Suncoast Remake Learning Days is back for its fourth year with a 15-day celebration of creativity, exploration and family-friendly learning. Presented by the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, the 2025 celebration will take place from Saturday, April 19 to Saturday, May 3 and feature nearly 400 free, interactive events across Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

The event invites children, parents, and caregivers to learn together. Research from National Remake Learning Days shows shared learning experiences not only boost enjoyment but also improve retention for both children and adults. The celebration also helps community partners strengthen family engagement and collaborate with local organizations—including businesses, museums, schools, libraries, universities, faith groups, out-of-school programs, and child-care centers.

Events are organized across six themes—Arts, Maker, Outdoor Learning, Science, Technology, and Youth Voice—designed to spark curiosity and encourage discovery for youth from pre-K through high school, along with their families and educators.

More than 265 local organizations will participate as hosts and partners in 2025. Highlights include a free outdoor concert by Latin Grammy Award-winning artist and author MISTER G at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Saturday, April 19, and Big Truck Day at CoolToday Park on Saturday, April 26, where kids can explore all things truck-related—from pulling levers to honking horns.

“This year, we have many agencies partnering together, some of them putting forth one event and several that put forth multiple events,” says Beth Duda, director of the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading for The Patterson Foundation. “Suncoast Remake Learning Days highlights and celebrates these opportunities in ways that foster greater connection among children and families. When families engage in learning alongside their children beyond the classroom, it strengthens their students' academic progress, social skills and lifelong curiosity. It’s great to be fostering that widespread community participation.”

All events are free to attend, thanks to generous support from The Patterson Foundation

To view a full online event list for Suncoast Remake Learning Days or download a free event guide app in English or Spanish, visitsuncoastremakelearningdays.org. 

Pictured: Beth Duda, director of the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading for The Patterson Foundation, welcoming partners at April 5 meeting. Photo by Daniel Wagner, Wagner Visuals.

The Child Protection Center (CPC) is proud to welcome the Police Chief of the Venice Police Department, Andrew Leisenring, to its Board of Directors. With over two decades of experience as a dedicated law enforcement professional and his longtime advocacy for child safety, Leisenring brings invaluable experience and a deep commitment to CPC’s mission of preventing child abuse before it occurs and supporting survivors. Leisenring’s connection to CPC began through his work as a police officer and detective, where he frequently collaborated with the organization. “Through my work, I’ve seen the long-lasting negative impacts of child abuse. It is comforting to know that CPC is there to help individuals and families put the pieces back together. They empower survivors to take back what the offenders took from them,” he shares. 

Join SPAACES on Saturday, April 19, 2025, for a special panel discussion featuring visual artists, authors, and musicians exploring the theme of “Care.” This engaging conversation will examine the relationship between those who provide care and those who receive it, offering diverse perspectives from creatives working across multiple disciplines.

Event Schedule: Panel Discussion: 5:00 – 6:00pm, ($20 general admission | $10 for SPAACES members, includes light refreshments) 

Selby Gardens presents an exciting exhibition that explores George Harrison’s love of gardening and the inspiration he drew from it. Stroll through stunning horticultural vignettes in the Tropical Conservatory and throughout the Downtown Sarasota campus, and view a dynamic display of objects and ephemera in the Museum of Botany & the Arts - all accompanied by a selection of George’s music and lyrics. The resulting multi-sensory experience highlights George’s connection to nature and celebrates his life and legacy through the power of plants! 

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The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) has been awarded a $35,000 grant from the Bishop-Parker Foundation to enhance mental health and wellness services for women in Manatee County. This funding will provide 350 hours of professional counseling for low- to moderate-income women, ensuring access to essential mental health support. WRC has been a trusted resource for over four decades, offering counseling, referrals, and programs designed to empower women in their journey toward financial and emotional independence. The grant will address a critical need, as many women seeking WRC’s services struggle with underlying mental health challenges, including financial stress, histories of trauma, and caregiving responsibilities. 

The Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) is leading the charge to make Florida a no-kill state—where no healthy or treatable animal is euthanized. Under the leadership of CEO Anna Gonce, HSSC has become a model for progressive sheltering practices throughout the state of Florida, maintaining a no-kill status by saving over 96% of the animals it serves. In 2025, HSSC has set an ambitious goal: to save 5,000 animals. This milestone underscores the organization's commitment to lifesaving work and the belief that every pet deserves a second chance. Through expanded adoption programs, affordable veterinary care, and robust spay/neuter initiatives, HSSC is addressing the root causes of pet homelessness and overpopulation. The organization also partners with shelters across Florida to share best practices and build a united front for change. Education and advocacy are central to the mission. By raising public awareness and fostering compassion, HSSC is helping reshape how communities view and support animal shelters—ensuring more pets find loving homes. With bold goals and a heart for every animal, the Humane Society of Sarasota County is transforming lives and creating a future where hope has a heartbeat. 

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On Sunday, February 23, 2025, Resilient Retreat held its highly anticipated “Farm to Table” fundraising event, raising an incredible $295,000. The evening, attended by approximately 200 guests, was a remarkable success in furthering the organization’s mission to support survivors of trauma, including first responders and helping professionals, by providing no-cost, evidence-based, confidential programs and retreat experiences. The event helped elevate awareness and fundraising for the vital work Resilient Retreat does in providing trauma-informed care, self-care practices, retreat experiences and training programs on topics like compassion fatigue, trauma-informed care, and more. This year’s Farm to Table gathered compassionate individuals who are committed to supporting those who carry the weight of trauma and stress in their daily lives. For more information about Resilient Retreat’s programs or to learn how you can support future events, please visit www.ResilientRetreat.org.  

Animal Rescue Coalition (ARC), a spay and neuter clinic in Sarasota, Florida, recently welcomed Jennifer Kalbacher as its new clinic manager. Talent acquisition company MBJ Group led the not-for-profit’s successful search for the position. Kalbacher brings more than 20 years of extensive experience in the animal care industry to ARC. In her new role as clinic manager, she will manage the day-to-day operations for the clinic and support the executive director to ensure that the organization is meeting its goals and fulfilling its mission. Kalbacher will also oversee support staff to make sure individual duties are being completed and provide direction, among other duties. Kalbacher received her associate degree in the veterinary technician and animal science project from Pima Medical Institute. 

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Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation’s Board of Directors has elected Jeffrey McCurdy to join the Board as a director. McCurdy has served on Barancik Foundation’s Investment Committee since 2020. McCurdy is an independent private investment advisor with broad experience in all aspects of wealth management. He is the founding principal of Guardsman Private Capital Management, a boutique SEC-registered investment advisory firm in Sarasota that is focused on the needs of high-net-worth families and nonprofits. McCurdy graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and then served in the U.S. Army, reaching the rank of Captain. He later earned his Master of Business Administration from Duke. 

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Nominate your peers for SRQ Magazine’s 2025 Elite Top Attorneys! Help us spotlight outstanding legal professionals across the region. Your nomination supports a trusted guide to the area’s top attorneys. One week left to submit—don’t miss the chance to recognize excellence in the legal field. Nominate HERE!