Community First: SPARCC
Photo provided by SPARCC, whose shelter houses up to 33 survivors at a time and is often full.
In this month’s edition of Community First, we are proud to celebrate a non-profit organization we have just started supporting, but one that has served our community for forty years: SPARCC (Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center).
SPARCC’s mission is to stop domestic and sexual violence in our communities. SPARCC is the only state-certified center for domestic violence and sexual assault services for Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. All of SPARCC’s services are free and confidential. In addition to serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence, SPARCC is actively engaged in promoting social change through community awareness and education in an effort to prevent violence in the future.
SPARCC serves its clients through an outreach center in downtown Sarasota, satellite offices in Venice, North Port and Arcadia, a shelter operating 365 days a year, a 24-hour crisis helpline (941-365-1976), counseling, hospital and courthouse accompaniment, legal services, support groups, empowerment programs and community education.
In 2018, SPARCC housed 219 adults and 139 children in their shelter, which accounts for 25% of their operating expenses (the lion’s share going to counseling and advocacy services for victims). Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. is honored and excited to offer design services to enhance the privacy and sanctuary experience for the residents of this special space.
To learn more about SPARCC and the services it offers, please visit their website, or read this powerful article from our friend Cooper Levey-Baker at Sarasota Magazine.
