JFCS of the Suncoast was recently awarded three grants for its "Building Strong Families" program. Building Strong Families, offered in Sarasota and Manatee counties since 2003, is a project geared towards keeping families with school-age children in the home safely housed in their present home by providing financial assistance and case management services because of a job loss or reduced earnings.

The grants include $10,000 from Truist Bank; $25,000 from the Virginia White Clark Memorial Fund at the Bank of America Client Foundation, for use in the Employment and Financial Stability program of Building Strong Families; and $50,000 from the Siemer Family Foundation Fund at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation

The grants will help JFCS continue to serve those at risk of homelessness because of domestic violence, substance abuse, divorce/separation, medical crisis, employment loss and other life challenges. The program is also geared at reducing school mobility among low-income students. Services include intensive case management, counseling, education, employment coaching and budgeting tools.