A Legacy of Dance

“The minute I walked in the dance area and saw kids dancing on hard tile, I knew this was it.” Denny Toll reflects on his first visit to Quality Life Center in 2012.

After his wife passed away in 2010, Denny was looking for a way to honor her. Barbara Toll loved to dance. In college, she studied education and dance.  She worked at Wheeling High School in Illinois where she was a P.E. teacher, a tennis coach and ran a successful dance program called Orchesis, then taught math.

It started with a dance floor. Not just any wood floor, but a beautiful bamboo dance floor.

With mirrors, ballet barres and an audio system, we had the Quality Life Center Dance Studio.

In memory of Barbara Braude Toll.

It doesn’t end there. Denny has facilitated other opportunities and exposures to the children of Quality Life Center. Including trying out and dancing with the Moscow Ballet for The Great Russian Nutcracker.

And most recently, exposing children to the jaw-dropping spectacle of The Lion King.

His wife inspired and encouraged the dreams of her students. Denny is carrying on her legacy. Asked if he is achieving his goal, Denny said it's not about him. "I’m not accomplishing this. They [the kids] are. They are working hard, and hopefully enjoying themselves. I KNOW they can achieve greatness. In dance and in life.”

We couldn't agree more.

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.

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.

The Art of Weaving Captivates Local Teens

Quality Life Center teens explore weaving - an art form made possible by a $3,208 grant from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation.

Quality Life Center received a $3,208 grant from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation to support a project that brings experienced weavers from the community together with students from the center’s teen program. The project provides teens with the opportunity to learn how to weave, as well as basic business skills.

It all began when the historic Newcomb Loom, owned by the Weavers of Char-Lee, was looking for a home. The loom came to Quality Life Center in 2013, and local weavers began coming in to instruct youth about its use. But having only one big loom made it difficult for everyone to get hands-on experience.

The Southwest Florida Community Foundation appreciated the partnership, and provided funding for weaving supplies as well as smaller, individual looms for the students to create items.  Students will learn how to market their products, and begin selling them locally. Students are working on projects from belts to bracelets to suspenders. 

 “I never envisioned the girls having such a desire to weave!”, said Teen Instructor Shari Armstrong. “Getting them to transition from weaving to a different activity has proven to be very challenging! They are truly enjoying this art form and we enjoy watching them exercise discipline and focus while working on their projects.”

Youth will also gain communication skills when they demonstrate their weaving skills and interact with the public during events.  The first takes place on ROC Day at the Fort Myers Regional Library on January 10, 2015 from 10 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Quality Life Center thanks the Southwest Florida Community Foundation for providing an opportunity for the students in the “Leaders In Training of Excellence Teen Program” to collaborate with experienced, local artists.

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 and teen and summer camp programs. For 24 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.