Outreach
Sharing Christ’s love throughout Sarasota and beyond
Church of the Redeemer is excited about its new model for giving outside the parish walls, involving more parishioners in service and creating deeper financial impact in the community and beyond. The model sharply increases direct support and gives parishioners many more opportunities for volunteering.
Redeemer recently began three-year agreements with four area organizations: Meals on Wheels of Sarasota, Hope Seeds, Resurrection House, and Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center.
In September 2025, Redeemer Rector Fr. Charleston Wilson, Redeemer Senior Assistant Rector Fr. Michael Hurst, and Redeemer Director of Youth & Outreach Ministries Jackie Overton traveled to the nonprofits to present their leaders with checks for $35,000. The organizations will each receive an additional $35,000 in both the second and third years of the agreement as well.
Redeemer has encouraged its parishioners to volunteer with these organizations, and the church will organize regular group volunteer opportunities, too. These opportunities could include serving breakfast at Resurrection House, packing seed kits for Hope Seeds, mentoring parents through Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center and packing and delivering food for Meals on Wheels.
The outreach model also includes a focused plan for international outreach, with efforts centered in the Dominican Republic. Redeemer will commit $17,500 a year to both the FLE Santiago preschool and community center and Redeemer’s adult mission efforts.
Additionally, Redeemer will increase its investment in three initiatives with roots in the parish: the Foster Youth Initiative, St. Scholastica Grants for public school teachers in Sarasota and Manatee counties, and Caritas, a ministry that helps with utility payments, food, transportation and more. All will receive a $2,500 increase in funding each year.
Also crucial to the new outreach model is Redeemer’s plan to double-down on its involvement with Alta Vista Elementary School, the closest Title I school to the church. The parish has committed $10,000 a year to Alta Vista to support learning and staff initiatives. Parishioners hosted a Back-to-School Bash for students in August 2025 to help them get ready for the new school year and a Trunk or Treat event for students at Alta Vista in October 2025. Redeemer will also encourage parishioners to become tutoring and reading buddies.
Together, the new outreach efforts amount to over $200,000 in direct support.
More about the local organizations Redeemer supports:
Meals on Wheels of Sarasota provides daily nutritious meals, social interaction and wellness checks for the homebound and elderly in the community.
Hope Seeds International shares the love of Christ and reduces hunger by empowering people with sustainable food production skills, seeds and resources.
Resurrection House is a faith-based resource center for the homeless committed to transitioning at-risk individuals to a path of self-sufficiency.
Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center provides cost-free medical, behavioral health, and educational services and support to expecting mothers and their partners.