WHO WE ARE

SURE is a faith-based Justice Ministry that equips volunteer leaders to engage with community stakeholders and government authorities to address disparities within the Sarasota community, particularly those impacting the vulnerable and marginalized. Our mission is to foster a sense of optimism by striving for a more just and equitable future for all residents.

For more than twenty years, SURE has stood as a prominent ministry in Sarasota, transcending barriers of faith, age, race, and economic status. The dedicated members of SURE congregations diligently cultivate connections within their communities, engaging in meaningful dialogues regarding local issues. Together, they identify key challenges, explore potential remedies, advocate for change, and collaborate closely with authorities to foster a fair and inclusive society.

“…and what does the Lord require of you, oh mortal, but to do justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:8

SARASOTA UNITED ON A MISSION

The mission of Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity (SURE) is to build a strong, grassroots, community coalition based on the common interest of a broad cross-section of people. SURE is composed of faith-based organizations that seek justice for the poor, working class, and mixed income neighborhoods of Sarasota. This organization will not act as a social agency or political lobby. Rather, this network of congregations and community groups will be a vehicle for action. Instead of waiting for outside intervention, people will act together on their own behalf. 

We believe that God empowers us for ministries which have a public dimension and which invoke the spirit of love and justice. The historical teachings of our faith stand over against that which puts people in a passive, victimized position. These teachings call us to build the power of people to bring about needed change. That understanding of God's power and God's justice will guide our work. This organization will speak for hope and out of strength in the midst of real life concerns. Our work focuses on the core issues and root causes of problems. When we develop our own gifts and leadership, we become God's hands, feet, and voice in our world. 

Having been founded by religious and community leaders, this organization is based on the commonly shared values that reflect the moral, spiritual, and democratic traditions of our society. We recognize that this organization of faith-based organizations will effectively strengthen the witness of each member and be a network for mutual training and outreach. Further, we recognize the desirability for this emerging organization to work in cooperation with other similarly constituted grassroots organizations on issues of common concern to our respective members. 

HOW IT WORKS: HOW WE DO JUSTICE.

Sarasota United is a 501(C)3 non-profit with a mission to unite people of faith in Sarasota County - holding systems accountable in the community to a standard of justice.

Loving all neighbors. Ministry that calls for transforming systems - education, criminal justice, housing - to be fair and just for all.

The process consists of several steps: Listening, Research, Action, and Monitoring.

Listening: Sacred conversations held in every congregation to share our struggles and dreams as they relate to community problems. Every member votes on problems to be addressed.

Research: Understand the problem, research potential solutions, and look for best practices to present to community systems in order to advocate for change.

Nehemiah Action: A “great assembly” (Nehemiah 5) to hold officials accountable for solving the most serious problems plaguing our community.

Monitoring: Follow up to make sure that officials do what they say they will do and collect data to monitor the implementation of the solution.

ANNUAL MEETINGS

Community Problems Assembly: SURE’s first large gathering of the year. At this meeting we listen to stories from House Meetings and prepare to address issues in our community. Our Network Members vote on what issues they want to address and commit to the work ahead of us.

Rally: SURE’s Rally is a time for Research Committees to report what they discovered in dozens of meetings throughout the year. It is also a time for us to organize for a successful Nehemiah Action.

Nehemiah Action: SURE’s Nehemiah Action is unlike any other gathering in Sarasota. 1000 people of faith gather to press local officials to solve the most serious problems plaguing our community.

Justice Ministry Celebration: SURE’s annual gathering so Network Members can celebrate our work and invest in the organization.

Nehemiah Action Meeting | February 2024: Justice initiative for Fair Housing in Sarasota County.

FUTURE GOALS

The long range goals of Sarasota United of Responsibility and Equity are to develop, strengthen, build and establish.

  • To develop a responsible vehicle to address local issues of concern to member groups through a process of education, training, and action.

  • To strengthen participating congregations/groups by training existing leaders in organizing skills and by identifying potential new leaders.

  • To build relationships between diverse segments of the community by bringing together groups from various cultural, economic, and religious communities around common concerns.

  • To enable congregations and community groups to act on our shared values of human worth, dignity, and justice.