REAL Exclusive Magazine

The Center For Faith And Freedom

Stuart Roth – Making A Difference

By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa

Throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties, residents in need of support have access to a range of organizations and charities offering temporary, short- and long-term solutions to their issues and challenges. And when those organizations find themselves looking for help, The Center for Faith and Freedom is available to assist them in accomplishing their goals. For over two decades the center has offered support to non-profit agencies around the country, helping to further some of the most pressing causes facing society.  

Founder Stuart J. Roth explains, “We have an expertise for telling stories and tend to focus on issues that impact families, the building blocks of society. Organizations that work to combat illness, abuse, mental issues, homelessness, poverty and hunger have a common thread in that they aid individuals who are often overlooked, people who aren’t being heard. We support the organizations that are helping those individuals find their voices.”

The Center for Faith and Freedom is a faith-based organization that operates in an ecumenical manner. “We do not impart a theological perspective or viewpoint into our relationship with our clients or into the work that we provide,” Stuart offers. “Our aim is to support organizations in need of our assistance and, in turn, to make a real difference in the lives of others.”

The story of The Center’s creation has been told before; the prologue to this is Stuart’s own life, an unassuming foundation upon which the award-winning organization has been built. It has been said that to whom much is given, much is required. This is a motto that drives Stuart, a man who leads his life in a faith-based manner and who believes in sharing the blessings that have been bestowed upon him.

It wasn’t always this way. Growing up in a Jewish family, Stuart recalls believing in God but not feeling “religious.”  He explains, “We observed major holidays, but I never felt that I had a personal relationship with God.” A series of life-changing events guided him down a spiritual path that led to a new sense of faith. Now a Messianic Jew, he acts upon a calling to be a witness to the grace of God. “I have had the fortune of meeting people from all walks of life, with their own thoughts and feelings about religion,” he notes. “I’m not here to argue about religion, God or the Bible. Instead, I choose to sow the seeds of faith, to open a dialogue with people who seek courage or inspiration and to share with them what has God done in my life. It’s a simple, yet powerful message.”

Simple, yet powerful might also describe the work performed by the professionals at The Center for Faith and Freedom. The team employs a collaborative effort with each of their clients in order to best capture their unique stories, acquiring video footage on location and utilizing state-of-the-art multimedia tools and technology to create powerful pieces that effectively communicate the message, mission and vision of the organizations with which they work. The videos are powerful, moving. They give voices to individuals often silenced by society, allowing them the dignity of acknowledgement by others.

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“Now more than ever, we see a real need for our services,” says Stuart. “Economic challenges have had a tremendous impact on charitable organizations around the world, and we are thrilled to act as a resource for those groups, who receive our services at no cost to them.”

Benevolence is a way of life at The Center for Faith and Freedom. The group donates a portion of its 8,400 square foot office complex to local non-profits, providing them with a beautiful and positive environment in which to conduct business. It’s just another way in which Stuart and The Center are reaching out to the community at large, spreading a sense of grace and fellowship to all who choose to receive.

The Center for Faith and Freedom’s production company, Salt & Light Productions, has won industry awards including multiple Emmys® and Tellys. Stuart, who continues to practice law internationally, has also been honored. Most recently, he was named the recipient of the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund’s C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award, a reflection of his commitment to the community at large through his investments of time, resources and energy.

“I could squeeze twenty five hours out of a day,” acknowledges Stuart of his demanding schedule. “But I am blessed to be doing work that is truly fulfilling. I love it, and am grateful that at this point I am able to live a life that is purpose-driven. I am truly blessed to have a career that defines me; it is a calling. Every day is an opportunity to tackle new and important issues, and I look forward to continuing on this journey.”

Stuart Roth
Center for Faith and Freedom
7357 Merchant Court
Sarasota, FL 34240
(941) 487.4061
www.faithandfreedom.org