Manatee Community Foundation Returns

A tour of Academy provides insights into member perspectives on recovery

Members may have been busy “stirring the pot” when the Academy welcomed another group from Manatee Community Foundation (MCF) at the end of October, but it was for a good reason!

Thanks to MCF CEO Susie Bowie’s interest in building ties with the Academy, we were joined this time by Director of Philanthropy Jennifer Abbott, Donor Engagement Manager Alicia Chalmers, and Events and Administrative Manager Amy Treis. You may recall from news of MCF’s summer visit that approximately 15% of Academy members live in Manatee County. This includes member Cayman Seiffert, who led his fellow Manatee “neighbors” on a tour of the Academy. Our visitors were very inquisitive about our members’ experiences of recovery and how Academy programs complement other area human services.

MCF itself seeks to strengthen and enhance the Manatee community through philanthropy, education, and service, and they have a strategic focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. These priorities sparked a great discussion over lunch, during which Jennifer, Alicia, and Amy were able to speak more with Cayman as well as staff members Jeffrey Jean, Vanessa Alcantara and William McKeever. And we’re sure the delicious (albeit stir-intensive) mushroom risotto lunch prepared by our Culinary Team sparked compliments as well! Thanks to MCF for taking the time to hear directly from our members and to see first-hand how the Academy fits into the recovery process.

Pictured above are (left to right) Cayman Seiffert, Amy Treis, Jennifer Abbott and Alicia Chalmers