SARASOTA - An anonymous donor is helping the City of Sarasota tackle its much talked about homeless issue.
Last month, City Manager Tom Barwin learned a donation of $100,000 had been made in order to assist the city deal with helping those in need.
"We think we can make some significant progress on this over the next couple of years," said Barwin.
Barwin is spearheading the effort, called The Chronically Homeless Master Caseworker and Planning Program. He says its likely the City and County will each contribute an additional $20,000, totaling $140,000.
"We really appreciate the donor trying to move us all in the right direction," said Barwin.
Barwin says the money will be used on the following:
- Up to $100,000 to hire caseworker(s) to assist willing individuals find jobs, homes and to overcome addictions.
- Up to $25,000 to fund a new strategic plan addressing the homeless issue.
- Up to $15,000 in supplies, materials, transportation to support staff and initiative.
Leslie Loveless, the Interim Executive Director with the Suncoast Partnership to end Homelessness, applauds the plan.
"This will address the issue in Downtown Sarasota. Chronic homelessness is a serious concern for all of us. We are equally concerned for the homeless as we are the residents, but there is still work to be done."
This Monday night, Sarasota City Commissioners are expected to vote on whether to contribute the additional $20,000. If approved, the money will come from the City's contingency fund.
Wacipi posted at 9:35 am on Fri, Mar 15, 2013.
oh real nice! MORE CASEWORKERS????????? Look, these people don't do their jobs now. That money was to help the homeless, not to add to the city budget. I may be wrong, but I hope the anonymous donor steps up and says NO! Let this be a warning to you folks. If you want to help a "horse" go to its mouth, not the hand that is supposed to feed it and rarely does. If they did, there wouldn't be a problem in the first place! Unbelievable and I would really like to know just who's idea it was that the city should keep the money for its own agenda instead of actually doing with it what was no doubtedly trusted to them.
rupert posted at 7:55 am on Fri, Mar 15, 2013.
Thank you Anonomous Donor perhaps other well healed Sarasotians will follow with more donations![smile]