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Getting The Band Back Together
Return of the BrigAIDe and Amskills Training
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Featured Story
The Metro BrigAIDe is BackMetro BrigAIDeMetro BrigAIDeMetro BrigAIDe
Metro BrigAIDe, part of Metropolitan Ministries, is back in action after being forced to pause earlier this year when AmeriCorps cut funding. The program sends vans across Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties to meet people experiencing homelessness and connect them with food, hygiene items, and most importantly, housing resources.
The pause hit hard. “People felt that we weren’t there,” said Associate Director Ethan Weilant. Phone lines overflowed, and agencies were left scrambling without Metro BrigAIDe’s help. For those who had relied on the team, like Nelson Doland, it was even tougher. “If it wasn’t for them, I’d still be at the soup kitchen, probably sweating to death,” he said through sign language.
Now, 10 positions have been restored, three in Pasco County, meaning the vans are back on the streets, though with fewer staff than before. While the program has decided not to reapply for AmeriCorps funding in 2026 due to its instability, the mission remains the same: show up for those in need and help them take the first step toward stability.
Around The Town
The Real What’s Up Good Samaritan Health Clinic of Pasco provides free, top-quality medical and dental care to uninsured residents, guided by dignity, respect, and a commitment to building a healthier community. | Foodies Only Mandola’s Italian Kitchen in Odessa serves up fresh Italian classics and gelato in a warm, family-friendly setting. | We Know a Guy…or Girl Need a painter? A plumber? Someone brave enough to tackle that lightbulb orbiting 30 feet above your living room? We’ve got you. (Coming Soon) |
AmSkills Closes The Gap
Manufacturing is booming in Tampa Bay, but there aren’t enough skilled workers to fill the jobs. That’s where AmSkills, a nonprofit training center in Holiday, comes in.
Through an intensive two-week boot camp, costing just $35, participants learn hands-on skills like robotics, 3D printing, and electrical engineering. Graduates leave with a certificate and interviews lined up with local companies like Infinity Industrial Controls.
The payoff? The Bay Area Manufacturers Association says entry-level jobs in the region start around $65,000 a year.
As AmSkills CEO Tom Mudano explains: “A lot of people have no idea these jobs exist or that they can qualify for them.”
Bright, clean, and designed for today’s workforce, AmSkills is proving the next generation of manufacturing talent can be built right here in Pasco County.
What’s Up This Week
Trending Now
Craft Time for Kids Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025 Time: 2 PM Creative Party with 2 crafts to make and take home - $5 | Bingo Night Date: Monday, August 18, 2025 Time: 6 PM Free to play and family friendly! | Culver’s Petting Zoo Date: Monday, August 18, 2025 Time: 8 PM Come see the animals and support our local 4-H group! |
Trivia Night Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Time: 7 PM Get ready to sip, spill, and slay at Real Housewives Trivia Night. | Gut Check: Let’s talk Digestion Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025 Time: 12 PM Join for a panel discussion where experts unpack the latest insights on digestive health and wellness. | Cinematic Sips Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025 Time: 6:30 PM The beginning of an unforgettable evening filled with soft jazz, fine wine, and curated pairings. |
That’s it for this week.
Take time, take a break, and remember to be a good neighbor!
The Folks Behind The Curtain
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