Second Heart Homes, Inc.

09/04/2026

Happy Birthday, Claudia! 🎉💐
C — Caring, with a heart that always makes others feel loved.
L — Loving, generous, and always wanting the best for our community.
A — Amazing, with a beautiful spirit and smile that inspires everyone around you.
U — Understanding, patient, and thoughtful in everything you do.
D — Dedicated, always giving your best.
I — Inspiring, because your kindness and strength touch so many lives.
A — Absolutely wonderful, just the way you are!

Happy Birthday, Claudia! ❤️🎂🥳 xoxo Kirsten Kirsten Russell

09/04/2026

Happy Birthday, Claudia 💜

Today the whole Second Heart Homes family (board, staff, and residents) wants you to know how much you mean to us.

You’re the one who shows up when it matters most, the person who makes sure our good intentions turn into real action. You bring compassion and generosity to everything you do, paired with a stubborn determination to knock down whatever barriers stand in the way of our mission. Your energy and focus push all of us to think harder and reach further, and our residents feel the difference every single day.

Serving alongside you is a genuine privilege. Thank you for all you’ve given, and all you continue to give.

May your day be full of love, laughter, and the people who matter most to you. And may this next trip around the sun bring you every bit of the joy and blessing you so freely hand out to everyone else.

Happy Birthday, Claudia! 🎂🎈💗

With love from your Second Heart Homes family

09/03/2026

New data from the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness shows that more than 5,000 people across Sarasota and Manatee counties are now at risk of losing their housing, up from just under 3,000 in 2023. Homelessness itself is down nearly 20%, but rising costs are pushing more of our neighbors right to the edge.

This is exactly why permanent housing and long-term support matter.

Read the full article here: https://amp.bradenton.com/news/local/article316992281.html

Donate to Second Heart Homes today and be part of the solution: https://secondhearthomes.org/donate/

09/01/2026

💜 Meet Our Team Tuesday 💛

This week we're proud to spotlight board member Dionysios Skaliotis, AAMS™, a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Sarasota whose passion for service runs as deep as his professional expertise.

Originally from New England, Dionysios graduated from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics. Today he leads a growing wealth management practice at Merrill Lynch, where he and his team work with multi-generational families, business owners, and retirees to help them make informed and strategic decisions with their wealth.

His commitment to community shines just as brightly. Since 2022, Dionysios has volunteered more than 400 hours with local non-profits, including Second Heart Homes and the Education Foundation of Sarasota. His passion for service began early, volunteering alongside his father at a local food pantry. Today he remains devoted to supporting the homeless community through Second Heart Homes, contributing to development initiatives, community engagement events, and direct resident interaction. In 2025, he was honored as Second Heart Homes' Man of the Year.

We're grateful to have Dionysios's dedication, generosity, and heart for service guiding our mission. 💜💛

09/01/2026

Happy birthday, Ginger!

We asked Ginger what wisdom she’s carrying into this next year. Her answer: she’s grateful for her independence, and for the ability to set boundaries.

That’s not a small thing. Independence is something our residents build day by day, and knowing your own limits, and being able to voice them, is one of the clearest signs of a life that belongs to you again.

Wishing you a beautiful year ahead, Ginger. 💜

08/25/2026

💜 Meet Our Team Tuesday 💛

This week we're proud to spotlight board member Paul Zak, a leader whose deep conviction shapes everything he does: that every person deserves to be treated with care, kindness, compassion, and respect, especially those facing homelessness and other life challenges.

Paul brings more than four decades of leadership experience across engineering, finance, operations, marketing, and executive management. He earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rochester and an MBA from the University of Colorado Denver, then held leadership roles with major organizations including Texas Instruments, Emerson Electric, McDonnell Douglas, and Sprint. He went on to acquire a customer service company serving the home inspection industry, and as President and CEO of ACC, grew it into the recognized industry leader before successfully selling the business in 2021.

His heart for service is just as impressive. Paul served on the board of Hope Faith in Kansas City from 2011 to 2022, holding roles as Treasurer, Vice Chair, and Chair, and helping the organization grow into the region's largest homeless assistance campus. Since moving to Sarasota in 2022, he has continued his commitment to serving vulnerable individuals through organizations including Second Heart Homes.

We're grateful to have Paul's experience, compassion, and dedication guiding our mission. 💜💛

08/25/2026

HOW CAN YOU HELP SOMEONE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS?

Sarasota’s Homeless Outreach Team works to connect people with housing, mental health services and other resources.

The city says there’s a better way to help than simply giving money or food directly.

More on how the program works in the comments.

08/25/2026

What does it take to turn a big idea into a sustainable organization changing lives every day?

Our Founder and Executive Director, Megan Howell, recently joined I 501(c) You -The Podcast for NonProfit Board Members to talk about the journey of building Second Heart Homes. From an idea rooted in compassion, to an organization that has now permanently housed 86 men and women living with mental illness and raised more than $9.5 million without government funding.

Megan and host Michael Corley dig into the parts of nonprofit leadership that don't always make the highlight reel: building the right board, creating strong relationships between an executive director and board chair, choosing people who will challenge you, and learning how to evolve from founder to leader.

We're incredibly proud of what Megan has built and even more excited about where Second Heart Homes is going next.

If you work in nonprofit leadership, serve on a board, or simply want a behind-the-scenes look at how Second Heart Homes grew into the organization it is today, this one is worth a listen.

🎧 Listen here:

Megan Howell, founder and executive director of Second Heart Homes, has helped permanently house 86 men and women living with mental illness and grow an

08/22/2026

Our walls just got a whole lot of heart. 💜 Huge thanks to artist Brandon Thrift, who donated his time and talent to transform the Second Heart Homes offices into something beautiful. Hearts, homes, and love in every corner. 🎨🏡 → https://f.mtr.cool/uxlbrrrivc

08/19/2026

In honor of his late wife, Bobbie, Second Heart Homes supporter Philip Boyle has established a $50,000 matching gift fund. Every donation made directly to Second Heart Homes, whether a one-time gift or a new monthly commitment, will be matched dollar for dollar until the fund is fully allocated.

Launched today, August 19, in celebration of Bobbie and Philip's shared birthday, this special initiative honors Bobbie's legacy while expanding support for our mission.

Today, Second Heart Homes operates 14 homes serving 86 formerly homeless adults living with mental illness. Your generosity helps provide housing, support, and hope.

Help turn $50,000 into $100,000! Donate: https://secondhearthomes.networkforgood.com/projects/304756-bobbie-philip-boyle-matching-gift