Tidewell Foundation Receives Grant

August 6, 2021 – Sarasota

The Tidewell Foundation has received a $30,000 Equity and Access grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to sustain the launch of Tidewell’s Blue Butterfly Newtown program. This sustaining grant will help Tidewell Hospice provide greater access to free grief services for children and families living in one of the city’s oldest historically African American communities. 

Barriers such as transportation often limit minority families from being able to receive proper grief support following the loss of a loved one. Thanks to support from donors, the Tidewell Foundation is able to expand the reach of Tidewell’s evidence-based grief programs and services into Newtown. By expanding Tidewell’s Blue Butterfly program into the neighborhoods where they’re needed, Tidewell will be able to serve more youth and families.

“We’re very grateful for the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s support to sustain Tidewell’s Blue Butterfly program and help grieving children and families in the Newtown community,” said Tidewell Foundation President Debbie Mason. “Without the many generous Tidewell Foundation donors, we would not be able to provide vital, free grief services to those who need it most.”

Tidewell’s Blue Butterfly is the only evidence-based program in our region that helps grieving children ages 5-18 and caregivers through professional counseling, peer-support groups and therapeutic activities. The free grief sessions bring children together who are experiencing the complex emotions that follow the loss of a loved one, creating opportunities to process these feelings without judgment while sharing stories that foster comfort and connectedness with others like them. Blue Butterfly peer-support groups are facilitated by grief specialists and trained volunteers who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to support children and families.
To support Tidewell’s Blue Butterfly Newtown program and expansion efforts elsewhere in our region, visit tidewellfoundation.org or call 941-552-7546.