Services
Become a Volunteer or Animal Foster
Learn how to volunteer or foster at Manatee County Animal Welfare (MCAW).
Book a Ride on the Gulf Island Ferry
The Gulf Islands Ferry is currently operating Thursdays through Sundays between The Bradenton Riverwalk and The Historic Bridge St Pier.
Discover Senior Daycare
Daybreak Adult Day Center provides a safe and positive environment offering Manatee County senior’s (60+) structured therapeutic programs designed to encourage mental stimulation and socialization
Discover Senior Daycare in Myakka City
The Super Seniors & Special People Program assist the seniors in living their best life.
Education & Support for New Parents: Healthy Families
Program provides home visiting parenting and support services to families that live in Manatee County.
Find Before School, After School, Camp Myakka (MAC)
Program offers before, after school and summer care activities.
Find Emergency Shelter and Group Homes for Children
MCS provides a full spectrum of programs serving over 12,000 children and families annually. Since its inception in 1977 as the Manatee County’s first and only emergency shelter for abused children in foster care, MCS has grown to offer programs in treatment, prevention, intervention, and residential services.
Find Help with Employment Services for Veterans
Employment resources for Veterans
Home Down Payment Assistance (Homeownership Training Course)
Many home buyers can afford a monthly mortgage payment but may not be able to pay all or a portion of the down payment and/or closing costs needed to purchase a home. Down payment assistance programs can help. As a first step in the process of meeting eligibility requirements, interested parties should schedule to attend a Homeownership Training Course.
Improving Your Non-Profit Agency
Community & Nonprofit Education provides nonprofit organizations serving Manatee County with opportunities to learn, connect and build their capacity in areas of governance, program outcomes, finance, leadership, fundraising, development, communications and marketing, and HR.
Independent Living Program
The Independent Living Program offers three areas of vision rehabilitation training.
Receive Counseling for Housing and Financial Literacy
HUD-Certified Counseling for At-Risk Families-The Housing Counseling program provides one-on-one counseling for families in a variety of areas related to housing needs. The HUD-Certified Housing Counselor offers guidance, referrals, information, and support to families at risk of becoming homeless.
Register for Daycare: Head Start and Early Head Start
Program provides center based early childhood development services at five sites throughout Manatee County for children from six weeks to five years old.
Register for Holiday Blast Camps
To keep your children active, engaged, and safe, Manatee County offers Holiday Camps featuring exciting activities like swimming, arts and crafts, PE games, and a game room. You can register online or in person at the G.T. Bray and John Marble Recreation Centers
Register for the Junior Blast Camp
Build leadership skills and gain valuable job experience by joining our Junior Blast Camp Program! As a participant, you will be assigned to younger age groups to help organize and lead activities under the guidance of our camp counselors.
Register for Youth Basketball Camp
Week-day basketball practice for youth from 8-11 years old.
Ride Public Transit: Fixed Routes
Information about riding fixed route transit in Manatee County.
Ride Route 1 - Ellenton Outlet Mall
MCAT Route 1 from Downtown Station to Ellenton Outlet Mall. Service runs Monday-Saturday except for holidays.
Ride Route 12 - State Road 70
Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) Route 12- State Road 70 travels between Desoto Station and Lakewood Ranch Walmart. Service runs Monday through Saturday except for holidays.
Ride Route 13 - Palmetto
Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) Route 13- Palmetto travels between the Palmetto Station and the Downtown Station. Service runs Monday through Saturday except for holidays.
Ride Route 16 - 15th Street East
Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) Route 16- 15th Street East travels between US 41/ Tallevast Road and the DeSoto Station. Service runs Monday through Saturday except for holidays.
Ride Route 2 - East Bradenton
MCAT Route 2- East Bradenton runs between the Downtown Station and Red Barn Flea Market Monday-Friday with hourly service on Saturdays.
Ride Route 201 - North County ConneXion
Route 201- North County ConneXion travels between the Downtown Station and Rubonia. Service runs Monday-Saturday except for holidays.
Ride Route 203 - Skyway ConneXion
MCAT Route 3- Skyway ConneXion travels between the Desoto Station and the Bay Pines VA Hospital. Service runs Monday through Friday except for holidays.
Ride Route 3 - Manatee Avenue East
MCAT Route 3- Manatee Avenue travels between the Downtown Station and the Walmart on State Road 64. Service runs Monday through Saturday except for holidays.
Ride Route 304 - Manatee Avenue West, Manatee Beach
MCAT Route 304-Manatee Beach to Downtown travels from Manatee Public Beach to the Downtown Station. Service runs Monday through Saturday except for holidays.
Ride Route 4 - 9th Avenue East and West
Route 4 - 9th Ave East and West runs between Blake Hospital and Walmart 53rd Ave E. Service is Monday-Friday with a modified schedule on Saturdays. Service does not operate on holidays.
Ride Route 5 - Anna Maria Island Trolley
The Anna Maria Island Trolley operates daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., 365 days per year.
Ride Route 6 - Cortez Road
MCAT Route 6- Cortez Road travels between the DeSoto Station and Anna Maria Island. Service runs Monday through Saturday except for holidays.
Ride Route 75 - Beach ConneXion Shuttle
MCAT Route 75- Beach ConneXion shuttle travels between Manatee Public Beach and Village Green Parkway. Service runs on Sundays only.
Ride Route 8 - Oneco / Bayshore
MCAT Route 8- Oneco/Bayshore travels between Walmart/ 53rd Ave E and the Desoto Station. Service runs Monday through Saturday except for holidays.
Ride Route 9 - 9th Avenue W / 26th Street W
MCAT Route 9 travels between the Downtown Station and State College of Florida/ 26th Street West. Service runs Monday through Friday except for holidays.
Ride Route 99 - Bradenton / Sarasota
MCAT Route 99 - Bradenton/Sarasota travels between the MCAT Downtown Station and the Sarasota Downtown Station. Service runs Monday through Saturday except for holidays. Ends 3PM on Christmas Eve.
Ride the Handy Bus - ADA
Information about how to ride the Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) Handy Bus for passengers in need of ADA service.
Ride the Handy Bus - Transportation Disadvantaged
Information about how to ride the Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) Handy Bus for passengers that meet the Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) service requirements.
Ride the Port Manatee Connection Shuttle (PMX)
Information about riding the MCAT Port Manatee Connection Shuttle.
Schedule a Travel Training Appointment
Information about the Fixed Route Travel Training program.
Schedule Transportation: Transportation Disadvantaged Program
Passengers who meet state eligibility requirements, which include income guidelines, are able to schedule advance reservation, Door to Door, shared ride public transportation on a Handy Bus under the Transportation Disadvantaged Program.
Seek Assistance with VA-supported schooling
Employment services for Veterans and qualified spouses and children
Severe Weather Transportation Services - MCAT
Manatee County Area Transit transports members of the community who are on the Special Needs Registry to public evacuation shelters when required by a severe weather event.
Sleep Baby Safely Initiative of Manatee County
Manatee County has created an initiative to prevent infant sleep-related deaths.
Transportación publica
Información sobre Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) y las horas de servicio.
Volunteer at Habitat for Humanity
Check out how to volunteer with Manatee Habitat.
Volunteer at Manatee County
Welcome to our Manatee County Volunteers in Action community!
Volunteer at United Way Suncoast
Reading to children, leading financial literacy classes for hard-working families, or delivering meals to home-bound seniors, there are volunteer opportunities available every day.
Volunteer in a Preserve
By volunteering in the preserves, you will make a positive impact on the environment. Volunteers help preserve the homes of native plants and animals, re-establishing much-needed habitat.
Volunteer with the Library
Volunteers are a very important part of the
Library! Manatee Library volunteers are beginner or skilled individuals who perform a
variety of tasks that support library staff in providing excellent
library services.