For Julie and Steve Weintraub, years of work are coming together in meaningful ways. The couple leads the Gold & Diamond Source. Steve founded the fine jewelry store more than 40 years ago. Julie joined him in 2004, and their children eventually joined them in the business. Julie also founded Hands Across the Bay (HATB), which works with families facing crises, supports other community organizations and focuses on such issues as domestic violence, bullying, suicide prevention, animal abuse and PTSD.

The latest chapter for the nonprofit began with a local woman in need, who had spent much of her life caring for others. Joann Dohme, a lifelong Clearwater resident and retired nurse, had reached a point where maintaining her home had become increasingly difficult. Health challenges and physical limitations had left her unable to keep up with needed repairs.

What followed was nearly two years of work by Abundant Life Ministries’ Mission to Serve and HATB.

The renovation also carried an emotional weight that went well beyond the walls of the house. Dohme’s daughter, Melissa Dohme Hill, survived a brutal, near-fatal domestic violence attack in the front yard of the family home in 2012. HATB supported Hill in the aftermath and Julie Weintraub eventually hired her as an advocate for change. Hill now serves as HATB’s executive director.

“Her bravery…how many lives she's changed and saved with her work, I could not be prouder of her,” Julie shared. “She inspires me.”

Julie could also see Dohme’s suffering, which further motivated her to action.

Pastor Kirk Carey leads Abundant Life Ministries Church in Largo, where the three women attend services. When he learned about Hill’s attack and Dohme’s deteriorating home, he asked his congregation to come together and help.

That help was possible through Mission to Serve (MTS), ALM’s disaster relief organization, which answered Carey’s call to put those plans into action. MTS Director Dennis Drolet offered his resources to manage the project.

“It’s not about one person. It’s not about one organization,” Drolet explained. “It’s about everyone working as a team, making it work.”

What began as ALM’s initial volunteer outreach grew into a full-scale transformation, with more than 20 contractors, skilled tradespeople, businesses, donors and volunteers contributing time, materials, expertise and financial support.

Before the new construction began, Dohme and Hill helped tear down the old walls and release some of the painful memories that lingered. They say it was therapeutic and a tangible way to work through the trauma that the house still represented and begin seeing something new.

At the same time, another milestone was taking shape for the Weintraubs.

Gold & Diamond Source was named the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ 2026 Retail Jeweler of the Year. This coveted honor recognizes the jeweler’s more than four decades in the industry, its service to the community and commitment to providing a high degree of care to its clients. Steve and Julie accepted the award August 22nd at the organization’s 50th annual banquet at the Atlanta Country Club.

In different ways, both moments speak to what can happen when people put their hearts into the place that represents home.

Visit handsacrossthebay.org and goldanddiamond.com to learn more.

The GIVERS

Joann Dohme’s home transformation was made possible by the individuals and businesses that generously contributed their time, talents and resources during the nearly two-year project.