Lealman Voice Edition 17
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Credit: Leo Gomez Studios
Hello there.
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Our mission is simple: To help connect the people of Lealman.
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Meet the new PAL leaders shaping Lealman youth
The Pinellas Sheriff’s Police Athletic League (PAL) is a nonprofit organization with a noble mission—to provide positive activities, academics, mentoring, leadership training, academic assistance, and life skills programming to Pinellas County youth, with a special focus on the Lealman neighborhood. In recent times, PAL has taken a significant step forward in its commitment to this mission with the appointment of two new leaders: Randi Meyer, the new Executive Director, and Anasa Spaulding, the new Director of Programs and Development.
Randi Meyer brings a wealth of experience and a visionary approach to her role as the Executive Director of Pinellas PAL. Her career has been marked by a deep commitment to youth development and community engagement. Randi's journey began with a degree in Anthropology and Humanities from the University of South Florida, which led her to a Field Biologist position in Indonesia.
“That’s when I started getting involved in education and working with people, leading tours,” Randi said. “That’s what changed the trajectory of my career and my life.”
After her time in Indonesia, Randi came back to the U.S. and began working in the nonprofit sector, where she gained invaluable experience in fundraising, program development, and management. She quickly rose through the ranks, assuming leadership positions in various youth-oriented organizations. Randi's passion for making a positive impact on young lives led her to Pinellas PAL, joining the team in April 2023.
“It's a perfect match of all my years of experience in this field,” Randi said. “I just think PAL is such a heartwarming program, and people see that. It’s well-supported by the community because it is our community; It’s Lealman, it’s our youth, and they are our future.”
One of Randi's primary goals is to incorporate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) into PAL’s existing programming. Randi envisions PAL as a hub where young people can access a wide range of resources, from academic support to athletic and artistic opportunities, all designed to help them thrive.
Working in tandem with Randi is Anasa Spaulding, the new Director of Programs and Development. Anasa's journey to Pinellas PAL is marked by her passion for youth empowerment. With a background in science and business development, Anasa has honed her skills in designing and leading programming. On top of a robust career, Anasa has always found time to connect with young people through athletic coaching and nonprofit volunteering.
“I had a eureka moment, and I was fortunate enough to recognize my calling: helping and serving others,” Anasa said. “And when I reflected on my life, it's something that I had done intuitively and never realized it.”
Anasa's role is crucial in ensuring that Pinellas PAL continues developing and enhancing its drumline, dance and boxing programming for middle and high school students. She says she was drawn to the role at PAL because of how the programs truly make a difference in the community and children’s lives.
“I liked the fact that it involved guiding the kids and inspiring and encouraging them through the Lealman sports complex,” she said. “That was something that was near and dear to my heart as a former competitive athlete and coach. We have a phenomenal group of coaches and leadership. They're doing some really exciting things, and I can’t wait for people to see what the kids are working on as they get out in the community more and go to local events.”
Randi Meyer and Anasa Spaulding share a common vision for the future of Pinellas PAL—one where every young person in Pinellas County, especially in the Lealman neighborhood, has access to the resources and support they need to succeed in life. They are determined to break down barriers and ensure that PAL is not just a place for recreation, but a place for growth, learning, and empowerment.
Thursdays @ 9AM
September 29 @ 11AM
October 18th @ 10AM
Mastering Workplace Soft Skills
October 21 @ 10AM
Intro to AI & Prompt Engineering
October 27th @ 6PM
November 18th, @ 9AM
Mobile Pet Clinic @ LEX
Workforce development is key to shared prosperity
By nearly all accounts, Pinellas County’s economy is prospering right now. The Florida Chamber of Commerce records that we have added more than 22,000 new jobs in the last year and issued 1,199 new housing permits. Additionally, Pinellas County’s GDP outpaced the nation in 2022.
However, economic indicators like these don’t guarantee that this is shared prosperity. As a small business owner who has invested my time and treasure in the South St. Pete area for decades, I know it takes a special focus on communities that have been historically under-resourced and neglected to ensure that my neighbors are experiencing the same growth as the rest of our region.
While the job vacancy rate in Pinellas County is remarkably high, with 65 unemployed people for every 100 job vacancies, part of the solution to filling these vacancies must be to ensure that our job seekers have the skills and qualifications that match these positions. During Workforce Development Month this September, this issue deserves our attention, and the groups working to meet this community need deserve our acknowledgment and thanks.
Of the 100 fastest growing occupations in Pinellas County through 2030, 78 of the jobs require post-secondary training ranging from a non-degree credential to a graduate degree. Workforce organizations in our community make this type of employment possible for our residents that may have barriers. Specifically, CareerSource Pinellas can help Pinellas County residents who want to go back to school or earn a new credential pursue funding to offset the cost of training or career educational programs.
Through my experience as a civil rights advocate with the NAACP, and my consulting practice focused on professional development and operations support for small businesses, I have seen CareerSource Pinellas demonstrate a commitment to shared growth and prosperity for all Pinellas County residents. I am proud to be a voice for the South St. Pete community on the CareerSource Pinellas board.
As the designated workforce development board for Pinellas County, the CareerSource team has invested in programs and forged partnerships in response to specific challenges facing local job seekers. For example, while nationally we struggle to return to the pre-COVID youth labor participation rate, this summer CareerSource Pinellas held its largest-ever Summer PAYS program, with 173 high school students and young adults gaining paid work experience. Just as important, we have 90 local employers representing Pinellas County’s most demanded industries who should be commended for partnering with CareerSource Pinellas to give these young people a chance to learn more about the workforce.
After completing the program, these young people now have real-world job experience, new relationships with local employers, financial literacy training from Bank of America, and soft skills training from Florida Ready to Work. The program has more than doubled in size since 2019.
CareerSource Pinellas has also demonstrated a serious commitment to ensuring that people who have been involved with the criminal justice system get a real second chance to rejoin the workforce and earn a living for themselves and their families. By partnering with the Pinellas Ex-offender Re-entry Coalition (PERC), CareerSource Pinellas has provided funding to place several cohorts of people who have completed their sentences with local employers.
Nearly all of the job candidates have successfully completed the companies’ probation periods, and are thriving in their new roles, with some even earning promotions. And during a time of low unemployment, many businesses found an employee pipeline they didn’t realize was possible. CareerSource Pinellas also works hand-in-hand with the Pinellas Recovery Roundtable, providing a workforce development perspective to the substance use recovery ecosystem as we fight the opioid epidemic which has harmed so many families and neighborhoods.
The issue of workforce development and training should remain a top focus if we want to build on and sustain this robust growth throughout all the communities of Pinellas County. Thanks to the St. Pete Catalyst for its coverage of the people and organizations putting in the work.
Meet your new Community Navigator: Monica Lueking
For many, navigating the numerous resources and services available to individuals and families in need can be a daunting task. Whether it's healthcare, housing, employment, or education, the journey to securing assistance can often feel like a difficult maze. Recognizing this challenge, the Lealman Exchange is proud to introduce Monica Lueking, our dedicated Community Navigator who is committed to helping Lealman families find what they need to succeed.
The Community Navigator role was created through a partnership between the St. Petersburg Foundation and St. Pete Free Clinic to help people in the Lealman community get the support they need to access wrap-around services available through the Collective Impact Model at the Lealman Exchange.
“Our County, the Lealman area included, has many resources that benefit the community; however, often, people don’t know services that are available or, importantly, how they can access those services,” said Jennifer Yeagley, CEO of St. Pete Free Clinic. “Being embedded with other partners at Lealman Exchange demonstrates one way we can all collaborate to ensure community services are streamlined and as easy as possible for people to access. It’s beneficial when those who are already visiting one place can meet multiple needs at a time.”
One of Monica's core responsibilities is identifying critical resources for clients. In an ever-evolving landscape of available services and support systems, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. Monica says she’s always been drawn to roles where she can help others, stating: “This role allows me to directly serve people in our community ensuring they can access programs and organizations that can help them in their time of need. I look forward to helping the Lealman community learn about resources and programs that they did not know about, and I am eager to remove barriers to services and assist our Lealman neighbors in their time of need.”
Navigating complex bureaucracies and service systems can be discouraging, even for the most resilient people. Monica’s goal as Needs Navigator is not only to connect clients to the right resources, but also to help them complete necessary paperwork, make appointments, and follow up on applications, ensuring clients receive the support they need in a timely and efficient manner.
“At SPFC, our values include Responsiveness, Integrity, Community, Empathy, and Equity,” Monica said. “I look forward to exercising these values as I serve our Lealman neighbors. I want them to know they are welcome in my office, and I am committed to helping them access the services they need so they can thrive.”
While immediate assistance is vital, Monica Lueking is committed to helping clients build the skills and knowledge they need to maintain their well-being independently. By addressing the root causes of their challenges, Monica hopes to empower the people of Lealman to build a better future for themselves and their families.
Monica’s office at the Lealman Exchange is open for walk-in appointments from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Phone number: 727-821-1200 ext 800
Email: Lealman@thespfc.org
Lealman: Looking Back
The Muse and Mr. Neri
(Originally published by Tampa Bay Reporter, 10/21/2018)
by M. R. (Merry Ruthe) Wilson
I haven’t always lived within walking distance of “Lealman’s Eden,” the 38-acre park that has been renamed for a community activist who advocated passionately for its development, the late Raymond H. Neri.
Discovering the wooded refuge, formerly called Joe’s Creek Greenway Neighborhood Park, was serendipitous. Several years ago I was the new kid on the block, missing the urban wilderness in Largo surrounding the Lake Seminole By-Pass Canal. This new place to wander and ponder was even better. I never liked the rush of traffic from Bryan Dairy Road, which was widened in 2003. Once a cattle trail, it became a major east-west artery.
“My” new park was like a portal to some magical, mystical healing realm. Perhaps I could find my long lost Muse here? I was enchanted immediately, first by the dark green quiet. No traffic noise intruded here. Inhaling the fragrance of brackish water, I soon found the lake, a widening of the headwaters of Joe’s Creek. Everything about it whispered, “Your spirit has a home here.”
And so my love affair with the park took root. Here I met fellow nature enthusiasts gazing to the islands beyond “the Turtle Bridge” where ibis balanced delicately and anhingas stretched their wings to dry. The park’s moods changed with the seasons; autumn brought cooler mornings and eerie mists that blanketed the open green field and swirled like dragon’s breath over the water. One might get lost staring into it until an ancient beast drifted into view, just inches below the surface: An alligator, possibly the massive one nicknamed “Big Joe” (or maybe it’s Josephina), cruised for breakfast.
I was so enamored of the place that I created a friends group. It’s been hugely rewarding to connect with kindred spirits who understand Rachel Carson’s famous quotation: “Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the Earth are never alone or weary of life.” Mr. Neri understood it, too.
The group includes several distinguished photographers and shutterbugs, among them Carla Anderson, Laurellee Faith, Kim McDonald, Nancy Sohlgren Stephens, and Debbie Wolfe. Jorge Mercado posts the latest news about plans for park improvements; Dennis Curcio advocates for nuisance vine clean-up and greater maintenance vigilance. Laura Petersen Brown shares her love and enthusiasm and Laura Simkanich is a staunch advocate for preservation. Mary Beth and her dog Snickers encourage everyone. Other “Friends” are fitness guru Ashely Anderson and Benjamin Carlson who runs like a gazelle. I’ve heard his record is 16 laps. To all, including those I do not know personally, my thanks.
I never had the privilege of knowing Raymond H. Neri, yet I feel power in his friends’ memories and his presence along the path.
Marlene Ross
Please introduce yourself to your neighbors. I’m Marlene Ross.
How many years have you lived in Lealman? We just moved to Lealman in December 2022.
What organizations are you involved in? I work full-time still, but I am an Herbalife representative and I lead a cardio drumming class at the Lealman Exchange. Once I get to retire, I will have more time to do some other things.
What gets you out of bed every day? Bills! I’m just kidding. Trying to get all of our ducks in a row for retirement, and of course, getting people moving. When I wake up in the morning, I'm happy to be able to get up and move. A lot of people can't, so I feel very, very blessed.
What is one thing you’ve seen change for the better in Lealman in the last few years? Finding this place was a big deal for me. Other than that, we haven't really lived here long enough to know. I’m still exploring.
What’s next for you? I have another year and about a half to retirement. But I'm still going to be leading the cardio drumming class and maybe working maybe part time somewhere, just to keep me moving. Other than that, I don't really know what all is going to open up for me, but I'm looking forward to it.
Career Corner
Mastering Workplace Soft Skills
Entering the workforce can be an exciting but daunting experience. As a new employee, there are certain skills you need to have to succeed in your job. These are more than just the technical aspects of your job. Soft skills are personal attributes and interpersonal skills that influence how well a person can work or interact with others. Unlike hard skills, which refer to specific technical competencies, soft skills cannot be definitively measured and instead are exemplified through attitude, behavior, self-expression and motivation. Here are some reasons why developing soft skills is important in the workplace:
Long-term asset to employers: Soft skills like conflict resolution, commitment, and motivation can make you a long-term asset to employers
Competitive edge: Being flexible, open-minded, and embracing change is an important soft skill that can give you a competitive edge in the workplace
Essential for success: Soft skills make it easier to form relationships with people, create trust and dependability, and lead teams. In essence, they are essential for your success in the workplace, your company’s success, and your personal life[3].
Increase efficiency and productivity: Soft skills foster creative problem-solving and build a sense of professional camaraderie, which consequently increases productivity.
Positive human interaction: Since every job requires positive human interaction to provide services, soft skills are valuable across all industries.
Valuable for personal life: Soft skills are useful not only in the workplace but also in our personal lives. For example, communication skills are used to build friendship groups and meet potential partners.
Local organizations Career Source Pinellas, Digital Inclusion St. Pete, St. Petersburg Foundation, and Social Venture Partners Tampa Bay are collaborating to offer a free workshop at the Lealman Exchange on October 18th, from 10 am to 12 pm. The workshop is designed to empower area residents with the skills needed to grow and thrive in the workplace. The class is free, but registration is recommended.
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