Truly Valued Champions Breakfast Honors Community Leaders Impacting Youth and Families
Sarasota and Manatee Counties’ leaders in youth development and public safety were recognized at the recent Champions Breakfast hosted by Truly Valued, an organization dedicated to strengthening families and empowering young people across the region.
The annual event highlighted individuals and partners whose work continues to create meaningful change in the lives of youth and families. During the breakfast, CEO Shavonne Johnson shared that in 2025, Truly Valued served more than 417 individuals through its programs focused on youth development, family strengthening, and restorative justice.
Several community leaders were honored for their contributions. Xavier Omar Edwards was recognized for his efforts in empowering students and launching initiatives such as Resilience Week. Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman was acknowledged for his leadership in building safer and stronger communities, while Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells was honored for advancing youth engagement and helping reduce juvenile crime.
Dennis Hootie Ford received recognition for his commitment to mentoring youth and promoting entrepreneurship, and Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche was honored for decades of leadership centered on youth-focused public safety.
The Champions Breakfast underscored the organization’s mission of investing in young people, supporting families, and creating opportunities for second chances. Through its ongoing work in Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto Counties, Truly Valued continues to promote character development, resilience, and restoration within the communities it serves.
More information about the organization and ways to support its programs can be found at www.trulyvalued.org.
