FRONT PORCH

Neal Communities, Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, has made a $10,000 donation to Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County, serving as a 2022 Presenting Sponsor of the nonprofit.

Healthy Teens provides vital health and life skills education and mentoring to hundreds of local youth between the ages of 11 and 25 each year. The organization aims to reduce risky behaviors by providing Manatee County young people with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed choices about their physical, mental and emotional health.

Its flagship Teen Health Educator program trains local youth ages 14 to 17 to serve as peer educators and mentors. Previously trained teen educators over the age of 18 serve as Young Adult Leaders and support the current teen educators.

“Healthy Teens is thrilled to benefit from the generosity of Neal Communities,” said Jonathan Evans, executive director of Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County. “This significant investment in our work will really help us to provide high-quality peer-education and mentoring services to and through our community’s youth, helping them to make healthy decisions that empower them to create successful futures for themselves. It is so encouraging to our Teen Health Educators to know that there are organizations like Neal Communities that are so generously supporting their mission to their peers.”

“Healthy Teens gives young people skills to have successful, healthy adult lives,” said Charlene Neal, president of Charlene Neal PureStyle and vice president of design at Neal Communities. “It’s an honor for us to be able to support its meaningful mission.”

“The future of our region will be shaped by our young people, so we want to help give them every tool possible to ensure their success,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County does important work with the youth in our area, and we’re happy to support their educational efforts.”