Harvest House Earns Multi-Year Community Investment Funding

August 2, 2022 – Sarasota

Harvest House’s role as a United Way Suncoast strategic community partner moves into a new era with the launch of a multi-year funding commitment from the venerable nonprofit leader.

United Way Suncoast kicked off its new fiscal year on July 1 by initiating the distribution of a three-year grant that will deliver $140,500 to Harvest House. We will use the funds to support our Purpose Works program. Purpose Works is a Harvest House workforce and education initiative for clients with barriers to upward economic mobility such as a history of incarceration, substance abuse, and housing instability. Coupled with supportive housing, Purpose Works provides the incentives and wrap-around support necessary for clients to achieve their goals for long-term stability through two tracks: career and education.

Erin Minor expressed excitement about the support.

“The career track partners with local 2nd-chance employers to increase their skilled labor force by offering meaningful employment with fair wages to Harvest House clients. The education track covers living expenses for residents who are ready to increase their skill and income level through a certification or degree program. Our goal is to remove systemic barriers to increased education and skill level.”

Harvest House is a local supportive housing and hunger relief provider with 380 beds and multiple programs throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties.  They serve members of our community who are working to rebuild their lives, including families and youth experiencing homelessness, and adults with a history of addiction and incarceration. Their programs improve the economic status of residents and stabilizes lives for generations to come.

The community investment represents a first in United Way Suncoast’s 98-year history — a three-year commitment to 88 nonprofits that will total nearly $18 million by fiscal year 2025. In past years, United Way Suncoast issued annual grants. The new approach will empower Harvest House to boost the strategic planning behind the program and grow together with United Way Suncoast.

“Our strategic community partners requested a change to multi-year funding and the reasons are clear,” United Way Suncoast CEO Jessica Muroff said. “It’ll create trends and allow us to measure true impact; it’ll reduce the strain of the application process for the partners and UWS, and it’ll strengthen our ability to tell stories and fundraise.”

To learn more about how to give of your time, talent, and treasure, visit harvesthousecenters.org. You can learn more about United Way Suncoast at www.unitedwaysuncoast.org.