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Welcome to The Lealman Voice

Welcome to the Lealman Voice!

Your ultimate guide to everything happening in our vibrant neighborhood! We're dedicated to highlighting the heartbeat of our community by sharing upcoming events, the latest news, and stories that matter most to you. Whether it's a local gathering, community initiative, or notable achievement, we want to hear from you. Let's celebrate the spirit of Lealman together and keep our neighborhood thriving. Share your news with us, and let's continue to make your voices heard!

Welcome to Lealman: Community Tampa Bay

Our newest tenant at the Lealman Exchange is Community Tampa Bay, a nonprofit dedicated to cultivating inclusive leaders to change communities through dialogue and cross-cultural interaction. Community Tampa Bay empowers people with the tools to have hard conversations with others who don’t look like them, live like them, or love like them to create a community free from all forms of discrimination.

Community Tampa Bay’s programs train and cultivate individuals who make a difference in institutions and communities by influencing others through dialogue and cross-cultural interactions. Learn more at communitytampabay.org.

Empowering Nonprofits: Insights from the St. Petersburg Grant Writing Workshop

he St. Petersburg Foundation recently organized a workshop titled “Planning for Successful Grant Writing” to support the local nonprofit ecosystem. This event was a response to the Pinellas County Nonprofit Survey, which was conducted in collaboration with the Pinellas Community Foundation and USF St. Petersburg. The survey highlighted a crucial need for enhanced resources in grant writing among local organizations.

The workshop, led by Whitney Crettol, GCCF I3 Consultant, drew more than 50 area nonprofit leaders and staff members. It provided valuable insights and skills to empower community organizations, focusing on the art and mechanics of grantsmanship and how to craft compelling grant proposals.

Key Takeaways

Understanding the Funding Landscape

The workshop highlighted significant funding opportunities available to local nonprofits. Participants learned that Florida-based foundations have awarded thousands of grants totaling billions of dollars to Florida organizations, with additional substantial contributions from out-of-state foundations.

Effective Planning and Research

Attendees were introduced to various resources for finding grant opportunities, including the Foundation Directory Online and government grant databases. The importance of thorough prospect research and planning ahead was emphasized.

Core Elements of a Strong Application

The session guided participants through essential components of a grant application, including:

– Project summary

– Organizational background

– Need statement

– Goals and objectives

– Approach

– Evaluation methods

– Budget justification

– Continuation plan

Practical Tips for Success

Crettol provided advice on both technical aspects of grant writing and strategies for making a compelling case for support. These included careful editing, strengthening data usage, and expanding evaluation efforts to demonstrate impact.

The strong turnout of local nonprofit leaders interested in bolstering their grant writing skills underscores their commitment to enhancing their impact in the community. This workshop, organized and funded by the St. Petersburg Foundation, represents a significant step in strengthening the local nonprofit sector’s ability to secure funding and continue their vital work in the community.

Pet food banks pop up as costs rise

Via St. Pete Catalyst

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Tampa Bay is broadening its community outreach efforts by expanding pet food banks, offering vaccine clinics and launching grooming services to assist pet owners facing financial challenges.

Emily Bernhart, Mission Programs Manager at SPCA Tampa Bay, said the organization has been steadily increasing its pet food bank locations to meet growing demand. Currently, SPCA Tampa Bay operates three regular pet food banks: one at their Largo shelter campus on Tuesdays, another at Pasadena Community Church and a recently established location at Hope Villages of America in Clearwater.

The initiative began as a response to the increased food insecurity observed during the height of Covid. Bernhart explained, “People are facing food insecurity and they have animals at home. The pets are probably also facing food insecurity.” This realization led SPCA Tampa Bay to partner with existing human food banks, creating a “one-stop shop” where people could obtain both human and pet food.

The pet food banks serve a diverse demographic, with the Pasadena location primarily catering to retired individuals living on fixed incomes, many of whom are now struggling to make ends meet due to the rising cost of living. The Pasadena pet food clinic began as a six-week pilot program and has now been running for about two years. The pet food pantry operates on the second and fourth Thursday of each month and Bernhart said about two-thirds of the people who drive through the human food line also stop at the pet food table, averaging about 65 cars each week.

“Our goal with these community support programs is to keep animals in the home,” Bernhart explained. “We want to empower people to keep their pets if they want to and if they’re able to, and one of the easiest things we can do is help people get access to pet care services like food and veterinary care. If that’s all they need in order to keep their pet in the home, we’d much rather have them stay with their animal that they love and already have a bond with than give their animal up.”

This has also helped SPCA Tampa Bay solve a complex, persistent problem that shelters across Florida and the country are facing: overcrowding. Local pet rescue centers and animal shelters have seen a surge in population. A report from Best Friends Animal Society shows that Florida ranks fourth in the nation for animal shelter deaths.

“We’re always there; we never turn anybody away who needs help,” Bernhart said. “However, we don’t want anybody to have to make that decision just because they’re a need of some pet food.”

Those who wish to pick up pet food at some of SPCA Tampa Bay’s food banks, like the Pasadena location, must register with the need-based human food pantry first. Bernhart and her team of volunteers ask those coming through the line what kind of animals they have at home, what size they are and how many pets they have. Then, they distribute pre-portioned dog or cat food to about 65 families, on average. 

Full Article

Learn to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones Online

Via St. Pete Catalyst

In today’s digital age, cybersecurity is more critical than ever. With increasing threats from cyber attacks, it’s essential to know how to protect yourself and your loved ones online. CodeBoxx Academy invites you to a vital community event, “Tech Cadet: How Not to Be a Cyber Attack Victim,” on August 7th at 6 PM at Lealman Exchange. This event is designed to provide valuable insights and practical tips to enhance your online safety.

Why Attend?

For Seniors: As our senior population becomes more digitally connected, they are increasingly targeted by online scams and phishing attacks. This workshop will offer straightforward advice on recognizing and avoiding these threats, helping seniors feel more confident and secure while navigating the internet. By attending, seniors will learn how to protect their personal information, avoid common online scams, and understand the basics of cybersecurity in a supportive and easy-to-follow format.

For Small Business Owners: Small businesses are often prime targets for cybercriminals due to their limited resources for cybersecurity. This event will equip business owners with the knowledge to safeguard their online assets, protect customer data, and implement effective cybersecurity practices. By enhancing their cybersecurity measures, small business owners can prevent potential financial losses and maintain their reputation and trust with customers.

Event Highlights:

– Expert-led discussions on common cyber threats

– Practical tips for enhancing online security

– Interactive sessions for hands-on learning

– Q&A with cybersecurity professionals

Join us for an informative and empowering session that will leave you better prepared to face the digital world’s challenges. Whether you’re a senior looking to protect your personal data or a small business owner aiming to secure your enterprise, this event is for you.

Event Details:

– Date: August 7th, 2024

– Time: 6:00 PM

– Location: Lealman Exchange

– Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tech-cadet-how-not-to-be-a-cyber-attack-victim-tickets-871045930827

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe on the internet. Secure your spot today by registering at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tech-cadet-how-not-to-be-a-cyber-attack-victim-tickets-871045930827 .

Pinellas County Animal Services Phase 1 Complete!

Phase 1 of our renovation project is ready to go and our dogs couldn’t be more excited. The new kennels have solid floors, fold down beds and a pull up door to expand the kennels to give our dogs more space.

Back to School Tax Holiday

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, which begins on Monday, July 29, and runs for two weeks, ending on Sunday, August 11. The sales tax holiday will help families to save money on items their students need for the new school year. "I am proud to announce the return of the annual Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "Our great financial standing means we can give money back to the taxpayers through various forms of toll and tax relief. I hope this Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday helps as families prepare for the coming school year." 

WWAR's Annual ALIVE DAY RIDE

Come join Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch's Annual "ALIVE DAY RIDE" on Thursday August 29th, 8:00am. This will be a 10-mile (slow) bike ride through the city and visiting several schools throughout. Fully Escorted Ride and free lunch included for registered riders at Quaker Steak & Lube. Use QR code below to register!

Turbo Babies Pit Crew Bag Packing Party Dates 7/31-8/2

Turbo Babies will be hosting several packing parties at the JWB office. The shifts are listed below. Volunteers will help stuff bags for our Turbo Babies campaign. These are the main items used to educate parents and caregivers on the importance of early learning and development during the ages of 0-3. The bags include a total of 6 items, so it goes by very fast. Here is a form for interested volunteers to sign up: https://forms.office.com/r/Fz6nPURvuu

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