Sarasota County Friendship Centers

Our award-winning Friendship Centers are brimming with exciting activities, and have been recognized as a model for the rest of the country.

The Sarasota and Venice Friendship Centers are bustling, light-filled spaces where you can take classes, exercise, play cards, socialize, create art, make music and learn about healthy aging. Our partners offer interesting talks and free health screenings. You can even record “your journey” for posterity – an opportunity to tell your story, in your own words. Bottom line, we create community in every sense of the word – by providing comfortable places to gather, take classes, dance to live music, or enjoy a healthy lunch. Our Activity Centers are great places to make and meet new friends.

The two Sarasota County centers are free and open to the public for dancing, playing billiards, visiting the library or enjoying entertainment. Fees apply for all scheduled activities. Center membership has many advantages, including discounts on classes. Starting in January, 2018, annual membership is $75 single, and $99 for a couple. “Snowbird” or seasonal rates are $60 single, and $80 couple. To become a member of our Center, fill out the membership form for Sarasota or Venice and return it with your payment to the Center Manager.

We also operate satellite locations in Sarasota County that offer games, fitness, meals, discussion groups and crafts (see locations below). Limited activities take place at our Friendship Centers and dining sites in DeSoto, Charlotte and Lee County.

To explore an activity area of interest in Sarasota County or view our calendars, click on one of the images above.