Directions for Living

10/20/2026

Here are a few more photos from our trainings in action at last week’s Strike the Stigma Symposium!

Directions for Living is proud to be one of the few Teen Mental Health First Aid trainers in the state of Florida, helping equip young people with the knowledge and skills to support themselves and their peers.

With su***de now the second leading cause of death among young people, it’s more important than ever to give teens the tools to recognize when a friend may be struggling, offer support, and connect them to help. Our evidence-based training helps build peer support networks that give students hope and a way forward.

We’re proud to bring Teen Mental Health First Aid training to schools throughout the Tampa Bay area and help create communities where no young person has to face a mental health challenge alone.

10/19/2026

The holiday season is right around the corner, and we’re excited to bring back our Adopt a Family program!

Beginning two weeks from today, individuals, families, businesses, and community groups will have the opportunity to make the holidays a little brighter for families we serve who may be facing financial challenges or other difficult circumstances. Through the program, donors can choose a family or individual to support and help provide thoughtful gifts and essentials based on their holiday wishes. It’s a meaningful way to give back while helping a family experience the joy and magic of the holiday season.

Mark your calendar for November 2 and stay tuned for more details on how you can participate. We will announce the official launch on our page, newsletter, and website.

10/16/2026

Our Senior Director of Housing First, Melinda, is in Denver this week attending the NAHRO (National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials) National Conference & Exhibition!

As the affordable housing crisis continues to impact communities across the country, this conference brings together housing and community development professionals to share practical solutions, learn about emerging policies, and explore what’s working in communities nationwide.

We’re proud to have Melinda representing Directions for Living, learning alongside leaders in the field, and bringing new ideas and resources back to our community.

10/14/2026

We’re ! Directions for Living is seeking a Supervisor of Treatment Works to join our team. Our Treatment Works program provides intensive, wraparound support for youth ages 5–18 experiencing a mental health crisis or significant emotional and behavioral challenges. In partnership with the Pinellas County School System, the program helps families find stability, keep youth safely at home, and support their success in school.

You’ll join a high-performing, award-winning team known for excellence, innovation, and meaningful impact. We’re looking for a driven, compassionate professional who’s ready to collaborate with talented colleagues, grow their expertise, and help redefine what high-quality care can look like.

If you’re looking for a career where your work makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you! Learn more about this opportunity and explore our other open positions at https://directionsforliving.org/careers/.

10/13/2026

We’re proud to be at Benchmark International Arena today for the 5th Annual Strike the Stigma Symposium, hosted by Florida Blue in partnership with the Tampa Bay Lightning! 💙⚡️

For the fifth year, Directions for Living is honored to be part of this powerful event, bringing together high school students from across Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties for meaningful conversations about mental health.

Our team is leading a Teen Mental Health First Aid Olympics workshop - getting students up, moving, and embracing their competitive spirit while learning how to recognize when someone may need support, how to respond, and where to turn for help.

We’re grateful to be part of a day focused on breaking down stigma, building connection, and giving young people the tools to support themselves and one another. Thank you to Florida Blue and the Tampa Bay Lightning for continuing to bring our community together for this important conversation!

10/09/2026

Our President & CEO, April Lott, joined Central Florida Behavioral Health Network on Tampa Bay's Morning Blend yesterday to talk about how behavioral health needs in our community have changed over the years, the importance of Mental Health First Aid, and how Directions for Living supports children and families throughout the holiday season.

We’re grateful to CFBHN for taking the time to spotlight the important work of their service providers and give April the opportunity to share more about the amazing things Directions for Living is doing for our community. Watch here now:

CFBHN is proud to partner with Directions For Living whose motto is...

10/08/2026

We’re celebrating a big honor for Directions for Living’s fundraiser, the PB&J Run, which has been named Creative Loafing Tampa’s Best of the Bay for Best Running or Walking Event!

Our VP of Communications and Development and PB&J Run Race Director, Summer Gray, celebrated the win at last night’s Best of the Bay party in St. Pete. We couldn’t be prouder of her and the entire PB&J Run team!

What an incredible way to celebrate the 10th year of this amazing event. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who voted, participated, volunteered, sponsored, cheered us on, and helped make the PB&J Run such a beloved part of our community.

10/06/2026

We’re proud to have several members of the Directions for Living team attending the Florida Supportive Housing Coalition Summit this week! The summit brings together professionals working to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, disability, child welfare involvement, and other challenges that can impact access to safe, stable housing. It’s a valuable opportunity to learn, connect, and share ideas about strengthening supportive housing across Florida.

We’re especially proud that our President & CEO, April Lott, served as the keynote speaker for the opening general session. April’s message focused on an often-overlooked part of the supportive housing conversation: the people on the front lines. As funding changes and uncertainty place added pressure on the field, she addressed the realities of secondary trauma, moral injury, burnout, and the importance of supporting the workforce that supports others.

We’re grateful to be part of this important conversation and to continue learning alongside partners from across Florida.

10/05/2026

Last week, our President & CEO, April Lott joined the 2026 Tampa Bay TITAN 100 class for the official Kick Off Reception at The Karol Hotel.

It was a great evening of connecting with fellow leaders, sharing stories, and celebrating the opportunity to learn and grow alongside an incredible group of Tampa Bay professionals.

We’re proud to see April recognized among this year’s Titan 100 and we’re looking forward to following her Titan journey throughout the year!

10/02/2026

A few months ago, Directions for Living launched a Women’s Wellness Initiative at both of our facilities, providing complimentary feminine hygiene products for team members and clients.

We’re grateful to I Support the Girls - Tampa Bay for helping make this initiative possible. Through their generous partnership, we receive monthly donations of tampons, pads, and, liners for our restrooms, helping ensure these essential products are available when they’re needed. And their generosity goes even further. I Support the Girls – Tampa Bay also provides new underwear and bras to help meet the needs of individuals and families served through our Housing and Families First divisions.

At its heart, this initiative is about dignity and access. Having basic necessities readily available helps remove one more barrier and creates an environment where people feel supported, respected, and cared for.

We’re so grateful for how well this initiative has been received and, most importantly, for the genuine appreciation we’ve heard from the people we serve and our team members.

Thank you, I Support The Girls - Tampa Bay, for helping us create a more comfortable, supportive, and dignified experience for everyone who walks through our doors.