“We have placed our whole faith in truth and in justice. We have nothing else in principle and in practice.”

— The Dalai Lama

Our History.

Manatee County is home to many charitable and faith-based organizations that provide vital assistance to families experiencing poverty, homelessness, incarceration, and other hardships. Those efforts matter deeply.

But many community leaders began asking a different question: What if we also addressed the root causes that make that assistance necessary?

In early 2020, clergy and lay leaders from several Manatee congregations began meeting to listen to their members’ concerns. They heard recurring themes: affordable housing, criminal justice, mental health, education and access to health care. While congregations continued their important charitable ministries, they also felt called to organize for long-term solutions that could transform the systems affecting their communities.

STREAM was formed out of that conviction.

Inspired by models of community organizing that emphasize relationship-building, research, and collective action, STREAM (originally Manatee Justice Ministry) was incorporated in February 2020. Despite launching during the uncertainty of the pandemic, leaders raised seed funding, hired the organization’s first Lead Organizer in May 2021, and began building a broad-based coalition.

By November 2021, STREAM had grown to 15 member congregations and held its Founding Convention. Today, STREAM continues to welcome congregations and community partners who share a commitment to fairness, accountability, and the steady work of building a more just Manatee County.

STREAM is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, supported by its member institutions and community partners.

STREAM Community Victories!

  • Affordable Housing

    - Over 900 Affordable Homes Approved in 2023! – STREAM urged county leaders to take real action, leading to the approval of 937 affordable housing units—more than the previous eight years combined!

    - Fighting for Those Who Need It Most – STREAM successfully convinced the county to lower the affordability threshold in the Livable Manatee Ordinance so that housing help goes to families making around $50,000 or less, rather than those earning six figures.

    - Long-Term Change – Thanks to STREAM, county leaders have committed to prioritizing affordable housing for years to come, creating a better future for Manatee County.

  • Restorative Justice and Public Safety

    - Keeping Kids Out of the System – Thanks to the advocacy of STREAM and SURE in Sarasota, Manatee & Sarasota Counties, now have the most comprehensive Civil Citation Program in Florida, helping kids avoid unnecessary arrests, keeping communities safer, and saving the state $4,500 per use.

    - Second Chances for Adults - After seeing huge success with youth, the Pre-Arrest Diversion program was expanded to adults, reducing unnecessary arrests and giving first-time, low-level offenders a chance to move forward without a permanent record. However, local law enforcement has stalled progress on the utilization of the program for adults.

  • Youth Mental Health

    Bringing Mental Health to the Forefront – STREAM’s advocacy helped urge the Manatee County School District to recognize the youth mental health crisis and make school-based mental health support a priority by restructuring their Mental Health Assistance Allocation Plan.

    Secured commitment for usage of $560K for Student Mental Health – STREAM discovered $560,000 awarded from the state in mental health grant funding that was being underutilized. After we called for action, leadership at the district committed to using 100% of these funds to help students moving forward.

    2025 Nehemiah Action Victory – STREAM won a commitment from the Manatee County School District to prioritize youth mental health in the district’s upcoming long-term strategic plan, ensuring it remains a focus for years to come.