Safe & Sound Hillsborough

📣 Now Accepting Applications!
Are you working to prevent gun violence in Hillsborough County?
Apply now for the Gun Violence Prevention Mini Grants Program and help us build safer communities through healing, prevention, and empowerment.

🔗 Apply here: http://www.safeandsoundhillsborough.org/gun-violence...

💙 Grateful for Partnership & Community Impact 💙

We are deeply grateful to the Love IV Lawrence foundation for their generous support and partnership in advancing mental health and community wellbeing.

Through collaborative efforts like this one, we are able to expand access to critical services, elevate community voices, and create meaningful impact for individuals and families across our region.

Thank you to Creative Pinellas for highlighting this important partnership and for being a champion of collaboration that strengthens our community.

🤝 Partnerships like these remind us what’s possible when organizations come together with a shared purpose.

📌 Reposted from Creative Pinellas:
ICYMI: Creative Pinellas CEO Margaret Murray and Bloom TV host Amber Freeman shared a poignant discussion about how anxiety, depression and su***de impact artists and creatives, one of the most vulnerable professions facing mental health and substance use challenges.
Mental Health First Aid USA Aid training workshops are being offered later this month to gain practical tools and knowledge to offer support to the people around us, whether at work, at home, or in our cultural community. Please join us from 9 am-3 pm at one of four workshops, which includes refreshments and lunch. Pre-registration is required and must be completed by the deadlines below. Sign up for your session by visiting Creative Pinellas page!

• March 25 @ Lealman Exchange (Register by TODAY, March 16)
• March 27 @ Dunedin Fine Art Center (Register by March 18)
• March 28 @ FloridaRAMA (Register by March 19)
• March 20 @ freeFall Theatre (Register by March 20)

The training will be provided by the Love IV Lawrence foundation at no cost, thanks to Safe & Sound Hillsborough through a Love IV Lawrence grant. Hospitality support provided by Freeman Sound.
Thanks to all of our arts and wellbeing partners!
WFLA News Channel 8

ICYMI: Creative Pinellas CEO Margaret Murray and Bloom TV host Amber Freeman shared a poignant discussion about how anxiety, depression and su***de impact artists and creatives, one of the most vulnerable professions facing mental health and substance use challenges. Click link in comments to watch the interview.

Mental Health First Aid training workshops are being offered later this month to gain practical tools and knowledge to offer support to the people around us, whether at work, at home, or in our cultural community. Please join us from 9 am-3 pm at one of four workshops, which includes refreshments and lunch. Pre-registration is required and must be completed by the deadlines below. Sign up for your session at link in comments today!

• March 25 @ Lealman Exchange (Register by TODAY, March 16)

• March 27 @ Dunedin Fine Art Center (Register by March 18)

• March 28 @ FloridaRAMA (Register by March 19)

• March 20 @ freeFall Theatre (Register by March 20)

The training will be provided by the Love IV Lawrence foundation at no cost, thanks to Safe & Sound Hillsborough through a Love IV Lawrence grant. Hospitality support provided by Freeman Sound.
Thanks to all of our arts and wellbeing partners!

WFLA News Channel 8

Interested in becoming certified in Mental Health First Aid? Learn more today on our website https://safeandsoundhillsborough.org/mental-health-first-aid/

Register today for Adult or Youth Mental Health First Aid and learn how to recognize, understand and respond to signs of mental health challenges.

👉 Sign-up now-spots are limited!

https://safeandsoundhillsborough.org/mental-health-first-aid/

Congratulations to Plant City Police Captain Al Van Duyne, a representative on the Safe & Sound Leadership Council and the 2026 recipient of the 23rd Annual Black Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award.

Well deserved Captain Van Duyne!

We are excited to be launching a Facebook community dedicated to encouraging and connecting parents in a supportive, understanding space. Parenting brings both great joy and real challenges, and this group is designed to remind you that you are not alone.

Inside the group, you will find:
-Weekly Emotional Vaccines
-Encouragement and support from other parents
-Practical tools and helpful resources

What are Emotional Vaccines?
They are short, impactful videos created to help prepare your mind and emotions to better cope with stress, anxiety, rejection or criticism, loss and disappointment, and seasons of change or uncertainty. Think of them as a weekly boost to help strengthen your emotional resilience.

We look forward to building this supportive community together and hope you will join the conversation. Scan the QR code below to learn more and join the group today.

Our youth recently participated in a powerful session hosted by Aden Funeral Home, where the Funeral Director led an honest and impactful conversation about life choices, personal responsibility, and discovering purpose.

CTP volunteers joined the discussion to reinforce the importance of making healthy and safe decisions and how those choices connect to future goals, career success, and personal growth.

Moments like these encourage self-reflection, accountability, and positive decision making that can shape brighter futures. 💙

At Safe & Sound Hillsborough we are proud to partner with Emotional Vaccines and Dr. Rahul N. Mehra, MD to share an important Safe Harbor message as we celebrate Tampa’s Gasparilla traditions 🏴‍☠️⚓

🛟 Dr. Mehra reminds us that Gasparilla can be a fun and meaningful cultural experience for kids, youth, and adults, when enjoyed responsibly.

Take a moment to watch Dr. Mehra’s Safe Harbor message on how to celebrate Gasparilla safely for kids, youth, and adults






🎥

Safe Harbor 2026 This is "Safe Harbor 2026" by Emotional Vaccines on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

Today we honor Martin Luther King Jr. by continuing his legacy of service, justice, and community.

At Safe & Sound Hillsborough, we believe real change starts when we uplift our youth, stand together, and choose love over violence; today and every day. ✨✊🏽

MENTORS NEEDED

Safe & Sound Hillsborough is looking for caring, dedicated individuals ready to make a real impact in a young person’s life.

Your time and guidance can help shape a brighter future.

👉 Ready to get involved?
Visit https://safeandsoundhillsborough.org/get-involved/ and complete the Mentorship Application today.