Hope Lives Here: How Southshore Showed Up Big
At the University of Tampa, a group of students recently raised more than $200,000 during Greek Week, to help fulfill the dream of Landri Paszotta, an 18-year-old from Riverview living with a serious illness.
Her wish? To take a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii.
What started as a classroom initiative turned into a full-blown movement, rallying students, faculty, and community members. Thanks to their determination and heart, Landri’s dream is now a reality—and a powerful example of what’s possible when people come together for a good cause.
Back in Riverview, Karen Bowen has quietly spent the last 20 years changing lives in a different way—one foster child at a time.
She’s welcomed over 300 kids into her home, mostly teenage girls, with one mission: to give them the tools they need to thrive.
From cooking and budgeting to resume building and college prep, Karen makes sure every young woman who enters her home leaves stronger than she came. Just ask Jamila Smith, who’s heading to Santa Fe College after four years with Karen.
“I’m anxious,” Jamila said, “but I know Miss Karen has prepared me for the world, so I’ll be fine.”
Karen’s message to every girl in her care?
“I understand I’m not your mama, but until we fix things with mama—I got you.”
Whether it’s college students raising $200K or a foster mom preparing teens for life, these are the kinds of stories that make Southshore special.
The world doesn’t need more superheroes. It needs more people who care—and clearly, we’ve got plenty of them right here at home.