DECEMBER 2017 | SARASOTA SCENE 43
Take Rima Ghalieh, for example—another current
member. “I graduated from high school in 1987,”
she explains. “But I couldn’t do college. I had a
chance to be part of it. “It’s a great opportunity. A
second chance at life. They’ve told me that from
what I’m accomplishing here, I could be an administrative
assistant.” In addition to working the cash
register at the academy’s cafeteria and learning about
graphic design, camera use, and computer software
through the buffet of high-end technology available
to members, she’s currently working as a courtesy
-
cent Academy. Her goal? “I’m hoping one day to get
Bob is incredibly proud that the academy
is succeeding, but even more so that there’s
sustainability. “That’s so important with a
501(c)(3),” he says. With 40 years in the
automotive industry and nine more in banking,
few know better than he does about the
Part of that sustainability comes from state
funding provided by the Central Florida
Behavioral Health Network. Part comes
from tuition that members pay, though it’s
situation. Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s
generous group of donors provide
much of the rest. Joan adds, “Many of our
donors stress the importance of Vincent
Academy being a program that is embraced
and supported by the entire community. We
completely agree. It’s impressive how much
interest the community has shown.”
While the academy is clearly a vital part
of the Geyer’s philanthropic efforts, they
also own three fully-furnished, centrally-located
duplexes which foster kids who are
aging out of the system can affordably rent
through the Springboard Program. Everyday
Blessings Inc., an agency that provides
high-quality care to foster sibling groups,
serves as the landlord. It also helps the residents
create and maintain life skills needed
to succeed, from taking out the trash on
Monday, to staying in school or keeping a
can be life changing, as it was for a young
woman who moved in after living beneath
a bridge in Sarasota. “She moved out this
past Saturday,” Joan proudly adds, knowing that a change like this is
additional progress towards full independence.
Helping others become independent and successful at both work and
life—whether it’s foster children or adults with mental illness—is something
the Geyers are committed to. From their perspective, it’s simply
addressing the felt need of our community.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
about Vincent Academy, please visit vincentsrq.org
or call 941.921.9930.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
about Gulf Coast Community Foundation,
please visit gulfcoastcf.org or call 941.486.4600.
/vincentsrq.org
/gulfcoastcf.org