Gulf Coast Awards First Civility Squad Grants

“Calm Down Kits” to help elementary school students deal with stress and other difficult emotions in more positive ways.

Civility training so workers at a local animal hospital can better assist grieving or financially distressed pet owners.

“Friend benches” on a school playground where youngsters can go for emotional support from classmates or staff when they can’t effectively communicate their needs. 

Those are just three of the creative ideas to receive funding in our first round of Civility Squad Grants. These $500 mini grants, awarded our Because It Matters civility initiative, are designed to help organizations implement projects or activities that foster civility in their schools, clubs, workplaces, or neighborhoods.

Because It Matters centers on 10 Keys to Civility, such as “Respect Others,” “Make a Difference,” “Speak Kindly,” and “Rediscover Silence,” which serve as guiding principles for civil behavior.

“Gulf Coast is happy to partner with these organizations—the newest members of the Civility Squad,” said Wendy Deming, chief operating officer at Gulf Coast. “Several of the Keys to Civility will shine through in their projects. We can’t wait to see the difference that their efforts make not only within their group, but beyond!”

In all, Gulf Coast has approved nine Civility Squad grants totaling $4,500 so far. We have earmarked a total of $25,000 for civility grants through February 2018. Applications may be submitted online anytime at GulfCoastCF.org/civility-squad-grants. 

The following organizations received Civility Squad grants in November:

Alta Vista Elementary School will create a collaborative teacher-and-student-led Civility Squad that uses stickers, cards, pins, and other fun rewards to recognize and reinforce the core values of civility across the school.

Bay Road Animal Hospital will provide its staff with civility training so they can more effectively interact with clients who are distraught over the condition of their sick pets.

Englewood Elementary School will equip every grade level and special education classroom with Calm Down Kits containing a variety of sensory items and strategies that students can use when they begin to feel anxious, angry, or upset.

Laurel Nokomis School teachers and guidance counselors combined four grants for their “Civility Strikes!” project, through which students will collaborate on creating a book to be used throughout the school that features characters who use “super civility” traits to solve problems.

Sarasota YMCA/Safe Children Coalition will purchase educational and promotional materials to reinforce in-depth civility training for about 200 staff members who provide child-welfare services in Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties.

St. Mary Academy will use its grant to help fund the installation of five Friend Benches on the school’s playground, providing a safe place where students can go if they need emotional support from classmates or staff.

For the most up to date materials and information on The Civility Squad, please reach out to info@gulfcoastcf.org