncoast Remake Learning Days 2027 will take place Saturday, April 24, through Saturday, May 8, 2027.
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DeSoto County Partners Come Together for Early Learning (Theme 7)
What becomes possible when a community comes together around a shared aspiration for its youngest children? On September 15, a dynamic group of DeSoto County partners gathered at the McSwain Center for the Initial Coalition Planning Meeting of the Early Learning PreK Readiness Bag Program, a new collaborative initiative designed to support families with 3- and 4-year-old children throughout DeSoto County. The program will provide families with developmentally appropriate tools, resources, and encouragement to make learning together at home fun, engaging, and part of everyday life. Continue reading to learn how participants imagined what success could look like for DeSoto County’s children and families.
By Beth Duda, Director, Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
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YMCA Beacons Program Brings NASA to DeSoto County by Asha Campbell, YMCA (Theme 8)
The YMCA Beacons Program recently hosted A Night Out with NASA at the Turner Agri-Civic Center, welcoming youth, families, and community members for a free evening of learning, discovery, and inspiration. The event featured Dr. Ed Rosenthal, a scientist, innovator, and entrepreneur whose work with controlled-release fertilizer technology has contributed to NASA’s efforts to grow food in space. Beacons students showed up, asked questions, listened, learned, and discovered how subjects like agriculture, chemistry, biology, and technology can lead to exciting careers and even opportunities connected to space exploration.
Continue reading the full story to learn more about the YMCA Beacons Program and how it helps young people discover their strengths, build confidence, develop life skills, and prepare for their future.
| | | Harwood Highlights: Unleashing The Community’s Potential | | | | |
