• CATCH: This program provides speech and language
screening for children from 30 months through ve years
old. Parents receive the screening results as well as referrals
for further evaluation and therapy if the screening identies
a possible concern.
• Whole Child Manatee: This community service is designed
to work with families with children under 18. Using a
computerized Whole Child Prole, families identify their
individual needs and receive information about community
services and programs that may be helpful.
• Family Self-Sufficiency Program: This program was
created to empower, support and guide families towards
economic independence. Families receive help in assessing
their needs, setting goals, mentoring and discovering
employment pathways.
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP): LIHEAP provides assistance to families and
individuals who spend a high proportion of their household
income on utility bills.
• Season of Sharing (SOS): SOS helps Manatee County
families on the verge of homelessness to stay in their homes.
Funds may be used for rent or mortgage, utility bills, child
care, transportation, work tools or other crucial expenses.
In addition to its array of programs, Step Up Suncoast also holds
a fundraising luncheon each year. This year, the annual Step Up
to the Plate event will be held on Wednesday, October 1 at The
Grove in Lakewood Ranch from 11:30 am to 1 pm. “Guests will
hear from staff, board members and clients on agency services,
changes, and improvements in programming, and how it all works
together to affect change in the lives of those we serve,” explains Jill
Gass, Director of Development with Step Up Suncoast. “It will be a
great day celebrating the success of 51 years in our community.”
Making an Impact
As CEO of Step Up Suncoast, Patten says her job is extremely
gratifying. “Being part of an organization that takes a strategic,
holistic approach in helping low income families move into
permanent self-sustainability is the most rewarding part of
working at Step Up Suncoast,” she says. “This can change the
life course of a family for generations to come. That’s a wonderful
legacy to be a part of.”
However, she says the absolute best part of working at Step Up
Suncoast is hearing the individual success stories. “Hearing
feedback from the school district that teachers can ‘pick out’ our
kids because they are so well prepared for school,” she says.
“Or hearing that a Family Self-Sufciency graduate is working
in a career that pays well above the living wage - and that she
and her family have moved to a house with a bedroom for each
child in safe neighborhood. Or hearing that with the help of our
HUD housing counselor, a senior citizen has gotten a modied
mortgage and can now afford to stay in her home.”
Patten says these amazing success stories would not be possible
without Step Up Suncoast’s dedicated staff. “Step Up Suncoast
has an incredible team of employees,” she says. “They are a
unique group of individuals who care deeply for both the mission
and the families they serve. They are creative problem solvers,
patient mentors, and passionate motivators.”
Step Up & Get Involved
If you and your family want to step up for Manatee County, Gass
says there are many different ways to get involved with the agency.
“You can volunteer in one of our preschool classrooms or help
assemble curriculum packets for home visiting programs,” she
suggests. “Process tax returns for residents or clean, paint, and
tidy classrooms over breaks.”
And the list goes on and on: Invite Step Up Suncoast to speak
at your social or civic organization meeting, collect food or
household supplies at your school or ofce, attend the annual
Step Up Suncoast fundraising luncheon in October, or donate.
The options are endless - and no matter how you choose to get
involved with Step Up Suncoast, you’ll feel good knowing you’re
making a major difference in your community.
• For more information about this awesome agency,
visit StepUpSuncoast.org.
Colin Boyle, Albertha Williams, Barbara Patten, Jill Gass, Susan Gilbert and Amy Tittle.
/StepUpSuncoast.org