By Rusty Chinnis

On June 27, I had the pleasure of attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Sarasota for the new offices of Suncoast Waterkeeper and 10 other leading non-profit organizations that are joining forces as a resilience incubator to ramp up their efforts to bring services to Sarasota and Manatee counties. Representatives from the various organizations were joined by elected officials to officially launch the partnership and offer tours of the brand-new collaboration and facility.

“This partnership marks a turning point for the Sarasota region. By working together as the Resilience Incubator, we can address our community’s most urgent needs more effectively than ever before,” Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay Joe Garcia said. “This is more than just a collaboration, it’s a commitment to a brighter, healthier and more resilient future for everyone in Sarasota.”

“We are thrilled to be part of this innovative effort. Together, as the Resilience Incubator, we can have a greater impact on ensuring clean and safe water for all, while enhancing our ability to protect this vital resource for future generations,” added Abbey Tyrna, executive director of Suncoast Waterkeeper.

Amber Whittle, executive director of Southface Sarasota, added, “We are excited that our dream to partner with these change-making organizations to create a more resilient community has become a reality. By coming together, we generate more awareness of climate resilience for our community and can make a real impact for the people of Sarasota and surrounding communities.”

“By combining our strengths under the Resilience Incubator, we can collaborate and utilize resources in the most effective way possible, benefiting the well-being of our community members,” said Matt Sauer of the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation.

Scott Bush, CEO of Suncoast Blood Centers and landlord of the building, remarked, “I am excited to see this space utilized in this unique and unprecedented way.”

The collaboration represents an enormous effort to address Sarasota’s most pressing needs with efficiency and impact. By uniting their resources and expertise, these organizations can better tackle critical issues head-on and create lasting positive change in the community.

The new unified approach will focus on:

• Protecting Our Waters: Strengthening our efforts to protect and preserve our local waters for the benefit of all while safeguarding these vital resources for future generations.
• Sustainability: Promoting eco-friendly practices and initiatives to create a more environmentally responsible community.
• Hurricane Preparedness and Resilience: Enhancing our readiness and response to natural disasters, ensuring the safety and well-being of our community members.
• Education and Youth Development: Providing robust educational programs and opportunities for youth to thrive and succeed.
• Affordable Housing: Addressing housing challenges by creating accessible and affordable living options.
• Mental Health Services: Expanding access to crucial mental health resources and support, promoting overall well-being.

The following organizations will be housed in the Resilience Incubator located at 1760 Mound St. in Sarasota: Community Harvest SRQ, Elizabeth Moore/Suncoast Stargazers, Florida Veterans for Common Sense Fund Inc., Minorities in Shark Sciences, Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, The Recycling Partnership, Sarasota Bay Watch, Southface, Southeast Sustainability Directors Network, Suncoast Waterkeeper and Sunshine Community Compost.

Having been involved in advocacy since the 1980s, I’ve been aware of the many local nonprofits and their good works and wondered how their impact could be enhanced if there was an opportunity to join forces to make the changes necessary to ensure a sustainable environment and community for future generations. This is exactly what the Resilience Incubator has been designed to do. Join in at www.suncoastwaterkeeper.org.