The St. Petersburg Housing Authority is partnering with St. Petersburg College (SPC) to implement new youth mentorship programming and activities for youth in the Jordan Park neighborhood in south St. Pete. The SPC C.A.R.E. (Career Awareness and Readiness Events) Youth Development Initiative is a career exposure initiative designed to connect the children and teens of Jordan Park to various professional fields.
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille in Jungle Terrace donated $2,330 to aid SPCA Tampa Bay and Reach St. Pete in ongoing hurricane recovery efforts following last fall’s Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The money, which was divided equally among the organizations, was raised during the restaurant’s Nov. 21 Sip for a Cause fundraiser and $4 donations from each hurricane specialty cocktail sold through Dec. 31, 2024.
St. Petersburg Fire Rescue and the city’s Parks and Recreation Aquatics Department have partnered to host a fundraising car wash Saturday. The 6th Annual Firefighter and Lifeguard Car Wash runs until noon at the Northwest Pool. The fundraiser at 2331 60th St. N. is free, and donations support free swim lessons for kids.
CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas will offer “opportunity youth,” those aged 16 to 24 who are disconnected from school and work, paid summer employment, career exploration and professional development workshops. Participants will earn $15 an hour for up to 20 hours weekly over the six-week program. Pinellas youth can access Summer Jobs Initiative applications at the website here. Employers can access program information at the website here.
The City of St. Petersburg, in partnership with the nonprofit Ready For Life, is now accepting applications for its second round of Youth Opportunity Grants. The funding will support former foster youth aged 18 to 27 who need additional support as they transition to adulthood. Awardees will receive $500 monthly for one year. For more information, visit the website here.
The Florida Holocaust Museum hosted its annual “To Life” Gala Saturday, Feb. 1 at The Vinoy, which raised $1.26 million, over $100 thousand more than last year’s total. Nearly 600 guests attended, making it the museum's largest event of the year.
The YMCA and GS Blake Owner, LLC, closed on the sale of 4.5 acres of the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA Jan. 30. The plan for redevelopment of the property includes a mixed-use residential and retail development. The sale will provide the proceeds needed to modernize the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA.
The Tampa Bay Rays Baseball Foundation and Rowdies Soccer Fund are now accepting applications for the annual Jackie Robinson Grant Program through Feb. 28. The organizations award up to $100,0000 to nonprofits that “break barriers in the areas of housing, workforce development, health equity, criminal justice reform, education and youth development. For more information, visit the website here.
Yara Lugo from the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg recently participated in the 2025 Advanced Seminar for Holocaust educators. The intensive two-day academic program, hosted by the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, brought together Holocaust center staff from five states to explore critical topics related to the history of the Holocaust, as well as past and present antisemitism. Program coordinators said those who participated "gained an even deeper understanding of the history of the Holocaust, which will increase their effectiveness in the classroom and enable them to mentor other colleagues who teach the subject.”
Ellie Mental Health St. Petersburg is offering limited spots in a program that provides free therapy for local patients who are uninsured or underinsured. The program includes in-person or telehealth on a first-come, first-served basis. Those interested can call 813-508-7866 for screening to see if they qualify.
The City of St. Petersburg and Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority has partnered with the Florida Department of Transportation for the Connecting South St. Pete CRA (community redevelopment area) Study. The community-driven initiative will identify strategies to increase multi-modal access throughout South St. Pete neighborhoods and commercial corridors. Local leaders seek public feedback at three upcoming Mobility Workshops. For more information, visit the website here.
The City of St. Petersburg has opened applications for Youth Opportunity Grants through its Career and College Readiness Program, an initiative supporting at-risk and disengaged youth. Applications for the $20,000 grants are due Feb. 10, and the city will award four nonprofits. For more information, visit the website here.