Edition 12 of The Lealman Voice
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Credit: Leo Gomez Studios
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A Whirlwind of Learning: More than 100 Kids Thrive at STEAM Day Camp
It was a spectacular convergence of curiosity, creativity, and innovation as more than a hundred young minds embarked on a remarkable journey of discovery during the highly anticipated STEAM Day Camp held at the Lealman Exchange on July 14th. This thrilling gathering, packed with exciting activities and interactive learning experiences, proved to be an absolute delight for children and adults alike.
The Lealman Exchange was transformed into a vibrant hub of intellectual exploration and fun, with various areas dedicated to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). The event aimed to engage young minds and nurture their interest in these disciplines through hands-on activities, workshops, and demonstrations.
The Jacobs company was the principal sponsor of the event, along with Pinellas County government and the St. Petersburg Foundation. Hands-on activities were hosted by Jacobs, the Florida Floodplain Managers Association, and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, which also sponsored t-shirts for the camp participants.
“Jacobs has a long-standing passion for STEAM events and working with our communities," said Tricia Shuler, a Jacobs employee who volunteered at the event. “We’re really passionate about the Lealman community, so we wanted to meet some of the kids, have a good time, and introduce them to some of the science and engineering we do on a daily basis.”
Jacobs is a science, technology, planning, and engineering company working on regional infrastructure projects, including work at Joe's Creek adjacent to the Lealman Exchange. More than a dozen Jacobs employees volunteered at the STEAM Day Camp. The passionate professionals became role models, inspiring the young attendees to dream big and pursue their passions.
“At one point, someone came up and said, ‘Do you think the kids are having more fun, or we’re having more fun?’” Shuler laughed. “The volunteers loved it, met a lot of really cute kids, and taught them a few things about science.”
Students from a variety of Lealman-based organizations filled the LEX gymnasium, including summer camp participants from the YMCA, Lealman and Asian Neighborhood Family Center (LANFC), and the Duvall Apartments, whose community director sought out the opportunity for youth residing at the nearby complex.
At the heart of the event, children found themselves immersed in captivating experiments and exhibits that ignited their curiosity. They eagerly participated in interactive demonstrations showcasing the wonders of physics, chemistry, and biology. In another corner, budding engineers were thrilled to explore the world of engineering through interactive workshops and building challenges.
“It was really fun and I learned a lot of new things,” said Rebecca Berdufi, a LANFC day camper and STEAM Day participant. “My favorite part was learning about sharks and minnows. In a classroom, you just get a piece of paper and a pencil! Today, I got to run around and play.”
The event ended with a free pizza lunch and a STEAM Science Bowl, where kids could compete in a Trivial Pursuit-style competition to share what they learned. The STEAM Day Camp is one way the Lealman community is coming together to provide an engaging, interactive platform for young learners, nurturing a future generation of critical thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators.
Thursdays @ 9AM
July 1st -31st
Christmas in July Toy Drive
July 25th
July 26th 6PM
CRA Advisory Committee Meeting
August 26th - September 8th
AmSkills Bootcamp
September 25th @ 9AM
Mobile Pet Clinic @ LEX
Massive land use changes proposed for Lealman
A plan to bolster redevelopment across an expansive swath of Lealman – a historically underserved, unincorporated community bordering St. Petersburg – is moving forward.
The Comprehensive Plan amendment would establish three mixed-use corridor designations and affect zoning for nearly 169 acres in the community redevelopment area (CRA). Pinellas County Commissioners offered their tentative approval at a public hearing Tuesday.
The three designations include mixed-use corridors supporting neighborhood parks, local trades and commerce. Scott Swearengen, long-range planning manager, said the initiative would incentivize housing development while allowing for much-needed commercial uses and job creation.
“We want to start to see an established, cohesive character along these corridors,” Swearengen said. “Where people really start to identify that, ‘I’m in Lealman; this is an important corridor in Lealman.'”
Over 30,000 people live in the community, and many lack sufficient housing, transportation, grocery and other retail options. However, uplifting the burgeoning city has become a “passion project” for some local leaders.
Jeremy Heath, chairman of the CRA, told the Catalyst in May that Lealman has seen more progress in the last 18 months than the previous five years combined.
Swearengen told commissioners that the proposed land use changes would support low-to-mid-rise, street-oriented buildings with “activated” retail and public spaces. The corridors would also feature wider sidewalks and pedestrian amenities.
He said the neighborhood park designation is mostly along 54th Avenue, from 45th Street to 34th Street North. Haines Road and 28th Street North would feature most of the zoning supporting trade.
County officials would implement mixed-use commercial corridors along 34th Street (U.S. Highway 19) and the Haines Road-54th Street-28th Street North “triangle.” While still considered mid-rises, Swearengen said those buildings “might be a little bit larger in scale.”
“The designations have been prepared specifically to areas within the limits here,” he added. “We worked with the CRA and the CAC (citizens advisory committee) and the residents in order to try and establish these areas.”
YMCA and BayCare Kids Power offer a fun approach to nutrition and exercise education
This fall, YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg will implement its first structured afterschool care class centered on exercise and nutrition developed by BayCare. BayCare Kids Power is a focused approach to helping children learn about various concepts of health and wellness, while using the USDA MyPlate Guidelines. Baycare Kids Power will be implemented at five different elementary schools throughout the Greater St. Petersburg area during YMCA AfterSchool Programs, with plans to expand to other schools in the future.
The BayCare Kids Power Program was developed to be fun-filled, and interactive, while educating children on various topics related to nutrition and exercise. The program will be led by YMCA staff who will address topics such as the importance of daily physical activity and staying healthy, mystery fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and delicious dairy.
The overall goal of BayCare Kids Power is to assist children in developing healthy habits, an active lifestyle and to improve their physical well-being. Program classes are designed to be taught during a 12-week period, and will start over with a new cohort of children in the next 12 weeks. The children will learn the role of exercise in their daily routine, and how it promotes muscle growth and development through games. Teaching the children how to do push ups and playing parachute are just a few of the ways YMCA staff plan to incorporate fun into fitness.
According to Kieran Gabel, Director of Community Health for YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, “The BayCare Kids Power program is such a fun way to introduce kids to healthy food and physical activity. The kids will be bringing home knowledge of a new lesson every week and sharing it with their families. That is the goal, to inspire families to make healthy changes.”
Christina Sakacsi, Community Health Program Manager at YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg taught classes from the BayCare Kids Power program during the YMCA’s summer camp at Lealman Exchange. One of the classes included information on the USDA MyPlate Guidelines and a kit of sliced vegetables and tortilla. The activity encouraged kids to make face shapes with the food, while learning about the importance of the different vitamins and minerals contained in each vegetable. The lesson on mystery fruit included taste testing slices of exotic fruits such as a starfruit.
Including small prizes, such as a tiny foam dumbbell when learning about building muscle, adds a fun element to the lessons. Small prizes will serve as conversation starters, with the intention of involving family members in positive conversations about the daily topic discussed. During classes involving healthy foods, kids will be able to experiment with new foods, while having hands-on experience creating their own snacks.
“Every time I teach, the kids receive a snack when picking apart MyPlate,” said Sackacsi. “They’ve loved trying the mystery fruits and taking home prizes. The kids always have a good time.”
BayCare offers other adaptations of the BayCare Kids Power program for the community. Requests for classes to be taught throughout the community or at your specific elementary school can be sent through the designated link here.
Joe's Creek Public Input
Pinellas County held an open house on Tuesday evening for the community to provide input on the Joe’s Creek Restoration and Greenway Trail project.
Future public meetings and outreach sessions will be organized during the final design and construction phases to share project updates and design plans with the community.
Information is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Join the Fun: Reading with the Rays at the Lealman Exchange
Get ready for an exciting fusion of sports and education as the Tampa Bay Rays team up with the Lealman Exchange and Pinellas Public Library Cooperative to present "Reading with the Rays." This much-anticipated event promises to bring the community together for a day filled with literary adventures and baseball fun.
On Tuesday, July 25th at 10 a.m., a Tampa Bay Rays player and local author Davon Miller will read books and spend time with local children, encouraging kids to keep reading during summer vacation. Every child in attendance will receive free books that they can read along with the Rays player. Kids who fill up their ‘Game Card’ by reading books, graphic novels and newspaper articles will receive a two-ticket voucher to an upcoming Rays home game.
“This event is such a great way to get kids interested in reading and engaged in summer learning,” said Amy Cianci, Engagement Director at the Lealman Exchange. “Because the Lealman Exchange offers library services through Pinellas Public Library Cooperative, we were able to bring this fun opportunity to the Lealman community for the very first time.”
Reading with the Rays is a unique initiative that celebrates the importance of literacy in a way that appeals to both young readers and sports enthusiasts. Hosted at the Lealman Exchange, a hub for community engagement and empowerment, the event sets out to create a positive impact on the lives of children and families through the magic of storytelling.
The Tampa Bay Rays player attending the event will be a surprise, as well as which beloved Rays mascot will be there cheering kids on as they practice reading out loud. The featured author, Davon Miller, is a St. Petersburg native and a published children's author and illustrator best known for his children's book series titled Mr. Tickety-Toc Clock. He started writing and drawing stories at a very young age, becoming inspired by the characters he viewed on television. He published his first book at the age of eleven in April of 2014. Miller currently hosts a segment on the radio program Joy on Paper, where he discusses a new children’s book and author each month.
The Reading with the Rays event is free and open to the public, and Lealman-area families are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Whether you're a passionate bookworm, a devoted baseball fan, or simply looking to support a great cause, this event offers something for everyone. Ahead of the event, kids can find fun educational resources, like book recommendations, coloring sheets, word searches, and more on the Reading with the Rays website: https://www.mlb.com/rays/community/reading
Mark your calendars for this unforgettable event that combines the excitement of sports with the power of words. Let's swing for the fences and score a literary home run at Reading with the Rays!
One Day Dental Clinic
The SPFC Dental Center is hosting a ONE-DAY Dental Clinic for eligible patients to receive a FREE dental cleaning service!
Registration is REQUIRED. Call 727-485-8795 ext. 319 to confirm eligibility and register TODAY!
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
MUST be 18 years and older.
MUST be uninsured.
MUST meet income requirements.
Dominic Howarth
Please introduce yourself to your neighbors.
Hey there! I’m Dominic Howarth. Long-time reader, first-time interviewee.
How many years have you lived in Lealman?
I have lived in Lealman my entire life! My family moved to the area from New Jersey right before I was born, and now I own a house here just a hop, skip, and a jump (across 54th Avenue, so you gotta hop quick) away from my parents.
What organizations are you involved in?
I am a member of the Lealman CRA Advisory Committee as of this year and am wishing to get even more involved with hyper-local politics as I learn the ins and outs of city planning and so on.
What gets you out of bed every day?
Everything. I am intensely fortunate to have a fun job (managing a bookstore/wine bar downtown called Book + Bottle), a wonderfully supportive family, and a huge network of friends to keep me grounded and enlightened.
What is one thing you've seen change for the better in Lealman in the last few years?
Seeing the Habitat for Humanity homes be built right down the road from me filled my heart with so much hope for the future. We are beginning to see more and more affordable housing be prioritized in Lealman and that has me really excited.
What's next for you?
Learning more! Volunteering more! Meeting more fellow Lealmanites! I wish to really settle into my role on the CRA board and make connections with as many neighbors as I can.
**In the last edition of the Lealman Voice, Division Chief / Fire Marshal Jim Millican was misidentified as Jim McMillan. Our apologies for the error.
Career Corner
Receive SSDI or SSI? You have a "Ticket to Work."
If you are between the ages of 18 and 64 and currently receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cash benefits, you have a “Ticket to Work.” Social Security’s Ticket to Work Program can provide work incentives which will help you find meaningful work.
If you are interested in using your Ticket to Work and improving your economic status, please contact Yvette Weiss, Disability Program Navigator at (727) 608 2498
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