Sarasota nonprofit helps city’s mentally ill homeless population get off the street and back on their feet
SARASOTA, Fla., JULY 15, 2021 – Tom Tryon, a former opinion editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and David Lyons, a former international executive for The Coca-Cola Company, have joined Second Heart Home Inc.’s board of directors.
The announcement was made by board Chairman David Welle. Tryon and Lyons are active community leaders who will serve on a board that includes Welle, Sarasota Judge Erika Quartermaine, Kurt Bonner, Jim Doyle and Leslie Travis.
Second Heart Homes Inc. is a fast-growing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps homeless adults with mental illnesses secure housing and obtain self-sufficiency in Sarasota. Unlike many other organizations, Second Heart Homes provides permanent and transitional homes, daily supportive services and skill-building workshops tailored to clients’ individual needs.
“I am thrilled to join the Second Heart Homes board,” Tryon said. “I have written about Sarasota’s homelessness issues for many years, and I’m excited to serve a forward-thinking organization where I can put my ideas into action. “Second Heart’s ‘mental health and housing first’ model is a fresh approach toward reducing chronic homelessness and its impact on community resources,” he said.
“As someone who views mental illness as the leading contributor to homelessness, I am excited to help Second Heart Homes expand its model of self-sufficiency and community re-integration,” said Lyons.” I look forward to helping the organization increase the number of adults it serves – including women – through more staffing, housing, workshops, funding and volunteers.”
About Board Director Thomas Tryon, BA
Journalist and Florida son Tom Tryon is a former opinion editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, where he examined homelessness issues for more than 15 years. Tom also served as board chairman for the former nonprofit, Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence (SCOPE), where he connected Sarasota citizens through dialogue, data and public policy to create a better community. Sarasota Magazine named Tom one of “The 100 New Most Powerful People in Sarasota Today,” noting he is “one who gets things done.”
About Board Director David Lyons, MBA
Since retiring as president of the Coca-Cola Company’s Philippines and South Africa divisions, David Lyons has been a champion of helping others achieve maximum mental well-being. David is principal partner at David Lyons Coaching, a personal coaching service that helps people optimize their career and life. David believes mental illness is the leading contributor to most societal issues, including homelessness. He is passionate about supporting and volunteering for the Salvation Army, First Step and the Sarasota County correctional system, where he can help people with addiction, trauma and mental health issues.
About Second Heart Homes: “The Special Ops Team for homeless Sarasotans with mental health issues”
Second Heart Homes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides housing and critical support services to adult Sarasota homeless residents with mental illness. Unlike other models serving the homeless, Second Heart Homes takes this challenging, complex population off the streets and puts them back on their feet by providing long-term solutions that revive dignity, establish stability and enhance quality of life. Clients come to the organization based on their commitment to address their mental and physical health, remain sober and achieve personal goals toward self-sufficiency. Many reintegrate into the community. Second Heart Homes was founded in 2019 and is based in Sarasota, Fla. For information and to donate, visit secondhearthomes.org.