COMMUNITY BRIEFS: Selby Gardens; CPC; VIPA; Children First; Boys & Girls Clubs
A voice for youth
Selby Botanical Gardens
elects three new trustees
The Board of Trustees of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has elected three new members. Attorney Morgan Bentley, journalist Mary Braxton-Joseph, and philanthropist Audrey Robbins each will serve a three-year term, which began on July 1.
Bentley is managing partner of the law firm Bentley Goodrich Kison. He concentrates his practice in litigation involving business and real estate disputes. Bentley is a former president of the Sarasota County Bar Association, a former member of the board of governors of The Florida Bar, and a past chairman of the Florida Commission on Ethics.
Braxton-Joseph is an Emmy-award winning television journalist and media consultant. From 1990 through 1995, she was senior adviser for media relations for the Council on Foundations. Braxton-Joseph also served as manager of community affairs and editorials for WJLA-TV 7, an ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C.
Marianne D. McComb and Joel Morganroth were reelected as chair and vice chair. Former trustees J. Allison Archbold and Michael J. Wilson each completed nine years of service on the Selby Gardens board at the end of June.
Child Protection Center
names board member
The Child Protection Center has appointed Mark Kowalski, a longtime community advocate, as a new member of its board of directors.
“Mark is a dedicated community member to many important causes and is passionate about strengthening our world for children," CPC executive director Doug Staley said. "The addition of Mark to our board comes at the perfect time as our needs continue to grow.”
Kowalski has been involved in the greater Sarasota community for several years, serving on the board of directors for the Humane Society of Sarasota County as well as dedicating time to serve on the Human Services Advisory Council. "I wanted to get more involved with the mission of CPC," Kowalski said. "The work they do is so important, and I felt called to play a bigger part in the community, especially for children.”
CPC has been serving Sarasota and DeSoto counties for more than 40 years. Visit cpcsarasota.org or call 941-365-1277.
VIPA appoints new
director of education
The Venice Institute for Performing Arts has named Derek Blankenship as the new director of education, overseeing the apprenticeship program, coordinating volunteers, front-of-house management and hospitality, along with other aspects of production.
Blankenship comes from a diverse career, including experience in education, hospitality, stage and facilities management, lighting/sound, and performing. He has worked in multiple genres and styles, such as studio recording, orchestral, jazz, rock/pop, and musical theater throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Blankenship worked previously as a professor at the University of Tampa and an instructor at the Berkeley Preparatory School and has presented clinics and masterclasses in schools and universities throughout the country.
Children First receives BOA
grant to expand services
Children First received a $20,000 grant to expand its Family Strengthening Services from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Bank of America supports nonprofits across Sarasota-Manatee by partnering with organizations focused on workforce development and education.
“This funding will allow Children First to expand its ability to help families meet their financial, educational and occupational goals to create positive, enduring changes at home,” said Jamie Kahns of Bank of America Sarasota-Manatee.
Founded in 1961, Children First strengthens children and families by improving the quality of their lives through a comprehensive approach to development, education, health, and well-being at 15 sites throughout Sarasota County. Call 941-953-3877 or visit childrenfirst.net.
Family Promise receives
Paddock Foundation grant
Family Promise of South Sarasota County has received a $20,000 grant from the Jerome & Mildred Paddock Foundation.
The Paddock Foundation has been a supporter of FPSSC since 2019 with annual grants to support the Open Doors and Bridge Housing programs. The most recent funds will be used for both programs to ensure families find stable housing.
“Grants we receive have been an integral part of our mission to provide housing support to minor children and their families," executive director Jennifer Fagenbaum said. "We are finding a greater need than ever to assist working families to remain stably housed.”
Around and about ...
The Literacy Council of Sarasota is offering online English classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners starting in August. The classes will meet via Zoom two evenings a week for 10-week cycles. Hands-on help is available before classes start. Pre-registration is required by Aug. 5 by calling LCS program associate Sandra Beltran at 941-955-0421 or sbeltran@sarasotaliteracy.org
• Gulf Cove United Methodist Church (1100 S. McCall Road, Port Charlotte), which offers free dine-in or carryout meals on the first Monday each month, postponed July's supper one week because of the holiday. The July 11 menu, served 3:30-5:30 p.m., is chicken, baked beans, roll, and dessert. Visit GulfCoveChurch.com or call 941-697-1747 for reservations and/or donations.
Compiled from press releases and community submissions.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: COMMUNITY: Selby Gardens; CPC; Children First; Boys & Girls Clubs award
