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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!

Photo Credit: Deb Rayburn Friends of Ray Neri Park

A Comprehensive Guide for Pinellas County Residents on Cleanup and Safety

 Safety First

Stay Informed: Monitor official channels, including the Pinellas County Emergency Management website (disaster.pinellas.gov), social media, and the Ready Pinellas app for the latest updates.

Shelter in Place: After Hurricane Helene, remain in your shelter location until authorities declare it safe to leave. Only call 911 for police, medical, or fire emergencies.

Beware of Hazards: Be cautious of downed power lines, flooded areas, and debris. Do not attempt to travel unless absolutely necessary.

Post-Storm Precautions

Water Safety: Assume a boil water notice is in effect until officially lifted. Disinfect water by boiling for one minute or using unscented bleach (1/8 teaspoon per gallon of water)

Power Outages: For outages up to six hours, use coolers with ice for perishables. If power is out for up to two days, keep the freezer door closed to maintain food safety.

Sewer Issues: If a sewage outage is announced, do not flush toilets. Use portable toilets or create an emergency toilet using a lined bucket with a tight lid.

 Cleanup Efforts

Document Damage: Before cleanup, photograph property damage for insurance purposes.

Debris Removal: Check with your municipality or waste management company for specific instructions on debris disposal. Be patient, as normal schedules may be disrupted.

Chainsaw Safety: If using a chainsaw for tree removal, wear proper safety gear, maintain secure footing, and be prepared for kickback.

Community Support

Check on Neighbors: Share resources and take care of each other, especially the elderly or those with special needs.

Volunteer Opportunities: Contact the County Information Center at 727-464-4333 to connect with agencies needing volunteers.

Road Conditions: Be cautious when driving, as roads may be unfamiliar or damaged. Treat non-functioning traffic lights as four-way stops.

Flood Awareness: Never drive through standing water, as depth and road conditions are uncertain.

 Consumer Protection

Report Price Gouging: If you suspect price gouging on essential goods or services, contact Pinellas County Consumer Protection at 77-464-600 or the Florida Attorney General's Office.

By following these guidelines, Pinellas County residents can navigate the aftermath of Hurricane Helene more safely and efficiently. Remember, community resilience is key in overcoming the challenges posed by such natural disasters.

Throughout the duration of the storm, Lealman Fire Rescue and 1000's of other emergency services personnel have been working tirelessly to support members of the community. We extend our gratitude for their selfless efforts in keeping our residents safe. 

CareerSource Adapts: Lealman Exchange Office Closes, Services Expand Online and at Regional Centers

CareerSource has announced the closure of its office at the Lealman Exchange, a decision that reflects a strategic shift in how they deliver services to the community. Despite this change, CareerSource remains committed to supporting residents through its other locations and enhanced online services.

Continued Support for Job Seekers

Residents can still access a wide range of career services at CareerSource's other centers throughout the region. These centers offer essential resources such as job placement assistance, resume writing workshops, and skills training programs. The organization emphasizes that its commitment to helping individuals find meaningful employment remains strong, regardless of the physical location of its offices.

Enhanced Online Services

In addition to in-person support, CareerSource is expanding its online offerings. Job seekers can utilize virtual consultations, access online job boards, and participate in remote workshops designed to enhance their skills and job readiness. This flexible approach allows residents to engage with CareerSource services from the comfort of their homes, making it easier than ever to seek employment opportunities.

Community Impact

The decision to close the Lealman Exchange office is part of a broader initiative to streamline operations and focus resources on areas where they can make the most significant impact. By consolidating services, CareerSource aims to provide more effective support and ensure that all residents have access to the tools they need for career advancement.As CareerSource transitions away from the Lealman Exchange location, it encourages residents to visit their website or contact their nearby centers for assistance. This commitment to accessibility ensures that all community members continue to receive the support they need in their job search endeavors.

Tampa Bay 211: A Vital Resource for Community Data and Support

Tampa Bay 211 is more than just a helpline—it's a critical resource for understanding and addressing community needs. With their real-time dashboard of service stats, individuals and organizations can easily access data for grants, reports, and planning. The dashboard allows users to populate information by percentages or counts, giving insights into where specific zip codes rank in terms of needs being sought. From housing assistance to mental health services, Tampa Bay 211's data is a valuable tool for identifying gaps and tailoring responses to meet evolving demands.

In addition to providing essential data, Tampa Bay 211 offers community talks and training sessions. These cover topics like 988 mental health services, hurricane preparedness, and more. Organizations can book speakers to ensure their teams and communities stay informed on these crucial issues.

For more information or to explore the dashboard, visit 211 Tampa Bay Counts.

CareerSource sets Opportunity Youth Workforce Summit

CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas, the newly merged workforce development agency for the Tampa Bay area, will convene the region’s first Opportunity Youth Workforce Summit.

The summit, scheduled for Oct. 1 at the Tampa Marriott Water Street, was created to address the challenges faced by “opportunity youth” disconnected from employment and education in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Federal agencies define opportunity youth as people between 16 and 24 who are not working or in school. CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas conducted research in 2023 and found 26,100 young people who meet this criteria. Beyond the consequences for them individually, young people who are disconnected from employment and education “also represent a loss of human capital, with high social and economic costs.”

“By 2030, all Baby Boomers will have reached retirement age, and [in] the US population, there are more people leaving the workforce than entering the workforce,” said Steve Meier, co-interim CEO of CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas. “The labor force participation rate also took a hit after the pandemic (with) a loss of 5 million people in the labor force, so in order for the United States to fill these jobs that are open, we need to look at the folks that want a job but aren’t working for one reason or another, and the opportunity youth is just one of those demographics that’s important to really get into the workforce.”

Michelle Zieziula, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas, spearheaded the summit’s creation after attending a similar event in San Diego. The summit will bring together education, business and nonprofit leaders to develop strategies for reengaging young individuals who are neither in school nor employed. The goal is to address youth disengagement and find collaborative, regional solutions.

Full Article

Lealman Needs Navigator 

Our on-site Lealman Exchange management team includes an in-house Lealman Navigator. The Lealman Navigator is a non-licensed, non-clinical staff member who gathers information and connects clients directly to community agencies and resources participating in the Lealman Exchange and throughout the Lealman Exchange Collective Impact network.   

The Lealman Navigator is here to help you get the support you need to access the wrap-around services available through the Collective Impact Model at the Lealman Exchange. The Navigator is committed to removing a client’s barriers to assistance by identifying critical resources, helping them navigate through the services and systems, and promoting client’s long-term and sustainable success in finding, receiving and benefiting from available services.

In 2023, we checked in 172 books and checked out 220.  In 2024 so far, we have checked in 297 books and checked out 365!

Get your read on at LEX!

Did you know?

One of the largest maple swamps on the Gulf Coast of Florida… is in Lealman!

Sawgrass Lake Park is 400 acres of natural Florida, located at 7400 25th Street North. It is part of the @pinellasgov park system, and made possible by a unique cooperative agreement between conservation and water management entities.

Sawgrass Lake Park includes:

• Boardwalks / Nature Trails
• Observation Tower
• Extraordinary Wildlife
• A picnic shelter and grill, plus ample parking
• Open 7 days a week, 7am to sunset.

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