Visible Men Academy receives $25,000 grant

Visible Men Academy gets grant of $25,000

BRADENTON -- The Two-Generation Parent Success Program at Visible Men Academy has been awarded a $25,000 grant from Barancik Foundation.

The program is tied to the belief a child's success is linked to parental ability to overcome obstacles. The program offers wellness, literacy and basic education classes.

The grant will help the program expand to employment preparation, career advice and financial empowerment.

Visible Men Academy is a tuition-free public charter school for boys in grades K-5 from low-income communities in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

"We believe in the VMA leadership team and their schoolhouse model," said Teri Hansen, president and CEO of the Barancik Foundation in a statement.

Fund to help Goodwill employees earn GED grows

BRADENTON -- A fund started by Fawley Bryant Architects is designed to ensure more Manasota Goodwill employees earn a GED, which will help employees work toward career goals.

At a Goodwill Manasota Legacy luncheon, President Mike Bryant of Fawley Bryant Architects presented a $25,000 check to Goodwill for the Rick and Coni Fawley Scholarship Fund, which represents the initial installment of $50,000 pledge by the firm.

After Coni Fawley died in February, and Rick Fawley passed in September, the fund was created to honor their legacy and help Goodwill team members advance educational growth.

Of more than 800 Goodwill employees, 20 percent do not have a high school diploma,. The $36,720 fund will be divided for employee enrollment for the next few years.

Veronica Miller, vice president of Goodwill Manasota, said enrollment is capped this year at 75 employees to allocate the funds over time.

Employees will be able to take the course at their Goodwill store, and receive regular pay during classes. In addition, $10,465 has been donated by 22 individual donors.

Embracing Our Differences seeks volunteer readers

BRADENTON -- Embracing Our Differences is partnering with Sarasota and Manatee county elementary schools and the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading to celebrate the 113th birthday March 2 of Dr. Seuss and is looking for more volunteers to read to children.

Volunteers can get more information and complete an online application at embracingourdifferences.org/Seuss.

The deadline is Feb. 15.

Information: embracingourdifferences.org.

-- Herald staff reports

This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 11:31 PM with the headline "Visible Men Academy receives $25,000 grant ."