Member News

FORT MYERS, FLA., September 12, 2018 – Local mental  health and substance use service provider SalusCare, Inc. has earned a three-year accreditation from CARF International, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, for the services it provides to the community.
This newest accreditation runs through June, 2021, and is an indication of the organization’s dedication and commitment to improving the quality of the lives of those served.
“I am so very proud of SalusCare, the leadership team and all employees who provide these crucial behavioral healthcare services to our community,” said Marshall T. Bower, SalusCare Board Chair.
In the 29-page report from CARF, the surveyors noted that “SalusCare has committed itself to being the forerunner of behavioral healthcare services in the community it serves.”
The written-report also states that “One strength of the organization is its staff.  Throughout the survey the staff demonstrated its commitment to the mission of the organization to provide exceptional and compassionate behavioral healthcare.  This extends beyond the patients and it was truly evident that the organization also demonstrates a commitment with its staff and stakeholders.  Staff members truly care about the well-being of all people they serve.”
“We have always known that our greatest strength is the staff who are providing these much-needed mental health and substance use services on a daily basis,” said Stacey Cook, SalusCare President & CEO.  “But when you see it acknowledged by your accrediting body, that really means the world.  I am elated to lead this group of caring professionals and proud of our work in the community every day.”
 
ABOUT SALUSCARE:  SalusCare, Inc. is a Fort Myers, Florida based not-for-profit mental health and substance abuse service provider incorporated in 2013 after the merger of Lee Mental Health Center and Southwest Florida Addiction Services (SWFAS).  SalusCare has seven locations throughout Southwest Florida and serves 16,000 people each year.  Our fees are affordable and may be adjusted to the means of our patients based on household income.  SalusCare accepts Medicaid, Medicare, Visa, MasterCard and some major health insurance providers.  SalusCare provides services for all regardless of disability or handicap. All substance abuse programs and most mental health services are accredited by CARF International, an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 10, 2018) – Where there is hope, there is a path to success. Fort Myers attorney Sawyer C. Smith will help deliver that message as the keynote speaker at the upcoming Hope Clubhouse Annual Mental Health Luncheon. The event will take place on Monday, Oct. 29 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater on 1380 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers.
 
With the theme of “Faces of Hope at Work,” the luncheon will shine a light on the newly launched Hope Works LLC, a work placement initiative that connects employers to Hope Clubhouse members who provide dedicated, reliable and immediate work. Smith, an accomplished businessman and attorney dedicated to improving Lee County’s quality of life, will share his personal journey and insight on mental health.
 
“I am certain that Sawyer will help bring awareness to the issues of mental health in Southwest Florida,” said James Wineinger, Hope Clubhouse’s executive director. “I feel extremely privileged to work with individuals like him who are helping take this initiative to its highest potential.”
 
Smith has earned the respect and praise of many in the legal community for his level of integrity and commitment to the protection of the Constitutional rights, and he drew raves for his stirring address at the 2017 luncheon. Fellow attorney Kelly L. Fayer of the Law Offices of Kelly L. Fayer, P.A., who’s serving as event chair, and state Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, the honorary chair, look forward to having Smith advance the conversation on mental health.
 
“I commend Sawyer for having the courage to share his story,” Fayer said. “We need more people like him to erase the stigma surrounding mental health challenges.”
 
Event proceeds benefit the programs and services at Hope Clubhouse. Tickets are $75 and available at hopeclubhouse.org. For more information, and to learn about sponsorship opportunities, call 239-900-4200.
 
About Hope Clubhouse
Hope Clubhouse is a community of support for adults living with a mental illness that provides opportunities for paid employment and access to education, housing and wellness. Hope Clubhouse is a 501(c)(3) organization located at 3602 Broadway, Fort Myers, Florida 33901. Call 239-267-1777 or visit hopeclubhouse.org to donate or for more information.
 
 
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 4, 2018) – The Collier Building Industry Association and Lee Building Industry Association will host the 8th annual home building industry event, Market Trends, on Tuesday, October 30 at Miromar Design Center in Estero, Florida. This event is the region’s largest program of its kind and brings together prominent building industry professionals and businesses to support the Building Industry Associations of Lee and Collier counties.
 
Randy Thibaut, President and CEO of Land Solutions, Inc., will be presenting facts and insight that directly impact the industry. His knowledge of the market and accurate, up-to-date research will provide attendees with the tools needed to make informative decisions that positively impact the Southwest Florida region.
 
Early registration is encouraged as seats are limited. Tickets are $35 for members and $55 for non-members and can be purchased by visiting www.MarketTrends2018.com.
 
About the Speaker
Randy Thibaut is the CEO and founder of Land Solutions, Inc., a full-service real estate company specializing in the feasibility, development, acquisition and disposition of land and improved properties throughout Southwest Florida. Thibaut has been actively involved in the creation, development, sales and marketing of residential and resort developments throughout the area since 1982. He has more than 30 years of experience in the Southwest Florida real estate industry with residential and commercial sales, development, project management and new home construction. Thibaut has personally brokered over one billion dollars in real estate transactions locally. He is a co-founder and board member for Builders Care, a nonprofit organization formed by the Lee Building Industry Association to provide construction services at no cost to needy and deserving elderly and disabled homeowners who cannot obtain home repairs through traditional means. He also serves on the board of the Lee Building Industry Association.
 
About the Collier Building Industry Association
Founded in 1985, The Collier Building Industry Association (CBIA) is a not for profit, professional association of dedicated professionals who are inspired to make a difference in our community through advocacy, education, networking and philanthropy on behalf of the construction industry. CBIA is one of 800 state and local associations and operates under the auspices of the Florida Home Builders Association and the National Association of Home Builders.
 
About the Lee Building Industry Association
Founded in 1954, the Lee Building Industry Association (Lee BIA), a not for profit organization representing Lee, Hendry and Glades counties, is a powerful voice for the building industry in the regulatory arena. The Lee BIA is chartered by the National Association of Home Builders and is an affiliate of the Florida Home Builders Association, giving members three memberships in one. It is comprised of approximately 380 companies involved in every aspect of building and creating a thriving community for a growing Southwest Florida. The mission of the Lee BIA is to promote, protect and preserve homeownership, private property rights and affordable housing by advocating for balanced laws, regulation and fees through member education and outreach.
 
Visit www.CBIA.net or www.BIA.net to learn more about their programs and memberships.
 
Media Contact:
Richard Yager, Senior Marketing Manager
Land Solutions, Inc.
239-489-4066 or [email protected]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 10, 2018) – The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce has announced all workshop titles and presenters for the 5th annual Business Building Symposium, presented by HBKS Wealth Advisors and HBK CPAs & Consultants. The event theme is “Unleashing the Spirit of Your Organization” and will take place September 19th from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa located at 17260 Harbour Pointe Dr, Fort Myers.
Attendees will select from nine workshops including Employee Retention with Lori Burke of Sunshine Ace Hardware: “Using Effective Tools, Tips, and Tactics to Retain Your Best!; Ryan D. Carter of Scotlynn USA Division, Inc.: “Hire Better. Hire Faster. Hire to Retain”; Dr. Darlene Andert, CMC, CFM of Accounting for Profitability, LLC: “Develop Employees into Leaders”
 
When it comes to Hot Topics in HR Management, guests will hear from Karen Anderson of Shell Point Retirement, Christy Carpenter of Gallagher Insurance, Dr. Angela Pruitt, Ph.D. of School District of Lee County , Logan Wallick of Suffolk Construction, and Gerald Schulz of Iron Mountain
 
Experts in Business Processes will include Teri Hansen, APR and Allie Lopez of Priority Marketing, as well as Mark Nieds of Henderson Franklin as they address “Social Media for Small Business & Frequently Asked Legal Questions”. While Mike Kelly of the Florida Everblades focuses on “Driving Sales Year Round in Southwest Florida”.
 
Work/Life Balance sessions will feature Kerri Goldsmith of HBKS Wealth Advisors and Amy Dalen of HBK CPAs & Consultants: “Want Balance? How to Make That Resolution Stick” and Christin Collins of Lee Health: “Living Your “Why”: How Knowing Your Purpose Paves The Way To Health & Happiness”
 
A Special Panel Discussion will address the timely issue of “Disaster Resilience, Readiness and Recovery” and will be moderated by Jim Farrell, Chief Meteorologist at WINK News. Panelists will include Jacob Ackerman of SkyLink Data Centers, Amanda Beights of Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, Jim Larkin of Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at the Bell Tower, and Suzanne Specht of the FSBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University
 
 
In addition to the workshops, all attendees will experience keynote speaker, Matt Keller, lead pastor for Next Level Church. Keller is an accomplished author, speaker and leadership coach who offers valuable insight for businesses, nonprofit organizations and churches. Keller’s talks have covered organizational leadership and growth, communications, marketing and personal leadership. Next Level Church, which now has locations in Fort Myers, Gateway and Bonita Springs, has been recognized as one of the nation’s fastest-growing churches.
 
Special opening kick-off speaker is corporate culture expert, keynote speaker, and author, Yvonne Conte. Conte has has attracted clients such as Xerox Corporation, Time Warner, AT&T, and over 700 other leading organizations. Her publishing credits include over 358 articles and essays and six books.
 
Tuition for this professional development day is $149 which includes lunch.  Registration and more information are at www.fortmyers.org.
 
About the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is a business organization of professionals who support and promote a progressive, sustainable community. Visit www.FortMyers.org for the latest information on events and resources to promote your business. As “The Education Chamber”, we donate 10% of all membership investments back into the community to support local education by way of educational grants and scholarships.
 
###
 
 
Stephanie Davis
Director of Events & Marketing
 
[email protected]
http://www.fortmyers.org
239-332-2930, ext. 213
 

WASHINGTON – Low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)s from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to Florida small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and private nonprofit organizations affected by toxic algal blooms beginning June 1, 2018.
 
SBA Administrator Linda McMahon made the loans available in response to a letter from
Gov. Rick Scott on Aug. 20, requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA.  The declaration covers Lee and Martin counties, and the adjacent counties of Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie in Florida.
 
“The SBA is strongly committed to providing the people of Florida with the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist small businesses with federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans,” said McMahon. “Getting businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”
 
SBA’s Customer Service Representatives will be available at the Business Recovery Centers to answer questions about the disaster loan program and help individuals complete their applications.
 
The Centers are located in the following communities and are open as indicated:
 

 
“The SBA can help affected small businesses and nonprofit organizations overcome their economic losses by offering working capital loans, but the help cannot start until they submit an SBA disaster loan application to us,” said SBA’s South Florida Interim District Director Lynn Douthett.
 
(-more-)
 
 
Eligible entities may qualify for loans up to $2 million.  The SBA offers economic injury loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.  The rates on these loans are 3.61 percent for small businesses and 2.5 percent for nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years.  Eligibility for these working capital loans are based on the size and type of business and its financial resources.  These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred.  The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.
 
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov.
 
Applications and program information are available by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at
1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing [email protected]. Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be returned to a center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
 
The filing deadline to return applications for economic injury is June 4, 2019.
 

Sponsorships and group table reservations still available
FORT MYERS, Fla.  (September 7, 2018) The Uncommon Friends Foundation has opened reservations for individual tickets at a cost of $150 per person for its 2018 Uncommon Evening Gala to be held on November 8, 2018. Sponsorships and group full table reservations are also still available. To make reservations, contact Executive Director Jennifer Nelson at (239) 826-0556 or email [email protected].
Celebrating its 25^th anniversary in 2018, the Uncommon Friends Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to lifelong character building among today’s youth and business leaders. It is located at the historic Burroughs Home & Gardens at 2505 First Street. Its waterfront Gale McBride Pavilion is available for public and private weddings and events. Public tours of the historic home are available by reservation. For more information, visit www.uncommonfriends.org or call 239-337-9503.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2018 – NAPLES, FLA – The Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) Collier Campus will become the first Blue Zones Project-recognized college in Florida, and only the second in the nation, during a ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20, on the rooftop garden, Building N, 7505 Grand Lely Drive, Naples. The ribbon cutting is free and open to the public.
The Blue Zones Project is a community-wide, well-being improvement initiative to help make healthy choices easier for everyone in southwest Florida. It was inspired by the global Blue Zones Project, which began when National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner researched locations throughout the world where people were living active lives into their hundreds with less rates of chronic diseases.
“FSW Collier Campus already has a history of using environmentally friendly practices, with our four newest buildings, campus-wide recycling efforts and our annual GreenFest Expo,” said Gail Murphy, director, FSW Collier Campus. “These initiatives are about making healthy choices for our planet. Participating in the Blue Zones Project is a natural extension of that with the added focus of good health for people.”
In order to become a Blue Zones Project-recognized college, at least 25 percent of students must pledge to enroll in the Blue Zones Project and do their best to incorporate the Blue Zones’ Power 9 principles into their lives.
The FSW Collier Campus is also taking an active role in the Blue Zones Project by providing healthier food options at student events and making fruits and vegetables more prominent in its cafeteria. It has also installed three refillable water bottle stations around the campus.
“We are thrilled that the FSW Collier Campus is the first Blue Zones Project-recognized college in Florida,” said Trang Burney, coordinator, FSW Collier Campus Student Engagement. “By signing the Blue Zones Project pledge, our students have told us they want to lead healthier lives, and we want to be sure we are providing them with the options to do so.”
For more information about FSW Collier’s Blue Zone ribbon cutting event, contact Burney at (239) 732-3706 or [email protected].
 
For more information about the southwest Florida Blue Zones Project, visit https://southwestflorida.bluezonesproject.com/.

(Ft. Myers, FL, September 4, 2018)  Each year as we remember the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centers, our nation calls upon us all to make September 11th a National Day of Service and Remembrance.  Giving blood fulfills that request by honoring those on 9/11 who were injured or lost their lives and in service to those who will need blood tomorrow to live.
In support of this effort, Old Navy is sponsoring a 9/11 Remembrance Blood Drive where donors can be First, First Responders by giving blood and making sure a ready blood supply is available in our community.
9/11 Remembrance
Blood Drive
Tuesday, September 11
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Page Field Commons
5007 South Cleveland Avenue
Fort Myers, FL 33907
For Appointments Visit oneblood.org/donate-now
& Enter Sponsor Code 10738
Or Call:
1.888.9.DONATE (1.888.936.6283)
 Appointments Honored
All Lifesaving Donors Will Receive
a Limited Edition 9/11 Patriot Day
T-shirt and a Wellness Check-up of Blood Pressure, Pulse, Temperature and Iron Count, Including a Cholesterol Screening!
 

Certified Nursing Assistants and Medical Assistants in demand locally/Tuition assistance available
FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 5, 2018) – Fort Myers Technical College, Cape Coral Technical College, Lee Health, Cypress Cove, Hope Healthcare and CareerSource Southwest Florida – all FutureMakers Coalition partners – are teaming up to hold an informational event for prospective students to learn about careers as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) and Medical Assistants (MA).
The event will be held on September 27 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Fort Myers Technical College located at 3800 Michigan Avenue in Fort Myers.
Anyone interested in getting a start with a career in healthcare is encouraged to attend. The goal is to find interested students and help them get their tuition and related fees paid for so that they are ready for a new career in just one year.
Careers in healthcare continue to be in high demand and Certified Nursing Assistants and Medical Assistants benefit from tremendous opportunities with leading organizations that offer competitive wages as well as benefits such as insurance, vacation and tuition assistance for continuing education.
Representatives and recruiters from Lee Health, Cypress Cove, Hope Healthcare, FMTC and CCTC will be on hand to discuss MA and CNA qualifications, tuition assistance and scholarship opportunities with prospective candidates.
The FutureMakers Coalition’s goal is to transform our workforce by increasing the number of Southwest Florida residents with degrees, certificates and other high-quality credentials by the year 2025.