In Sarasota County, 34% of households struggle to afford basic needs. This number rises to 63% for households led by single moms, which make up roughly one in three homes. In addition, more than 56,000 people in the area face food insecurity. This is the reality for children and families in Sarasota.
That is why One More Child is stepping in. We see these needs and we say, “We are here to help.”
One More Child is expanding in Sarasota and building a campus that will serve hungry children, foster children, trafficked children, single moms, and struggling families. Our campus includes Palm Garden Village, which has eight homes for single moms and the Vern and Sandy Buchanan Children’s Center, a multi-purpose space to serve vulnerable children and families.
While the Children’s Center is still under construction, Palm Garden Village is now complete, and we get to celebrate all the single moms and children whose lives will soon be transformed.
The Vision Takes Shape
The story of Palm Garden Village began years ago with a single decision made by Pat McCarver. Pat is the owner of the health and rehabilitation company, Palm Garden—a role she stepped into after the passing of her husband, Jim McCarver. With a desire to serve God, she and her church, Sarasota Baptist, decided to generously financially contribute to One More Child’s mission.
These donations continued for years, empowering our ministry as we served the vulnerable. During this time, our team at One More Child grew closer with Pat and began to learn more about her story, her heart, and her desire to help others. And we also learned she had a very specific vision—a campus for vulnerable children in Sarasota.
We got together, made plans, and began working to make this dream a reality. We collaborated with Pat and other partners to discern what this campus might look like and who specifically it aims to serve, ultimately culminating in Palm Garden Village.
At Palm Garden Village, single moms and children in need will receive secure housing while they journey through One More Child’s one-year Single Moms residential program. This program provides single moms with safe housing, tangible support, mentorship, financial education, professional guidance, spiritual encouragement, and more. Through Palm Garden Village, we will meet dire needs, offer hope, and provide a path to self-sufficiency for single moms.
A Day of Celebration
After years of planning, preparing, and building, the day finally came when Palm Garden Village was ready to welcome moms and children. To mark this momentous day, we gathered members of the McCarver family, staff and leadership from both Palm Garden and One More Child, and supporters outside the brand-new single moms homes in Sarasota.
This special day of celebration included tours of the homes, fellowship with those partnered in the same mission, and a special time of recognition for Pat McCarver and Palm Garden.
Palm Garden Village began with a vision to help vulnerable children and because of Pat McCarver’s and Palm Garden’s faithful obedience and generosity, single moms will have a stable home. Without having to worry about paying the bills that month or struggling to feed their children, these moms can focus on building a brighter future for themselves and their children.
A Small Reminder of a Big God
Palm Garden Village began with Pat McCarver’s heart for vulnerable children and willingness to lead with generosity. But Pat has also shared how much her late husband Jim inspires the way she lives and decisions she makes. So, just as we had the opportunity to honor Pat, One More Child also wanted to honor the legacy of Jim McCarver.
Jim was an incredibly successful businessman, but he led his life with humility. This humble approach led him to develop a unique habit: picking up pennies. When he saw a penny — whether it was in a parking lot, a store, or behind his couch — he would always stop and pick it up. Then he would take it home, place it in a box, and write a note about the Lord’s faithfulness and the message from God that accompanied each penny. For Jim, the pennies served as reminders of the goodness of the Lord.
This small reminder of hope we have in the big God we serve is exactly the kind of encouragement struggling single moms need. So, as a way to encourage the moms and children living in these homes, and as a way to honor Jim McCarver, each home has a penny box display, with Jim McCarver’s quote, “Every time I pick up a penny, I am reminded of God’s love and presence.”
Just as the penny boxes will remind moms and children of God’s faithfulness for years to come, the story of Palm Garden Village shines as a testament to what God can do through willing hearts, generous hands, and steadfast faith.