From Attendee to Volunteer: Estrella Minor’s Story
Our community is the heartbeat behind everything the Foundation does. Every free arts program, family event, and creative learning opportunity we host is made possible by individuals who share a passion for bringing people together.
For one woman, that connection helped her find her community.
Estrella Minor’s first experience with the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation came in October 2023, when she brought her daughter and a friend to a Mr. Stevey & Friends event. The program, which serves preschool- and elementary-aged children and their families, invites participants to engage in mindfulness activities and explore the arts together.
“Having spent many years working in the nonprofit sector, I couldn’t help but notice immediately how beautifully organized, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed the program was,” she recalls.
A Transformative Experience
While sitting with her daughter, Estrella observed how engaged she was and how interactive the entire event felt. “We were invited to participate in crafts, movement activities, and other interactive elements,” Estrella shares. “I watched the way she connected with the book reading and how the breathwork and meditation practices were gently introduced.”
The core values of Mr. Stevey & Friends resonated deeply with Estrella, and she reflected on how differently she might have navigated her childhood had she been given the tools to regulate emotions, calm anxiety, and understand self-worth—all tools that this arts education program introduces.
“I understood that I was not only being given the chance to reparent myself, but also to introduce my daughter to practices that could give her the strong foundation she needs to grow, dream, and thrive.”
After that experience, Estrella became an integral part of the Foundation’s volunteer team, helping with events such as ArtSELF, which focuses on art and wellness, and community town halls that invite neighbors to envision the new Performing Arts Center together.
“I didn’t just want to attend these events—I felt a calling to help make them available to more families and children,” Estrella remarks. “To play even a small role in facilitating positive change has brought me profound joy.”
Connecting to the Heartbeat of Our Community
Some of Estrella’s most meaningful moments as a volunteer have come from watching families experience the programs together. “Those moments remind me why these programs are so special: they create spaces where every child, regardless of background or ability, can feel included, inspired, and celebrated.”
She’s also found a sense of community in working with those who share her same goals. “Volunteering alongside people who lead with kindness and enthusiasm makes the experience not only meaningful but also fun and uplifting.”
“For me, the greatest gift has been the relationships formed and the shared sense of purpose in working together toward something bigger than ourselves.”
Together, we Build What’s Next
Volunteering with the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation has been incredibly rewarding for Estrella. “It is a small investment for such an incredibly wonderful return; one that continues to enrich my life as much as I hope it enriches the lives of those we serve.”
“We are only as strong as the most vulnerable among us,” she says. “By prioritizing education, mentorship, and creative opportunities, we can equip children and families with the confidence, skills, and courage to dream bigger.”
Volunteers like Estrella remind us that the heart of the Foundation beats strongest through the people who give their time, energy, and care to make the arts accessible to all. If you’re inspired to get involved, our Mission and Impact Team would love to hear from you at Programs@PerformingArtsFoundation.org.