Selby Foundation Contributes to Youth Shelter Campaign

August 28, 2024 | Sarasota

In Florida’s 12th Judicial Circuit (Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties), there are more than 2,000 youths who are homeless, have run away, or are ungovernable or truant. A recent count in Sarasota County found that more than 400 teens and young adults were homeless and living without the support of a guardian. The consequences of youth homelessness include mental health problems, substance abuse, criminal activity and victimization, and short- and long-term barriers to education and employment.

In an effort to provide safe and stable housing for homeless youth while alleviating waiting lists for such facilities, child welfare agency Safe Children Coalition (SCC) is in the midst of a capital campaign to build a new Youth Shelter in mid-Sarasota. A recent gift of $200,000 from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation will help SCC get closer to its fundraising goal.

“The work of Safe Children Coalition requires empathy, results, and care for some of our most vulnerable youth. The temporary housing and professional, trauma-informed services they provide in times of crisis can change outcomes,” said Selby Foundation President/CEO Susie Bowie. “The Selby Foundation is proud to be a part of this project and to see the level of support from others in our community.”

The Youth Shelter is the only facility designated for homeless teens for Sarasota and Desoto counties; it serves youth from Manatee County as well. Many of the teens served enter the shelter because of a mental health crisis and/or a parent’s inability to cope with a youth who is out of control. For the past four years, the SCC Youth Shelter has been first or second in facility utilization out of the 16 shelters in the Florida network, exceeding contracted bed days.

Currently, the shelter is at a smaller, temporary location until the new facility can be built, which has limited the number of teens that can be helped. The new Youth Shelter is expected to alleviate a waiting list of teens in need of shelter services.

The Youth Shelter campaign has raised over 75% of what the SCC expects the facility to cost; additional community support is crucial to getting the effort over the goal line.

“We are so grateful for the Selby Foundation’s support for our Youth Shelter campaign,” said SCC President & CEO Brena Slater. “Circuit 12 continues to be at or near the top in youth shelter usage throughout the state and our current facilities are insufficient to meet the need. With the support of generous area foundations and caring individuals, we are determined to meet our fundraising goal and move forward with the construction, so we can better protect at-risk youth.”

For more about Safe Children Coalition, or to inquire about an available $500,000 Gift Match Challenge in support of building the new Youth Shelter, contact Jacqueline House at jhouse@sccfl.org or call 941-371-4799, ext. 1127, or visit sccyouthshelter.org.