Human need is complex. Where a person or family has one need, there are invariably multiple needs. The work force residing on the campus contains resources that can address many needs for clients seeking help. Connecting the campus tenant partners to each other unlocks that network.
In 2017 and 2021 studies of our local network, “Strong relationships with other organizations” has remained among the greatest factors impacting human service agencies’ ability to provide and sustain services for their clients. With a built-in community of nonprofits, the Center provides a hub where collaborations are convenient, and actively facilitates networking and relationship building.
The community’s greatest asset in delivering human services is the dedicated staff working to help those in need. Our program for their professional development and self-care elevates the care they can provide and abates long-term burnout.
As a hub for human services, and because we are not funded by federal or state dollars, we are in a rare position of neutrality and centrality for the local human services sector.
That position means that the Center provides connective tissue for our region's social safety net. The examples below illustrate our role in community connectivity.
211 is a free, confidential information and referral service that any individual may call, email, text or search when they aren't sure where to find help for financial assistance, health programs, crisis support and more.
Glasser/Schoenbaum staff member Christina Russi is the Community Liaison for Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto County's 211 service, providing the connection between the 211 call center and the resources available to those in need.
The Community Alliance of Sarasota County is a group comprised of organizations in Sarasota's human services community. It is a meeting of minds for the sector, making connections and setting priorities for the social services delivery system as a whole. As a voluntary, unincorporated alliance, the logistical and organizational functions are also voluntary. Glasser/Schoenbaum provides the administrative functions necessary to keep the Alliance operating and moving forward.
EFSP/FEMA (Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program, overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency) distributes funding to human service agencies in communities across the country. Legislation for the program calls for "sensitivity to the transition from temporary shelter to permanent homes and attention to the specialized needs of homeless individuals with mental and physical disabilities and illness and to facilitate access for homeless individuals to other sources of services and benefits." Glasser/Schoenbaum is the local administrator for this board, helping to ensure that this vital funding reaches our community.
Season of Sharing of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and Herald-Tribune Media Group provides targeted financial assistance for necessities like rent, utilities, car repairs and other emergency expenses to individuals on the brink of homelessness. As the single fiscal agent for Season of Sharing in Sarasota County, Glasser/Schoenbaum processed 1,776 requests in the 2021-22 fiscal year, amounting to more than $1,200,000 in emergency funding distributed to people in need.
Publix Last Resort Emergency Assistance Funds (Publix Last Resort Funds) are used to assist employed persons who have experienced an un-budgeted and unexpected expense, a lay-off, an unexpected loss of income, or a financial hardship due to a catastrophic event or declared disaster. In a collaborative effort with the United Way Suncoast, Glasser/Schoenbaum acts as a fiscal agent for the distribution of funding to Publix associates in need, as well as community members qualifying for assistance. Glasser/Schoenbaum distributed $21,000 of Publix Last Resort funds to individuals and families in fiscal year 2021-22.
In our annual agency survey, tenant partners consistently rank "affordability" as the top reason they appreciate their position at the Center. As local commercial real estate costs skyrocket, the cost to lease office space on the Campus of Caring saves tenant partner agencies 70% of the market rate.
By providing overhead resources, Glasser/Schoenbaum is a partner in sustainability for our agencies; we help to keep their lights on and their doors open.
We provide over 48,000 sqft of air-conditioned office space on a 5-acre campus in North Sarasota and subsidize operational expenses for our nonprofit tenant partners, ensuring their resources can be used to deliver more services to people in need.
Nonprofit partners leasing office space on the 5-acre Campus of Caring save 70% of the current comparable market rate. Combined with additional costs covered, like electricity, water, security, grounds-keeping, cleaning, and building maintenance, agencies collectively save $960,000/year.
With the savings in 2022-23, agencies reported that they were able to:
The Nonprofit Centers Network analyzes the value of shared services, saying "Shared services leverage the economies of scale that are created when multiple organizations access services from the same service providers. Shared services also allow service providers and participating organizations
to create positive impacts beyond the direct services provided." (Rethinking Overhead: Daring to Share Resources).
Some of our favorite shared services and amenities include:
The staff at Glasser/Schoenbaum have done a great job of connecting the many organizations on campus and creating a space that sparks collaboration. This sense of community extends to staff and clients alike, helping to break down barriers and leading to innovative ways to serve the community as a whole.
Real estate is one of the greatest costs in a business budget. Our partnership with The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center allows more money to go towards our mission. And what better place to house our office than on a campus with nineteen other outreach agencies.
As a small organization with a staff of two, employee safety was a big consideration when we were looking for office space. We did not want our employees to be in a place where they were alone. Being on the GSHSC campus has been great because there is a whole community of like-minded professionals.
