Even with all their complexities, families are a blessing of permanence that give children an advantage in life. But not everyone is given this opportunity, especially those in foster care. As program director of the Heart Gallery of Pinellas and Pasco, Patsy Stills is hoping to change that.

A program of Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services, “the Heart Gallery of Pinellas and Pasco is dedicated to increasing the number of adoptions of local children in foster care,” said Patsy. Since it was established in 2006, the nonprofit organization has found forever homes for 390 children. But many more need help.… Read More

The US has long been a beacon of hope to people who wish to make new lives for themselves. But moving to and adjusting to a new country can be difficult without some friendly help. That’s where the Sew Much Hope Project, founded by a mother and daughter team – Janet Meyer, a resident of the Old Northeast, and her daughter Courtney Erickson – comes in.

Sew Much Hope Project is a collaborative social enterprise based in St. Pete that gives women who are legally settled refugees the chance to learn how to sew and earn supplemental income to help their families.… Read More

While the City of St. Petersburg was developing its reputation over the past two decades as a premiere arts destination in the southeast, a budding native-daughter poet was set on filling the literary cultural void. What began as an effort to design and promote reading and writing events blossomed less than a year later into a nonprofit supporting the literary arts through ongoing education and creative events. Keep St. Pete Lit celebrated its seventh anniversary this past August.

Maureen McDole, Keep St. Pete Lit’s founder and executive director, spearheaded the organization’s growth from its inception to the present where it is now regarded as one of Florida’s leading literary arts groups providing low-cost, high-quality writing classes to people of all ages – from elementary school on up to seniors – and all skill levels from beginners to professionals.… Read More

On August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment to the US Constitution passed, giving American women the right to vote. Now 100 years later, Linsey Grove, president of the League of Women Voters of the St. Petersburg Area (LWVSPA), says the best way for women to celebrate this milestone is to exercise their own right to vote. She also points to the interesting similarities between this year’s election, which is taking place during the global COVID-19 pandemic, and what was happening during the women’s suffrage movement in the early 20th century.

Ratification of the 19th amendment followed two devastating world events: the 1918 flu and World War I, both of which severely reduced the population of young men and created a labor shortage in the US.… Read More

It’s hard to say who enjoyed the attention more: Mindy, the white cockatoo at Sunken Gardens with the big personality, or the students from Bear Creek Elementary. Mindy ruffled the feathered crest on top of her head as the students crowded around, eager for a look at the exotic bird and hoping she’d say hello.

Back in February, before coronavirus social distancing guidelines, the students were there for the official launch of Sophie & Zack at Sunken Gardens, a colorful, interactive book published by the Sunken Gardens Forever Foundation. It’s part of a new innovative educational program in partnership with the Pinellas County School System.… Read More

When Jennifer Yeagley assumed the role of CEO at the St. Petersburg Free Clinic at the beginning of March, she had no idea she would be in the trenches fighting the financial fallout from the coronavirus less than a month later.

In the beginning of her tenure as CEO, a busy day at the Free Clinic’s food panty was providing groceries for 200 families and individuals. By the first week of April, 700 families and individuals a day had become the new normal. “[On Good Friday,] we had a line of cars three blocks long the better part of the day,” said Yeagley.… Read More

As you walk around your neighborhood, you may see dogs wearing bright yellow “Adopt Me” harnesses. Most of these dogs are probably rescue dogs and looking for their next forever home, while being fostered by caring families. There are many pet-rescue organizations, but one of them is located right here in Crescent Heights – Safe Paws Rescue.

Crescent Heights resident Art Shaul founded Safe Paws Rescue in 2018. The organization rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes dogs, regardless of breed, size, age, or health conditions. I can attest to this myself, because we fostered two senior dogs, Harry (short for Harriet), and before Harry, there was Lola.… Read More

Three Northeast St. Pete residents are helping the next generation of young people learn the skills they need to succeed in life. Kim Harvey, an interior designer; Krista Petkov, an information technology specialist at Jabil; and Bryan Stanley, a technology sales professional are volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, a nonprofit organization that matches vulnerable, at-risk youth with adult mentors.

A resident of Shore Acres, Kim moved to St. Petersburg eight years ago, and has a wide range of passions, from running her own interior design business (Kim Harvery Design) to horseback riding, and making bags out of repurposed sails.… Read More

Lariana Forsythe: CASA’s New CEO

While many neighbors in our community are aware of the tremendous work done by CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse), a new CEO at the helm hopes to take the organization to the next level through good management and smart decisions.

Lariana Forsythe, CASA’s new CEO, is young, vibrant, and full of ideas to improve the nonprofit organization which has been providing support to victims of domestic violence since 1977.  She comes to CASA from Phoenix, where she was the chief development officer and vice president for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix.

Lariana grew up in Arizona but summered on Long Boat Key and Sarasota as a child.… Read More

After retiring in January, I began looking at my bucket list of travel ideas and plans. Immediately after retiring, I participated in a wonderful ten-day trip to Cuba as a volunteer (see article in May/June 2017 issue). I have trips to Greece and Poland on my list for later this year and next year. Although it’s my passion, like most of us,  I can’t travel all of the time!

Back home, I set out to find a meaningful way to contribute to my community. Could I find something here in St. Petersburg that might be tied to my interest in other cultures/countries while helping in some way?… Read More