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S.M.I.L.E.S – Specifically, Meeting Individual’s Life Skills, Emergency Services & Support

The S.M.I.L.E.S. (Specifically Meeting Individuals’ needs through Life Skills, Emergency Services, and Support) program at Second Chance Last Opportunity is designed to assist individuals and families facing crisis. This comprehensive program offers a range of essential services to support those needing a hand up.

Emergency Services

Through the S.M.I.L.E.S. program, clients can access:

  • Emergency Food Distribution: Available three times a week, this service provides hot meals, non-perishable food items, and fresh produce to help families prepare nutritious meals.

  • Clothing and Personal Hygiene Supplies: Individuals in crisis can receive clothing and personal care items, ensuring they have what they need to maintain their dignity and well-being.

  • Counseling and Skills for Life Classes: The program includes mental health support and resources aimed at personal empowerment, helping clients build valuable skills for the future.
  • Bundles of Joy

 

Bundles of Joy

The Bundles of Joy initiative focuses on supporting new mothers and their infants. Each month, this program distributes essential supplies, including:

  • Diapers and Wipes: To assist mothers in caring for their babies.

  • Formula: Providing nutritional support for infants who need it.

  • Additional Supplies for New Mothers and Babies 

With recent expansions of the Bundles of Joy program to Venice, in partnership with the Suncoast MCC, SCLO continues to reach more families in crisis.

 

Help Us Restock Our Shelves

To continue providing these vital emergency services, we need your help to keep our shelves stocked, especially as we approach the holiday season. We recently completed an expansion of our emergency services building, allowing us to serve more families than ever. However, maintaining a robust inventory of essentials is crucial.

You can help by donating unopened non-perishable goods such as canned vegetables, pasta, rice, dried beans, and baby supplies. Every contribution makes a difference in our ability to support those in crisis.

Additionally, donations can be made through the Flanzer Trust at flanzertrust.org, where your contributions will be doubled, amplifying the impact of your generosity.

The S.M.I.L.E.S. program serves as a vital resource for those seeking support during challenging times, helping to empower individuals and foster a brighter future for the community. Thank you for your continued support!

 

Pieces Of Me – Women & Girls Empowerment

Many of the women that attend these classes have experienced hunger, homelessness, or risk of homelessness, often involving domestic violence. The Empowerment classes strive to help women learn how to define their crisis situation and plan for the next step. They come to see that safety for themselves, their children, and their grandchildren is a fundamental basic human right.

We do whatever it takes to assist women in times of crisis to accept their situation and empower them to formulate a plan to move to their next step. Many of the women are single moms. The PIECES OF ME Program is open to all women and girls and is recognized within the community as a program that does not exclude anyone and makes all attendees feel included, valued, and able to speak their truth. The issue of confidentiality amongst group attendees is addressed.

SCLO’s mission for over 27 years has been to help people in need to learn how to help themselves. SCLO encourages the recipients to participate in our learning and training assistance programs. Women can find support and inspiration for their Journey. Many graduates give back by volunteering themselves.

SCLO’S NEW SIX-MONTH PROGRAM FOR WOMEN. The PIECES OF ME Women’s Empowerment Classes are included in this program. Participants will receive and be encouraged to keep a journal throughout the program. Arts and crafts are offered and participants will have the opportunity to enter their arts and crafts projects in the Sarasota County Fair competition. Participants who complete the program will be taken on a shopping trip and receive a gift card to be used for their Graduation Event.

Mental Health Counseling

Contact 941-360-8660