MISSION STATEMENT: To provide tools, support and host social events aimed at strengthening individuals, families and communities. The organization works hard to provide families with tools to succeed in school, build stronger households, and host social events promoting family, community, and self-love.
Operation Jump Start is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that services disadvantaged families in both Sarasota and Manatee County. The organization was founded by Trenton Davis, Rashad Dawkins, and Sheldon Cantrell, all Sarasota natives with more than 30 years combined experience helping rebuild and strengthen communities. They identify and mentor Newtown children who need extra support to succeed to become college bound. They have financial literacy programs and cooking and life skills programs, back to school and Easter giveaways, Christmas Shop with a Cop, small scholarship funds to pay for ACT and SAT tests and practice courses. Most significantly, they run track and baseball club teams that compete locally. They specifically target kids and parents who need extra support and they provide that support and mentoring through the structure of the team. There are 24 children in T-ball, 60 in baseball, and between 20 – 80 in the track program at any given time.
Operation Jump Start has been helping Progressive Sarasota and the Sarasota County Democratic Party with voter registration in Newtown and they’re also developing programs that will focus on registering back-to-school college kids and ex-felons.
Funds raised by the Democratic Club of Sarasota will help Operation Jump Start expand their reach in both Sarasota and Manatee Counties and will aid in the continuation of college tours for both college bound students and their parents.
For more details, visit the Operation Jump Start Website
Click here for information on our other recipient organization, Truly Valued, Inc.
Please select your donation amount below or enter a custom amount. All donations, large or small, are welcome. We prefer you use the form below to make your donation, but you can also mail a check made payable to the DCS to PO Box 51076, Sarasota, FL 34232