Learning to FLY!

Empowering parents to see themselves as their child’s primary teacher – while allowing parents to take advantage of adult literacy classes and their children acquire early learning education. That is what Family Literacy Yes! (FLY!) aims to achieve.

Preschool-aged children attend early learning classes at Quality Life Center free of charge while their parents take English as a Second Language (ESOL) or GED preparation classes at Dunbar Community School. The final component of the program takes place weekly when the parents and children spend time together reading. Each week, parents are given a book to take home.

This opportunity for early learning development and adult literacy comes about through a collaboration with Quality Life Center, the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, the Hunter Institute at FGCU, Dunbar Community School and the Barbara Bush Foundation.

An unexpected benefit of the program has been the diversity that has been added to the early learning classrooms with children from Haiti, Uzbekistan and a variety of Spanish-speaking countries. “The different cultures the children bring to the classroom adds a richness to the educational experience that could not be achieved otherwise,” said Early Learning Instructor Nephtalie Loiseau.

A few new spots will be available beginning in January. To qualify, parents must not have a high school diploma or GED, enroll in an adult class at a Dunbar Community School, family income is at or below the federal poverty level and have a child age 2-5 years old.  For more information, call Larry Aguilar at Quality Life Center, 239.334.2797. Quality Life Center is a Barbara Bush Family Literacy Program Provider.

Arts at the Q Begins with a Roar!

Each of the 735 available tickets had been distributed.  Every last tutu was completed. The final touch-ups to each of the seven hand-crafted lion masks had been made. It’s show time. And not just any show, but the epic performance of The Lion “Qing,” Quality Life Center’s version of The Lion King.

As the lights dimmed at the Dunbar High School auditorium on August 13, director Keesha Allen and her crew of over 100 children were ready. The discipline and work ethic instilled at the Q was evident, as was the confidence gained from the kids’ efforts.

Preparations began in January with script-writing and choreography, but the 9 groups of dancers and 13 major performers ages 5 -17 had less than nine weeks to learn every line, and every dance step. Many of them are used to the pressure. The Q’s biggest performance each year has been taking place at the end of summer camp for the last six years.

That may soon be changing. Arts at the Q is a multi-discipline program offering arts instruction beyond the exposure classes that have been offered in Quality Life Center’s afterschool and summer camp programs. In addition, there will be more opportunities to perform throughout the year.

Ms. Keesha and other guest artists will be teaching dance. “This will not be classical training,” she said. “I want to do something different than is traditionally offered. A class may include hip hop, African dance and ballet.” Students will learn a variety of dances and techniques which they will showcase at festivals, shows and community events.

The Lion “Qing” was well received, with a professional set, a story with a positive message, beautiful, creative costumes, and captivating performances by local children. “There are so many talented youth in our community,” said the Q’s Executive Director Abdul’haq Muhammed. “Opportunities for self-expression are always welcome, and Ms. Keesha has the vision and ability to make it an amazing experience.”

Classes are open to children and youth, both male and female, who have the desire to learn. All arts classes – dance, visual arts and martial arts - are included to students enrolled in Quality Life Center’s afterschool program. The cost for other students is $20 per week. For more information call 239.334.2797.

Literary Upgrade

“I like to be smart,” said 6-year old Makayla when asked why she likes to read. She is happy because the library at Quality Life Center now has a huge section of Junie B. Jones books. “I’ve read almost all of the Junie B books,” she said.

The library at Quality Life Center sees a lot of happy faces these days thanks to a grant from The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation.  The foundation provided $2,880 in funding for new books for the library which had been started and sustained solely through donations.  With the assistance of Jubilee Brainerd, Senior Librarian and Branch Manager of the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library, the center was able to purchase over 400 books.  Ms. Brainerd provided guidance, and was able to help staff determine how to make the most of the funding.

The inspiration behind the project was volunteer Bettye Middlebrooks who undertook the massive task of sorting, organizing and labeling books with Accelerated Reader codes to help students meet school-set reading goals. It was a lot of work, but teens and other volunteers, including students from FGCU and Florida SouthWestern came to help.

“I was motivated by the need,” said Ms. Middlebrooks. “Kids would come to the library, looking for a book, and could not find something suitable.” Students can now easily locate books appropriate for their reading level, and with a flip of the page know how many AR points they will earn from reading each book.

Schools closest to Quality Life Center have pass rates averaging 37% on the 2014 FCAT in reading. “Literacy is one of our areas of focus,” said the center’s Academic Specialist Mitzi Ritter. She noted several students who did not like reading, and refused to read. “Now we have current books, graphic novels, and books about subjects that interest them. Not only will [those students] read now, but they want to finish the book.” Last year, 89% of Quality Life Center students increased their reading level or maintained an A or B in reading.

Inspired by a book written by world-renowned dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen, Q student Shannarie, 10, says that she really loved that a book she found in the library was about her favorite activity - dance. “But, I really like that it was about believing in yourself.”

“If children can read books here while meeting their school goals and build their self-confidence, then our efforts -and believe me, this was a lot of effort by many people- were worth every minute, day and weekend we dedicated towards enhancing the Q’s library,” concluded Ms. Middlebrooks.

The Q & Gulfshore Ballet

                                        

Quality Life Center's partnership with Gulfshore Ballet has been featured in The News-Press.                                           

                                                                    Take a look here!

Stuck on an island...

               Check out the "Survivor Challenge" shared by Academic Specialist, Ms. Mitzi:

The Survivor Challenge requires collaboration, communication and cooperation-- in short, teamwork. A small group of students of slightly varying ages, skill, academic standing and personalities are told to imagine themselves stranded on an island together. The sun is setting. The temperature is getting colder. They are hungry, thirsty, tired & cold. Then, the group is given a mathematical word problem. They are told that the only way off of the island is by working as a team to solve the problem and escape the island together. 

Let's just say that after about an hour, things on the island got a little.....tense. LOL! Eventually, the girls calmed their frustrations, re-grouped and, as a team, solved the problem and made it off the island just in time for dinner. I have to admit, at times, I could barely keep my composure. It was quite entertaining! But the girls worked together, worked through their challenges and eventually solved the problems! Go, girls! 

About Quality Life Center of Southwest Florida

Quality Life Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization transforming the community by developing the potential of underserved populations in Southwest Florida through early learning and youth development programs, including afterschool, teen and summer camp programs. For 25 years, the “Q” has been instilling values of discipline, integrity and self-sufficiency. Quality Life Center is headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida. For more information, call (239) 334-2797 or visit http://www.qualitylifecenter.org.

 

High Finance Comes to Dunbar.

High Finance Comes to Dunbar. 

Teens learn money management to break the cycle within their low-income neighborhoods.

 “I can buy some Nike shoes, or I can use that money to own a part of Nike.” That was one of the lessons a participant in Quality Life Center’s teen program took away from a guest speaker, Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Napoleon Robinson.

Napoleon is from the Dunbar community.

Robinson was raised by his aunt who worked as a janitor for the Lee County School District. As a child, he attended programs at Quality Life Center from the time he was seven through his teenage years.

After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Florida A & M University, he landed a job in St. Louis, Missouri, at Edward Jones Investments.

His desire to serve his hometown stemmed from knowledge of fear that people in his community were fearful of investing. “Planning for retirement needs to be more than just having a savings account. I can communicate that in a way that resonates with people in my community.”

The 22-year old decided to push for an office in Southwest Florida.

His efforts paid off when he opened his Edward Jones Investments branch in Lehigh Acres last year. “I want people to know there is someone here to help them achieve their long-term financial goals,” said Robinson.

“It can seem scary when all you hear is the talking heads on television.” Robinson wants to provide better understanding of the stock market and how we can use it. “My services are for anyone who is serious about reaching their financial goals – not just the Top 10%.”

Money management and long-term planning topped the list of topics on Robinson’s agenda, as he spoke with the Leaders In Training of Excellence Teen Program.  The lecture then turned into practice. Using “The Stock Market Game” on howthemarketworks.com, he challenged them to put their newly-obtained knowledge to the test by making some investing decisions.

Robinson will return to Quality Life Center in a month to see which teen made the best investment decisions.

 “I learned that it is important to diversify,” said Carisma Bryant, a 14-year-old Q Dancer shared.  “Don’t put all your money in the same company. You have to be creative…even with your stocks! ”. The teens are anticipating Napoleon’s return, as the student who creates the best portfolio while using “The Stock Market Game” will receive a plaque from Edward Jones Investments.

Quality Life Center is proud of Napoleon and all of its former Q students who are positively impacting their communities, and the organization looks forward to highlighting their contributions at our 25^th Anniversary Gala in November 2015.

Violence, Stress and Our Children

Action to transform lives in one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S.

Nobody really talks about leaving the neighborhood. Many have lived here all their lives. This, despite another murder, more gunshots, and fear so common, it is just an accepted part of life. FBI crime data indicates Fort Myers is the 53^rd most dangerous city in the United States, which has nearly 20,000 cities. But the violence in Fort Myers has an insidious effect on the children growing up in its midst.

A group of community supporters gathered for the “State of the Q” address were shocked at some of the numbers: the median household income in the 33916 zip code is half the national average, and Fort Myers’ violent crime rate is triple the national average, and much closer to that of large, notoriously violent cities like Chicago and Compton.

Even as shootings and the deaths of young people grab the spotlight, just below the surface, violence in Fort Myers is taking a toll on the health and development of the city's youngest residents. Too many children hear gunshots, see fights and see constant reminders of the violence all around them. Even a memorial of teddy bears and balloons for a dead neighbor that a child has to pass every day can be a trigger.

 Heightened crime supports the need for the sustainability or transformative programming in Fort Myers.

Organizational sustainability, mortgage retirement and increased grant funding were some of the accomplishments discussed at Quality Life Center’s recent annual board meeting.

Joshua DeTillio, CAO of Gulf Coast Medical Center who has been elected Chairman of Quality Life Center’s Board of Directors indicated that these accomplishments do not mean that it is time to rest. Noting poor educational achievement and high violent crime rates in the community, he spearheaded the formation of committees to ensure program quality and sustainability in order to continue services to children in the community.

In addition to issues like poverty and drug addiction, exposure to violence is a major factor damaging children's health. It affects their ability to concentrate, their memory and their ability to control their behavior. Children growing up in a violent environment exhibit signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, similar to soldiers returning from the front lines.

We are made to adapt to stressful situations - the “fight or flight” response. In moments of danger, energy levels rise, the heart pumps faster and adrenaline kicks in. This allows people to run faster and defend themselves. When the situation calms down, the body goes back to normal.

But when things never really calm down, this system gets overloaded. Kids who live in these communities stay in a continuous state of alertness, always prepared for something dangerous to happen.

Some children respond by shutting down and becoming withdrawn. Others become violent and aggressive.  These angry outbursts can lead to other troubles, including disciplinary referrals and suspensions at school, or trouble with the juvenile justice system.

Quality Life Center’s Executive Director has met with a local architect to explore the possibility of a teen center steps away from where a 5-year old child was recently gunned down. We call on the community to come forward with ideas and resources to make this a reality.