Academy at Bradenton
1201 6th Ave, Suite 324
Bradenton, FL 34205

Following the installation of PC’s, Macs, smartboard, and printer, our work-ordered day began with humble beginnings on the 3rd Floor of Connect Central. With an initial enrollment of 25 members, program director, Jeffrey Jean and social practitioner, Vanessa Alcantara, are leading the new endeavor. They operate out of the new working space in Bradenton on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Meanwhile, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, Manatee County members are transported to Academy at Glengary in Sarasota. They will gradually increase the workday opportunities onsite in Bradenton, leading up to the grand opening of our new facility in June, 2023.

To learn more about our new Academy at Bradenton project and/or the enrollment process, please visit www.AcademySRQ.org or call 941-921-9930.

Full speed ahead!

We rely on our strong partnerships with law enforcement and judicial leaders to support mental health initiatives, and we are grateful for an ongoing partnership with Larry Eger, Public Defender of the 12th Judicial Circuit and Ed Brodsky, State Attorney of the 12th Judicial Circuit (serving Sarasota, DeSoto and Manatee Counties). Without their leadership, we would not see the progress that we have in reducing incarcerations and other punitive measures for those in a mental health crisis.

As our membership grows, we see more folks from Manatee considering membership at the Academy. We love to have made a connection with two more key individuals, and potential referral sources, in Manatee County. And they couldn’t have been nicer! We thank them for stepping away from their very busy schedules to spend some time with us. We look forward to furthering our connection.

Pictured above are (left to right) Academy at Glengary Board President Joan Geyer, Academy staff Vanessa Alcantara, Gabriele Plendl, Cynthia Evers, Academy member Chantel Gingerich and Academy staff Jeffrey Jean

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