Solmart Media and the Community Foundation are partnering together to bring you local stories from nonprofit organizations, community leaders, and those touched by our community's giving and generosity. Tune in to learn about and hear from the people who are making a difference.

2020 Giving Challenge Interviews with Solmart Media
(In Spanish | En Español)

As part of a larger effort to ensure all communities have the tools to be a part of the 2020 Giving Challenge, two nonprofit organizations – Fair Food Standards Council and Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County– along with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County were invited in early March 2020 to an interview with Mercedes Soler, President and Co-Owner of Solmart Media, an independently owned Southwest Florida Spanish-language media company. Below, each organization discusses the importance of the Giving Challenge and its pivotal role in maximizing their impact. 

Conversation with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County

Madeline Hansen, Manager of Nonprofit Services, speaks about the unifying power of giving during the 2020 Giving Challenge and how nonprofits and donors alike can maximize their impact during this 24-hour day of giving.

(March 2020, 9 Minutes)

Conversation with Fair Food Standards Council

Victor Yengle, Associate Director at Fair Food Standards Council, shares how the 2020 Giving Challenge has helped build public awareness for their mission, along with meaningful connections with donors and nonprofits in our community.

(March 2020, 14 Minutes)

Conversation with Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County

Patricia McMahon, Office Manager & Development Coordinator, Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, shares how your generosity helps provide free support for pregnant women, infants, and young children.

(March 2020, 11 Minutes)

Community Conversations (In Spanish | En Español)

Conversation with Fair Food Standards Council

Join Stephanie Medina, Human Rights Investigator at Fair Food Standards Council, in a conversation on how their mission is advancing the human rights of farmworkers, the long-term interests of growers, and the ethical supply chain concerns of retail food companies through the Fair Food Program (FFP).

(September 2020, 4 Minutes)

Conversation with Vicente Medina

Join Vicente Medina, former Community Foundation Board member, Board Ambassador, and member of a scholarship review and selection committee, in a conversation on empowering the next generation of students and leaders.

(September 2020, 4 Minutes)

Conversation with Forty Carrots Family Center

Join Sonia Azar, Parenting Educator at Forty Carrots Family Center, in a conversation about their efforts to empower families with the tools they need to ensure positive outcomes, both short-term and long-term, for children.

(September 2020, 3 Minutes)

Conversation with The Literacy Council of Sarasota

Join Sandra Beltrán, Program Assistant at The Literacy Council of Sarasota, in a conversation about their mission to improve literacy for adults (defined for our purposes as age 16 and above) in Sarasota County through personalized, needs-based tutoring and small group instruction.

(September 2020, 4 Minutes)

Conversation with UnidosNow

Join Luz Corcuera, Executive Director of UnidosNow, in a conversation about their mission to empower Latinos to achieve their American Drea and elevate the quality of life of the growing Hispanic/Latino community through education, integration, and civic engagement.

(October 2020, 4 Minutes)

Conversation with Parenting Matters

Join Rosana Rivera, Parenting Educator at Parenting Matters, in a conversation about their vision to ensure all families in our community have access to the skills and support needed to effectively parent their children.

(October 2020, 4 Minutes)

A Conversation with Escuelas Hermanas

Join Nora Flower in a conversation about Escuelas Hermanas, a local nonprofit organization educating children to become active citizens of their local community, their national community, and citizens of the world through sister schools.

(October 2020, 4 Minutes)

A Conversation with Drayton Saunders

Join Drayton Saunders, President of Michael Saunders & Company and Community Foundation Board Member, in a conversation on local efforts to help our fellow neighbors and ultimately unite our community.

(October 2020, 4 Minutes)

Conversation with Visible Men Academy

Join Diego Velasco, Dean of Students at Visible Men Academy, in a conversation about their work to provide boys with outstanding academic, character, and social education in a nurturing school environment.

(November 2020, 4 Minutes)

A Conversation with Nicole Light

Join Nicole Light, Education Officer at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, in a conversation about her work to advance grade-level reading efforts through a two-generation lens for families across generations.

(December 2020, 4 Minutes)

Conversation with Safe Place & Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC)

Join Tammy from Safe Place & Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) in a conversation about how their empowerment-based services and programs provide help, hope and healing to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

(January 2021, 4 Minutes)

A Conversation with Easterseals of Southwest Florida

Join Caroline Muolo with Easterseals of Southwest Florida in a conversation about their special needs services, offering the highest quality of care to children, youth and adults so that they can enjoy access, opportunities, and increased life choices.

(January 2021, 4 Minutes)

A Conversation with The Sarasota Ballet

Join Octavio Marín, Assistant Ballet Master with The Sarasota Ballet, in a conversation about empowering the next generation and bringing our community together through the art and power of dance.

(January 2021, 4 Minutes)

A Conversation with Turning Points

Join Maria Rodriguez, Programs Director, and Andy Guyre, Housing Program Manager, in a conversation about how Turning Points assists individuals and families on their path to financial stability and independence, providing services that prevent homelessness in our community.

(February 2021, 4 Minutes)

A Conversation with Embracing Our Differences

Join Sarah Wertheimer, Executive Director of Embracing our Differences, and Dena Sturm, Spanish Teacher at Riverview High School, in a conversation about how Embracing Our Differences works to share positive messages of enriching lives through diversity.

(February 2021, 4 Minutes)

A Conversation with The Florida Center for Early Childhood

Join Alba Colmenares More, Mental Health Therapist, in a conversation about how The Florida Center for Early Childhood helps build and foster strong families and expand the potential of young children through developmental therapies, mental health counseling, and the Starfish Academy preschool

(February 2021, 4 Minutes)

 

Community Campaigns (In Spanish | En Español)

Support the Season of Sharing Campaign

In a year like no other, neighbors have been helping neighbors in need through the time-tested and trusted “Season of Sharing” giving campaign supported by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Herald-Tribune Media Group. Learn how you can change someone’s tomorrow TODAY for families and adults in need.

(December 2020, 30 Seconds)

Guest Appearances

Roxie Jerde - I 501(c) You

Our President and CEO Roxie Jerde sat down with Michael Corley of I 501(c) You to discuss the role of community foundations in shaping society, the difference between private and public foundations, and the role of donors in determining initiatives for our Community Foundation. 

(June 2023 - 33 minutes)

Roxie Jerde - Lessons Learned Podcast

Our President and CEO Roxie Jerde joined David Conrod of the Lessons Learned podcast, focusing on exceptional thought leadership and community service that defines the Suncoast's nonprofit community. 

(October 2021, 26 Minutes)