“If you want peace, work for justice.”
- Pope Paul VI
We selected 2 core issues for 2022 in our founding assembly and continue to follow and advocate for these: Affordable Housing and Adult Pre-Arrest Diversion (APAD.)
In 2023 we added the issue of Youth Mental Health.
A grave concern that was shared at many house meetings was about the mental health needs of our youth and children. Increasingly, they are struggling to thrive and they need more support. Our research revealed that:
• Children 17 and younger make up 20 percent of all mood and depressive disorder-related hospitalizations in Manatee County.
• Manatee County ranks #13 of 67 in Florida for Baker Acts of children, nearly 30 percent of all “involuntary examinations” in the county are children aged 17 years old or under.
• Over 1 in 4 students aged 11-17 reported feeling prolonged sadness or hopelessness that has made them stop doing things they enjoy.
• 1 in 10 students aged 11-17 have self-harmed in the past year to cope.
• Nearly 1 in 4 high school students in Manatee County are reported as having experienced 4 or more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). This is considered to be “high risk” or “high trauma”.
Affordable Housing / Homelessness.
Participants in house meetings shared many stories about the lack of affordable housing in Manatee County…
Teachers worried about impact of homelessness on their students’ learning
Coworkers concerned about minimum wage colleagues who can’t afford rent
Friends worried about people who work but are homeless because they can’t afford rent
Parents concerned about children who can’t afford to rent/buy in the area
Soon-to-be retirees worried about being able to afford housing on a fixed income
Manatee Countians should be able to afford to live in Manatee County, but currently tens of thousands cannot. The wage needed to afford housing in Manatee County is more than 30% higher than the median wage. Housing instability and homelessness are an ever-present problem for our residents – and are continuing to rise. We, as a community, must take action so that our community members have access to housing that we can afford.
“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.”
- Isaiah 32:18
Criminal Justice: Adult Pre-Arrest Diversion (APAD)
House meetings revealed numerous concerns about Criminal Justice in Manatee Country based on experiences of family members and friends…
Inability to find employment due to past arrests (some occurred 40+ years ago)
Being falsely arrested and/or searched for “looking suspicious”
Inability to find employment due to past minor drug arrests (even after serving time and undergoing treatment)
Being thrown into jail for minor offenses (expired car tag) due to inability to pay bail
Going to jail after being falsely arrested and incurring significant legal fees to prove innocence