As we prepared for our recent “Journey to Wellness” Luncheon, we were tasked with choosing a recipient for the highly coveted Academy Award. This time around, selecting a winner was a no-brainer. Given the wellness theme, and the focus on our newly implemented FIT Initiative (an acronym for Fully in Transformation), the winner of the award was none other than the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. The Barancik Foundation has been instrumental in our pursuit of holistic health, based on the eight dimensions of wellness (physical, emotional, environmental, social, occupational, spiritual, intellectual and financial) by funding a comprehensive program that allows us to tailor activities to our members’ needs, and includes a research component in collaboration with an assistant research professor at the University of South Florida, Dr. Roxann Taormina. 

This is not the first time that the Barancik Foundation has been a transformational influence on the Academy. Back in 2018, they funded an initiative that facilitated the growth of a burgeoning young adult population. The impact was profound as our community was invigorated by the ideas and creative input from our newest members ages 18-29. They continue to keep us on our toes!

The FIT Initiative has been similarly transformative. With members engaged in wellness-based activities every day, the results have been exciting. Through attending financial workshops with our colleagues at Truist Bank, some members have shared that they are able to maintain a budget for the first time in their lives. Those who are joining us at the gym twice a week report better sleep and eating habits, increased mobility and lower blood pressure. A weekly wellness-themed book club has members branching out to explore new health topics that weren’t previously on their radar. None of this would have been possible without the generosity of the Barancik Foundation.

And so, with all the fanfare of that other Academy Award program, member Ian Churchill welcomed an unsuspecting guest to the stage, Barancik Foundation’s Collaboration and Impact Officer, Matt Sauer. He, along with Ev Bosque, Greg Luberecki, and Daqone Tirene were presented with the golden trophy inscribed with our message of deep gratitude. Matt accepted the award on behalf of the foundation and spoke enthusiastically about the longstanding relationship between our organizations, and the satisfaction of seeing us grow and thrive since our inception. As a rule, we are thoughtful to align ourselves with community partners who share our ideals and values, and when it comes to the Barancik Foundation, we’ve found a perfect FIT.

Coordinating efforts with SRQ Strong’s Founding Member and Board Chair, Andrea Blanch, PhD, and Administrative Director Annelise Adams, Academy members and staff welcomed guests and provided light hors d’oeuvres and technical support before and during the event in which Master Attorney Mediator Hesha Abrams discussed her book, Holding the Calm: The Secret to Resolving Conflict and Defusing Tension. The presentation, delivered to a full house and on Zoom, was equal parts inspiring and informative. 

We are proud to partner with agencies that are doing such challenging and important work in our community. Like the old saying goes, “if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”  Thanks to partnerships such as ours, we are, in fact, SRQ Stronger together.

This past week, Academy member Alyssa Montans and director, William McKeever, were presented with a check totaling $11,871. Over the last 15 years, through the Subaru “Share the Love” event, Subaru of America, Inc., and participating retailers have donated more than $256 million to charity, with customers choosing between four national charities and over 2,100 hometown charities.

Sarasota Subaru’s Shenna Lula, shared their focus on philanthropy in the support the Academy’s mission, “It is an absolute pleasure to be partnered with an organization that is making a positive impact in the community but more importantly in individuals families and lives. The Academy at Glengary is an asset to our community and we are honored to be a part of that!” Subaru’s donation to the Academy will be instrumental in ensuring the expansion of our services to every corner of Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Thanks to Sarasota Subaru for driving us onward and upward.

(left to right) William McKeever, Tim Reeher, Rick Smith, Shenna Lula, and Alyssa Montans

This past week we welcomed colleagues from California, Oklahoma, Washington, Massachusetts, and Miami (Florida) for a 2-day training on “Sustainability for Clubhouse Programs.” This was the first time we opened our doors for this type of training experience. It was exciting to engage our colleagues on roundtable discussions of best practices, challenges, solutions, and innovations. 

We were joined by amazing local guest speakers: Stewie Bitterman shared his thoughts and suggestions on Ambassador programs; John Annis of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation presented on relationship building with charitable foundations; Jeff Steinwachs (after dropping off some delicious, fresh caught grouper and snapper) stopped in to share strategies on mission, sustainable growth, and outcomes; and Robyn Faucy presented on Results 1^st. It was truly an all-star cast of guest speakers.

Our guests included Linn Blohm and Melanie Reese of Thunderbird Clubhouse (OK), Rachel Riani and Luke Knowles of Genesis Club (MA), Bernadette Jacobs of Hero House NW (WA), Tamara Hunter and Lisa Breton of Mental Health Connections (CA), and Debra Webb, Amy McClellan, and Lalita Airan of Key Clubhouse (Miami). 

Academy members and staff enjoyed the experience of hosting our colleagues. Member and Academy board member Paul Hennekes joined William McKeever as co-facilitator of the workshop. Maureen Flaig provided our guests with a thorough tour, and our Culinary Team served a delicious breakfast and lunch each day. Several Academy board members and Ambassadors joined colleagues for an amazing BBQ on Tuesday night, all prepared by our Culinary Team. We had so much fun hosting this smart, fun, and engaging group of colleagues! This collaborative workshop provided as much benefit to our Academy community as it did to our guests. We look forward to more opportunities like this in the future.

The Pines took a chance on us when we were an unknown entity with no track record. Their trust in us enabled some of our members to take their very first steps into paid employment while others returned to work after lengthy absences. Both scenarios can be anxiety-producing, but the Pines nurtured our members´ talents and set the stage for them to become at ease in the workplace. They are, in fact, star-makers! Among those who formerly worked a TE at the Pines, eight are currently working in competitive employment. One member has gone off government benefits and is working full time. 

This is the power of Transitional Employment. While the Pines were the first to partner with us, they are not our last. Thus far, six renowned local businesses- Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Sunset Cadillac, Gettel Automotive, the Public Defender´s Office and Doctors´ Hospital- have followed suit, and that number is growing. These opportunities are major turning points in our members´ lives. Even better than a shiny trophy, Transitional Employment has the potential to launch members into productive, fulfilling careers. In this sense, everyone is a winner.

(left to right) Eric Broderick, Greg Agnacian, Ian Churchill, Chantel Gingrich, Stewie Bitterman, Aaron Collmer, Anna Cerniga and Helen Kuenzner.

Music by Keaton Williams and Chris Cournoyer of the Jazzberries wafted through the room as guests dined. The meal – perfectly cooked salmon, Moroccan-spiced chicken, falafel, roasted tri-colored carrots, couscous and more (honey-kissed baklava complimented our bee theme) – was beautifully presented and efficiently served by our culinary team. 

The program included our first-ever “Academy” Award; a special tribute to Pines of Sarasota for being our first-ever Transitional Employment partner, while those members who have worked at the Pines joined the stage to honor them. Member Ian Churchill was among them, and he later returned to the stage to speak about the role the Academy has played in his personal development, and how employment has transformed him. When our director William McKeever spoke, he posed the thought-provoking question: “what if?,” painting a vivid picture of a world where we lead with empathy and “slow down the train enough so that everybody can get on.”

The world premiere of our Academy-produced animated short “Colony at Glengary: Return to the Garden” was shown, and two members, Erika Schlunk and Benjamin Foreman were acknowledged for their tireless efforts in creating the animation.  Member Stephen Anderson added humor and warmth when delivering the ASK along with culinary instructor Ben Burnside. The whole event was seamlessly held together by our emcees, Academy member Holden Seguso and enrollment coordinator Patty Haltinner. They were charming and engaging and had great chemistry on stage. 

Our Luncheons are as much friend-raiser as fundraiser, so we were delighted to have so many new faces in the audience. We watched as heads nodded in solidarity and eyes turned wistful with compassion, and we could see clearly that our members’ graciousness and talents have an impact.  

Speaking of impact, Paul, Sharon and Jeff Steinwachs of the Steinwachs Family Foundation were in attendance. They have been integral in our success since our inception. Their 1:1 financial match all but ensured we would exceed fundraising expectations. We are grateful for their support which goes far beyond financial. They are extraordinary people and we are honored to call them friends. 

To all who attended, supported, or helped create our luncheon, we thank you for opening your hearts and minds to the power of mental health recovery. You are the change we all hope to see in the world.

We consider return visits to be a sign of good things to come, and we were not disappointed: The State Attorney Office is interested in partnering with us for Transitional Employment (TE) opportunities. TE positions, somewhat like paid internships, enable our members to get on-the-job experience while receiving individualized support from their Academy job coach. Many members are looking to join or rejoin the workforce as part of their mental health recovery, but due to living with their mental illness symptoms, they may not have a job history or recent work experience. For a period of 6 to 9 months, a part-time TE job helps members adjust to the work environment while gaining practical experience for a resume. These jobs are a crucial bridge from Academy training and practice to long-term, career-based employment.

Ed and Jennifer were able to see how the Academy prepares members for TE jobs and hear directly from members who have had, or hope to have, TE jobs as part of their recovery. They were also able to witness how important members are to daily Academy operations as well as to lifting each other up in our inclusive, supportive environment.

Ed has had a long career of protecting the public and responding to the needs of the community. We are honored by his interest in partnering with the Academy as part of making the counties of the 12^th Judicial Circuit a better place for all. Soon Academy staff will visit the State Attorney Office to explore different part-time job opportunities for our members. We thank Ed for being part of a local solution in mental health and for his interest in giving our members a chance to gain valuable work experience in a highly regarded setting.