Beyond The Blog

On this episode of Connecting Communities, host Leah Verier-Dunn sat with Ben Tollefson, consultant with The Patterson Foundation, to discuss the Suncoast Campaign for Grade Level Reading’s THIS BOOK IS COOL! program. 

The summer slide is a real concern, particularly for our asset-limited families. Research spanning more than a century has shown that students can experience academic learning loss over the summer when they are not engaged in educational activities.

These losses can widen existing achievement gaps, making it even more difficult for students to stay on track academically. Without intervention, students may fall further behind year after year. SCGLR creates opportunities to prevent the “summer slide” and help close the achievement gap.

Timestamps 

00:30 – Meet THIS BOOK IS COOL!

01:28 – How a Simple Idea Became THIS BOOK IS COOL!

04:09 – Combating the Summer Slide Through Reading

06:59 – Who the Program Serves and Why It Matters

09:36 – What’s Inside a THIS BOOK IS COOL! Backpack

16:48 – Getting Started: Ben’s Tips for Families

Links to Learn More 

Season of Sharing (Community Foundation of Sarasota)

THIS BOOK IS COOL! Webisode Library

Suncoast Campaign for Grade Level Reading (SCGLR)

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In this episode of Civic Sparks, host Leah Verier-Dunn talks with Debra Jacobs, President and CEO of The Patterson Foundation, about why TPF cares about investing in civic responsibility.

Together, they discuss the history of The Patterson Foundation and its continued commitment to knowledge sharing and widespread participation.  Identifying that voting is perhaps the most important place to encourage widespread participation. 

Listeners will hear about:

• TPF’s voter education efforts
• Voting resources
• Why TPF cares

This conversation addresses the need to remove barriers, make resources accessible, and demystify the voting process to encourage more turnout at the polls. 

Timestamps 

• 00:00 Introduction to Civic Sparks and voter education
• 00:43 The Patterson family history and connection to civic responsibility
• 04:46 How census work led to the voter education initiative
• 08:42 How civic responsibility strengthens people and communities
• 11:37 Encouraging widespread participation in voting
• 13:54 Why every vote matters
• 15:13 Voting resources and making election information easier to understand
• 17:19 Removing the chaos from election season
• 18:43 You do not have to vote on every item to participate meaningfully
• 20:16 Sharing voter education resources through community partners
• 22:20 Voting as a way to build the society we want
• 23:52 Multilingual voter education resources and county-specific information
• 24:20 Voting matters at every age
• 25:36 Closing thoughts and call to learn more

Links to Learn More 

The Patterson Foundation’s Voter Education Initiative

The League of Women Voters

Vote411.org

Flyer in English

Flyer in Spanish

Blog: Engaging Voters: Why The Patterson Foundation Promotes Civic Responsibility

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In this episode of the Nonprofit Thrivability Series of Beyond The Blog, a Podcast by The Patterson Foundation, host Read Corley talks with Rick Yocum, executive director of the Humane Society of Manatee County, about his experience with Margin & Mission Ignition. Rick shares how the program helped his team focus its veterinary clinic around community needs, build a stronger business plan, and keep every decision tied to the organization’s mission. He also discusses the role of board and staff buy-in, listening to the public, expanding dermatology services, and using clinic revenue to support the shelter and keep more pets with the families who love them.

Timestamps 

• 00:00 Introduction to Rick Yocum and Margin & Mission Ignition
• 01:29 The first Margin & Mission Ignition venture
• 03:14 Listening to staff, board members, volunteers, and the public
• 06:02 Investing in staff and capacity to grow clinic revenue
• 08:38 Tracking impact beyond dollars
• 10:02 Expanding into dermatology services
• 11:40 Nonprofit is a tax status, not a business plan
• 14:56 Why board involvement mattered from the beginning
• 18:20 The waves created by Margin & Mission Ignition
• 23:23 Rick’s advice: be open and transparent with stakeholders

Links to Learn More 

• Margin & Mission Ignition
• Humane Society of Manatee County
• Blog: How Margin & Mission Ignition Helped the Humane Society of Manatee County Grow With Purpose

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In a recent Beyond The Blog podcast, Debra Jacobs, President and CEO of The Patterson Foundation, speaks with Ericia Henry, TPF Fellow 2024/26, right before she launches to the Kiwanis International Headquarters. Both reflect on her TPF Fellowship experience and what happens when someone actually leans into possibility even when it’s uncomfortable. In this conversation, you'll….

• Hear what it really looks like to choose courage over comfort because Ericia doesn’t sugarcoat the unknowns, she walks through the fear, the decision-making, and what it takes to say yes anyway.
• Get an inside look at the TPF Fellowship experience, not just the structure, but how it actually stretches you, builds new skills, and shapes who you become along the way.
• Walk away with a clearer sense of what can happen when you explore possibilities for your own path. 

Whether you’re considering the Fellowship or just navigating your next step, her journey sparks that “what if I did it too?” feeling. 

Timestamps 

• 1:18 - About Fellowship
• 3:53 - About Ercia Henry 
• 4:11 - Indiana University Southeast 
• 5:40 - Learning About The Fellowship Through Avery Crews Prado de Lima
• 6:15 - Getting to Know TPF Through the internship with Neurochallenge
• 8:27 - TPF’s Immersive Impact: Through Engagement, Experience, and  Expertise (Aka Study Away)
• 9:48 - The Flexibility & Opportunity of The Fellow Day-to-Day Experience 
• 11:20 - Developing Intellectual Muscles & Connections While at TPF
• 13:17: Learning To Work High Level with Intention, Strategy, and Organization 
• 15:40 - Ericia’s Plans to Make the World a Better Place
• 16:43 - Launching to Kiwanis International in Indianapolis, Indiana, as Steewardship and Engagement  Officer  
• 17:45 - Reconnecting and Reconvening Fellows During TPF Beyond
• 19:41 - Why Apply to be a Fellow?

Links to Learn More 

• About Ericia Henry
• The Patterson Foundation Fellowship
• Blog: Reflecting on Ericia Henry's Confidence and Courage Throughout Her TPF Fellowship

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In this episode of Aspirations to Actions, a Beyond The Blog podcast, host Alicia Chalmers talks with Michael Prihoda, Director of Media and Creative Content, and Menal Khanna, National Campaign Manager at The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation. Together, they explore The Harwood Institute’s powerful approach to community‑driven change and why you should join the upcoming National New Civic Path Virtual Book Circle on June 2.

They discuss the practices that have shaped both The Harwood Institute and The Patterson Foundation — listening deeply, not arriving with the answers, turning outward, and meeting communities where they are. These principles are woven into TPF’s culture and continue to guide Aspirations to Actions efforts across people, organizations, and communities in our region.

Listeners will hear about:

• How communities across the country are rediscovering hope through small, intentional actions — and how those actions create ripple effects that strengthen trust, connection, and belief in one another.
• Why shared aspirations can bridge our differences. The conversation explores how The New Civic Path offers a way forward in a time of division, inviting people to leave politics at the door, focus on what matters most locally, and take meaningful action together.

This episode is an invitation to reflect, reconnect, and recommit to the work of building hope one conversation, one gathering, one action at a time.

Timestamps 

• 02:16 — How The Harwood Institute Shows Up in Community
• 06:51 — The New Civic Path: What It Is and Why It Matters Right Now
• 10:04 — Adapting the Work for Each Community While Centering Local Agency
• 13:13 — Why and How The Patterson Foundation Launched The New Civic Path Book Circles
• 17:55 — Creating Space for Wide Participation Across People, Organizations, & Communities 
• 19:48 — Partnership Spotlight: William & Mary
• 23:45 — Join the National New Civic Path Book Circle (June 2, 2025)
• 26:23 — What’s In It for You? 
• 33:14 — Real Examples: How Book Circles Sparked Ripples of Change

Links to Learn More 

• Register for The National Book Circle
• Blog: Choosing Hope: Reflections From a Podcast Conversation on Civic Possibility

Connect Beyond The Blog

The Harwood Institute

Facebook: Rich Harwood 

Instagram: Rich Harwood

LinkedIn: Rich Harwood

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In this episode of Connecting Communities, a Beyond The Blog podcast by The Patterson Foundation, host and consultant Leah Verier-Dunn sits down with Beth Duda, Director of the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, to talk about all things Suncoast Remake Learning Days–an annual 15-day FREE hands-on learning festival taking place April 18, 2026, to May 2, 2026.

As a gift to the community by The Patterson Foundation, this 15-day celebration will feature 380+ free, hands-on events hosted by more than 335 community partners across Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. With learning themes like Arts, Maker, Outdoor Learning, Science, Technology, Youth Voice, and Professional Development, each event encouraged imagination and made room for meaningful discovery.

Now in its fifth year, the Suncoast edition of this global learning movement continues to grow. As part of the worldwide Remake Learning Days initiative, these events are more than fun. They are building stronger family bonds, inspiring lifelong learning, and creating brighter futures for all.

Timestamps 

• 00:28 - Intro
• 01:25 - Beth shares how Suncoast Remake Learning Days (SRLD) aligns with the work of the Suncoast Campaign for Grade Level Reading (SCGLR).
• 02:27 - Beth talks about how she first discovered Remake Learning Days.
• 03:50 - Beth explains why family engagement is so important in the sphere of learning.
• 07:57 - Beth discusses how SRLD demonstrates TPF’s approach of Connecting, Learning, Sharing, Evolving, and Strengthening (CLSES).
• 11:23 - Beth talks about the strengthening programs unique to Remake Learning Days in the Suncoast.
• 12:49 - Beth dives into the details of SRLD 2026!
• 15:27 - Beth explains how people can find out about the events.
• 17:36 - Beth highlights some of the upcoming events she’s excited about.
• 22:12 -  Beth shares how to get involved and host your own event next year.
• 25:53 - Beth encourages people of all ages to come and experience this year’s festival.

Links to Learn More 

• Suncoast Remake Learning Days Guide
• SRLD2026 App (Mac App Store)
• SRLD2026 App (Google Play)
• The Grable Foundation Website
• The Patterson Foundation Website
• Suncoast Campaign for Grade Level Reading (SCGLR) Website
• Remake Learning Days (National)
• Blog: 

Connect Beyond The Blog

• LinkedIn: Beth Duda
• Facebook: Beth Duda
• Instagram: @SuncoastCGLR
• Facebook: Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
• Instagram: @remakelearningdays
• Facebook: RemakeLearningDays 

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In this episode of the Nonprofit Thrivability Series, a Beyond the Blog Podcast, Read Corley sits down with Jesse Coleman, General Manager of WSLR + Fogartyville, to talk about what it really looks like to step into nonprofit leadership and figure out fundraising on the fly. Jesse shares how going through Fueling Dynamic Fundraising helped him move from uncertainty to having a clear plan by breaking down donor strategy, strengthening stewardship, and learning how to confidently make the ask. They also get into how WSLR + Fogartyville is building a culture of philanthropy with full team buy-in, and how their work with Margin & Mission Ignition is turning unused space into a new revenue stream while staying true to their mission. It is a grounded, honest conversation about learning as you go, building systems that actually work, and growing an organization without losing what makes it special.

Timestamps 

00:47 – What is WSLR + Fogartyville and its role in the community?

02:02 – Why Jesse joined Fueling Dynamic Fundraising and his initial experience

03:48 – The most impactful lesson from the fundraising training

05:36 – How Jesse implemented fundraising strategies after the course

06:47 – The value of collaborating with other nonprofit leaders

08:11 – What strategies were applied immediately vs. saved for later

09:48 – Jesse’s leadership transition and stepping into the GM role

11:04 – Biggest wins achieved after completing the program

13:56 – Strengths and ongoing challenges in fundraising execution

16:32 – Introduction to Margin & Mission Ignition and the earned revenue model

Links to Learn More

• WSLR Website
• FDF Page on TPF website
• MMI Page on TPF website
• Blog: How Jesse Coleman Became a Confident Fundraiser With Fueling Dynamic Fundraising

Connect Beyond The Blog

• Facebook
• Linkedin

Want to hear more? Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or visit us Beyond The Blog!

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In this episode of Discover DeSoto, host Alicia Exantus sits down with Traci Willingham, Community Relations and Engagement Director for the Neuro Challenge Foundation, about her experience as an exhibitor at the DeSoto County Ahead community event. 

From the Eight Arcadia/DeSoto Community themes, the one  that resonated during our conversation was theme #3, “Nonprofit, Business, Resident and Economic Opportunities to Support DeSoto County.” This theme emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities for collaboration among nonprofits, local businesses, and residents. Traci and the DeSoto County Ahead event are a perfect example of this theme in action. As an exhibitor and community advocate, Traci not only shared the mission and programs of the Neuro Challenge Foundation but also actively engaged with residents, organizations, and local leaders to build connections that could spark future collaboration. By bringing together nonprofits, youth, and community members under one roof, the event embodies the idea of supporting economic and social opportunities in an action-oriented way.

Hearing Traci reflect on her experience is a reminder that real progress doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when people show up, invest their time, and commit to building something stronger together. The energy from the event continues to ripple outward, influencing how organizations connect and how individuals access support.DeSoto County Ahead is a testament to what’s possible when a community rallies around shared aspirations. 

I encourage you to stay connected through DeSotoCountyAhead.org and to learn more about the Eight Arcadia/DeSoto Community themes. 

Timestamps 

• 00:25 - Introduction to Traci Willingham 
• 01:12 - Alicia outlines The Patterson Foundation’s involvement in DeSoto County 
• 02:56 - Traci’s role with the NeuroChallenge Foundation for Parkinson’s
• 04:06 - Traci reflects on exhibitor experience at DeSoto County Ahead Community Event 2026 
• 05:58 - How NeuroChallenge works with community partners and resources 
• 07:35 - Traci’s winning Newcomer Booth Award 
• 08:47 - Further discussion on resources for Parkinson’s disease 
• 10:28 - Evolution of DeSoto County Ahead Community Event as an exhibitor in 2025 and 2026
• 13:12 - Traci advises future DeSoto County Ahead Community Event exhibitors
• 14:55 - Traci shares her two Discover DeSoto gems, Jim Space Park and Yellow Deli

Links to Learn More 

Neuro Challenge

DeSoto County Ahead Initiative

Public Capital Report: DeSoto County Coming Together

DeSoto County Ahead anthem

Celebrating the Winners of the DeSoto Ahea

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In this episode of Rising Resilience, Leah Verier-Dunn speaks with former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate about the ins and outs of the disaster ecosystem. Who are the key players and what are their roles? Craig dives into the details of why each layer of support matters, encourages community members to explore Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, and even explains why the Waffle House has become a gauge for measuring the post-disaster status of an area. 

Timestamps

• 01:08 – Craig Fugate's background and how he got into emergency management
• 04:02 – What does the disaster ecosystem look like, and who are the key players?
• 12:56 – What roles do  Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)  members play, and how can people of different abilities get involved?
• 20:18 – The importance of communication
• 28:01 – What would you say to someone new who is considering getting CERT training?
• 30:12 – If you had a magic wand, what would you change about how CERT training works?
• 32:44 – What is the Waffle House Index, and how did it come about?

Links to Learn More 

• Volunteer Florida CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Training
• Waffle House Index Explained

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In this episode of Beyond the Blog, host Leah Verier-Dunn talks with Dr. Patti Folino, Principal of Tuttle Elementary School in Sarasota County, to explore what kindergarten readiness really means. With 38 years in education, Dr. Folino brings deep experience and insight into preparing young learners for success.

Together, they discuss how kindergarten readiness goes beyond letters and numbers to include independence, social-emotional development, problem-solving skills, and early language exposure. The conversation also highlights the role of family engagement, early learning programs, and community partnerships in supporting children before they ever step into a classroom.

Listeners will hear about:

• Why independence and self-help skills matter as much as academics
• How everyday routines can build confidence and resilience
• The importance of early intervention and community resources

This conversation highlights how kindergarten readiness is truly a shared responsibility—one that brings together families, educators, and communities to help children thrive from the very start.

Timestamps

• 00:32 - Intro
• 01:07 - Patti talks about her history as a principal and educator in Sarasota, FL.
• 01:54 - Patti gives an overview of what it means for a child to be ready for Kindergarten.
• 02:57 - Patti walks through a typical day at Tuttle Elementary.
• 04:44 - Patti talks about Social Emotional readiness for Kindergarten.
• 07:28 - Patti explains Cognitive Readiness.
• 10:20 - Patti breaks down the self-help skills necessary to be Kindergarten Ready.
• 11:47 - Patti shares how families might approach these ideas of preparedness.
• 13:00 - Patti talks about how Tuttle Elementary approaches Kindergarten Readiness as a school.
• 15:05 - Leah and Patti discuss the Kindergarten Readiness Bags supported by The Patterson Foundation
• 18:25 - Patti shares some of the challenges families face at Title 1 Schools.
• 20:42 - Patti talks about the creative solutions families and educators come up with to overcome their challenges.
• 23:44 - Patti explains the importance of raising our children to be problem-solvers.
• 27:00 - Big Picture Small Steps
• 27:17 - Patti talks about her long-term goals for Kindergarten Readiness
• 30:04 - Patti shares some small steps families can take today to help their child be Kindergarten Ready.

Links to Learn More 

• Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota
• FL Department of Education School Readiness Program
• Forty Carrots (PIP) Partners in Play-
• Community Foundation of Sarasota
• Suncoast Campaign for Grade Level Reading (SCGLR)

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