Megan Howell, founder and executive director of Second Heart Homes—the local nonprofit providing permanent housing, support and community—has partnered with Frank “Bubba” Henson, Cedric Hameed and Colin Reid to produce The Healing Mirror, a documentary following formerly homeless residents as they take part in immersive poetry workshops led by Sarasota poet Cedric Hameed. During the six-week workshops, participants explore self-image, self-esteem, fear and triumph through original work, sharing deeply personal stories shaped by trauma, mental illness and homelessness. The film offers an unfiltered look at these experiences—and the possibility of transformation through creative expression.

"One of the things that makes our permanent housing model so unique is our openness to explore different modalities of healing. At first, I thought it sounded a little silly, but we quickly saw there was something powerful in writing poetry. We watched our residents begin to transform and truly blossom," shares Howell. "Sometimes, it's a good thing to be wrong."

Filmed at the Sarasota Art Museum, The Healing Mirror connects local arts, culture and beauty with the harsh reality of men and women experiencing homelessness in the community. The film will premiere at the Sarasota Film Festival on Friday, April 17 at 2pm. Following the screening, attendees are invited to a panel discussion with participants and Cedric Hameed.

The film was made possible through generous support from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, with co-production support from The Sammy Fund. Additionally, during the month of April, Arts & Central will be featuring the poetry from Second Heart Homes residents on their lunch menus.

For more information about Second Heart Homes and its supportive housing, visit SecondHeartHomes.org.  

Provided photo.

For ticket information click here.

Academy at Glengary has received a generous $13,450 Capacity Building grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County for the development of their Launchpad to Success initiative for young adults who have recently been diagnosed with mental illness. Nationwide, 75% of adults living with mental illness are diagnosed between the ages of 18 to 24 years old. This initiative is aimed at helping young adults navigate a critical juncture in their lives and set them on track for success through either employment or education. 

Each year, SRQ Media invites the community to nominate individuals with hearts of giving who have made a significant impact with local nonprofit organizations—from volunteers and board members to individual staff members and donors. This year, attendees were thrilled to be together as we recognized these individuals at our annual Giving Coast and Good Hero Awards luncheon and panel discussion on December 10 at Michael’s on East in Sarasota. In the coming weeks, we are happy to feature each of the ten honorees in our Wednesday Philanthropic edition of SRQ Daily.

Today, we are recognizing Michael Klauber, whose impact on the Sarasota community is profound and far-reaching. His deep commitment to family and community is reflected in everything he does—from building welcoming spaces through his restaurants to enhancing the quality of life for future generations. His legacy is one of innovation, generosity, and lasting community impact. A visionary leader in both hospitality and philanthropy, Michael founded Sarasota-Manatee Originals to support local restaurants and co-created two major charitable festivals—Florida WineFest & Auction and Forks & Corks. His volunteer work as a sought-after auctioneer has raised significant funds for numerous nonprofits. Michael is the driving force behind The Bay Sarasota, a transformative 53-acre revitalization project that’s creating an inclusive, sustainable public park for all. Congratulations, Michael. 

Pictured: Michael Klauber (left) with Wes Roberts, Executive Publisher of SRQ Magazine. Photo by Daniel Wagner, Wagner Visuals.

Last week, child welfare organization Safe Children Coalition held its 4th annual Giving Breakfast. In addition to recognizing three "Champions for Children" and sharing inspirational testimonials from clients who have reimagined their futures with programmatic support from SCC, the organization raised nearly $270,000 and announced the completion of its Youth Shelter Campaign. SCC has raised nearly $10 million to build a new shelter for homeless and other vulnerable children in Florida's Circuit 12; the new facility is expected to be operational by fall. For more about Safe Children Coalition, visit sccfl.org. 

Habitat for Humanity Sarasota is proud to announce that 12 families achieved the dream of homeownership this March through partnerships with the Sarasota Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD), the City of Sarasota, the Sarasota County HERO Program, generous individual donors, and countless dedicated volunteers. For more information about Habitat for Humanity Sarasota and how to support its mission, visit habitatsrq.org/ 

Samaritan Counseling Services of the Gulf Coast has announced the launch of the “Let’s Say YES!” campaign – a $4 million philanthropic initiative to expand access to professional mental health counseling across Sarasota and Manatee Counties. With $3.6 million already secured from lead donors, Samaritan Counseling Services is inviting the community to “say yes” to accessible mental health services – with a donation towards the final $400,000. Every gift matters in this push to cross the finish line. For many people, access to counseling can mean the difference between continuing trauma and the beginning of healing. To support the campaign visit www.samaritangulfcoast.com or call 941.926.2959. When someone finds the courage to ask for help, let’s ensure Samaritan can say YES. 

Ron Allen, owner of the NDC Family of Companies, has been recognized with the Community Spirit Award by the Manatee Community Foundation during its annual Spirit of Manatee celebration.The award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to strengthening the community through philanthropy, leadership, and a sustained culture of giving. Allen was selected for his decades-long investment in organizations that support youth development, education, public safety, and quality of life throughout Manatee County and the broader Gulf Coast region. To learn more about NDC Construction and the company’s philanthropic efforts, visit ndcconstruction.com. 

The Animal Rescue Coalition invites the community to Sunday, May 3, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Payne Park (2010 Adams Ln, Sarasota). ARC Walk is a feel-good morning designed to bring animal lovers together in support of a powerful mission: giving pets a healthier future through affordable spay and neuter services. The event welcomes families, friends, and of course dogs for a casual community walk followed by food trucks, live sketch artists, free dog treats, exclusive event t-shirts, and raffle baskets featuring both a Dog Basket and Cat Basket filled with local goodies. For more information about ARC and its programs, visit www.arcsrq.org. 

As rising costs make it harder for families to keep up with everyday expenses, Hugh and Eliza Culverhouse donate $100,000 to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Season of Sharing program to provide direct financial assistance to residents in need. For more information or to make a donation, visit the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Season of Sharing program website or call 211. 

The Giving Challenge has become a singular date on the region’s calendar, rallying tens of thousands of people to give to an ever-increasing number of causes. The most recent Giving Challenge, in 2024, raised more than $17.2 million for 724 nonprofits through 90,000-plus gifts, bringing the total amount the Challenge has raised since its inception to more than $92 million.  

Expect that number to grow. 

This year the Giving Challenge runs from noon to noon, April 15-16, and involves a record number of nonprofits - more than 750! Once again, The Patterson Foundation will match every donation from $25 to $100. The match acts as a force multiplier, inviting everyone to become a philanthropist. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County invites you to #BeTheOne to make a difference in your community during this year’s Giving Challenge, April 15 to 16.  

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Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation proudly announces the appointment of five distinguished leaders to its Board of Directors: Ella Chase, Eileen A. Kamerick, Steven G. Osgood, Barbara Ann Sellinger, and Monica Van Buskirk. Each brings a record of leadership, civic engagement, and commitment to strengthening communities through the arts, education and philanthropy. 

To learn more, visit

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s “Steel Across America” tour - a nationwide tribute marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11 - just announced that it will stop in Land O Lakes at the Let us Do Good Village on May 17 at 11am EST and at the Emma E. Booker Elementary School on May 19 at 6pm EST. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting first responders, military service members, veterans and their families, welcomes the Sarasota community to gather in shared remembrance, pay tribute to the heroes who answered the call on September 11, 2001, and honor those who continue to serve our nation every day. Steel Across America is a coast-to-coast tour (May 2–September 11) that will feature a steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center, offering visitors a chance to view the sacred artifact up close, hear firsthand stories, and engage in educational programming. 

To learn more, visit

As part of this national celebration led by YMCA of the USA, YMCA of Southwest Florida reflects on  its own legacy of impact since its founding in 1967. For nearly six decades, the Y has served as a cornerstone of the region, providing programs and services that support children, families, and  individuals across Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, DeSoto, Hendry and Glades counties. For more information on YMCA of Southwest Florida, community members are encouraged to contact Jamie Browning, Vice  President of Development, YMCA of Southwest Florida, at (941) 492-9622 or JBrowning@ymcaswfl.org.