Unity Awards

Streets of Paradise's Greg Cruz Fights Homelessness in Sarasota-Manatee

“Anywhere that we can help with this homeless crisis, we will be on the frontlines. No questions asked.”

01/04/2022 By Marc Griffin

Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness: Part One

A proactive collaboration provides housing and other solutions for criminal justice-affected individuals transitioning back into the community.

12/08/2021

Housing

Second Heart Homes Launches New Housing and Support Program for Women

The program is an extension of the nonprofit’s support model for homeless men.

11/04/2021 By Staff

Grants

Second Heart Homes Receives $20,000 Grant from Church of the Redeemer

The funds will be used to repair and refurbish two recently purchased duplexes for 12 homeless women with mental health issues.

10/25/2021 By Staff

Grants

Second Heart Homes Receives Grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation

The $20,800 grant will add new volunteer coordinator and case manager positions, as well as support data collection requirements.

10/01/2021 By Staff

Housing

Harvest House Creates Transitional Living Space for 18- to 24-Year-Old Men in Sarasota

Harvest House's four transitional housing beds for young men now matches the four beds already in place for young women.

11/24/2020 By Staff

Data

Annual Survey Shows Drop in Area's Homeless Population

But there is rising concern about how the economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to more homelessness.

05/29/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Fast Track

Turning Points Names New Executive Director

Kathleen Cramer will be responsible for Turning Points' planning, organizing, staffing, directing and management.

05/27/2020 By Staff

Coronavirus

How the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Affecting Sarasota's Homeless

“It's real tough to shelter in place when you don't have a place," says Sarasota City Manager Tom Barwin.

04/09/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Philanthropy

Community Raises More Than $1 Million for Season of Sharing

The milestone sparked a second $100,000 contribution to the campaign from The Patterson Foundation.

12/27/2019 By Staff

Housing

Youth Advocacy Team Doubles Housing Subsidies

The group is now able to subsidize housing costs for 23 local youth who otherwise would be homeless.

11/27/2019 By Staff

Homelessness

City, Local Agencies Collaborate to Start Homeless Court

This specialized court handles homeless individuals charged with minor criminal activity.

07/23/2019 By Staff

HOME BASE

Streets of Paradise Establishes First Office in Sarasota

Following collaborations with the Suncoast Partnership to End Homeless and Showered and Empowered, Inc., Streets of Paradise co-founders Greg Cruz and Allan Mestel are optimistic about where the newly formed 501(c)(3)nonprofit is headed.

02/07/2019 By Giulia Heyward

Nonprofits

Federal Grant Will Boost YMCA Program for Homeless Youth

The Sarasota YMCA recently received a $132,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to support its Street REACH program.

12/12/2018 By Staff

Snapshot

Streets of Paradise Puts Homelessness in Focus

Greg Cruz and Allan Mestel created an online photo series to raise awareness about homelessness in the area, then flipped it into a full-fledged nonprofit.

12/06/2018 By Giulia Heyward

Homelessness

New Drop-In Center for Homeless Youth Opens

More than 400 people ages 16 to 24 face homelessness on any given night in Sarasota County.

10/16/2018 By Staff

Unity Awards 2018

A Small Group of Dedicated Sarasotans Wants to Create a More Humane System for Dealing with Sarasota's Homeless Problem

Creating an Effective Crisis Response to Adult Homelessness distills the complicated needs of the homeless by creating a coordinated entry system so that all agencies dealing with the homeless are using the same data and strategies.

01/23/2018 By Susan Burns

Philanthropy

$1.5 Million in Donations to Help House Homeless

The donations will go toward 'rapid rehousing,' a program for people who need support for 18 months to two years.

01/22/2018 By Susan Burns

New hires

Goodwill Adds Staff to Help Homeless Veterans

Goodwill Manasota recently hired three new employees for its Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, promoted one team member and shifted another staffer to assist veterans.

01/19/2018 By staff

Data

American Homelessness Up

The number of Americans who are homeless has increased for the first time in seven years.

12/07/2017 By staff