Community isn’t just a place on a map—it’s where life happens. It’s where we set down roots, raise families, share celebrations, weather challenges, and build something bigger than ourselves. At Lucido & Associates, community is more than a geographic boundary—it’s the beating heart of our work and our lives.

It’s also the “C” in our PLACE philosophy—People, Landscape, Architecture, Community, and Environment. Together, these pillars guide the way we plan, design, and show up for the places we serve. Community, in particular, grounds us in a responsibility that extends far beyond project sites. It’s about giving back to the towns, neighborhoods, and ecosystems that have given so much to us.

In this first of many stories spotlighting our community-focused efforts, we’re sharing how Lucido & Associates contributes to the health and vitality of the places we call home—and why that work is so essential to who we are.

A Living Relationship: The Personal & Professional Importance of Community

At its core, community is about reciprocity. It’s a give and a take—a living, breathing relationship between people and the places they inhabit. For us, community is where we live, grow, and thrive over the course of a lifetime. It’s the backdrop of our milestones and memories, and the foundation of everything we build—both literally and figuratively.

Florida, in particular, offers a fascinating lens into that relationship. It’s a place that wasn’t always meant to be lived in, not in the ways we do now. The land was reshaped—swamps drained, waterways redirected—so that people could settle, plant roots, and create new beginnings. And in doing so, we’ve inherited a responsibility: to honor what came before, and to shape what comes next with care.

At Lucido & Associates, we see our work as a bridge between land and life. We’re not just designing for function or form—we’re designing for legacy. That means planning responsibly, respecting ecosystems, and making space for people to flourish. And just as the community has shaped our practice, we believe it’s our job to help shape a future where both people and place can thrive together.

How We Give Back: Our Approach to Community Support

Supporting the community isn’t something we do on the side—it’s woven into the fabric of our firm. At Lucido & Associates, we give back in ways that reflect who we are: thoughtful, collaborative, and grounded in our connection to people and place.

Over the years, our approach has taken shape across three primary forms:

Philanthropic Giving – We’ve built long-standing relationships with organizations whose missions align with our values, offering financial support to help them continue their vital work. Whether it’s animal welfare, hospice care, youth programs, or environmental advocacy, we’re proud to play a small part in their impact.

In-Kind Professional Services – Sometimes, the most meaningful thing we can offer is our expertise. We’ve donated full planning and landscape architecture services to projects that serve the public good—spaces designed to educate, protect, and empower. In these cases, design isn’t just a deliverable; it’s a gift to the community.

Hands-On Volunteering & Team-Led Initiatives – We believe giving back should be active, engaging, and personal. That’s why we encourage our team members to be out in the community—swinging hammers, planting trees, cleaning shorelines. And as our team grows, we’re expanding our reach by supporting the causes our people are passionate about, not just those we’ve historically backed.

We don’t see this as a checklist—it’s a culture. One where service, stewardship, and impact are part of the everyday rhythm of our work.

Community in Action

Every act of community support—whether it’s a few hours of volunteer time or a year-long design donation—tells a story. These three efforts highlight the breadth of our commitment: from building homes to shaping youth spaces to protecting the ecosystems we all depend on.

🛠️ Habitat for Humanity – Building the Foundations of Shelter

When it comes to residential development, we understand better than most just how vital shelter is to a thriving community. That’s why partnering with Habitat for Humanity has been such a natural extension of our work.

Our team has had the opportunity to step away from the drafting tables and head out to build sites—swinging hammers, raising walls, and contributing to homes that will provide stability, safety, and dignity to families in need. It’s a hands-on way to give back that reminds us of the human impact behind every blueprint.

For us, it’s not just about housing—it’s about home. And helping create that for others is a privilege we don’t take lightly.

🌱 Boys & Girls Club of Martin County – Designing Safe, Meaningful Spaces for Youth

When the Boys & Girls Club began developing its new Stuart campus, we saw an opportunity to contribute in the best way we know how—through design. Lucido & Associates donated our professional services to support the planning, entitlement, and landscape architecture of the site, creating a space that’s now a vibrant hub for learning, safety, and belonging.

This is more than a building project—it’s an investment in the next generation. By designing a campus that’s welcoming, functional, and rooted in the surrounding environment, we’re helping ensure that local youth have a place to grow, dream, and succeed.

Spaces like this remind us that thoughtful design can shape lives just as much as it shapes landscapes.

🌊 Keep Martin Beautiful & Florida Oceanographic Society – Preserving the Land We Love

We don’t just work with the land—we work for it. Our involvement with organizations like Keep Martin Beautiful and the Florida Oceanographic Society reflects our deep commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable growth.

From coastal cleanups to design support for environmentally driven projects, our team has volunteered time and services to protect the natural beauty and health of the region we call home. These efforts aren’t just about aesthetics—they’re about the long-term viability of the ecosystems that sustain us.

In a state where human development and natural preservation must coexist, we see ourselves as part of the solution—advocates for balance, biodiversity, and responsible design.

The Evolving Nature of Giving Back

Giving back has always been part of our DNA—but like any healthy community, our approach continues to grow and evolve.

Over the years, Lucido & Associates has maintained longstanding support for organizations that reflect our values—from the St. Lucie Humane Society to Treasure Coast Hospice, from Elevate Hope to the Florida Oceanographic Society. These relationships have become part of our rhythm as a firm: consistent, intentional, and rooted in care for both people and place.

But recently, we’ve taken a more personalized step forward.

As our team expands, so does the passion and purpose each individual brings to the table. That’s why we’ve launched a new internal initiative focused on empowering our staff to guide where and how we serve. Whether it’s volunteering time, donating to a cause close to home, or offering in-kind services to a nonprofit they believe in, our employees are now leading the way in shaping our community impact.

It’s a shift from top-down giving to community-led action—from legacy efforts to living, breathing engagement. And it reflects what we believe at our core: that a truly thriving community is built by many voices, not just one.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to spotlight even more of these stories—big and small—as they unfold. Because every act of care adds up to something meaningful.

Building PLACE Together

At Lucido & Associates, we don’t just design places—we nurture them. And that means showing up for our community with the same intention and care that we bring to every project.

Community isn’t a static concept—it grows, shifts, and deepens with time. So does our commitment to it. Whether we’re donating our services, volunteering with our hands, or supporting the causes that matter to our team, every act of giving is an investment in something greater: a more connected, compassionate, and sustainable future.

This is just the beginning. In the months ahead, we’ll be sharing more stories of how we—and the incredible organizations we’re proud to support—are working together to shape a better PLACE for all.

Because when we give back to the places we live, we help them thrive.
And when they thrive, so do we.