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Welcome to The Lealman Voice

Welcome to the Lealman Voice!

As the school year winds down, opportunities for youth engagement are ramping up across Lealman. In this edition of the Lealman Voice, we’re highlighting exciting summer camps for students of all ages, including hands-on robotics and engineering programs, as well as enriching cultural and leadership experiences. You'll also find volunteer opportunities for residents looking to give back and get involved, and a look at how one of Lealman’s most iconic murals was recently restored thanks to community support.

Whether you're planning summer activities for your family or looking for ways to serve your neighborhood, there's something for everyone in Lealman this season.

#lealmanstrong 

 MEET THE TENANTS: CES Academy

Lealman Exchange is home to various tenant organizations that serve our community and beyond. Today, we are chatting with Dr. Daniel Iacavone, Principal of CES Academy.

Tell us a little about yourself and your organization: My name is Dr. Daniel Iacavone (everybody at CES Academy calls me Dr. Dan). I am originally from Pennsylvania. I moved to Florida three years ago. I have been with CES Academy for almost two years. CES Academy is a private school that serves students with various needs.

Tell us who you serve and how: CES Academy has certified teachers who specialize in building relationships with students and teaching them individually with differentiated instruction. We are a safe school that prides itself on helping students who may need a change from public school.

What drives your mission? Our mission is to champion students.  We rise by lifting others. Our 5 CES Academy Core Values are:

1) We honor God

2) We are always learning

3) We’re here to serve

4) We do the right thing

5) We pursue excellence

Do you have an accomplishment you are particularly proud of and would like to share? I am proud to say we have increased enrollment from 55 students in June 2023 to 130 students in March 2025. We are helping more and more students in Pinellas County!  

To learn more about CES Academy, visit https://www.ces-schools.net/st-petersburg/

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Pinellas County might spend $500 million to help storm victims with housing

Via ABC Action News

All across Pinellas County, thousands of people are still rebuilding, recovering, and healing after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Two of those people are Tim and Diane Vance.

“We lived in a one-story house,” Diane said. “We sold our big house to move close to the water, and it’s a one-story, and it got four feet of water.”

Right now, they are in the process of working with Elevate Florida to elevate and repair their Crystal Beach home, but it’s been six months of headaches and expenses.

“Oh, it’s very expensive, because we’re still making, you know, payments on everything: taxes, insurance, flood insurance, everything like that,” Diane said.

That’s why they and others attended a Monday night public input session in Lealman hosted by Pinellas County.

The county was recently awarded $813 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to alleviate unmet needs after the recent hurricanes.

“It’s really, really important that we get your input on how best we spend this money,” Commissioner Brian Scott told the room during the Monday meeting.

The community input will shape how the money is ultimately spent, but in the meeting, county staff presented some potential programs:

• $20 million toward homeowner repair reimbursement
• $57 million toward local landlord rental rehabilitation or reconstruction
• $500 million toward home rehabilitation or reconstruction
• $20 million toward a homeownership assistance program
• $32 million toward disaster relief payments
• $105 million to improve infrastructure

The money will be spent throughout the county except in the City of St. Petersburg, which got its own HUD money.
At least 70% of the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds must be spent on low- and moderate-income households and communities.

“If we prove we’ve met all the needs in that area, then we can apply for a waiver and then move that up into other income brackets,” Scott said.

According to Scott, Pinellas County hopes to start helping people with the funds in the fall, but it will take years to roll out all of the programs they’re considering.

The Vances would like to see the county budget funding toward elevating homes.

“Eventually, everybody with a ground floor home near the water is going to get flooded,” Tim Vance said.

An online survey is now live at this link. The county will host two more public input meetings in the coming days:

April 24

6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

1190 Georgia Avenue, Palm Harbor

Over 1,100 mobile homes received substantial storm damage

Via St. Pete Catalyst

Pinellas County identified 1,400 mobile homes that needed substantial damage assessments following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Approximately 1,100 of those residents recently received letters confirming the worst.

Mobile homeowners often lack the same protections and services afforded to others and are now scrambling for solutions. The county has already condemned many trailers.

Kevin McAndrew, building and development review services director, told county commissioners Tuesday that his department is doing everything it can to assist thousands of residents who live in mobile homes. Nearly all who received storm damage exceeded the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) valuation-based 49% rule, which requires them to elevate and rebuild according to current standards.

McAndrew warned commissioners in November that mobile home parks would present a unique challenge. He noted that many were built between the 1960s and early 1980s.

“And the depreciated value of these structures would be such that it was going to be really difficult for even the smallest amount of repairs not to pierce that 49%,” McAndrew said. “There’s been tremendous frustration from the mobile homeowners.

“There’s been a lot of stress. There’s been a lot of emotion.”

Many residents who have received a substantial damage determination have remained in dilapidated homes for the last six months. McAndrew said his department inspects the structures to ensure livability.

The county will no longer place signs highlighting that a structure is habitable. “It was causing more confusion than not,” McAndrew said.

While he stressed that “we have no intention of displacing residents,” they have until June 1 to elevate and rebuild – typically not feasible for a trailer – or relocate. McAndrew hopes to complete substantial damage reassessments in May, which have offered some relief.

The county is also exploring offering extensions that allow residents to remain in their homes after FEMA’s deadline. “They can’t make full repairs, but they can stay in these units until they have a path forward,” McAndrew said.

Those residents must show a “good faith effort” to establish plans for elevation or relocation. “They can’t just ignore it,” McAndrew added.

He explained that mobile home repair costs quickly increase and exceed half of the structure’s current value when considering damage to its undercarriage, ductwork and electrical wiring. Most mobile homeowners lease land in communities and “don’t have the benefit of the property appraiser’s just value.”

Those residents must hire a private appraiser to discern an actual cash value. McAndrew said county officials quickly realized “there were going to be challenges there” because “it’s a vehicle. It’s not the same as a home.”

About 30% of substantially damaged mobile homeowners have requested a detailed reassessment. McAndrew said the county would soon send “quite favorable” letters to residents in communities that did not flood.

Those who receive a final substantial damage determination can appeal the ruling. “No one has exercised that option,” McAndrew said.

He hoped to complete the process by June 1, the start of a new hurricane season, to mitigate the number of people riding out another storm in a previously damaged trailer. “But with the scope we’re dealing with here and the number of homeowners – again, we want to minimize displacement.”

Full Article

CodeBoxx Foundation Offering Two Scholarships to Lealman Students for AmSkills Summer Robotics Camp

The CodeBoxx Foundation is offering two full scholarships to high school students from Lealman to attend the AmSkills Summer Robotics Camp, a hands-on program designed to ignite interest in careers in technology, engineering, and manufacturing.

Students in grades 9 through 12 are invited to apply. The scholarship application considers a student’s interest in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), future goals, current GPA, and financial need. Preference will be given to students who receive free or reduced lunch.

“At CodeBoxx Foundation, we’re committed to closing the opportunity gap and creating a more inclusive, skilled tech workforce,” said Carly Todd, Board Member at CodeBoxx Foundation. “This starts by providing real, hands-on opportunities to youth who need them most.”

The AmSkills Summer Robotics Camp introduces students to robotics, coding, and mechanical design through interactive projects and team collaboration. By supporting access to programs like this, the CodeBoxx Foundation continues its mission to empower underserved communities with the skills to thrive in today’s economy.

Applications are now open. For more information or to apply, visit: https://forms.gle/2EpGEktUKGeX3YsK8

Lealman Mural comes back to life

A beloved community mural in Lealman has been restored to its original vibrancy after sustaining damage during recent storms, thanks to a grant from the Gobioff Foundation.

The mural, originally created by Tampa Bay artist Leo Gomez, suffered significant wear from wind and rain during the latest round of severe weather. Since its completion, however, the artwork has become a recognizable symbol of pride for the Lealman community.

With support from the Gobioff Foundation, Gomez returned to the site to repair and refresh the mural, carefully restoring its colors and details. The restoration effort underscores the importance of public art in bringing communities together and preserving local identity.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Gobioff Foundation for their investment in Lealman’s creative spaces,” said Becca McCoy, Lealman Navigator, “and to Leo Gomez for bringing the mural back to life with the same passion and care as the original.”

The mural now stands once again as a vibrant testament to Lealman’s resilience, creativity, and sense of place.

Lealman Summer Camp lineup offers options for all ages

Families in Lealman will have a wide variety of affordable and enriching summer camp options this year, thanks to several local nonprofits and community organizations. From robotics and cultural exploration to leadership development and inclusive programs, summer 2025 promises something for every child and teen.

Lealman & Asian Neighborhood Family Center
LANFC is hosting “Summer Around the World,” an eight-week day camp from June 2 to July 25. Camp runs Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Students in grades 1-5 will meet at 4255 56th Avenue North for $40 per week, while middle schoolers in grades 6-8 will attend at 4515 38th Avenue North for $45 per week. Registration begins Monday, April 14. For more information, call 727-528-7891 or visit lanfc.org.

Family Center on Deafness
The Family Center on Deafness will offer a six-week summer camp for children ages 0-17 who are Deaf or hard of hearing, or live in a household with someone who is. The camp runs June 23 through July 31, Monday through Thursday. Programming for ages 0-5 runs 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and school-aged children attend 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All sessions are free and held at 5175 45th Street North. Registration is open at fcdpinellas.org.

Community Tampa Bay – ANYTOWN
High school students can apply for ANYTOWN, a five-day, four-night residential leadership camp at Eckerd College. Open to rising 9th graders through recent graduates, the program offers two sessions: June 9–13 and July 14–18. The camp is free aside from a $25 application fee. Registration is open at communitytampabay.org.

YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg
The YMCA will run a 10-week “Splash Into Summer!” day camp from June 2 through August 8 for youth ages 5-15. Camp hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Weekly rates range from $180–$280 depending on age and membership status. Specialty camps are also available. Visit stpeteymca.org to register. Save on Healthy Kids Day! Saturday, April 26, 2025, | 10 AM - 1 PM, at area YMCA locations. This day only, take advantage of in-person savings! YMCA be on-site waiving Summer Camp registration fees AND join fees for new members! Y Members save nearly $400 on Summer Camp.

Pinellas PAL
Pinellas PAL will host its summer camp again at 3755 46th Avenue North. The 10-week program runs from June 2 through August 5. Elementary slots (K-5) are full, but a waitlist is available. Middle and high school students (grades 6-12) may enroll for $600 for the full summer. Pre-registration is open at pinellaspal.com.

AmSkills Robotics Camp
High school students in grades 9-12 can register for AmSkills’ Robotics Summer Camp, a weeklong hands-on program focused on technology and engineering. The camp runs July 14–18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 5175 45th Street North. The cost is $259. For more information or to register, visit amskills.org. Scholarships available from CodeBoxx Foundation.

St. Petersburg College – Discover Summer Engineering Program
St. Petersburg College will host a free four-week engineering camp for students interested in hands-on problem-solving and exploring STEM careers. The camp runs June 30 through July 24, Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to noon, at 1300 22nd Street S. in St. Petersburg. Participants will learn basic engineering principles and develop teamwork and critical thinking skills. To register, visit https://web.spcollege.edu/survey/37774  or contact Yvonne Williams at 727-302-6436.

Families can use the contact information provided to reach out to the organizations directly with questions about these programs or help with registration.

Lealman Youth and Adults Invited to Explore Local Volunteer Opportunities

Thanks to Collective Impact Partners across Pinellas County, residents looking to give back to their community this summer have a variety of volunteer opportunities to choose from. From one-day events to ongoing service roles, organizations welcome teens, adults, and families eager to make a difference.

The Family Center on Deafness is seeking volunteers who can communicate with members of the Deaf and hard of hearing community. More information is available at fcdpinellas.org/volunteer.

St. Petersburg College offers volunteer roles for individuals aged 16 and up, with a background check required. Learn more at spcollege.edu.

The Florida Dream Center provides flexible volunteer opportunities and community service hours across a variety of service areas. Visit floridadreamcenter.org to get involved.

Community Tampa Bay is looking for volunteers ages 16–24—especially former ANYTOWN delegates—as well as adult volunteers for its upcoming gala. Details are available at communitytampabay.org.

Pinellas County’s VIP (Volunteers in Pinellas) program requires registration through GivePulse and allows individuals to apply for a wide range of local service projects. Learn more at pinellas.gov.

The American Heart Association welcomes youth volunteers as young as 13 with registration. Opportunities can be found at heart.org.

Lealman & Asian Neighborhood Family Center offers both recurring and one-time volunteer opportunities. Details can be found at lanfc.org.

SPCA Tampa Bay accepts volunteers aged 18 and older for roles requiring a minimum three-month commitment. Corporate volunteer groups are also welcome. Visit spcatampabay.org for details.

Finally, the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg offers both ongoing and special event volunteer opportunities. Learn more at stpeteymca.org.

These opportunities not only provide valuable support to local organizations but also help volunteers build skills, connect with others, and make a lasting impact in their community.

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