The Louis and Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust Donates $3 Million to Sarasota’s All Star Children’s Foundation

All Star Children’s Foundation announced a $3 million donation from the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust. The generous gift will contribute to the construction and operation of its five-acre campus currently underway at 3300 17^th Street in Sarasota.

“The focus of the Flanzer Trust is to invest in transformative non-profit ventures. All Star is a standout example,” said Dr. Dean Hautamaki, a Flanzer Trust trustee. “We are proud to be part of this visionary mission designed to heal children and families from the pernicious impact of trauma and, ultimately, impact the way foster care is approached on a state and national level.” Hautamaki went on to say, “We were drawn to participate in this important work because the business model of All Star combines science, innovation and compassion in a way that will be transformational.”

Partnering with leaders across the child welfare system, All Star has tapped best-in-class partners to assist in their mission. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (JHACH) is providing critical clinical advice as well as serving as the lead research entity. The Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, a major catalyst for improving the lives of the less fortunate in the community, has joined forces with the mission.  And, All Star was invited by Casey Family Programs to participate in a national work group focused on how child welfare can be improved in this country. Casey Family Programs is the largest operating foundation in the country focused on foster care.

All Star will begin treating children this month on an out-patient basis and begin accepting children into their family foster homes in late fall. Some 225 children will be treated in the first operational year.

The All Star campus is comprised of:

• A 13,000, square-foot clinical treatment building, where, in collaboration with JHACH, All Star will embark on a mission to use brain science research to expand the boundaries of neuroscience while using evidence-based, trauma-informed care to change the outcomes for children in foster care. Children will receive trauma-focused therapy and be offered ancillary support therapies such as pet, art and music, to further their healing process. The building will also house a beautiful children’s boutique.
• Six, single-family, licensed foster homes. Each home will accommodate 5 children, keep siblings together, and feature on-site foster parents. In addition to state mandated requirements, All Star foster parents will receive 8 weeks of trauma-focused training educating them on how to meet the needs of a traumatized child while strengthening the parent child relationship.
• The Clubhouse, the heart of the All Star community, is where children and their families will gather to play, talk, learn and celebrate. It features a multi-purpose social room, and tutoring lab with computers.
• A playground, a tricycle trail, a community garden, picnic area and outdoor movie theater.

All Star founders Graci and Dennis McGillicuddy are the catalyst for changing the face of foster care in Sarasota and beyond. “The addition of the Flanzer Trust to our community collaborators is going to be so impactful to our work, both in the short and long term. Dean and Eric Kaplan, a co-trustee of the Flanzer Trust, fully understand the consequences of childhood trauma on the life trajectory of our most vulnerable children,” says Graci McGillicuddy. “They recognize the role that trauma plays in the mental health of our children and families. In addition to providing valuable funding, Dean has accepted our invitation to join our board. We are so excited to have his scientific and medical expertise.”

For more information about All Star Children’s Foundation, visit www.allstarchildrensfoundation.org.