The cornerstone and foundation of the organization has always been to make life better for the disenfranchised through education and support. The Laurel Civic Association started with a small group of concerned neighbors in 1969 whose main purpose was to bring street lighting to a little close-knit and largely African-American community. Time and our inherent caring for others have taught everyone
that needs have no boundaries. Over the forty years of making life better for Laurel, the Laurel Civic Association has grown to become an active and dedicated non-profit organization making a difference in a wide range of neighborhood issues throughout Sarasota County. The Laurel Civic Association’s community development activities transformed a small neighborhood organization into a non-profit that brought unimaginable changes to Laurel and beyond. We have succeeded in developing needed programs that serve not only the entire family and the Laurel/Nokomis area, but is a magnet for clients from the southern most part of Sarasota County to the northern most part. After bringing in more than ten million dollars for infrastructure such as paved streets, water lines, sidewalks, a community center in an expanded park, new and rehabilitated housing, the physical foundation is well on its way. Along with those achievements we will continue to support our clients with programs that affect positively the social and economic problems that flow down through the generations of disenfranchised families. Our educational and social supports for adults and children teach skills leading to self-sufficiency for adults and children. The results show in the prevention of school dropouts, secured employment, parental mentoring, decreased hunger, elderly staying in their homes longer, and safe, supervised activities after school and in the summer. These programs build solid foundations for successful lives. You can be the difference in the continuing success of these critically needed programs by making a financial contribution, volunteering your time, and spreading the word about what we do.
