S.T.O.R.Y. 727, established in January 2021, is an organization developed to assist youth and families in historically excluded neighborhoods throughout the Bay Area counties in the state of Florida. The name is an acronym for Stringing Together Obviously Remarkable Youth.              

 

S.T.O.R.Y. 727 was created as a "safe place" for youth and families, offering resources in Pinellas County.  Recognizing the numerous issues behind the scenes that aren't widely discussed, if mentioned at all, our belief is that identifying the issues at the root will increase the chances of saving the tree.  Realizing the numerous unspoken issues that cause negative effects, S.T.O.R.Y. 727 seeks to provide healing and elevation in our communities, starting with our youth.

 

Many in our community have experienced or gone through depression or difficult stages of life; some short-term, some long-term, and often with issues interacting daily, with one another. This often creates a sense of mental disorder; but to instill value one must build the mind and sometimes redirect it.

 

Society and individual choices have many community residents battling with poor or low self-esteem. To value ourselves we must operate in high esteem. Our model displays the method of approach in areas we identify as setbacks. The model is V. S. E. L. F., standing for Value, Spirituality, Entrepreneurship, Literacy, and Finance. Once we overcome our mental disorders, through conversations, activities, or professional assistance, the rest is now attainable, because the narrative has shifted.

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 S.T.O.R.Y 727 is an organization created around our main staple of life, Food. Our feeding program serves over 200 people weekly and growing in Pinellas County; we also assist with food distribution in Alachua, Hillsborough and Manatee counties. S.T.O.R.Y. 727 provides communities with produce, meat, fruit, vegetables, and dairy, prepared or uncooked.

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 S.T.O.R.Y. 727 also engages weekly with the community during the school year, in a program called Family Fun Day. This session is scheduled for 2 hours, but often goes over depending on the amount of fun taking place! Here the youth and parents come out and enjoy two guest speakers as well as lunch, and an outdoor activity:  kickball, flag football, soccer, basketball, and more. This safe, outdoor session helps bond the community and allows the people to vent, and share ideas and struggles.  It is a place where ideals and resources are birthed to improve our current state of living.

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For two consecutive summers, S.T.O.R.Y. 727 has also successfully operated a six-week summer camp for youth ages 5-17. This program, SUMMER CAMP OF EXPOSURE AND IMPACT, provides just just that: weekly field trips, hands-on activities, mentors, open discussions for growth, weekly swimming, breakfast, lunch, and more -- for free. This program is a win for all! To know your child will have free summer camp a fun learning is a major bonus for all parents. During the six-week session, youth are exposed to multiple settings, environments, and teachings they may not be able to receive at home. To expose the child today is the belief that impact will be felt tomorrow.

 

S.T.O.R.Y. 727 understands its legal role and moral duties. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, our mission will coincide with our funders' and donors' intentions towards positive impact, and the operation of S.T.O.R.Y. 727.  The funding provided by our generous donor is highly valued, for it strengthens our ability to reach and/or maintain more people and services. For every donor or sponsor, we will execute with honesty and integrity our agreement for the usage of funds. Our duty as a non-profit organization is to seek these funds in good faith, to ensure they dispersed properly and to those it is intended for. Being able to receive funds from donors lets us know we are trusted by others to meet the goals we set. It solidifies our selflessness is in alignment with producing quality, needed acts of kindness and love for our community.  For that we are truly grateful.

 

S.T.O.R.Y. 727