Nature Called. Q Kids Answered.

This summer two groups of Q children stepped out of their comfort zone to visit the beautiful Lovers Key Carl E. Johnson State Park, located in Fort Myers Beach.

Under a hearty dose of sunlight, our children were treated to an excellent array of environmental experiences. Volunteers from FGCU, together with employees of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Florida Park Service and other entities gave our kids a great sense of nature as it pertains to Florida.

The kids were treated to a natural look at Florida mangroves (many for the first time), walked into the middle of a butterfly garden, and were taught how to find the age of a tree and forestry tips. They also experienced a water ecosystem and were guided through the importance of water conservation (which was also presented at the QLC by Toni Fonseca).

Many of the kids learned about native Florida species and their habitats for the first time in a park setting. STEM was a factor in the trip as well as the kids were tasked with a thinking project that required a team effort to complete (the girls won).

After moving through the stations, learning, and staying hydrated, the kids moved over to the pavilion on the Lovers Key beach for lunch. They were thrilled to drive over to the beach on the tram and enjoyed every minute of lunch in the shade.

We finally departed back for the QLC with tired bodies and minds full of new information as presented by a great team of experts and volunteers. We cannot thank the participants enough for the experience, and that includes the Director of Florida Park Services, Eric Draper, who happened to visit while our group was there. The hospitality, patience with our kids, expertise, and enthusiasm
was evident and definitely filtered down to our children.

Finally, note that many of our kids don’t get to go to parks like Lovers Key, don’t get out into nature often, and don’t experience the Florida habitats and wildlife that your team protects…..so this was a special treat! We hope to return again to the wonderful things that the Florida parks offer!

Through a Child's Eye: Wings of Peace

A couple of weeks ago, parents, community leaders, youth, children and other community members of all types came together at Quality Life Center. Greeted and guided by teens, there was time to get together, chat and eat breakfast.

During a groundbreaking ceremony, we celebrated a new wing which will be added on to the Q’s campus. We heard from Q alum and board members, the mayor, a councilman, supporters and folks involved in making the building a reality. They talked about progress that has been made, and what the new wing will mean for the area.

   

And in between, there was the opportunity for everyone to express their opinion about the challenges that remain, and the things we need or can do to make our community better. There were teens and Q parents on hand to help guests participate.

Quality Life Center students had already been thinking about and discussing these questions. Certain concerns were common in all of the classes, regardless of age: violence, especially gun violence, racism, bullying, hatred and injustice. After a discussion and brainstorming session, one class decided they had enough. They created a striking piece including a wreath made of crime scene tape and a tombstone listing the things they want laid to rest: hate, racism, violence.

Another class had an animated discussion about the environment they would like to be surrounded by: it would be safe and nice and supportive. Girls could come together and have fun and be safe at “Sisterhood House.”

Some younger classes thought everything would be easier if everyone could work a little hard on getting along, that nobody should have to live in fear of violence. They worked together to create the art installation “Wings of Peace.”

Another class focused on the positive with “We Rise Like the Sun.” These pieces depict the positive point of view they want people to have of the Dunbar community.

We needed a place for community members to share their thoughts. Students had recently been taught by art instructor Ms. Elizabeth about pop artist Keith Haring. Students learned Haring often used his art to generate activism and awareness about social themes. The decision to use Haring’s iconic figures as the vision boards for the event seemed destined. The result was a colorful visual representation of the hopes for the community, and actions leading to the changes they want to see. 

Teens explained to guests at the event that topics corresponded with different colored post-it notes, and included a write-in option. And the community spoke. The results:

This report compiling the results is being sent to elected officials who represent our area. We encourage everyone to take the action(s) they think is part of the solution, whether it is volunteering, voting or organizing. While children's main concern was violence, and the greatest focus for adults was education issues, it is clear that things will only be better with an educated, active public. And this is a good step toward making our children feel safer.

A is for Arts

Quality Life Center has been putting on performing arts productions for many years. Whether it was singing, dancing or drama, it involved a lot of children and a lot of heart. On a limited budget, staff learned to make do with little. There’s a reason the costumes were usually t-shirts.

In 2015, the Q's proposal scored well enough to get approved for a grant from the Florida Division of Cultural Arts. With this funding, the center helped pay for some expenses, including marketing, costumes, and dance instruction. In addition to Q staff, professional dancers came in to teach workshops throughout the year. The show that year was epic: Lion “Qing.”

The Q has applied for, and been fortunate to have received funding each year since then for its Arts, Character & Education Program. That's 3 action-packed years! Until now. Funding dropped from $35 million in 2015 to $2.6 million for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. The state legislature allotted no funding for the category that funded the Q’s dance program. That is $0.

Increased production values and playing to thunderous applause in a packed house are nice. But that’s not the point. It's about the children. Children like Gennifer.

Gennifer was failing in school, having particular difficulties with math. She was in remedial classes in school. She would become so frustrated during tutoring, she would break down and cry.

Gennifer was enrolled in Quality Life Center's Arts, Character & Education Program. You might think the “education” part of the program was the most important to a student like her who was struggling in school. But the arts part is vital as well.

Research consistently shows that arts education has a positive impact on student success. The arts bolster the development of deeper learning skills. So a student getting dance instruction, for example, is not only more likely to improve test scores, but also improve critical skills, such as creativity, teamwork and perseverance. It's like the arts are superheroes!

These are the skills employers are looking for, and that support a strong economy. A successful community needs innovative thinkers. New jobs will be developed by people with creativity and imagination. Maybe the next big industry. If you want to produce problem-solvers, innovators and collaborative workers, support the arts!

Gennifer participated in dance classes and workshops at the Q over the last few years. In addition to academic gains, her confidence and dance skills have flourished. After a recommendation led to an audition for Cypress Lake Middle School’s arts program, Gennifer stepped up and won a spot in their dance program. Today, she is an Honor student, earning all A’s this semester. She danced with the Moscow Ballet at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, and continues to excel and stand out in the Q's dance program.

“She was a shy, timid, insecure girl who cried when she was corrected,” said Keesha, the Performing Arts Director and COO at Quality Life Center. “Now Gennifer carries herself with confidence and is always at the front of performances. She is not afraid to ask questions or to share her opinion with others.”

As Rafiki said in the Lion King: The past can hurt. The way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. You don’t have to tell Gennifer.