Sarasota Family YMCA - Social Services

Social Services, as defined by the Sarasota Family YMCA, is our approach to recognizing community problems, concerns, or voids. Beginning in 1991 with the opening of our first shelter for runaway teens, we have continued to expand by adding programs to benefit families and children.

When we determine that a crisis exists, we attempt to find a solution and build a coalition of community partners to assist with managing the solution. The long-term goal is to solve the problems within our community without outside assistance. This approach has developed some outstanding collaborations, coalitions and partnerships.

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The Safe Children Coalition assists more than 5,000 children in five counties every day. These children have been abused or neglected by their parents and many are placed in foster homes. This is one of the most successful foster care programs in the nation and has become the benchmark for foster care within the state of Florida.

Our emphasis on families is demonstrated through shelters for runaway or delinquent teens as well as foster care group homes. We offer counseling, free of charge, to families and students from any middle or high school in Sarasota or DeSoto Counties. For expelled students, we have two Triad second chance school locations as well as programs for homeless and truant teens.

This department implements programs to elevate the quality of child care (center-based, faith-based, family child care and after school care), education, and family involvement for children birth to age 12. The main office is headquartered within the Lazarus Training Institute in downtown Sarasota. Program offices are located throughout the county for convenient access for clients.