COMMUNITY BRIEFS: All Star founder honored; Hermitage trustees; ALSO Youth gala; WBTT

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·5 min read

Support for the arts

The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe recently received a $40,000 Arts Appreciation Grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. From left, WBTT leaders Nate Jacobs, Julie Leach, Debra Flynt-Garrett and Jim Weaver. The grant will support WBTT's operations and 2022-23 season, which includes “Guys and Dolls,” “Dreamgirls,” and “Black Nativity.” Gulf Coast has awarded WBTT $175,000 since 2018. "Many thanks to Gulf Coast for its ongoing generous support of WBTT and our incomparable arts community,” Leach said. For more about WBTT's upcoming season, visit westcoastblacktheatre.org.

All Star founder, philanthropist
honored with national award

Graci McGillicuddy, an area philanthropist and founder of the All Star Children's Foundation, was honored as one of the “100 Women to Know,” an award that recognizes top female leaders across America.

Graci McGillicuddy, an area philanthropist, is founder of the All Star Children's Foundation.
Graci McGillicuddy, an area philanthropist, is founder of the All Star Children's Foundation.

McGillicuddy joined other high-achieving entrepreneurs, executives, and philanthropists who were celebrated at the KNOW Women Summit in May at The Saguaro Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona.

"I am honored to be recognized with so many other outstanding women,” McGillicuddy said. “Receiving this award shines a light on All Star Children's Foundation and the work we are doing to stop the cycle of intergenerational abuse and neglect. My greatest calling is to provide hope and healing to children and families in foster care.”

McGillicuddy has been a committed child advocate since 1986. She has worked tirelessly to prevent child abuse and provide treatment and care for the community’s most vulnerable children. McGillicuddy has received numerous awards and honors for outstanding leadership and dedication to keeping all children safe. All Star's Trauma-Informed Campus of Hope and Healing is the culmination of 36 years of advocacy.

The All Star Children’s Foundation, 3300 17th St. in Sarasota, is building brighter futures for children in foster care through innovation, science, and compassion. Visit allstarchildren.org.

Pulitzer Prize-winner joining
Hermitage Board of Trustees

The Hermitage Artist Retreat announced that Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and Hermitage alumnus Doug Wright has been elected to the Hermitage Board of Trustees.

Sondra Biller, Stephanie Jones, and Liz Richardson also were elected to first terms on the board. Robyn Citrin will serve a second year as president, with David Green as vice president, Steve Adler as treasurer, Ellen Berman as secretary, and Carole Crosby as chair of governance.

Wright is a Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning playwright whose plays and musicals include "I Am My Own Wife" (Tony Award, Pulitzer Prize in Drama), "Quills"  and "The Little Mermaid." He has served on the boards of New York Theatre Workshop, Yaddo, and the Dramatists Guild. For more information about the Hermitage and its Board of Trustees, visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

ALSO Youth announces
30th Gala, new scholarship

ALSO Youth, a nonprofit organization serving the Sarasota-Manatee LGBTQ+ youth community, will hold its 30th Anniversary Gala on Nov. 9  at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. In celebration, a new scholarship was announced honoring founding member Betsy Nelson.

The gala will include motivational speakers, youth who have benefited from the organization, entertainment, and surprise guests. The keynote speaker will be Nadine Smith, award-winning journalist and executive director of Equality Florida.

ALSO Youth provides safe space drop-in centers in Sarasota and Bradenton, peer support services, educational programs, advocacy, and referrals for LGBTIQ+ youth ages 10-24, their families and friends. Gala sponsors include The Barancik Foundation and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. For information, including sponsorships, contact event chair Craig Kaplan at 917-670-9197 or Craig@alsoyouth.org.

Children First gains grant
to add another classroom

Children First has received a $30,000 grant from the Jerome & Mildred Paddock Foundation to help to renovate a classroom that will bring eight infants and toddlers off the nonprofit's waiting list.

The grant will help to renovate an existing space where the agency already has two classrooms that serve 16 infants and toddlers in partnership with First Presbyterian Church. Children First serves hundreds of children and their families living at or below the Federal Poverty Level.

“With costs of childcare rising at such a rapid rate, coupled with the overall inflation, our community’s most vulnerable families are under extreme duress," Children First CEO Philip Tavill said. "Our waitlist of those in need of our services can reach up to 180 children, so every slot that we are able to open is crucial.”

Around and about ...

Englewood Hospital's Wellness Series continues on Aug. 25 from 8-9 a.m. with orthopedic specialist Joseph Noah, who will share education about common causes of knee pain and treatments, including total knee replacement. The session will be held at the Suncoast Auditorium, 779 Medical Drive. A free continental breakfast will be served. To register, call 844-706-8773 or visit bit.ly/EnglewoodWellnessSeries2022.

• Temple Beth El, 5150 Peridia Blvd., Sarasota, is holding an open house on Sunday at 4 p.m. Activities at Temple Beth El, a Reform congregation, include Shabbat School on Saturday mornings, a men's club, a Sisterhood, adult education, and more. For information, email info@bethel-fl.org, call 941-755-4900, or visit bethel-fl.org.

• Temple Emanu-El Religious School, 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, is enrolling K through Grade 7 students for the opening of school on Sept. 11. Classes are Sundays from 9:30 a.m.-noon with an additional Wednesday afternoon program for students preparing for Bar or Bat Mitzvah. For information, contact Religious School Director Snait Ben-Herut at teers@sarasotatemple.org or 941-378-5567.

• Creative Liberties Artist Studios and Gallery, 901-B Apricot Ave., Sarasota, will host Summer Saturday Open Studio – a collaboration with SPAACES, Princeton Street Arts and Define Art Gallery – today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can meet artists at work and purchase their art. Creative Liberties studio artists also will be in residence at Art Ovation hotel in downtown Sarasota on Aug. 16-21. For more information, visit creativeliberties.net or call 941-799-6634.

Compiled from press releases and community submissions

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: All Star Children's Foundation; Hermitage; ALSO Youth gala; WBTT grant