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 CES Academy: New Kid on the Block

As kids head back to school, they’ll see a new name on building C at the Lealman Exchange: The Broach School has rebranded as CES Academy.

The shift represents more than just a change in name; it signifies a commitment to innovation, modernization, and a renewed dedication to fostering excellence in education. The result is CES Academy – an acronym for Children’s Educational Services. This new name is a reflection of the institution's core values and its vision for the future.

“We believe every student matters,” says Dr. Byron Williams, Director of Culture and Engagement at CES Academy. “Every student deserves the chance to succeed. Nobody should ever get left behind in school.”

CES leaders say their school is geared toward children who typically don’t like or fit into the traditional school framework. 

“Typical schools cater to the average student, teacher and class en masse,” says Dr. Williams. “Often, our typical student wasn’t getting all of their needs met before CES. This may include learning preferences, behavioral health, or even include more complicated matters such as nutritional, emotional, medical, even spiritual health. They may have had negative experiences at other schools or weren’t reaching their full potential. They may or may not have documented learning or behavioral disabilities. Our school becomes a safety zone, a place of refuge, of belonging.”

With the new name and logo comes a new leader: Principal Daniel Iacavone, Ed.D. Dr. Iacavone has more than 20 years of experience working in schools, and is looking forward to using his expertise to elevate the standard of learning at CES Academy.

“A motto I stand by is that “Not all great minds think alike.” We have structure and expectations at CES Academy, but we also make sure students are given opportunities to learn in ways other schools may not be able to offer, ” said Dr. Iacavone. “We want children to have fun and feel accepted, while having a safe space to unite as a school-family.”

CES Academy will celebrate its new identity and its students at a Family Fun event on August 31st. Students and their families are invited to tour the campus, meet the staff, and enjoy food and games. 

 Get help growing your business in Lealman

For 45 years, the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network has accelerated our economy by providing vital support to the state’s small business community. The SBDC provides entrepreneurs free professional business consulting, management training, and information to help businesses grow and succeed. 

Debra Schweikowsky, a Business Consultant with Florida SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development, has been working directly with business owners for more than four years. She says wherever you are in the process, SBDC can help.

“We work hand-in-hand with businesses in the community,”  says Schweikowsky. “We want our small businesses to know that we are here to help them and support them in any capacity. We're providing them with the best information, the best resources, and the best tools to help them continue to be successful.”

As a previous business owner for more than 27 years, Schweikowsky says she knows how hard it can be to tackle the challenges of running a small business. She emphasizes that the Florida SBDC Network is committed to easing this burden for entrepreneurs, drawing from its extensive experience and wealth of resources.

“A small business owner will often come to us for one thing, and they don't realize everything that we're offering,” says Schweikowsky. “I'm so excited because I recently met a client, and he didn't realize that based upon his business, he could apply as a manufacturer for tax credits. He didn't know that. So I shared his information with our team, who said, ‘Hey, here are a couple of best approaches.’ We are here to be your advocate.”

Small businesses often face numerous hurdles, from initial setup and navigating regulations to expanding operations and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving market. Debra Schweikowsky and her colleagues at the SBDC are well-versed in these matters and offer personalized guidance to address each business's unique needs.

One of the key advantages of partnering with the SBDC is the access to expert advice without the burden of cost. The consulting services provided are free, allowing small business owners to receive professional insights and actionable strategies that might otherwise be financially out of reach.

Schweikowsky highlights that the SBDC doesn't just offer generic advice; rather, it tailors its support to match the specific industry, market, and challenges that a particular business faces. This personalized approach sets the SBDC apart and has contributed to its longstanding reputation as a trusted ally for small businesses across Florida.

Although joining the program is free, business owners do need to fill out an application to be accepted into the SBDC program. You can learn more and sign up at https://www.pced.org/sbdc/.

Volunteers are at the heart of the Y’s mission

YMCA Youth Sports programs have long been recognized as an avenue for adolescents to discover their potential, build character and forge lifelong friendships. But what many don’t know is that they are almost entirely facilitated by our dedicated volunteers. The Y relies on volunteers in a multitude of capacities such as referees, scorekeepers, field management, concessions and most notably – the team coaches. 

For dedicated individuals like Lance Latimer, coaching is more than just a hobby. For more than two decades, Latimer has been coaching a variety of youth sports, a passion fueled by his love for the kids and his desire to have a positive impact on the community. He joined the Y as a volunteer coach in 2018, serving all through the COVID-19 pandemic despite the challenges. 

Latimer is a true embodiment of the spirit of volunteerism, balancing his full-time job as a barber, part-time work for UPS, and the general time investment of parenting his three boys ages 8, 6 and 5, while still finding time to dedicate precious hours to coaching — sometimes as many as three teams in a single season. 

His motivation comes from witnessing firsthand the transformative power of sports in the lives of not only his children, but all youth involved. 

“I might be able to change a little kid’s life, even though I can’t change the world. It’s just giving back and spreading the love. That’s what matters most to me,” said Latimer. 

Coach Latimer’s three boys participate in several sports at the Y including soccer, flag football and basketball. While watching his own children’s games, he recognized the need for more coaches and decided to step in, leveraging his experience and skills to help the young athletes develop and succeed. 

“It's rewarding when a kid comes into the season not knowing anything about a sport and leaves actually loving that sport," Latimer said. 

The YMCA, with its community-friendly and family-oriented environment, is the ideal place for Latimer to fulfill his volunteer coaching aspirations.

Update From Lealman Community Association

We had an incredibly successful meeting last week, filled with valuable information. Exciting news - the LEX is currently being utilized! Moreover, the gym is in high demand, used almost every night. It's fantastic to see the community actively engaging in physical activity. 

Tampa Bay Rays organized a reading day at the Lealman Exchange, which drew a remarkable turnout of over 100 kids. The event was a resounding success, and we are now in the process of planning more engaging activities for the community. 

We are also diligently monitoring and addressing any problem areas in the vicinity. We sincerely thank Deputy Reddinger and McSorley for their consistent presence and support in our area.  Deputy Reddinger and McSorley were actively involved in the back-to-school event at PAL this past Saturday. A staggering 400 kids received backpacks, supplies, and valuable information for their parents. 

The Lealman Fire Department also cooked hotdogs for the crowd and later provided a refreshing water spray. There was a water bounce house, which added to the event's excitement.  It's remarkable to note that 15 different agencies participated in the back-to-school event. The Florida Dream Center and LCA truly outdid themselves by generously distributing a substantial amount of school supplies. The Dream Center even had two tables dedicated to this cause. 

LCA, on the other hand, distributed over 4,000 pieces of school supplies on Saturday. We also provided supplies to Lealman Elementary, the Florida Dream Center, and two families who were unable to attend due to family emergencies. We collected an impressive 8,000 pieces of school supplies to distribute. We are incredibly grateful to those who contributed financially, allowing us to obtain the necessary supplies. 

Overall, it has been an eventful and successful period, with numerous accomplishments. We are excited to continue making a positive impact in our community.

-Lealman Community Association

Fast Pitch Announces Class of 2024: Building Capacity Through Philanthropy

Social Venture Partners Tampa Bay (SVPTB) recently selected seven nonprofits to participate in its 2023-24 Fast Pitch program. Fast Pitch is SVPTB’s signature capacity-building program, which provides funding and strategic consulting to innovative nonprofits addressing critical issues in the Tampa Bay region.

The 2023-24 Fast Pitch cohort includes:
EmpowHERment
Florida Dream Center
Girls Rock St. Pete
NAMI Pinellas
New Tampa Players
Water Smart Tots Foundation
WellFed Community

Through Fast Pitch, SVPTB Partners will invest unrestricted funding and provide countless hours of pro bono consulting services to each participating nonprofit over the next 16 weeks. The funding and guidance will help these organizations strengthen their programs, scale their impact, and build capacity.“We believe that strategic investments of funding, time, and expertise can help innovative nonprofits achieve their missions and create lasting change,” said Mike Lally, Board Chair of SVPTB. “The organizations selected for our 2023-24 Fast Pitch cohort are tackling some of the most pressing issues facing our community. We’re honored to support their important work.

SVPTB leverages successful business and community leaders' time, expertise, and financial resources to accelerate the impact of nonprofits based in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando counties. Through programs like Fast Pitch, SVPTB Partners have invested in over 50 Tampa Bay nonprofits since 2017.

About Social Venture Partners Tampa Bay: Social Venture Partners Tampa Bay (SVPTB) is a nonprofit that brings together successful professionals to strategically invest in innovative nonprofits addressing critical issues in the Tampa Bay region. Partners contribute funding, time, and expertise to help high-impact nonprofits achieve their missions and scale their impact. SVPTB is an affiliate of the Social Venture Partners International network, which includes more than 3,500 partners across 40 cities.

CodeBoxx is Empowering the Lealman Community with Digital Skills for the Future

In a world where technology drives our lives, being tech-savvy is no longer optional - it's a necessity. That’s why CodeBoxx, in collaboration with the Lealman Exchange (LEX), is bringing an inclusive and empowering series of monthly technology training workshops at the Lealman Exchange Community Center.

From September to December, each month harbors a unique learning experience aimed at unraveling the wonders of technology. These skill-building sessions will encompass a variety of topics including web design, programming, and AI prompt engineering, and are offered at no cost. 

This series boasts a friendly, supportive learning environment that welcomes tech enthusiasts at all levels. Whether you're a tech newbie or someone looking to embellish your existing knowledge, these free workshops are tailored just for you.

To kickstart your tech journey, our 'Intro to Web Design' workshop on September 23rd offers a charming dive into the vibrant world of web design. By the end of this exciting event, you will not only have gained a foundational knowledge of web design but will walk away with a personal website built using Wix. And the cherry on the cake? One participant will walk away winning a $50 Amazon gift card for the best web design! 

Get ready to further delve into the tech world with the October 21st session on AI and Prompt Engineering. Explore Language Learning models and master generating effective prompts for ChatGPT, a cutting-edge tech tool.

November will take you deeper into website customization, furthering your knowledge with 'Web Development 101'. 

The finale on December 16th invites you into the intriguing world of programming.Don’t let programming jitters hold you back – our experienced instructors will help you every step of the way during the ‘Beginner's Guide to Programming’ workshop. This event offers a golden opportunity to unleash your inner coder under the guidance of industry professionals.

CodeBoxx’s workshops are open to all residents, irrespective of experience. Minors under 18 are welcome, but remember to bring a chaperone along for this enlightening journey.

Sparking curiosity in the digital age is just one part of our mission. With these monthly workshops, we hope to broaden horizons, elevate digital literacy, and pave the way for an empowered Lealman community.

Career Corner

Little League Umpires needed for St. Pete Little League!

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