Harvest House makes magic during recent Home Again Luncheon

Sarasota-based nonprofit Harvest House Centers recently held its 14th annual Home Again Luncheon: Making Magic. For the first time, the signature fundraising event was held at Harvest House's own Life Enrichment Campus, giving the sold-out crowd of over 300 an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at where the magic of transformation happens every day.

Over the course of the program, guests discovered how Harvest House transforms the lives of more than 1,000 men, women, young adults, and children who find refuge and recovery each year. Through sponsorships, the live and silent auction, and the challenge-match enhanced paddle raise, Harvest House raised more than $350,000 – with donations still coming in – in support of its work.

Guests were welcomed by Harvest House President | CEO Dan Minor, with additional remarks from Jessica Muroff, president and CEO of Community Foundation of Sarasota County, and Phillip Lanham, president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Both foundation leaders noted the value of programs like Wellness Within Reach and the dignified, holistic support Harvest House provides to help rebuild lives; Muroff added a personal touch, noting that her brother battled addiction and that he survived – and is now thriving – because people were able to see him as a whole person deserving of support, not just the crisis he was experiencing.

The fundraising kicked off with a live auction, led by local comedian and documentarian Ken Sons. There was enthusiastic bidding for “The Minor Table,” a private chef’s tasting and wine pairing experience for eight; in the end, three winners bid $5,100 each. That $15,300 will support Harvest House’s Resilience Fund, for the Family Service team members to use for urgent but unbudgeted client needs.

The luncheon also featured a powerful video showcasing numerous client testimonials, highlighting each individual’s "magic moments" of transformation. A common theme was each person’s gratitude for now being able to enjoy fulfilling and independent lives, and being productive members of society. And then Shonte took the stage to tell her story.

Shonte’s past includes growing up in a household where her mother experienced domestic abuse; Shonte left her own partner when the relationship became abusive – refusing to go down the same path as her mother. There were long stretches where she and her young son were without a home, staying with friends or in Shonte’s car.

The two later entered emergency housing at Harvest House's Family Haven. For the first time in a long time, they weren't in survival mode – they were safe. From there, they moved into Harvest House's Family Village, where they had their own rooms and a living space where they could finally breathe. Shonte became a teacher at her son's school, then – through Harvest House's Education track – she went back to school and earned her Associate's degree, the first member of her family to get a degree. The transformation continued as she and her son moved into one of Harvest House's affordable housing units; Shonte pays her own rent and utilities, and the two manage their own home.

She continues to dream of future upgrades, planning to earn her Bachelor's degree, teach online, and keep saving for future life transformations. She is grateful to Harvest House for believing in her and helping her to upgrade her life, one brave step at a time.

"While we may be the vehicle for the magic of transformation that takes place on this campus, the real courage, the real grit, the real transformation belongs to our clients," said Minor. "They are the ones who work hard every day, who navigate incredible odds, who choose healing, who rebuild relationships, who pursue education and employment, and who change the trajectory of their lives."

After Shonte left the stage, Sons led the paddle raise, bolstered by a $125,000 match from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and donors Jerry and Fay Bainbridge. When the paddle raise came up $18,000 short of Harvest House’s goal, Lanham – on behalf of Gulf Coast Community Foundation – and couple George Loesel and Susan Doll-Loesel each pledged $18,000, putting Harvest House well over its total paddle raise fundraising goal.

Cornerstone Presenting Sponsors were Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, and Elton and Gordie White; and Keystone Sponsors were Seacoast Bank and Atlas Insurance. All proceeds from the event will support Harvest House's mission to provide dignified supportive housing and comprehensive mental health care to those in need throughout Sarasota County.

For more about the organization, visit harvesthousecenters.org.

About Harvest House
Harvest House is a local supportive housing and hunger relief provider with 300-plus beds and multiple programs throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. Harvest House became a pioneer in the local supportive and affordable housing movement in 1992. It serves members of our community who are working to rebuild their lives, including families and children experiencing homelessness, and adults with a history of addiction and incarceration. Its programs improve the economic status of residents and stabilize lives for generations to come. For more information, visit harvesthousecenters.org.