Member News

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT REPORTS FEBRUARY TRAFFIC

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 20, 2023) – During February, 967,416 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers. This was a decrease of 16 percent compared to February 2022.

The traffic leader in February was Southwest with 185,205 passengers. Rounding out the top five airlines were Delta (183,832), United (136,875), American (132,882) and JetBlue (94,954).

Southwest Florida International Airport had 8,117 aircraft operations, a decrease of 19 percent compared to February 2022. Page Field saw 17,571 operations, which was a 33 percent increase compared to February 2022, and a new monthly record.

Southwest Florida International Airport served a record-breaking 10.3 million passengers in 2022 and is one of the top 50 U.S. airports for passenger traffic. No ad valorem (property) taxes are used for airport operation or construction. For more information, visit flylcpa.com or facebook.com/flyRSW.

Organization was founded by parents of children with disabilities in 1954

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 21, 2023) — Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens (LARC) is celebrating its 69th anniversary in Southwest Florida. Established in 1954, the non-profit’s mission is to empower and support individuals with disabilities (IDD) and  their families to reach their full potential.

“LARC was founded in 1954 by parents whose children with intellectual and developmental disabilities were not allowed to attend public schools,” said Angela Katz, LARC’s executive director. “Today, LARC is a training center for success. LARC serves more than 300 individuals annually, and participants range from 14 to 80. We continue to fight prejudice and misconceptions regarding intellectual and developmental disabilities and educate the public to recognize a person’s abilities rather than disabilities.”

LARC’s Adult Day Training program is designed to enhance abilities and help individuals live happier, more productive, and independent lives. Activities include self-care, daily living skills, and various pre-vocational and life skill opportunities. In addition, opportunities are provided to increase fine and gross motor activities, communication skills, academic skills, positive behavioral approaches, independent living skills, social skills, and recreation and leisure skills.  

Learn, Achieve, Become (LAB) is an on-campus experiential learning environment that transforms traditional program areas into spaces for innovation, vocation, demonstration, and learning. Five Labs focus on work and independent living skills and include Lab for Living, Wellness Lab, Smart Living Lab, Vocational Exploration Lab, and Collaboration Lab. LARC provided more than 100,000 hours of life skills training last year.

This year, LARC will break ground on its Commercial Culinary Training Kitchen.  The commercial kitchen will be utilized to train individuals with disabilities for work in the hospitality industry.  “In 2018 we identified significant gaps in the workforce in Southwest Florida, particularly in food service,” said Katz.  “It is one of the largest industries in our area and we want to help businesses fill the gaps while doing what we do best – assist individuals with disabilities to achieve their potential.  In this space, staff will deliver training specifically-designed for the food service and hospitality industry.  Also, we will customize the training to the individuals’ needs so they can thrive.”

LARC’s Campus Employment provides opportunities for individuals to explore career opportunities while earning wages. LARC partners with local businesses to provide packaging and assembly work, and LARC’s Woodshop constructs and sells custom wood products. Last year, 32,000 hours of paid wages were paid through campus employment opportunities. 

LARC’s Community and Employment Support Services provide ongoing assistance to individuals living in their homes, including medical, medication, money management, grocery shopping, obtaining benefits, exploration of community resources, and other needs. In addition, Supported Employment is a service for individuals who require support services to obtain and succeed in competitive employment. More than 200 individuals are employed through LARC programs.

LARC’s residential group homes provide room/board and 24-hour supervision in a person-centered, home-like environment. Individuals are provided with life skills training, including meal preparation, homemaking skills, personal hygiene, medication awareness, and budgeting. Healthcare management is provided, and individuals are educated regarding overall health and well-being. Residents participate in group and individual community inclusion and recreational activities.

This year LARC will break ground on a new home that will replace a home in North Fort Myers that Hurricane Ian destroyed.  LARC will work in partnership with Steven R. Bowen Construction, Designers + Builders Unite, established by Dwayne Bergmann, owner and principal designer of Dwayne Bergmann Interiors, and Stacey Callahan, publisher of Luxe Interiors + Design Florida, to create a customized space where residents feel safe, comfortable and at home.

LARC’s main campus is located at 2570 Hanson Street, Fort Myer. LARC also operates two Residential Group Homes. 

To learn more about LARC and its mission to empower and support individuals with disabilities and their families to reach their full potential, visit www.larcleecounty.org or contact Angela Katz at 239-334-6285 x210 or angelakatz@larcleecounty.org.

ABOUT LARC

Established in 1954, LARC is a training center for success for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. LARC serves more than 300 individuals annually, and participants range from 14 to 80.

LARC offers vocational training, youth programs, community residential and employment services, and a vast array of other state-of-the-art community inclusion services on a full-time, year-round basis. LARC’s main campus is located at 2570 Hanson Street, Fort Myers. LARC also operates two Residential Group Homes. 

April 21, 2023 at Shell Point Golf Club

(Fort Myers, Fla. – March 20, 2023) —  The Craig Scott Memorial Golf Tournament, “Tee It Up FORE Kids,” benefiting The Heights Center Early Learning program, will take place on Friday, April 21, 2023, at The Shell Point Golf Club, 17500 On Par Boulevard, Fort Myers.  The tournament honors Scott, a long-time board member and supporter of Heights Early Learning (formerly GLAD Kids).  The event’s proceeds benefit The Heights Center Early Learning, an organization that supports more than 80 children from birth through age four.  A part of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center family, The Heights Center Early Learning’s mission is to ensure low-income families have quality, affordable childcare.  Children read, learn and play in a safe environment while their parents provide for their families.   The Early Learning program has a five-star rating from The Early Learning Coalition.

The event is sponsored by FineMark National Bank & Trust and Susan Scott.

Registration is from 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m.  The shotgun start is at 8:30 a.m., with lunch and awards following the tournament.

“The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average,” said Pat Ostrom, tournament coordinator.  “The Heights Center Early Learning provides a stable, nurturing environment and means the parents can further their education and participate in the workforce.”

Tournament Registration is now available.  The registration deadline is Friday, April 14.

Registration is $150 per golfer or $550 for a foursome.  In addition, sponsorships that include golf packages and recognition are available.  For more information, visit www.heightsfoundation.org/forthekids or call Annie Campbell at (239) 482-7706 or email annie@heightsfoundation.org.

About The Heights Foundation, The Heights Center, and The Heights Early Learning

The Heights Foundation works to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood.   Our mission is to support education and wellness, promote family and community development, and provide the benefits of enrichment and the arts.    The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a place for Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment.   Heights Early Learning serves more than 80 babies through 4 years old.   The Heights Center serves 134 children in AfterSchool and Summer Camp.    The Harlem Heights Community Charter School serves 180 children from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community.   Approximately 780 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments.    Demographically, the population is approximately 70% Hispanic, 20% African-American, and 8% Caucasian.    The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average.  As a result, families cannot easily access family support services in downtown Fort Myers and benefit greatly from programs within the neighborhood.