Academy at Glengary, Inc. Receives $30,000 Grant 

February 8, 2023 – Sarasota

Academy at Glengary has received a generous $30,000 grant from Truist Foundation to support its expansion into Manatee County with the new Academy at Bradenton, expected to open fully in June 2023. The organization is replicating its existing program in Sarasota to provide adults living with persistent mental illness with a path for mental health recovery. These funds will be used to develop the Transitional Employment program. 

“Transitional Employment is an important bridge from vocational training to re-entering the workforce and embarking on a career,” says Academy Director William McKeever. “These positions allow our participants, whom we call members, to gain valuable on-the-job experience and build a work history.”

To provide these jobs, the Academy will engage with Manatee County business partners, especially those in the area’s core restaurant/tourism and retail industries. Program Manager Jeffrey Jean will lead the effort to replicate their successful approach in Sarasota, where employed members help address understaffing issues and give a boost to the local economy.

The Academy at Bradenton also received a $7,500 grant from Truist Financial Corporation for its new instructional, commercial kitchen, which will provide culinary training in everything from food preparation skills to ServSafe certification. Members who transition into local restaurant and hospitality jobs will address an ongoing need for trained employees.

“Truist is proud to support the expansion of Academy at Glengary, which has a success record in providing workforce programing and on-the-job training for individuals and a pipeline of highly skilled workers for area businesses,” said Iwan Mohamed, West Florida regional president for Truist. “Creating opportunities for economic mobility aligns with Truist’s purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities.”