COMMUNITY BRIEFS: Catholic Charities names CEO; SPARCC grant; Chorus of the Keys

Making communities stronger

Catholic Charities Diocese
of Venice names new CEO

Eduardo Gloria has been named chief executive officer for the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Venice, The Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice, announced on Tuesday.

Gloria has served as chief operating officer of the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Venice since 2019, overseeing 36 programs with 100 employees in the 10-county region. Gloria also served as interim CEO of Catholic Charities since late 2021.

"Through his commitment and passion in helping others through programs and outreaches in the past few years, Mr. Gloria has clearly established his readiness to lead the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Venice," Bishop Dewane said. “Together, we are dedicated to ensuring that Catholic Charities will continue to successfully serve those in need in our communities for years to come."

Gloria previously served as COO at the Alpha-1 Foundation in Coral Gables and Camillus House Inc. in Miami. He also worked for the city of Miami as a contracts compliance manager. Gloria has a master's degree in public administration and B.A. in fine arts from Florida International.

"It is truly an honor to serve as CEO of the Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice," Gloria said. "Catholic Charities will continue to deliver on our mission: Providing help, creating hope, and serving all. It is my deepest honor to continue to lead the team while we continue to strive to improve our neighbors’ lives in the communities we serve."

SPARCC receives $10,000
grant for strategic plan

The Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to support the development of a new organizational plan.

“SPARCC’s mission is to stop domestic and sexual violence in our communities,” SPARCC president and CEO Jessica Hays said. “The Community Foundation grant is a big help in creating the roadmap that will help ensure SPARCC's success in meeting its mission over the next three years and beyond. We are extremely grateful for this support.”

Funding for the SPARCC organizational plan was provided by the Capacity Building Fund of the Community Foundation. SPARCC, founded in 1979, is the only state-certified center for domestic violence and sexual assault services for Sarasota and DeSoto counties. For information, visit sparcc.net.

Chorus of the Keys awards
three college scholarships

The Sarasota Chorus of the Keys recently presented Sheridan E. Brown Memorial Scholarships to three Venice High School seniors who have demonstrated outstanding musical achievement and intend to pursue musical studies in college.

The scholarships, totaling $7,500, were awarded to Jacob Hyer, who plans to attend the University of West Florida, Joseph Crowell (State College of Florida), and Mark Cooper Vennerino (Western Carolina University).

The Sarasota Chorus of the Keys, celebrating its 73rd anniversary, has been awarding scholarships for over twenty years. For information, visit chorusofthekeys.org.

Second Heart Homes receives
Community Foundation grant

Second Heart Homes has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to support website and social media upgrades and maintenance.

“The Community Foundation’s grant will provide a more robust, cost-effective online solution that will help us fundraise more effectively, enhance our communication and educational efforts, and better connect with clients, partners, staff and volunteers," said said Megan Howell, executive director for Second Heart Homes. "We’re growing rapidly and we’re deeply grateful for the size and timing of this grant in helping us to expand our impact and accomplish our goals.”

Second Heart Homes, a two-year-old Sarasota-based nonprofit, provides housing and critical support services to homeless adults struggling with mental health issues. For more information, visit secondhearthomes.org.

Around and about ...

Part 4 of "Ukraine: What's Next?", an online series hosted by the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, will address "Diplomatic and Humanitarian Aspects" of the war on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon.

The series is supported by the Air Force Association Florida West Coast Chapter, Cyber Florida, the Global Interdependence Center, the USF Institute for Public Policy and Leadership and USF ResearchOne. Part 5, "Hearts & Minds," is scheduled on June 5. Visit sarasotamanatee.usf.edu/ukraine for free registration.

• Englewood Hospital is searching for volunteers and will hold an informational session on June 1 from 2-3:30 p.m. at the hospital's Suncoast Auditorium, 779 Medical Drive, in Englewood. To learn more, visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com, call 941-473-5048, or email Janet.DeLaney@HCAHealthcare.com.

• First responders and hospital staff in the North Port area will have access to free dental services at Price Creek Dentistry as part of Free Dentistry Day on Wednesday. Cleanings and fillings will be provided by appointment between 8 a.m. and noon at 1500 Price Creek Way, North Port. Visit FreeDentistryDay.org or call 941-200-5094 for information.

Compiled from press releases and community submissions

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: COMMUNITY: Catholic Charities CEO; SPARCC grant; Chorus of the Keys