From LCAN To Yes We Can

I recently went before the DeSoto County School Board in Arcadia to officially launch the DeSoto Local College Access Network, a joint effort that will bring a range of partners together to provide greater pathways to post-secondary education and financial security. I couldn't have been more thrilled.

While United Way Suncoast will serve as the backbone of this effort, it thrills us to bring together an array of partners, starting with the Florida College Access Network. This work also will include South Florida State College, Links2Success, the Patterson Foundation, the DeSoto Chamber of Commerce, the DeSoto County Education Foundation, Take Stock in Children Sarasota, the Selby Foundation the Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota and DeSoto, and, of course, the school board and superintendent Bobby Bennett.

Our first shared priority is to continue the positive trend of increasing FAFSA completion rates in DeSoto County, which already has risen 15.3 percent over the last year. LCANs currently represent 82 percent of Florida's population. LCANs currently represent 82 percent of Florida's population, and DeSoto was one of the few counties in the state that didn't have an LCAN. It's truly groundbreaking to bring this initiative to DeSoto students.

This LCAN will create a shared vision and coordinate strategies to increase college and career readiness, access, and completion, particularly for low-income, first-generation, and under-served students. It'll focus on heightening students' realization that they can go on to college or a trade school and eventually improve their lives and the lives of their families.

As a proud University of South Florida Bull, and a first generation college graduate, I fully appreciate the impact of higher learning. When I think about the difference its made in my life and the success this collaborative initiative will bring to more students and families in DeSoto, I'm excited to see the results. So is everyone at United Way Suncoast and all our partners. It's why we always, United We Rise, United We Win.

Nonprofits: Spark Your Next Steps With An Ace Grant

United Way Suncoast is now accepting its fourth round of ACE Grant applications - submission deadline is Sept. 5. ACE Grants (Access, Capacity, Equity) provide one-time flexible funding for organizations making under $2.1 million annually, with the intent to help unlock barriers to innovation and spark the next steps forward.

Click here to learn more about our capacity building initiatives and apply for ACE funding today: https://lnkd.in/ewT4

Check Out The Changes With Federal Checks

The federal government recently announced it will cease issuing paper checks for most federal benefit payments at the end of September.  

For those without bank accounts who have long relied on check cashing outlets, the change could prove problematic. However, the BankOn Suncoast program offers solutions. It’s a collaborative effort led by United Way Suncoast that aims to ensure that Suncoast residents have the opportunity to be financially healthy.

While these changes offer meaningful benefits, they may disproportionately burden those without bank accounts, including seniors. United Way Suncoast financial security manager Mark Smith notes that the BankOn program, which connects people to safe, affordable, and certified banking accounts, could make the transfer of funds seamless for those who currently don’t have a bank account.

“Our coalition members also offer services and resources that help empower people and families to improve their financial capability, health and independence,” said Smith, who noted that 3.2 percent of Florida residents are unbanked and another 14.8 percent are unbanked.

Beyond BankOn, the Treasury Department is suggesting other alternatives, including signing up for a Direct Express® Debit Mastercard®, a Treasury-sponsored debit card where you can receive your monthly benefit payments electronically. Individuals without a bank account can sign up by calling the Treasury's Electronic Payment Solution Center at 800-967-6857 or by contacting their paying agency directly.

For further assistance and information about the BankOn program, please visit unitedwaysuncoast.org and fill out a contact submission form, specifying you need help managing a paper check situation.

Community, Convening and Collaborating

On Aug. 14, we convened a Community Disaster Training in Sarasota, distributing nearly 100 disaster preparation kits thanks to support from Verizon. Equally important, we collaborated with key partners for the event. Rebuilding Together Greater Florida, All Faiths Food Bank, NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties and SERVPRO all took the stage to offer valuable tips. We love to put our Community Resiliency work to action. That's why we always say United We Rise, United We Win.

Respond Together.

Join us and our partners for the Respond Together Orientation Training — equipping local congregations and leaders to respond when our community needs it most.

📅 August 28 | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 📍 1100 W. Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL

✅ Learn how to prepare your church, neighbors, and buildings✅ Participate in simulation training✅ Build stronger community connections

🔗 Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eFDvm8SM

Kicking Back Before The Bucs Kickoff

United Way Suncoast’s Admiral Society recently celebrated its Summer Social with a very special guest. Longtime Tampa Bay Times sports writer Rick Stroud joined us to share stories about his experiences and the Bucs’ 50th season. Kudos to Rick and Buccaneers COO Brian Ford, who donated 50 tickets to the preseason game vs. the Titans to cap off the evening.

We’re proud to celebrate our incredible partners at Regions Bank, who recently volunteered at Academy Prep Center of Tampa and Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg.

In a meaningful show of appreciation, Regions team members washed the cars of their faculty and teachers, a thoughtful gesture recognizing the dedication and hard work these educators pour into enriching the lives of students each year.

We’re deeply grateful for the continued partnership and the inspiring ways Regions Bank invests in our community. Their commitment to service is making a lasting impact.

💼🖊 Dollar Tree Stores + Points of Light + United Way Suncoast = 500 reasons for teachers to smile!

We teamed up at the Sulphur Springs Resource Center to create teacher appreciation kits that will be shared with schools of focus across our region. 💙 Thank you to our partners for making this possible!

The September 11 Week of Service and Remembrance is a chance to honor the sacrifices made that day by remembering the heroes, armed forces, first responders, and countless others' acts of service to defend our nation's freedom.

Each year, we invite volunteers to support the community at projects that honor the lives and service of those we lost on September 11.