May was National Drowning Prevention Month, as the lead-in to the summer swimming season is an ideal time to raise awareness to the sobering facts about drowning deaths in America.

According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, drowning is the single-leading cause of death in children ages 1-4, and the most common cause of drowning is not knowing how to swim. As drownings can happen in as fast as 30 seconds and often occur with at least one adult present, organizations and agencies use May to get the word out and hold programs designed to promote water safety for kids.

At the North Greenwood Recreation Complex in Clearwater, a collaboration between the city, Pinellas County Schools, the Juvenile Welfare Board and Clearwater for Youth saw more than 170 Belleair Elementary School students learn how to swim as part of a free program held over two weeks in May.

“This program recently took place for the first time at the Long Center, and it was amazing to see so many children learn how to swim,” Clearwater Recreation Division Manager Sandy Clayton said in an email promoting the new program, which was held at the North Greenwood Recreation Center Pool at 900 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. According to Clayton, the students traveled on a bus provided by CFY to attend the swim lessons during their regularly scheduled PE time before returning to school to resume their day, and she said the goal is to expand the program and “to add a new school to the list each year.” 

On May 18, a group of Belleair first graders were led by aquatics supervisor Thomas Heine to the pool, where they were given lessons by certified instructors and treated to free swim googles, caps and T-shirts, as well as some fun time in the spray pool following the half-hour classes.

According to Brooke Bennett, the three-time Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer and CFY board member who was overseeing the kids’ transportation, the importance of the program can’t be overstated.

“It’s hard to put into words the importance of this program and the emotions I feel seeing it come to fruition,” Bennett said as she helped Heine get the group situated. “It’s very moving to me.”

Bennett, who earned three gold medals, including two in the 800-meter freestyle event during the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, has enjoyed a busy post-competition career that’s included a stint in television as well as coaching kids. She said she believes drowning prevention and water safety should start at an early age.

“I think swim lessons for 3-year-olds should be covered by insurance, and every child under the age of 1 should have an introduction to water,” Bennett said. “They spend 40 weeks in water before being born and are very instinctual in water up to the age of 1. That’s why I love teaching babies, because there’s no fear at that age whereas the older they are, the more the fear is there.”

Before heading out into the blistering heat, Bennett praised the program and its ability to save lives.

“This program can be an example at the county, state and national level because we need to educate people that drowning is preventable,” she said. “Accidental drowning is the leading cause of death in 1- to 4-year-olds, so by doing water safety programs like this, we’re changing this statistic.”

For more information on Clearwater’s swim programs, visit myclearwater.com.

Read the article on TBNweekly.com: https://www.tbnweekly.com/clearwater_beacon/article_aea1b85e-e10a-11ec-8994-3b833edd64e3.html

Drownings in Florida reached a somber record in 2021 with 98 children across the state. In 2022, 21 children have already drowned in Florida and we haven’t even reached the peak summer months. Now, local and state leaders are on a mission to combat the growing numbers and make swim safety more accessible to kids.

At the North Greenwood Recreation Center in Clearwater Tuesday, 6-year-old Aliyah Bonilla Turcios slowly dipped herself into the pool. The kindergarten student, like many of her classmates, is a little timid around water. Yet, within just a few seconds, her smile widened as she clutched onto a kickboard and slammed the top of her feet and calves across the water’s smooth surface.

Turcios is one of 350 Clearwater students from Belleair Elementary School who traded their physical education classes for two weeks of swim safety.

“Swimming lessons are fun,” she said.

Clearwater Parks and Recreation leaders have spent at least five years helping students get acclimated to the water during the late spring months leading up to summer break, but they skipped the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of the kindergarten through fourth graders are getting their first experience in a pool.

Belleair Elementary School PE teacher Luis Ramos said he loves watching his students enjoy the experience.

“Just after one or two weeks of lessons, the confidence you see in so many of them makes it all worth it,” he said.

The lessons may not be long enough to truly teach the kids to swim, but lifeguards are able to focus on teaching the kids what to do if they fall into a pool, how to help a friend or sibling in trouble and how to use safety equipment like life vests.

Thomas Heine, the Aquatic Coordinator at North Greenwood Recreation Center, said those are critical lessons.

“If you think about Pinellas County, we are a peninsula on a peninsula surrounded by water, and drowning statistics here in Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay area are really frightening,” he said.

ABC Action News dug through DCF reports of the 98 drownings in Florida in 2021. Of those, 24 were in the Tampa Bay region. Many of the reports indicated a pattern: kids “wandering away from home,” ”Getting out of the home undetected” and sadly, many “left unattended,” according to paperwork filed with the state.

The Red Cross said adult supervision is the most important factor, but swim lessons can reduce the risk of a child drowning by 88%.

Shaun Beasley said that’s what makes their partnerships with the Juvenile Welfare Board, Clearwater for Youth, Stingray and ION Physical Therapy Network, to provide the swim lessons during the school day so important.

“This is something that literally gives me goosebumps when I watch it,” Beasley said. “We will potentially never know the impact we are having but if we can teach a kid who falls into the pool to get to the side without panicking then we are doing our jobs in these classes.”

Clearwater, like many cities, offers extremely affordable swim lessons. Just $10 total will provide kids with between six and eight classes. They also hope to expand the classes during the school day to every rec center.

State leaders are also stepping up to prevent drownings.

The “Every Child a Swimmer Law” takes effect for the 2022-2023 school year and requires public schools to ask parents if their kids have taken swim lessons. If the answer is no, schools must provide swim safety education materials.

The YMCA is also offering a long list of summer swim courses.

Watch the newscast and read the full article at https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-pinellas/98-children-drowned-in-fl-in-2021-tampa-bay-leaders-are-on-a-mission-to-save-childrens-lives

Living in Clearwater, a city surrounded by the Gulf and containing numerous lakes and thousands of swimming pools, knowing how to swim and the basics of water safety is essential.

As part of National Swim Month in May, 172 Belleair Elementary School students are trading their gym clothes for swimsuits and spending their physical education classes at the North Greenwood Recreation Center, 900 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

The students are learning how to swim, tread water and be safe in and around the pool as part of a city partnership with Pinellas County Schools, the Juvenile Welfare Board, Clearwater for Youth, Stingray and ION Physical Therapy Network.

“This program recently took place for the first time at the Long Center. It was amazing to see so many children learn how to swim,” said recreation division manager Sandy Clayton.

She noted this is especially critical in Florida where children are around the water so often. More children under the age of 4 drown in Florida than anywhere else in the nation. She said data shows formal swim lessons cut the risk of drowning by 88 percent.

During the two-week program, children hop on a bus during their regularly scheduled PE time and ride to the North Greenwood Recreation Center for their swim lessons, then return to school for their other courses.

Starting Monday, each Belleair Elementary student in grades first through third will participate in two weeks of swim lessons with a certified swim instructor and receive a pair of goggles, a swim cap and a T-shirt from Stingray and ION Physical Therapy Network.

The local agencies’ goal is to add a new school to their list each year.

The partners held a pilot program from April 25 to 29 for Skycrest Elementary School who spent their physical education period at the pool at the Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Road.

“Providing and including water safety classes as part of elementary education curriculum has always been a goal for the Clearwater Parks & Recreation Department,” said recreation manager Shaun Beasley. “The challenge for years has been finding a way to transport children from school to the recreation center pools.”

Clearwater for Youth, a local nonprofit organization that provides resources to ensure children can participate in athletic and recreation programs, stepped in and provided the needed funding for the transportation.

“Drowning is fast, silent and can happen to anyone,” said Long Center aquatic coordinator Jill Sparks. “We want to give these kids the tools they need to be safe in the pool this summer and for the rest of their lives.”

Read the full article at https://patch.com/florida/clearwater/clearwater-students-trade-gym-clothes-swimsuits-during-school-day

Since he arrived in Florida 40 years ago, Loc Nguyen has watched the Vietnamese community grow from a handful to a population of more than 10,000 in the Lealman area.

“The population of the Asian community I think is exploding now,” the 66-year-old said. “We like to support the Asian communities.”

Nguyen fled to Florida from his native country in 1982, after the Vietnam war broke out. He escaped in a small boat that he described as overfilled.

“The first thing, when I see the people on the boat, I was panicked,” said Nguyen. “Such a small boat with 60 people, we barely have enough food and water.”

Nguyen said on the first day, a big storm hit he was certain they would all die. Miraculously, they survived and were rescued on their third day at sea by an oil research ship from Japan.

Nguyen said the ordeal made him believe in God for the first time.

“No human can survive such a situation. Must have something else. At that time, I don’t believe in God at all,” he said. “Eventually, I think, yes, there’s a creature, a power of supernatural. He helped us.”​

Nguyen was sent to Florida because he had a cousin living in Pinellas County. His girlfriend was sent to live with relatives in Minnesota. Nguyen said he brought his girlfriend to Largo and they were married.

Florida’s weather reminds them both of Saigon, he said.

Nguyen said he was one of the first volunteers at the Lealman Asian Neighborhood Family Center. It offers services in multiple languages, for job applications, citizenship and after school programs for children.

“We try to serve not only the Asian people, the Asian children, but also the people around here,” he said. “The local people too.” 

Nguyen has since become a board member and taught a smart phone class before the pandemic began.

“At that time, I don’t have smart phone yet,” he said. “I learned it by using it. When I’m using it and (there’s) something I don’t understand, I have to Google it to do research.”​

Recently, Nguyen helped organize the installation of a monument that honors all the American and South Vietnamese service members who were killed in the war. He wants younger generations to remember their roots.

“They see the monument, they will recall why we’re here, why we’re in the states,” he said. “That’s the reason why we’re here.”​

The permanent monument sits on the corner of Little Saigon Plaza in Clearwater. Victor Pham, 36, owns the Tea Lounge in the plaza. Pham said the plaza owners bought it three years ago.

“They decided to open up Little Saigon Plaza just to have the community come here,” he said. “Now we are very happy to have a place that we can call the center of the Asian community.” 

Nguyen said it’s important to support the businesses in Little Saigon Plaza.

“We know when the Asian community opens a business they struggle at first,” he said. “We have to support them so they can survive.”

​Nguyen’s story is part of Spectrum Bay News 9’s continuing coverage of Asian American Pacific Islander Month, which runs through May 31.​

Read the full article at https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2022/04/21/vietnamese-lealman-asian-month

Tallahassee Community College announced honorees from the third annual Heroes in Public Safety celebration. Heroes in Public Safety was created to recognize TCC alumni who have trained at the Florida Public Safety Institute or the Ghazvini Center for Healthcare Education, or individuals who are members of public safety in our community. 

This celebration recognizes personnel in the following areas: law enforcement officers, firefighters, fish and wildlife officers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics, juvenile justice officers, corrections officers and communications personnel who put their lives on the line or provide direct support for the safety and protection of Florida’s residents and visitors in Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla Counties.

The Public Safety Hall of Fame distinction is reserved for individuals, making a difference within our community, and have demonstrated extraordinary service to their community, state, and/or nation through their continued leadership in the public safety field.

The following people have been inducted into the Public Safety Hall of Fame class of 2022:

• Chris Corbitt, Sergeant, Tallahassee Police Department 
• Arthur Kirby, Public Safety Communications Officer, Consolidated Dispatch Agency 
• Bill Martinez, Sergeant of the Patrol, Florida Highway Patrol 
• Nick Roberts, Detective, Tallahassee Police Department 
• Alice Sims, Assistant Secretary for Prevention Services, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice 

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to those who have dedicated years of service during a distinguished career, advancing the public safety profession through their leadership roles. Lifetime Achievement honorees are committed and have made extraordinary contributions through their work, which has had a positive impact on the community.

The following individuals have received the Lifetime Achievement Award:

• Michael Anderson, Executive Director, Florida Department of Corrections 
• David Brand, Law Enforcement Coordinator, Florida Sheriff’s Association 
• Annette Brown, Division Chief, Tallahassee Fire Department 
• Craig Carroll, Operations Captain, Leon County Sheriff’s Office 
• David Coffman, Retired Director of Forensic Services, Florida Department of Law Enforcement 
• Albert “Al” Gandy, Retired Chief Investigator, State Attorney’s Office Second Judicial Court 
• Jeanine Gauding, Retired Director, Consolidated Dispatch Agency 
• William Pascoe, Sergeant, Florida Highway Patrol 
• J.M. “Buddy” Phillips, “The Sheriff of Florida” *Awarded Posthumously 
• Dr. Jim Sewell, Retired Assistant Commissioner, Florida Department of Law Enforcement
• Kermit Washington, Fire Standards Coordinator, TCC Florida Public Safety Institute 

Read the full article at https://www.tallahassee.com/story/life/chronicle/2022/02/22/tcc-honors-2022-group-honorees-heroes-public-safety/6776438001/

Corey Thornton, a motivator by trade and a performer at heart, speaks to young people in the language they’ve always understood — catchy music.

A recording artist and motivational speaker, the St. Pete native, travels to schools and venues all over the state, sharing his brand of “edutainment” to convey important and inspirational messages through song. In original tracks such as “School Rock,” he raps over a thumping beat, encouraging children to stay in school and stay focused on their dreams, while in “Cash Me In Da Library,” he sings about the value of reading skills.

“You can’t just be a motivational speaker these days,” he said. “You’ve got to have a little something extra to draw them in. Do the songs, earn their respect, and I could talk to them.”

During his middle school days in the musical theater program, Thornton took up jazz, tap, and acting before attending the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High. Later, while working at an academy program for at-risk youths, Thornton saw too many kids who had made bad decisions and wanted to motivate them to stay on the right track.

“I saw firsthand them being locked up away from their parents for a while because of the choices that they made,” he said. “As a musical artist, I thought, let me write about what they’re going through and what it’s like in this facility being locked up, and try to reach the kids before they end up in that program.”

Almost two decades later, Thornton, 44, still performs “individualized” concerts, tailoring his approach to the needs of his young audiences by writing and performing songs that address specific issues.

“We base our concerts based on what each school is struggling with,” he explained. “They’ll say, ‘Ok, we’ve had some problems with bullying going on. Can you rap some songs that talk about bullying and what it’s like to show respect to each other?’ Then I would talk to the students, like a motivational speaking engagement, about what I just rapped about.”

The focus of these performances could be about criticizing bullying, boosting school attendance, or even passing the Florida Standard Assessment tests.

“I would relieve a lot of anxiety and stress on the students when I come in to pump them up and let them know, ‘Hey, I’ve been there, done that, but if you take these simple steps, you can pass the test!’”

Though the pandemic has made things more challenging for Thornton to perform, it has not deterred him. In 2020, he put out motivational speaking clips that the schools would play in the classrooms and even did some virtual concerts. In the past year, however, he has been able to give concerts outdoors on school grounds in person, which he believes is essential in conveying the full energy of the performance.

To help get his messages across, he has also partnered with the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas, which provides funding for many educational programs in the county. At the beginning of every school year, the organization sponsors Thornton to spread his musical messages to 10 to 15 schools around Pinellas.

“They know that music is the key to reach our next generations,” Thornton said, “so they partnered with me, a motivational speaking artist, and we got together and produced a song to encourage students to go to school, which is called “Every Day Counts.”

Also, in partnership with JWB, Thornton wrote a song encouraging students to log on and do their schoolwork whenever they must attend classes remotely. He has even teamed up with Heinemann Publishing for his biography “Rapping for Kids: Corey’s Story,” a book in the grade four Fountas & Pinnell Classroom™ (FPC) Guided Reading Collection.

“Right now, a lot of people are struggling with their reading skills across the United States, so they make books to inspire students to read,” he said. “And what a way to partner with me, to show them a positive guy that goes out to rap! They wrote a book on my life — going out to schools to perform for students — and they used my book to help teach fourth graders how to read.”

Heinemann printed one million copies in early 2020 and distributed them to schools across the country.

“When they did that, that’s when my emails started blowing up for virtual concerts and gigs in different schools!” Thornton said.

His biography has attracted far-reaching attention. He got the chance to shine in the national spotlight when he appeared on Good Morning America in the summer of 2020, talking about his goal to motivate children through his music. Thornton also spins as a DJ at various events, including weddings, parties, and corporate functions.

“Parks and venues and anything family entertainment,” he said, “because I keep all the music clean, and I keep everybody engaged.”

Not only has Thornton developed a following with his music on YouTube and Spotify, but more rewarding for him, he has made lifelong fans of school kids that he’s touched through his music and lyrics. Many reach out to him years after graduating, having found success in their lives and fulfilling careers.

“They’ll be like, ‘Thank you for motivating me when I was in school — now I really, really understand what you were talking about because I’m living it!’” he said. “That makes me feel good. I just keep pushing with the mission!”

Read the full article at https://theweeklychallenger.com/motivating-the-youth-through-music/

This week’s Everyday Hero is an educator dedicated to fighting a battle faced by far too many children.

Julie Christman is the Literacy Director at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Suncoast in Largo.

“I am honored to be the guardian of a fantastic literacy program that I got to design,” Christman said. “We were awarded a grant by the juvenile welfare board two years ago to start in three clubs.”

The success of that program, called “unlock reading,” has now moved to eight clubs.

Christman is a champion of literacy for kids and a tireless one as well.

Serving grades “K through 12,” she says the importance of reading cannot be stressed enough.

“Reading is everything,” she said. “Reading is the foundation upon which all other essential skills are built. And reading literary is the great equalizer.”

She says nationwide 50 percent of our children are not reading at grade level.

“That statistic is compounded by poverty so 80 percent of children who are under served are not reading proficiently.”

The program is designed to be fun while they learn.

“To see kids grow in one to four months that they’ve been with us,” she said. “They’ve grown on average a year in reading skills.”

Kids can chart their success which brings great joy. As does the coveted certificate of achievement.

For Christman, this is what it’s all about.

“To graduate third graders at reading level and to graduate high school on time,” she said. “And we are making that happen.”

Read the full article at https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2022/01/12/everyday-hero–keeping-reading-in-the-forefront

Like a professional athlete calling it a career at the top of their game, Pinellas County Schools (PCS) Superintendent Dr. Michael A. Grego announced he is stepping down from his role after 10 years of leading the district.

Grego announced Thursday that after serving 42 years in Florida public education, and the last 10 as Pinellas County’s superintendent, the 2021-22 school year would be his last. His retirement officially begins on July 1.

Grego told the Catalyst that in light of the district’s recent successes, and with a clear path to build on that momentum moving forward, he felt the time was right for the sun to set on a long and fulfilling career.

“I just think it’s a good time where things are clicking, and every aspect of our school district is moving in a positive direction,” said Grego. “What better time to hand off the baton to the next person.”

Academically, Grego said PCS is second to none. He meant that literally, as PCS announced Wednesday that its graduation rate set a new record. The county’s graduation rate is also the highest among Florida’s 10 largest districts and tops every district in the Tampa Bay region.

Grego found it difficult to name his proudest achievement. He had several options.

During Grego’s tenure, the graduation rate improved from 70% to 92%. The graduation rate amongst the county’s Black students rose from just 56% to 86.3%, and the Hispanic graduation rate improved from 63% to 92%.

When Grego took the helm, the graduation rate for non-English speaking students was just 40%. Today it is just under 84%.

Grego also noted that enrollment in Advanced Placement courses jumped 79% over the last 10 years.

“Which is an unbelievable statistic,” said Grego. “We have over 13,000 students engaged in some level of college-level courses.”

Grego said PCS has also eliminated over 20 D and F-rated schools, and there is no longer a school with an F grade in the district.

“We came in, and we collectively teamed to really try and hit every single factor in our school district,” he added.

Grego said modernizing the district’s facilities was another major focus during his tenure, and every school under his purview has undergone enhancements. PCS invested over $750 million updating its schools, he said – and for Clearwater and Largo High Schools and Pinellas Park Middle, modernization required building completely new facilities.

“We’re leaving things in great shape,” said Grego. “We’ve built so many systems and all of our divisions – our human resources and finances are in very good condition – it’s a very healthy district. We’ve hit every chord.”

While PCS has realized drastic improvements during hiss tenure, Grego also had to navigate the district through incredible challenges. He said that societal issues permeate public education, which was clear during the last two years of the pandemic. He said it was also evident with the Great Recession and the current affordable housing crisis.

Grego said societal challenges are ubiquitous in their impacts on public education, but education is also a stabilizing force that brings a sense of normalcy to the surrounding community.

“Our district’s done a great job to keep pushing forward, and nothing has fallen backward,” he said. “It’s the nature of educators – they are complete overachievers, and they do a remarkable job.”

Grego said he has no specific retirement plans yet and looks forward to his last six months with PCS. He said he wanted to give the district enough time to conduct a thorough and transparent search for his successor. Grego said he would work with the school board in any way possible to ensure the district never takes a step backward and noted the trust and strong relationship he built with the board over the years.

“I feel like I have a pretty good handle on what it takes to be an effective superintendent. But ultimately, it’s their decision.”

Grego said the one thing he has tried to impress upon students and faculty is to “dream big.” He said he tried to create a school system to foster those dreams and prepare every student for college, or more importantly, life. He said he is a firm believer that if you challenge students, they will rise to the task.

“If there’s a message, it’s centered around expectation and a belief in yourself that you can be and do anything you want to do. Just continue to work hard for it, and it will come your way.”

Read the full article at https://stpetecatalyst.com/pinellas-schools-superintendent-mike-grego-announces-retirement/

A Pinellas Park family got a big gift this Christmas, one they could share with their neighbors.

The Juvenile Welfare Board Mid-County Community Council and City of Pinellas Park teamed up to put on a parade in the Arias family’s honor. Every year the Council selects a family to adopt during the holidays. This year it was the Arias family, who stood by their son’s side as he fought cancer. 

Shortly after his first birthday, Rey Arias started getting sick. By the time he was 18 months old, they learned he had lymphoma. His mother, Kenia, had to quit her job to care for him and their family of six. 

“He’s doing well. Last year it was a different story, but this year he gets to stay home with us,” said Kenia. While Rey’s cancer is now in remission, the family lives with the uncertainty that it could come back as they struggle with piling debt.

But, this Christmas, they got some help. The Council helped Santa get them gifts and a tree to put them under. They topped it all off with a parade featuring the City of Pinellas Park Fire and Police Departments, City officials, and Santa Claus. Rey even got to take a ride around the block on the fire engine and wear his own hard hat. 

The celebration went through The Lodges at Pinellas Park. It’s an affordable apartment complex offering homes for lower-income families, free literacy tutoring, job training classes, and more. 

In addition to holiday gifts for the Arias family, JWB also gave away free books to all Lodges’ children who attended the parade.

To view the news story, visit https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellas-park-parade-little-boy-in-remission/67-6141e31a-782a-40fd-ad31-981c3cbfa312

Fresh off a fiscal year during which St. Pete Free Clinic (SPFC) distributed a record 20.4 million pounds of food throughout Pinellas County to address rising food insecurity, the organization is poised to push through the holiday season and into a new year responding to ongoing increased demand for basic needs.

Over the last year, the cost of housing, groceries, healthcare, transportation and daycare have increased by double-digit percentage points, making the basics unaffordable for Pinellas County’s “asset limited-income constrained-employed,” or ALICE population (a coin termed by the United Way), a population that was already living paycheck to paycheck pre-Covid. Inflation coupled with wage stagnation, which widely persists even amid labor shortages, means that many individuals and families are facing impossible choices like paying their increased rent or putting food on the table.

To meet sharply increased and persistent community needs, SPFC has significantly stepped up its efforts to provide nutritious food for triple as many Pinellas County residents as it was pre-Covid, as well as has increased by more than a third its number of new patients being seen in the organization’s Health Center, which provides primary care, dental care and no-cost prescription medication for uninsured adults.

Just two years ago, SPFC, which also operates one of the county’s largest food banks, distributed 11.3 million pounds of food throughout St. Petersburg and surrounding areas. Now, distributing double as much food, thanks to increased funding from the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB), SPFC leaders do not see a slowdown coming any time soon.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2021, hourly wages in the US increased by 3.6%. However, current rates of inflation gave the average worker a 2% pay cut. The reality is that nearly 50% of our neighbors in Pinellas County – our teachers, baristas, hospital support professionals, security guards, restaurant servers – work hard every day, sometimes holding more than one job, and still have to make tough choices each month, like whether to pay the utility bill or put gas in the car to get to work.

SPFC wants to be sure our neighbors don’t need to make those kinds of choices. We provide nutritious food, no-cost prescription drug support, healthcare and housing for those recovering from substance use, to help people fill gaps, stay healthy, and ease the stress of untenable circumstances.  

JWB CEO Beth Houghton shared, “Families were struggling before Covid, but the pandemic has created a tsunami of unprecedented need. Ensuring children have adequate and nourishing food is one of our top priorities. Without it, they cannot learn, grow, or thrive, and their physical and mental health suffers. The JWB Board understands this, and has supported increased investments to ensure no Pinellas child goes hungry.”

JWB provides funding for Pinellas nonprofits, including SPFC, who serve tens of thousands of children and their families annually. Over the past two years, JWB’s investments and collective efforts, through the Pinellas Childhood Hunger Initiative, have provided five million nourishing meals to children.

In addition to expansions in its distribution of nutritious food, prescription support and healthcare, because of an unexpected and sizable donation, SPFC is gearing up to deliver major relief to women in need of feminine hygiene products and families who need diapers. Considered “luxury items,” feminine hygiene products have become so unaffordable that women and girls often skip school or work because they do not have these products on hand and cannot afford to acquire them.

Further, the increased cost of diapers means that one in three families cannot access this basic need for their infants and toddlers. No diapers means no capability to drop children off at daycare, which means a parent skips work and skips getting paid.

It’s an impossible cycle. The cost of basics like feminine hygiene and diapers contribute to women not being able to join or re-join the workforce, yet if they’re not able to secure and maintain employment that pays them a living wage, they continue not to be able to afford these critical supports, let alone put groceries on the table or pay their rent.

With the support of generous donors, funders like the Juvenile Welfare Board, and other community partners, SPFC is prepared to steadily serve Pinellas County’s neighbors in need during the holiday season and beyond.

For more information about SPFC or to donate to our Give Hope campaign, please visit www.thespfc.org 

Read the full article at https://stpetecatalyst.com/community-voices-st-pete-free-clinic-provides-for-basic-needs/