Suncoast Center, Inc.

On Wednesday, Zero Suicide Partners of Pinellas had the pleasure of facilitating Florida Blue Center of Pinellas Park's monthly Lunch and Learn in recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. We provided our Safety is for Everyone training, which dives into suicide data and statistics, risk factors, warning signs, prevention efforts, and intervention methods. The group-made up of amazing community members, including local seniors-helped spark powerful conversations around awareness, support, and resources that can truly save lives. A huge thank you to Community Specialist, Carrie Miller, and the Florida Blue team for inviting us into this space to connect, educate, and work together to end the stigma surround suicide. #SuicidePrevention #ZSPoP #FloridaBlue #endthestigma

As we observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we extend our sincere gratitude to Mayor Welch of Saint Petersburg for presenting Zero Suicide partners of Pinellas' proclamation at the September 11th City Council Meeting. The proclamation highlights the critical importance of raising awareness about suicide prevention and fostering a community committed to hope, support, and life-saving resources. Suncoast Center CEO, Jean Pierre, LCSW, MBA, also shared remarks during the proclamation, highlighting the essential role that community awareness, engagement, and collaboration play in preventing suicide and supporting those in crisis. His words reinforced the message that suicide prevention is a shared responsibility that requires attention, education, and action from all sectors of our community. As the lead agency of Zero Suicide Partners of Pinellas, Suncoast Center works diligently year-round to ensure the St. Petersburg community has access to essential prevention resources, education, and support. Through this ongoing work, we strive to empower individuals, families, and community partners with the knowledge and tools necessary to recognize warning signs, provide assistance, and ultimately save lives. #SuicidePreventionMonth #SPM25 #SuncoastCenter #PinellasCounty

Yesterday, our Zero Suicide team was invited to speak with parents at the Clearwater Neighborhood Family Center (CNFC) about the issues their children are facing. The program reaches children from Kindergarten through 5th grade. It was enlightening and encouraging to hear from parents about their experiences and seeing them come together as a community to support each other. With help from Malika McCluster and the CNFC team, we were able to share some resources to parents and their children. It's important to remember, that nothing in this life was meant to be faced alone. It takes a village, together we can build a better world. #ittakesavillage #pinellascounty #parenting #mentalhealthawareness

A job where you make a difference every single day. That’s what you’ll find at Suncoast Center. Join us at our upcoming Job Fair to explore careers as a Case Manager, Customer Ambassador, and other roles that help strengthen and support our community. 📅 Wednesday, September 10th | 📍 3420 8th Ave S St. Petersburg, FL 33711 https://lnkd.in/gu_6bcm2

On August 10th, Zero Suicide Partners of Pinellas (ZSPoP) was honored to take part in the Kutz for Kids event. At this event, children in the community received free haircuts to start the school year fresh and confident. Alongside our regular outreach sharing suicide prevention resources, we distributed school supplies on-site and went into the community to make sure supplies reached the students who needed them most. Events like this remind us that small acts, whether a new backpack or a fresh haircut, can make a big difference in helping kids feel ready to take on the school year. #SuncoastCenter #BacktoSchool #CommunitySupport #PinellasCounty #BeKindBeCuriousBeConnected

Zero Suicide Partners of Pinellas was proud to support M.K. Rawlings Elementary School at their Back-to-School event on August 9th! We provided school supply pouches for event attendees and donated an additional 400 bags for teachers to distribute during the first weeks of school, helping ensure students start the year prepared and supported. A special thank you to LoriAnn DiPenta for inviting us to be part of such a meaningful day and for being a wonderful host! #SuncoastCenter #BacktoSchool #CommunitySupport #PinellasCounty #BeKindBeCuriousBeConnected

We are proud to announce that Suncoast Center has been awarded a renewed Three-Year Accreditation from CARF International, recognizing our commitment to quality, accountability, and continuous improvement. This achievement reflects the hard work of our dedicated staff and leadership in providing person-centered services that make a meaningful impact in our community. #SuncoastCenter #CARFAccredited #MentalHealth

On August 2nd, the Zero Suicide Partners of Pinellas, in partnership with the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, proudly participated in three major back-to-school events across the county: the Pinellas County Sheriff's Police Athletic League, the Largo Public Library, and Tropicana Field. Over 2,000 packets of school supplies were distributed in a single day, helping families across Pinellas County feel supported. We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to JWB for their ongoing support of this initiative. Over the past month, we've worked together to provide over 10,000 students with essential back-to-school resources through nearly a dozen community events. JWB generously supplied school materials for distribution at the following events: Sanderlin Library Back to School Bash (July 17th) Greenwood Recreation Center (July 26th) Tropicana Field Bounce Back to School Annual Backpack Giveaway & Chicken Wing Cook Off (August 2nd) Access to school supplies not only eases financial stress but also promotes a sense of belonging and confidence, both of which are vital for mental health and emotional well-being. This initiative is a powerful example of how community connection and early support can help create a strong foundation for the school year and beyond.

We were pleased to welcome Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County Interim CEO, Mike Mikurak, to Suncoast Center for a tour of our main campus, joined by members of our leadership team. It was a pleasure connecting and sharing how we strengthen, protect, and restore lives across Pinellas County. We look forward to continued collaboration in support of children and families in our community! #SuncoastCenter #JWBStrengthens #PinellasResources

As the new school year approaches, Zero Suicide Partners of Pinellas, in partnership with the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, is stepping up to ensure that local students are ready to return to the classroom with the supplies and support they need. Through a series of community back-to-school events, Zero Suicide is providing free school supplies to families across Pinellas County while also promoting mental health awareness and connection. These events offer more than just supplies and notebooks, they are a chance for families to learn about available resources, build relationships, and kick off the school year feeling supported and empowered. On July 17th, Zero Suicide joined the community at the James B. Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Center, connecting with families and helping students gear up for success. It's important to remember that receiving school supplies is about more than pencils and paper; it's about giving students the tools they need to succeed, feel confident, and start the year on the right foot. When families get support from their community, it eases financial stress and reminds them they're not alone. The giveaways continue with the upcoming events, including: Saturday, July 26th | 11a- 1p Greenwood Recreation Center, Clearwater, FL 900 N Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Clearwater, FL 33755 Saturday, August 2nd | Multiple Locations Pinellas County Sheriff's Police Athletic League | 9a- 12p 3755 46th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33714 Largo Public Library | 1p- 3:30p 120 Central Park Dr., Largo, FL 33771 Tropicana Field Back to School Bash | 4p- 8p Lot 1, 1701 17th St., St. Petersburg, FL 33705 Each event offers opportunities for kids to get excited about returning to school, while families learn more about the resources available through Suncoast Center and the Zero Suicide team- further building mental wellness and preventing suicide in our communities. Zero Suicide's involvement highlights the importance of meeting families where they are- celebrating community, supporting education, and promoting the message: Be Kind, Be Curious, Be Connected.