Entries by Communications

Meet Luke McFatrich – Loveland Players Manager

Luke McFatrich is the Loveland Players Manager, which means he is the program manager for “Loveland Creates,” The Loveland Center’s new arts-focused Adult Day Training program. He works one-on-one with Loveland’s participants in the theatre program and supports them in their visual arts and music activities as well. Luke saw first-hand the work Loveland does […]

Meet James Stamper

James Stamper is a Senior Financial Planner with FourThought Private Wealth in Venice. He focuses his expertise in overseeing complex investment management, family and business planning needs. Originally from central Kentucky, James has called Southwest Florida home since 2004. He embarked on a military career early in life. Having the honor to serve in the […]

A Magical Prom for Andrew and Chloey

Andrew and Chloey met at Loveland’s after-school HERO program last fall and became fast friends. In April, they shared the quintessential high school experience: going to prom. We cheer them on hope you had the most amazing night, Andrew and Chloey!

SMART Brings the Ponies to Loveland Venice

Loveland was thrilled to host Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy (SMART) at our Venice Campus with two miniature horses, Rocky and Penelope.  Participants from all four Loveland Centers traveled to Venice where they groomed, walked, and spent time with these beautiful animals.

Loveland Board of Directors Tours Loveland Charlotte

by Laurie Huebner, Board Chair First, I’d like to say thanks to Becca Eldredge, VP of Programs, and Lora Carter, Charlotte County Program Manager, for providing us with a great tour! The vision statements hung on the walls are goals that each participant creates and that they hope to achieve. These statements help the staff […]

Meet V.J. Anderson Community Engagement Manager – Venice & Sarasota

When asked what drew her to Loveland Center, V.J. responded that she has a strong, motivated desire to improve the lives of people with disabilities and those who serve them. Due to that desire and her past professional and personal experiences with individuals with disabilities and non-profit organizations, Loveland seemed like a perfect fit for her. […]

Loveland’s Charlotte Community Cruises to Victory

Loveland Center’s 3rd Annual Ability 5K Race and 1K Fun Walk was held on a clear morning in Punta Gorda’s Laishley Park on March 26, 2023. This annual event takes place along the waterfront of Charlotte Harbor with beautiful views in a family- and pet-friendly atmosphere. We welcomed more than 200 attendees, including some furry […]

Meet Lauren Osmond – Director of Clinical Services

I’m starting my second year with Loveland and manage The Clinic at Loveland Center. I came to Loveland because I was looking for something different but still wanted to help people. Loveland offered me a unique opportunity be a part of a new therapy program. My favorite part of Loveland is the culture. I am […]

Meet Eric Bowden – Occupational Therapist

I perform a therapeutic process called occupational therapy. Occupational therapists work in schools, hospitals and rehab centers, skilled nursing facilities, in people homes, and with organizations like Loveland Center to maximize independence. Whether that means improving strength and balance for safely working at the kitchen counter or basic knife strategies when cutting an apple or slicing a […]

Loveland Center Hosts Area Nonprofits for Impact100 SRQ Training

Grant writers and representatives of Venice area nonprofits joined Loveland staff for a half-day training by Impact100 SRQ members of the Nonprofit Engagement Team, Susan Lerman and Betsy Friedman. Attendees studied impact metrics, discussed opportunities for collaboration, and imagined a better world for all. Led by Program Manager Irvin Agosto, guests enjoyed seeing Loveland participants […]

Loveland Center Seeks Volunteers at Venice Area Chamber of Commerce

On Friday, January 20, Loveland Community Engagement Managers Caryn McCullough, Ryan Brown, and Camille Cline met with hundreds of potential volunteers, encouraging them to give their time to the important roles Loveland has to offer. Venice Theatre Volunteer Coordinator and Friend of Loveland Madeline McGrail stopped by to say “hi!” Loveland volunteers read lines with […]

Plantation Foundation Visits Loveland with Hope to Give Participants a Kitchen in Building D

Plantation Community Foundation Grant Committee Member Betty Carpentier visited Loveland Center Venice in January and toured our campus with VP of Programs Becca Eldredge. With the support of The Plantation Community Foundation, Loveland hopes to retrofit a current program room into a kitchenette and dining space in Building D. In order to ensure the safety […]

Meet Darin Hunt

Darin Hunt is a business owner who has been a lifelong resident of Venice, Florida. He has a strong marketing and entrepreneurial background, with experience in web and graphic design. He started his own successful specialty tile manufacturing company in 2005, selling it in 2009 and starting Community Media in 2010. His company, Community Media, […]

Meet Sherry Gliesche

Staff Speech – Language Pathologist   I help participants with a variety of speech, language, and swallowing disorders increase their communication and independence. I love the nonprofit nature of Loveland, providing services to individuals who truly need them. Loveland provides a much-needed service to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are often not served […]

Loveland North Port Takes Overall Decor Award

On Wednesday, December 21, arbiters of taste and style visited Loveland Center’s four locations in order to judge the BEST Holiday Door and Overall Decorations, and celebrate Christmas with Loveland Bradenton participants and staff on their final stop. Winners of the door decorating contest: Best Lights – Port Charlotte: The North Pole Best Represents Loveland […]

Loveland Center feels the love from Manatee Chamber of Commerce

Hundreds of business owners, community leaders, and nonprofit staffers turned out to help out Loveland Center at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature as The Manatee Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Holiday Coffee Club Extravaganza on Friday, December 16th. Everyone brought gift cards, paper products, crafting items, and so much more to celebrate Loveland’s […]

Loveland Charlotte Parades and Receives Award

Our Port Charlotte Center joined in on the Christmas fun on December 10th as we participated in the Punta Gorda Holiday Parade, hosted by the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. The holiday theme was “Fishing You a Merry Christmas” and our Port Charlotte crew captured Third Place for Best Decorated Vehicle. It was a beautiful […]

LOVELAND CENTER RAISED $128,000 AT 14TH ANNUAL BBQ

MEDIA CONTACT Camille Cline, Chief Advancement Officer 157 South Havana Road; Venice, FL 34292 ccline@LovelandCenter.org Office: 941.493.0016 x307; Mobile: 941-539-8872 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE LOVELAND CENTER RAISED $128,000 AT 14TH ANNUAL BBQ Venice, FL (December 14, 2022)— Loveland Center celebrated its 14th Annual Barbecue Fundraiser on December 14 at Venice Community Center. Presented by the Gulf […]

Meet Our Newest Board Members

Meet Michael Butler A Project Manager at J.E. Charlotte Construction Corporation, Michael joined the board in October 2022. Michael is married to Olivia Butler and his hometown is Clearwater, Florida. After learning about Loveland’s mission and touring its Venice location, it was clear that every staff member and volunteer at Loveland deeply cares about every […]

Visit our Secure Link on #GivingTuesday, November 29

#GivingTuesday is just days away! Do your part by including #LovelandCenter and #GivingTuesday on your social media posts to raise awareness for all our incredible programs and participants. Mark your calendar! On November 29, visit https://donateloveland.org/v2/ to give the amount that means the most to show your love for Loveland.

Spotlight on Mark Ionnatti, Staff Physical Therapist

The organization’s culture drew me to Loveland. Whether it be a staff member or a participant, the place exudes a culture of appreciation and of selflessness. From Day One, I was able to lean on any employee or participant for guidance, direction, or assistance and felt a strong sense of camaraderie. It truly is “A […]

Charitable Fund Empowers Non-Profit to Expand

North Port, FL (June 15, 2020)— Loveland Center recently received a grant from the James W. Wherritt Charitable Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to help increase its essential services in North Port by 175%. Loveland’s North Port program has operated out of 975 square feet facility, but with continued social distancing a health necessity for […]

COVID-19 Advisory Update

March 14, 2020, 2:30PM Loveland Center Programs in Venice, North Port, Port Charlotte and Bradenton WILL MAINTAIN NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS OF OPERATION UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Unlike other programs that have decided to close, Loveland Center is a not a school, but a Life Skills Development program under ADP; therefore, it does not receive funding from […]

These Volunteers Help Make Sarasota a Better Place

Sarasota Magazine Recently retired art teacher Gena Luoma began volunteering at the Loveland Center — an organization whose mission is to help adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities — just over a year ago when she relocated to Venice from Columbia, Maryland. In the 12 months since, she’s clocked more than 370 hours of service, […]