As Safe Children Coalition continues its campaign to fund and build a new Youth Shelter for homeless teens in Florida’s Circuit 12 (Sarasota, DeSoto and Manatee counties), its efforts have been boosted by a leadership gift of $1.5 million from the Roberta Leventhal Sudakoff Foundation. The gift includes a $500,000 challenge match to inspire greater giving from the community.
The Youth Shelter is the only facility designated for homeless teens in Sarasota and DeSoto counties; it serves youths 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’s behavioral issues. In recent 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.
