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Welcome to The Lealman Voice

Welcome to the Lealman Voice! We're excited to share the latest updates and community happenings in our vibrant neighborhood. Mark your calendars for two incredible upcoming events that showcase the heart of our community: the 3rd Annual Lealman Honey & Arts Festival on February 8th, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Lealman Community Park, and our next Lealman Farmers Market on February 23rd, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Lealman Exchange.

These events are more than just gatherings—they're celebrations of our community's spirit, creativity, and connection. We can't wait to see our neighbors come together, enjoy local talents, sample fresh produce, and create lasting memories!

#lealmanstrong 

Discovering Lealman: Friends of Strays

-Article and Photos by Becca McCoy

Founded in 1978, Friends of Strays is St. Petersburg’s oldest no-kill shelter.    

They moved into their original Lealman brick-and-mortar 36 years ago, and dog adoptions are still held there. In 2024, they expanded with a brand-new facility for cat adoptions and administrative offices, which, despite some hurricane damage, is open to the public and thriving.

Thousands of cats and dogs enter Friends of Strays’ shelters every year on their way to new, loving homes.  Additionally, thousands more are fostered or trapped/vaccinated/altered/returned.  Through partnerships with other organizations, such as St. Petersburg Free Clinic, Daystar Life Center, and Pets for Patriots, Inc., Friends of Strays ensures animal companionship is accessible to all – offering free pet food and supplies and waiving adoption fees for Veterans.    

“In addition to pet adoption,” Friends of Strays says on their website, “we seek to create a better world for pets and people by focusing on life-saving programs promoting pet retention, community empowerment, and humane pet ownership education.”  Thanks to generous donations and thousands of volunteer hours, this top-rated nonprofit succeeds and treats every animal they encounter with utmost love and care.

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Friends of Strays is located in Lealman with dog adoptions at 2911 47th Avenue North and cat adoptions at 3015 46th Avenue North.  They are open 7 days a week from 10am-6pm and closed on Federal holidays.  To reach the shelter or staff, call 727-522-6566 or email info@friendsofstrays.org.  Learn more at https://www.friendsofstrays.org/ and follow them on socials @friendsofstrays.  

MEET THE TENANTS: Community Tampa Bay

Lealman Exchange is home to a variety of tenant organizations who serve our community and beyond.  Today, we are chatting with Tammy Briant Spratling, Chief Operating Officer for Community Tampa Bay.

Tell us a little about yourself and your organization: I like to think of myself as a lifelong learner who prefers to serve as a facilitator than a "sage on the stage" and loves learning about new cultures and experiences, very much aligned with the values of Community Tampa Bay. Our mission is to cultivate inclusive leaders to change communities through dialogue and cross-cultural interaction to create a community free from all forms of discrimination.  

Tell us who you serve and how: Our programs train and cultivate individuals who make a difference in institutions and communities by influencing others through meaningful dialogue across differences. This is achieved through our youth programs like ANYTOWN® and Advocacy Academy and our adult-based programs like our Community Conversations and customized Cultural Competence Trainings, which are offered on an ongoing basis. 

What drives your mission? We envision a community free from discrimination, prejudices and biases in which every individual is treated with dignity and respect, with regard to their race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, ability, faith, and or age. Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that education, dialogue, and meaningful relationships can break down barriers, promote social justice and create a more equitable society.

Do you have an accomplishment you are particularly proud of you'd like to share? Community Tampa Bay was recently awarded the 2024 Friend of Newspapers in Education Award, presented annually by the Florida Press Educational Services in recognition of an individual or organization that has helped to further FPES' mission of promoting literacy and critical thinking by using the newspaper as an educational resource. CTB has partnered with the Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education over the years, collaborating on Community Conversations such as Pathways to Understanding and the 70th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. 

What programs or opportunities are available through your organization to our Lealman neighbors?  Our programs and services are available throughout the year! Enrollment for ANYTOWN® 2025 is now open, and mark your calendars for our annual fundraiser, Transformations, on May 14, 2025! We encourage our neighbors in the Lealman community to check out our programs by visiting our website and social media pages to stay updated on our upcoming events and services. Community members are also encouraged to contact our staff directly with inquiries about workplace training, facilitator requests, etc., at info@communitytapabay.org.

To learn more about Community Tampa Bay, visit https://www.communitytampabay.org/   and https://www.youtube.com/user/communitytampabay, and follow them on Facebook @CommunityTampaBay / Instagram @communitytb.

Volunteer group Hot Mess Express helps women get back on track

Via st. Pete Catalyst

The year 2024 was a tough one for 30-year-old Nevedha (who asked that her last name not be used).

“I am a cancer survivor, and last year I also went through a divorce,” she recalled. “It was really difficult for me, and everything just kind of compounded and became overwhelming.”

After her divorce, Nevedha and her 5-year-old daughter, Surina, moved from their three-bedroom home into a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate. As life changed, Nevedha said, she had a hard time adjusting, and tasks like cleaning and organizing her home took a backseat. Then, a friend told her about Hot Mess Express.

“My friend joined her local chapter and was talking about how it’s a lot of moms and other women helping each other out. I thought it was really empowering and I wanted to join as a volunteer, but I also am struggling myself.”

So Nevedha let a group of volunteers with Hot Mess Express into her home. Hot Mess Express is a nonprofit with a mission to “serve the women in our community with no judgment through cleaning, organizing and offering a fresh start.” The women-led organization was founded by Jen Hamilton, a nurse and married mom of two who recognized the overwhelming need mothers have for a support system. The organization started in North Carolina in 2021 and has since grown across the United States.

Heather Hembree, one of two Affiliate Coordinators in Tampa Bay, said the local chapter started in 2023 after one of Hamilton’s videos went viral on social media. Hembree, who has a background in nonprofit work, asked Affiliate Coordinator Cristy Hartsell Lott if she could help manage the Tampa Bay affiliate.

Progress was slow at first, but has recently exploded from just a few dozen volunteers to 1,500 and growing.

“I’m very passionate about community,” Hembree said. “Hundreds of years ago, we were in villages together, helping raise children and sharing food. Now, the way our society is set up, we’re just so segregated from each other and we’re not able to have that community, and more is expected of us as women. So I have had this passion of just bringing women together and showing them that they’re not alone; we are the community that they’re wanting and yearning for.”

When a woman is nominated for a Hot Mess Express “mission,” Hembree and her team will evaluate the woman’s situation and make sure the scope of the mission is in their wheelhouse. Hot Mess Express isn’t qualified to tackle hoarding situations or recovery cleanups after a storm or fire, but they do help give women a fresh start by cleaning, organizing and doing dishes and laundry. 

“We did a mission for a very close friend of mine, and being on the other end of it, I saw how life-changing it was,” Hembree said. “She’s able to have family over and now her son is able to have friends over. That’s the biggest impact, when the kids come in and they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve been looking for this toy forever! Look, I can see the floor!’ When we do a mission, we come in and snap our fingers and literally change their lives.”

Full Article

County approves $8 million for affordable housing development

Via St. Pete Catalyst

An affordable housing development in Largo will offer 36 units for households earning just 40% of the area median income, thanks to a financial boost from Pinellas County tax coffers.

County Commissioners approved dedicating $7.92 million to the project, Olea on 126, Tuesday afternoon. The $54.6 million development will provide 144 affordable units in total.

The county’s funding includes a land-use restriction agreement that ensures a 30-year affordability period. Santa Monica, California-based Lincoln Avenue Communities will develop the now-vacant site in a residential area known as Pinellas Groves.

Commissioners did not discuss the project at Tuesday’s meeting. Lincoln Avenue could not immediately be reached for comment.

However, the firm’s website touts its commitment to raising affordable housing standards and creating long-term value for investors, communities and residents. Lincoln Avenue’s nationwide portfolio includes over 170 properties with 30,500 units.

In the firm’s latest impact report, CEO Jeffrey Bronfman wrote that Lincoln Avenue partners with several local and national organizations that connect residents with essential services, such as health care, nutritional assistance and career development resources.

“We also deepened our engagement with political, community, and business leaders to advocate for policies that will expand our impact and support families and individuals across the country,” Bronfman wrote. “Through these partnerships, we reinforce our commitment to supporting and strengthening our communities.”

St. Pete Catalyst

Honey & Arts Know Before You Go!

Festival Highlights

Local Honey: Discover and purchase fresh, local honey while learning about its many benefits

Artisan Market: Explore unique creations from talented local artists and artisans

Food Trucks & Refreshments: Satisfy your taste buds with a diverse selection of food and drinks

Family Fun & Activities: Enjoy a variety of engaging activities designed to delight attendees of all ages, including bounce houses, an obstacle course, live painting, and live honey and art demonstrations. 

Live Music: Pink Streets & The #1 Kenny Chesney Band Trubite Band in the Us, Pirate Flag!

Event Details

• Date: February 8th, 2025
• Time: 12 pm - 6 pm
• Where: Lealman Community Park - 3800 55th Ave N., Lealman, FL, 33714
• Admission is free!

Parking: Free parking will be available at Lealman Exchange, Lealman Elementary School & the Moore Triangle Lot 

What to bring: Chairs & Blankets to sit on to enjoy the live music

What not to bring: Coolers, furry friends (Certified Service Animals excluded), and no alcohol in or out; the event is a smoke-free environment.

Lealman Love

Pet Owners Beware!

Pet owners in Tampa Bay, beware! A new scam is targeting those searching for their lost animals, exploiting their emotional vulnerability. Scammers are impersonating Humane Society of Tampa Bay (HSTB) staff, using information from lost-and-found pet websites and social media posts.

These fraudsters employ sophisticated tactics, including:

- Spoofing HSTB's phone number
- Mimicking parts of HSTB's recorded phone message
- Falsely claiming to have found the lost pet
- Insisting the animal needs emergency surgery
- Pressuring owners to send money immediately via PayPal or other payment methods

It's crucial to remember that HSTB will never call demanding payment over the phone for lost pets or emergency surgery. If you receive a suspicious call, do not send money—hang up immediately!

Similar scams have been reported in other parts of Florida, including Broward County, where at least seven people have reported such incidents. In one case, a pet owner lost $2,000 to these scammers.

To protect yourself:

1. Be skeptical of unsolicited calls about your lost pet
2. Never send money without verifying the caller's identity
3. Visit the Humane Society in person if you receive a suspicious call
4. Report any fraudulent activity to law enforcement

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay urges the community to stay vigilant and share this information to prevent others from falling victim to this heartless scam.

Great Tornado Drill

Pinellas County officials are urging residents to participate in the statewide Great Tornado Drill on February 5 at 10 a.m. The annual event aims to prepare the community for potential tornado emergencies.

Participants are encouraged to simulate a Tornado Warning, locate a safe shelter, and share their experience on social media using the hashtag #PCTornadoDrill.

The drill emphasizes the importance of quick action, as tornadoes can strike within minutes of a warning. It provides an opportunity for schools, businesses, and households to practice emergency procedures and refine their tornado plans.

County officials recommend several preparatory steps:

- Designate an emergency coordinator
- Review and update tornado plans
- Ensure all participants are registered for Alert Pinellas emergency notifications

On the day of the drill, a simulated Tornado Watch will be in effect after 8 a.m. At 10 a.m., participants should treat the situation as a Tornado Warning, responding to test emergency messages and taking cover in designated safe spaces.

Following the exercise, participants are advised to evaluate and revise their emergency plans as necessary.

The Great Tornado Drill is part of Florida's broader Severe Weather Awareness Week, highlighting the state's vulnerability to various weather hazards and the importance of preparedness.

Hello Lealman