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.

Continental Women's Club Shoe Donation

It was a morning full of smiles and excitement, as our Early Learning Students received shoes from the Continental Women's Club. What an exciting time. 

Thank you for your donation! 

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.