CareerEdge

Congratulations to the newest class of Certified Nursing Assistants! 🎉

We’re proud to celebrate the 33rd CNA cohort completed through the continued partnership between Suncoast Technical College and Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.

This stellar group of graduates represents the future of healthcare — bringing compassion, dedication, and a strong commitment to serving our community. Even more inspiring, each graduate has plans to continue their education and pursue careers as LPNs, RNs, and other critical healthcare professionals.

Congratulations to all 8 graduates on this incredible accomplishment. Your journey is just beginning, and our community is stronger because of you! 👏💙

Fifteen new CNAs are ready to make an impact! 🎓

Congratulations to the latest graduating class from Meridian West Central College, celebrated on Friday, April 24 at the Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota. These graduates are stepping into essential roles in our community, bringing compassion, skill, and dedication to the healthcare field.

We’re proud to support their journey and can’t wait to see the difference they’ll make.

This is what life-changing opportunity looks like.

In just a matter of weeks, Olivia went from starting something new to building a future in healthcare—completing hands-on training, earning her CNA certification, and stepping into a job almost immediately after graduating.

CareerEdge isn’t just about training—it’s about opening doors, building confidence, and helping individuals discover a path they may have never thought possible. Olivia’s journey is a powerful reminder of what can happen when someone is given the chance to grow, learn, and succeed.

We are proud to be part of stories like hers—and to continue investing in brighter futures for our community. 💙

Celebrating a big milestone 🎓

CareerEdge was proud to support 8 students through American Vocational Academy—7 in HVAC and 1 in Plumbing—as they completed their training and graduated at Hotel Venezia in Venice.

These graduates are stepping into in-demand careers with the skills our region needs, and we couldn’t be more excited to be part of their journey. Congratulations to each of you—we can’t wait to see what’s next!

⏰ It’s almost over.

We’re down to the final stretch of the Giving Challenge—and at noon today, it closes.

That means only a few hours left to be part of something that’s already changing lives across our community.

This is your moment to step in for local students, job seekers, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders. Your gift powers programs like CareerEdge, ThinkBIG, InternConnect, and Leadership Sarasota—real opportunities, real impact, right here at home.

If you’ve been waiting… this is it.

Not later. Not this afternoon. Now.

Give before noon.

https://www.givingchallenge.org/organizations/greater-sarasota-chamber-of-commerce-foundation-inc

💙 This is what impact looks like.

Through CareerEdge, individuals like Daika are gaining more than training—they’re gaining access, confidence, and real pathways into meaningful careers.

From skill-building and mentorship to employer connections and opportunities that open doors, CareerEdge helps turn potential into progress.

The Giving Challenge is happening now—and every moment counts. The campaign ends tomorrow at noon, so there’s still time to make your impact before it closes.

If you believe in building opportunity right here in our community, this is your moment.

Be part of the impact. Support CareerEdge today.

https://www.givingchallenge.org/organizations/greater-sarasota-chamber-of-commerce-foundation-inc

It starts now.

The Giving Challenge is officially live—and what happens in the next 24 hours matters.

This is your chance to directly impact lives in our community. Every gift fuels real opportunities—helping someone land a better job, connecting a student to their future, supporting a growing business, or developing the next generation of leaders through CareerEdge, ThinkBIG, InternConnect, and Leadership Sarasota.

This isn’t just a moment to give—it’s a moment to show what our community stands for.

Make your gift.
Make it count.
And if you believe in this work, invite someone else to join you.

24 hours. Real impact starts with you.

https://www.givingchallenge.org/organizations/greater-sarasota-chamber-of-commerce-foundation-inc

Big milestone for workforce development in our region 🎉

Yesterday, we celebrated the Tiny Home 2.0 Ribbon Cutting at Suncoast Technical College—a project that continues to bring education, industry, and community together in a powerful way.

Across two campuses in Sarasota and North Port, 145 students participated in the build, collectively earning 486 industry-recognized credentials. Through programs like Building Trades & Construction Design Technology, Carpentry, Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing, these students are gaining the hands-on skills needed to step confidently into high-demand careers.

This initiative is a true collaboration, and we’re grateful for the partners who made it possible— a special thank you to the Eppard Family Foundation for your leadership and commitment to workforce development.

Additional thanks to Crown Capital Management and Final Draft, Inc. for your support in bringing this project to life.

Together, we’re not just building homes—we’re building futures. 🏡💙

Celebrating another meaningful milestone ✨

Yesterday, the 53rd cohort graduated from STC’s CNA program—made possible through a strong partnership with Sarasota Memorial Hospital and CareerEdge Funders Collaborative. This class of 8 dedicated graduates includes 4 team members from the hospital and 4 participants from the Bridges to Careers program, all stepping forward into in-demand healthcare careers.

Congratulations to these new CNAs and the partners helping build a stronger workforce for our community 👏

Looking to make a meaningful impact in our community?

We are hiring a CareerEdge & Programs Coordinator to help support workforce initiatives and programs that connect people to opportunity.

If you’re organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about making a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Submit your resume to: [email protected] or apply on Indeed today!

Join our team and be part of the work shaping Sarasota’s workforce!