Bradenton Police and Fire Departments now using resource guide to help community

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read
The Bradenton Fire Department has joined multiple first responders in Manatee and Sarasota counties by adopting Making An Impact’s Community Connections Resource Guide. From left, Making An Impact founder Victoria Kasdan, Chief Tim Greer and MAI board member Art Isaacson.
The Bradenton Fire Department has joined multiple first responders in Manatee and Sarasota counties by adopting Making An Impact’s Community Connections Resource Guide. From left, Making An Impact founder Victoria Kasdan, Chief Tim Greer and MAI board member Art Isaacson.

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Making An Impact’s Community Connections Resource Guide was recently adopted for use by the Bradenton Police and Fire Departments to assist residents in need.

Bradenton Police Chief Melanie Bevan and Assistant Police Chief Joe Wiesman recently accepted copies of MAI’s printed resource guides for their officer’s use, and QR code wallet cards for distributing ad hoc to those in need.

Fire Chief Tim Greer and Business Operations Manager Rebecca Desch also contacted the nonprofit Making An Impact to request copies of the printed guide and other materials for their team.

"We are pleased to have such great interest and use of our resource guide by local law enforcement agencies and other first responder groups," “MAI co-founder and board chair Victoria Kasdan said.

The Community Connections Resource Guide, available in print and online, lists over 250 agencies providing essential need services in Sarasota and Manatee counties. With nearly 4,000 printed copies in circulation and thousands of views online, the resource guide has become one of the area's most trusted references for where to go to get help.

“Sheriff Rick Wells said it best," Kasdan said, "'Every day, our deputies come in contact with people who have needs beyond what we as a law enforcement agency are equipped to handle. It’s great to have this ready reference guide with a list of resource programs and organizations that can provide additional services.'”

Other law enforcement and first responder agencies using Making An Impact’s Community Resource Guide include the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Manatee County EMS, and the police departments in North Port, Venice, Sarasota, and Longboat Key.

Making An Impact was founded in April 2020 to address disparities involving disadvantaged residents who often struggle to find essential resources in the community.

For more information and to view the Making An Impact Community Connections Resource Guide online, visit Making-An-Impact.org.

Submitted by Victoria Kasdan

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: First responders adopting Making An Impact’s community resource guide