As a Sarasota native I've had the privilege of calling this community home my entire life. As the mother of two boys in Sarasota County Public Schools and a volunteer in our public school system for the past five years, I've had the opportunity to see education through many different lenses—as a student, a parent, and a volunteer working alongside teachers, staff, students, and families.
Over the years, I've watched more and more of the responsibility for providing a quality public education slowly shift onto families. School supply lists continue to grow, the cost of living continues to rise, and when families are forced to choose between groceries, rent, and school supplies, those burdens don't stay at home—they follow children into the classroom. No child should have to worry about whether they'll have the supplies they need, whether they can afford to participate in a field trip, or whether unpaid lunch debt means they're thinking about their next meal instead of their next learning opportunity.
I believe every child deserves an equal opportunity to learn, regardless of their family's financial circumstances. Access to education shouldn't depend on what's in a parent's wallet.
I'm a firm believer that it's not enough to simply recognize problems—we have to bring solutions to the table. Many can talk the talk. Few are willing to walk the walk, and even fewer inspire others to walk alongside them. I don't believe one person changes a community. I believe communities change themselves when enough people decide to walk in the same direction. I wanted to build something that invited our entire community to walk alongside us.
The vision behind Turtles for Tomorrow is to build a community where no child's education is limited by circumstances beyond their control. Together, I believe we can remove barriers, create opportunities, and ensure every child has the chance to reach their full potential.