FINDING felt NEEDS
42 SARASOTA SCENE | DECEMBER 2017
philanthropy
BY RYAN G. VAN CLEAVE | PHOTO BY JOHN REVISKY
FOR JOAN AND BOB GEYER, IDENTIFYING A FELT COMMUNITY NEED OF HELPING
ADULTS LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS HAS TURNED INTO A PASSIONATE MISSION –
THE NEW VINCENT ACADEMY.
When Sarasota Scene’s editor asked
me to write an article on the philanthropy
of Joan and Bob Geyer, the
interview took place at Vincent
Academy (1910 Glengary Street, Sarasota). The
moment I got there, the reason for meeting in that
location became quite obvious.
The Geyers have contributed greatly to this community,
both personally and through
the scope of charitable giving by
Sunset Auto Group, where Bob
serves as President. In the past two
years alone, they supported Legal
Aid of Manasota, Loveland Village,
Hope Family Services, Sheriff’s
Activities League, Education Foundation’s
Teacher of the Year, and
many, many more organizations.
Their latest philanthropic focus,
the new Vincent Academy, is one
they’re proud of in a way that only
parents tend to be. Their pride
goes well beyond the funds they provided for the
8,500-square-foot building and the surrounding
areas and properties that will include a future well-
to the fact that the academy’s mission connects with
their passion for helping others.
Their pastor once asked: “What community need
do you see that’s not being adequately met?” He recommended
that people put their efforts where they
felt the need of the community is, explains Joan. For the Geyers, they
felt that adults living with mental illness are an underserved population
that deserves support.
Vincent Academy—named after artist Vincent Van Gogh, whose
mental illness caused him to commit suicide at age 37—is a facility
where individuals experiencing mental illness receive vocational
training and ongoing support. Joan explains, “We know that this model
works. People with mental illness can and do get back to work if you
create an environment that supports them.”
The soft opening of Vincent Academy occurred this
past June. They already have nearly 35 members, though
number should climb far higher. The expectation is to
have twice that number of members by the end of the
a referral from a mental health professional or social
worker. The type of mental illnesses that are typically the
depression, PTSD, and bipolar and anxiety disorders. The
academy’s idea of “recovery through work” can’t happen
unless the member is willing to make an effort. It might be a long, slow
process, but it’s a process. Some members come in every single day.
Others work to build up their stamina and ability to concentrate, with
visit was interested, engaged, and focused. They wanted to be there.
Joan notes that one member who recently took a vacation with her
family told her parents after a few days that “I have to get back. I’m
missing school.” That’s the level of commitment being shown.
“PEOPLE WITH
MENTAL ILLNESS CAN
AND DO GET BACK
TO WORK
IF YOU CREATE AN
ENVIRONMENT THAT
SUPPORTS THEM.”