The rest went to a variety of
things, such as supporting local
arts organizations and an effort
to address the homelessness
situation that challenges our
community. The Community
Foundation’s Season of Sharing
effort, now in its 18th year in
partnership with the Herald
Tribune Media Group, has
prevented more homelessness by keeping many people
who are stuck in a paycheck-to-paycheck life from
losing their home when a setback happens. “The situa-
to thousands of families over the years,” says Jerde.
“Knowing it takes $8,000 to get someone back in their
home once they become homeless? Spending $1,000
to keep them in their home is a huge economic—plus
psychological—savings for our community.”
And then Hurricane Irma, too, created a lot of
local and regional needs. The Community Foundation
began an Irma Hurricane Relief and Recovery Fund
as the storm barreled toward our shores. The Patterson
Foundation immediately stepped up with a $250,000
contribution. The Community Foundation’s board
also contributed $100,000 to the fund. Jerde notes
that community support has totaled an additional
$80,000+ so far. “We have a Board-led task force
determining the criteria for grants and will soon be
rolling out a grant application process for The Giving
The list of the Community Foundation’s success stories
like these goes on and on and on. And that’s because of
the great work and commitment to success of people like
Roxie Jerde and her dedicated colleagues.
“The future is bright and hopeful,” Jerde promises.
“At the Community Foundation of Sarasota County,
we truly believe each of us can be the one to make an
impact on another person, a cause, our community. I
am inspired every single day by the caring, kind, and
committed people who make our community stronger
and more vibrant—people who lend a helping hand or
share a smile, people who give generously whether it’s
a few dollars or many more, people who believe our
community needs to be successful for everyone!”
DECEMBER 2017 | SARASOTA SCENE 51
was to give support
to help them learn or
improve their ability
to speak English.
They were shown the
best ways to navigate
the school system.
They learned the
right questions to ask
their kids’ teachers.
They discovered what
rights all parents had.
Now many of those
Hispanic parents are
school, which includes taking classes of their own.
Luz Corcuera, the Executive Director of UnidosNow,
points to Tabita as a Families Together success story. A
Mexican mother of two children—one in high school,
one at Gocio—she grew up witnessing her own mother
suffer from domestic violence. Tabita’s goals were to
avoid that future for herself and to help her children
receive a quality education. After a year in the Families
Together program, she explains that “the program has
read English. It has given me the information to navigate
the education system in the US and a good understanding
of what is important at every stage of education. I
now participate in the SAC School Advisory Council
meetings and I am very honored that my voice and
opinion count. My two sons are proud of me for learning
the language. I also feel privileged to be a mentor to so
many women who may be facing an abusive situation at
home. I encourage all new parents in the community to
take advantage of programs like this. I LOVE the fact that
the program takes place in my child’s school.”
The Community Foundation isn’t limited to dealing
with issues of education. In fact, of the $33 million they
gave out last year, about 1/3 of that was for education.
For more information on the Community Foundation of Sarasota
County, please visit cfsarasota.org or call 941.955.3000
/cfsarasota.org