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Lealman celebrated the 4th of July with its first Lealman Independence Day Celebration at Ray Neri Park

Thousands came out to enjoy the free, family-friendly event that included food trucks, free hot dogs, a beer and wine garden, music, family-friendly activities, and a fireworks show at dusk. The Lealman Police Athletic League drumline opened the event, and the Lealman Fire District provided and grilled the free hot dogs. 

The momentous occasion marked a new chapter in Lealman's history, filled with patriotism, unity, and a profound sense of community pride. 

"The DJ had the kids up off their feet, playing games, answering trivia questions, and winning prizes," said Lealmanite Christopher James. "Despite the heat, everyone was just out there having fun."

Commissioner Charlie Justice, Representative Lindsay Cross, and multiple news stations were in attendance. Folks attending the event enjoyed free parking at the Lealman Exchange and a shuttle service to Ray Neri Park.

Event attendees noted that one of the highlights of the night was when the crowd sang the National Anthem together just before the fireworks show kicked off.

"This was such a great way to show community pride," said Amy Cianci, Lealman resident, and Engagement Director at the Lealman Exchange. "We were so happy to see so many families coming together to celebrate the holiday, enjoy time together, and appreciate what makes Lealman an amazing place to live. We can’t wait to do it again next year.”

The success of Lealman's Independence Day celebration was made possible by the tireless efforts of dedicated volunteers and community organizations. The event was 100% volunteer-run, and their hard work and commitment to bringing the community together showcased the spirit of resilience and dedication to a brighter future that defines Lealman. The event served as a reminder that incredible things can be achieved when people come together for a common purpose.

The Independence Day Celebration was sponsored by Crown Automotive, Duke Energy, Pinellas County, Community Foundation Tampa Bay, and Habitat for Humanity Pinellas. 

The event activities were organized by the Lealman Engagement Events Committee, which includes Pinellas County, Florida Dream Center, Lealman Fire District, Pinellas County Housing Authority, Lealman Community Association, Lealman Community District Services, St. Petersburg Foundation and Exquisite Events & Marketing. 

Event organizers say after the celebration, the park was left in great condition, making post-event cleanup a breeze and demonstrating how much Lealmanites care for their community. Lealman's inaugural Independence Day celebration was a resounding success, setting the stage for future years of holiday festivities.

Special Needs Emergency Shelter at Lealman Exchange

With hurricane season upon us, it's important to plan ahead and know what your options are before disaster strikes. 

Lealman Exchange is a Special Needs Shelter, ready to assist residents with medical, functional, or special needs in an emergency. We encourage those with special needs, particularly anyone who has electricity-dependent medical needs such as oxygen, to register now for evacuation assistance. 

In addition to those depending upon electricity, special needs eligibility includes those who require assistance with routine care and medications, and/or requiring mobility assistance.

There are also transportation options available if you don’t drive and you need to evacuate to a shelter. This is a separate registration process for transportation. Learn more about the County's public emergency shelters here:  https://pinellas.gov/emergency-information/public-shelters/

Pinellas County Emergency Management activates the Special Needs Evacuation Assistance Program during times of mandatory evacuation. The County will call registrants to confirm transportation needs, so it is important to register and keep contact information up to date annually. 

Becoming a Habitat for Humanity Homeowner in Lealman

Imagine a place to call your own, a sanctuary where cherished memories are woven into the very fabric of its walls. A Habitat for Humanity home stands as a beacon of hope, offering a path to homeownership for those who may have felt that dream was out of reach.

“Lealman has been an area that historically has just been neglected. The housing stock has deteriorated. It’s a big rental community, and there have been increased efforts by the county to really lift this community up,” said Mike Sutton, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties.

Over the last six months, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has worked to build a 14-home development in Lealman. This new community features families of all sizes and backgrounds. Habitat dedicated the 14th to the Shannon Family on Friday, June 23.

Falana Shannon is a Youth Specialist at Ready for Life Inc. and has worked there for more than seven years. For 10 years of her life, Falana lived in 40 different foster homes, attended 12 different schools, and faced many hardships. Despite all of her difficulties, she is now the first of seven siblings to become a homeowner in her family.

For anyone who is interested in applying to the Habitat program, Falana offers these words of wisdom: “Believe that the impossible is possible! Believe in yourself, have faith, not fear! Take a chance on life, overcome all the hardships, and you will see the light and the sunshine. Be encouraged. Stay encouraged.”

Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties builds and sells homes at no profit and no interest to households who do not qualify for a traditional mortgage. The program prepares homeowner partners to be successful homeowners through an education curriculum of classes, from budgeting to home maintenance. 

There are a few important criteria in order to qualify for a Habitat home, including income restrictions. For example, if you have one person in your household, the minimum gross yearly income is $18,250 and the maximum is $48,650. According to U.S. Census data, the median household income in Lealman is $41,313. Many Lealmanites may qualify for a Habitat home, creating a pathway to better housing, safer families, and improved quality of life in Lealman.

“The only way you’re going to break the generational poverty that some of these families experience is by providing them the opportunity to own their own home,” said Sutton. 

According to Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco’s website, it takes the average person one year to complete their homeownership program. Applicants must attend 32 homeownership classes, complete 350 to 450 sweat equity hours, and contribute approximately $3,000-$3,500 toward closing costs and homeowner’s insurance.

To learn more about Habitat’s homeowner program qualifications, steps, and application process, visit their website or call 727-536-4755.

This next move will determine the future of Joe’s Creek

The Joe’s Creek Watershed area that stretches over 9,000 acres and houses dozens of industrial warehouses in unincorporated Pinellas County could be redeveloped into a mixed-use destination. 

The Lealman Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Committee unanimously voted Wednesday evening to approve $250,000 in CRA funding to select a developer, serving as a consultant, to study the best future uses for the area, which also includes portions of Kenneth City, Lealman, Pinellas Park and St. Petersburg.  

Although the CRA reached a consensus, the nine-member group debated on two different routes they can use in the consultant selection process: Issue a request for proposals (RFP) with the county, which entails going through a vetting process that may take at least six months, or hire a pre-approved consultant and can bypass the extensive process. 

“The concern is about going back to the same design firms for a project of this scope,” Lealman CRA Chair Jeremy Health said to the St. Pete Catalyst. “This is the most important thing for this area that’s going to happen in the next five to 10 years.” 

The Pinellas County Board of Commissioners will have the final say when they review the plans for the study next month. 

“Historically speaking, the county has been extremely protective and restrictive of development that’s taking place on industrial lands. It wasn’t until the Target Employment and Industrial Land Study [which evaluates other uses in certain areas] that the county has been willing to start looking at affordable housing, mixed-uses, retail – something other than industrial development,” Heath said. 

While there’s a county-wide emphasis on creating more affordable housing, he said, Lealman has a gap in its market-rate inventory. 

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Senior exercise classes offer fitness and friendship

Evidence reveals that social isolation can hinder good health, according to the National Council on Aging. Older adults are at increased risk because they are more likely to live alone, have experienced loss of family or friends, or struggle with chronic illness or hearing loss. 

This puts older adults at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and even death. 

In Pinellas County, 26% of residents are age 65 and older. That’s a lot of people who may be struggling with loneliness and poor health.

The good news is, programs like the SilverSneakers® Fitness Program offered by YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg at Lealman Exchange can combat both. 

SilverSneakers® is an innovative health exercise and wellness program that helps older adults live healthy, active lifestyles. The program offers a variety of physical activity while offering opportunities to make new friends and connections. In addition to group exercise classes, our senior programming also features fun social events, group outings and health education seminars.

“The benefits of exercise in preventing or managing chronic conditions are well-documented,” says Kieran Gabel, Director of Community Health for YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg. “But it goes much further than that. It can also bolster immunity, reduce mortality and keep brains young.”

SilverSneakers® Program instructors are made up of people of all ages. But they always have two things in common: they are trained in fitness for seniors, and they’ll support you on your exercise journey.

Gabel adds that having a reason to get out of the house and make social connections are also a big benefit of the SilverSneakers® Program. “People generally are social by nature, and high-quality social relationships can help them live longer, healthier lives. But as we age, it is often harder to find those connections.” 

At the Y, seniors regularly get together for pot lucks, to hear speakers, or take outings into the community. 

“This place is filled with kindness, smiles, and caring people who come for therapeutic reasons, but who have also formed a family here,” says Gabel. “Some have lost loved ones, but all have found new friends to love.”

STEAM Day Camp Makes Learning Fun

On July 14 at the Lealman Exchange, between 125 and 150 Lealman-area youth will measure, hunt, pour, calculate, observe, taste, and overall have a hands-on good time with STEAM activities. Then they'll engage in a fun-filled Trivial Pursuit-style competition to share their learnings. 

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics-- all subjects that help prepare students for a wide range of careers, general life competency, and enjoyment.

The STEAM Day Camp will engage young hands and brains in activities at 6 workstations sponsored and created by experts with a passion for STEAM education. Students will explore topics related to environmental sustainability via hands-on labs and scavenger hunts that cultivate math, engineering, and artistic skills. 

The Jacobs company is the principal sponsor, along with Pinellas County government and the St. Petersburg Foundation. Jacobs is a science, technology, planning, and engineering company with more than 60,000 employees globally. They are working on regional infrastructure projects, including work at Joe's Creek adjacent to the Lealman Exchange. Jacobs has a commitment to education and public service in the communities where they are working, but there is also important self-interest involved in the day camp. 

The Jacobs company knows that communities need an adequate number of workers and citizens with STEAM skills to be vibrant and competitive. That all starts with exposure to experiences and learning that inspires pursuit of education in they the arts, sciences, and math, and subsequent proficiency in technology, engineering, and creativity. 

“STEAM and sustainability are at the heart of our business, and we are united in developing and delivering a global STEAM education and engagement program that demonstrates our commitment to equality, inclusion and diversity," said Tricia Shuler, a communty partnership and client services lead at Jacobs. Community Partnership Lead | Client Services Lead. 

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Pinellas County and the Lealman Exchange to provide children in the community a fun day of hands-on STEAM activities!" she added.

Students enrolled in the STEAM Day Camp have been recruited from a variety of Lealman-based organizations in order to give local kids some summer enrichment. These include the YMCA summer camp at the Lealman Exchange, Police Athletic League, Lealman Asian and Family Services, and the Duvall Apartments, whose community director sought out the opportunity for youth residing at the nearby complex. 

Youth will enjoy lunch, t-shirts, fun swag, and a day of camaraderie, learning, and fun. Limited spaces for young people (accompanied by an adult) are available. Contact Lealman Exchange Engagement Director, Amy Cianci, for details. 

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