Member News

August 17, 2020, Bradenton, Fla. — Centerstone has launched new programs to benefit those in Lee County with severe mental illness with funding through two recent awards from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Central Florida Behavioral Health Network (CFBHN). SAMHSA’s four-year $1 million grant is for the Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program. Centerstone also received a one year, $216K contract with CFBHN to provide services for Lee County’s Mental Health Court (MHC).
“We are honored to have been selected to provide these treatment programs to the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Melissa Larkin-Skinner, Regional CEO Centerstone. “These services offer better opportunities for participants and their loved ones.”
AOT is a recognized evidence based practice that facilitates the delivery of outpatient mental health treatment for individuals with severe mental illness. AOT allows the court system to order individuals to participate in outpatient treatment and prevent unnecessary long-term hospitalization. The criteria to place someone in assisted outpatient treatment is easier to meet than the standard required for inpatient commitment.
MHC is a collaborative court that provides specific services and treatment to defendants with mental illness. An alternative to the traditional court system, MHC emphasizes a problem-solving model and connects defendants to a variety of rehabilitative services and support networks. With community mental health resources dwindling, the courts were seeing more people with untreated serious mental illness. Florida’s jails and prisons are not designed, equipped, or funded to deal with serious mental illness, which is why the mental health court model was created. MHC models decriminalize mental illness and improve the opportunities for defendants to lead the lives they desire.
Centerstone began providing AOT and MHC services on August 1, 2020. In addition, Centerstone also started collaborating with the Lee County Veterans Treatment Court program to provide case management support to veterans who are repeat offenders in need of mental health treatment services.
Centerstone currently provides services in Lee, Glades and Hendry Counties through its Florida Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) and Community Action Treatment (CAT) teams. FACT, a 24/7 multidisciplinary team approach to care, provides community-based treatment to individuals who have been diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness. CAT works with families with youths and young adults who are at-risk of out-of-home placement due to a mental health or co-occurring disorder for whom traditional services have not been adequate.
About Centerstone.
Centerstone is a not-for-profit health system providing mental health and substance use disorder treatments. Services are available nationally through the operation of outpatient clinics, residential programs, the use of telehealth and an inpatient hospital. Centerstone also features specialized programs for the military community, therapeutic foster care, children’s services and employee assistance programs. Centerstone’s Research Institute provides guidance through research and technology, levering the best practices for use in all our communities. Centerstone’s Foundation secures philanthropic resources to support the work and mission of delivering care that changes people’s lives.

FORT MYERS, FLA., August 11, 2020 — Quigley Eye Specialists, which is a Southwest Florida leader in the diagnosis and treatment of vision disorders, has acquired an established optometry practice in downtown Fort Myers.
The optometry office of Dr. Bruce Senior joins nine other practices under Quigley Eye Specialists ownership in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties.
“Dr. Senior is an excellent doctor with a stellar reputation in Fort Myers for more than 45 years.  Quigley Eye Specialists is growing rapidly to keep up with patient demand so it is important that we continue to add exceptional physicians to our medical team,” said Dr. Thomas Quigley, founder of Quigley Eye Specialists.
By adding another location in Lee County, Dr. Quigley said Quigley Eye Specialists is able to give patients better access to care so that patients can be seen the same day, if needed.
“As rapidly as this area is growing, we must have enough excellent doctors to meet the demand,” he said.
Other Quigley Eye Specialists offices in Lee County are located at 15640 New Hampshire Court in Fort Myers, 6091 South Pointe Blvd. in Fort Myers, 112 Del Prado North in Cape Coral, and 5220 Lee Blvd. in Lehigh Acres.  The facial plastic surgery office of Dr. Stephen Prendiville at 9407 Cypress Lake Drive also is part of Quigley Eye Specialists.
Dr. Senior will continue to provide care from the office at 2277 First St. in downtown Fort Myers..  The phone number of 239-337-2020 also remains the same.  No operational changes are planned as a result of the acquisition.
Dr. Senior has more than 49 years of experience in optometry.  He grew up in Sarasota and attended the University of Florida in Gainesville with the intent of becoming an aerospace engineer.  He was fascinated by the way physics and physiology provided answers to the way the human body functions.  An optometrist friend suggested that he apply for optometry school as the practice of optometry is a marriage of physics and physiology.  He received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston where he was offered a research grant for doing tear osmolarity studies which helped pay for tuition.
Dr. Senior has enjoyed more than 50 years of marriage to Marilee, who is a licensed optician and works in Dr. Senior’s office.  The couple has two grown children and four grandchildren.
Quigley Eye Specialists, founded in 1988, consists of more than 70 medical professionals, including surgeons, optometrists, retina specialists and technicians.  Offices are conveniently located throughout Southwest Florida in Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs and Naples. For more information, visit www.QuigleyEye.com.
 
About Quigley Eye Specialists
Technology leaders in eye care, Quigley Eye Specialists is one of the nation’s leading multispecialty ophthalmology practices specializing in cataracts, laser cataract surgery, glaucoma, LASIK, dry eye, eyelid surgery, retinal issues, corneal conditions and routine eye care. As the number one choice for cataract treatment in Southwest Florida, Quigley Eye Specialists is committed to providing the highest level of quality eye care and service to the community. The practice has served the region for more than 30 years and offers patients convenient locations throughout Southwest Florida including Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Naples, Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda. For more information, call 239-466-2020 or visit QuigleyEye.com.

Submissions honoring exemplary teachers to be accepted through Aug. 21

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 3, 2020) – Healthy Lee invites the Southwest Florida community to share their appreciation for Lee County teachers through its 2020 Teacher Appreciation Contest.

Through Aug. 21, Lee County students are encouraged to share stories of how their teacher has made a difference in their life or the lives of others. To participate, children can create a video, song, artwork or poem honoring a teacher, which can be uploaded by parents or guardians to HealthyLee.com/TAC2020.

Teachers will be welcomed back to school with these positive messages, along with prizes and discounts to promote teacher self-care and appreciation in the community. Additionally, one lucky educator will be selected to win a wonderful gift and other great prizes for their classroom.

“Teachers help bring education to life, playing a critically important role in a student’s ability to learn, grow and one day become contributing members of our society,” said Gary Griffin, chairman of Healthy Lee. “After ending a particularly unusual school year, we wanted to help teachers and students kick off the new school year on the right foot. The Teacher Appreciation Contest allows our students to show just how much they appreciate their teachers and all they do to make a difference.”

The Teacher Appreciation Contest is part of Healthy Lee’s Behavioral Health Coalition’s “Welcome Week,” running Aug. 24-28. A week dedicated exclusively to teachers, Welcome Week will feature special offerings, prizes and more to kick off the new school year and commend local teachers for their impact on education in Lee County.

Not a student? Individuals and businesses can also contribute to Welcome Week through monetary donations to support classroom upgrades and gifts for contest winners, as well as by providing discounted services for teachers.

To learn more about the Teacher Appreciation Contest and how to honor local teachers, visit HealthyLee.com/TAC2020.

About Healthy Lee

Comprised of more than 300 Lee County businesses and organizations, the Healthy Lee initiative reflects Lee County’s comprehensive sustainability strategy through promoting the integration of healthy lifestyle choices into the daily routines of the community of Lee County. The movement promotes collaborative partnerships and seeks to provide the resources, tools and knowledge to empower the community to make exercise, nutrition and well-being a priority. For more information, visit www.HealthyLee.com.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 3, 2020) – Fort Myers Brewing Company is introducing Adyn Strong, a new light and refreshing German Pilsner brewed for a special cause.
“Fort Myers Brewing fans likely remember our friend Adyn Pickett, the Cape Coral boy who is fighting leukemia,” said Jen Whyte, co-owner of Fort Myers Brewing Company. “Last year, we hosted a silent auction and fundraiser in our taproom that raised more than $15,500 for the Pickett family. Now, we are releasing a limited edition Adyn Strong 6-pack that will help this family with mounting medical bills.”
Adyn Pickett was first diagnosed with leukemia at age 4, then again at 6 years old and again at age 7. His intense treatments included multiple rounds of chemotherapy, transfusions, radiation and a bone marrow transplant made possible after his younger sister was a donor match. However, the family learned this summer that the leukemia had returned. This week, he and his mom head to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital for a three-and-a-half-month stay for treatment while his father and sister remain home for work and school.
“No child should have cancer, and no family should be worried about medical bills when their child is fighting for their life,” Whyte adds. “The Pickett family had already been through so many highs and lows, and we ask the community to join us in helping ease the burden.”
Adyn Strong will be sold exclusively at Fort Myers Brewing Company’s taproom in Gateway and available for to-go pickup starting Aug. 4 at 2 p.m. The limited-edition craft beer sells for $12 with $10 from every 6-pack sold going directly to benefit the Pickett family as 8-year-old Adyn prepares for his fourth battle with cancer.
The limited-edition label for the Adyn Strong brew, which was inspired by Adyn’s love for LEGOs, was created by Jeromy Boutwell of Boutwell Designs with printing services donated by Blue Label Packaging Company.
About Fort Myers Brewing Company
Established in 2013, Fort Myers Brewing Company was the first microbrewery to open in Lee County and continues to lead Southwest Florida’s surging craft beer movement. Founded by Rob and Jen Whyte, Fort Myers Brewing carries a signature line of flagship beers in addition to seasonal brews and small batch specialties. Its ales, pilsners, stouts and IPAs are winners of multiple prestigious awards, including golds at the Best Florida Beer Competition, a silver at the 2018 World Beer Cup and a bronze at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival. Fort Myers Brewing was named “Best Large Brewery in Florida” in 2016. Its beers are poured at 1,041 locations, including 620 bars and restaurants, and are available for purchase in 421 retail outlets, including grocery, package and convenience stores. The brewery is located at 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, in Fort Myers. For more information, visit FMbrew.com or call 239-313-6576.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 5, 2020) – Dress for Success SW Florida (DFSSWFL) will be hosting “A REcycled Night in Black and White” to raise funds to empower disadvantaged women in Lee, Collier and Hendry counties.

A virtual event, A REcycled Night is scheduled to stream live on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. so that supporters can watch it from the safety and convenience of their home. With the community’s support, women who are survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, residing in shelters and unemployed will receive professional attire for a job interview, counseling and career development tools to help them achieve economic independence. 

This one-of-a-kind event will feature local designers that will showcase runway-ready ensembles crafted from bags of recycled clothing and accessories donated by DFSSWFL, a live and silent auction, Trash to Treasure, mystery swag bags and more. Sponsors will receive a watch party kit, a specialty dessert, a mystery swag bag and other surprises.

“I am excited that local celebrity auctioneer Rick Gallo will present our amazing offering of experiences for viewers to bid on and I would like to thank our Event Honorary Chair Christina Schwinn, a partner of Pavese Law Firm, for her ongoing support,” said Nickole Hendra, executive director of DFSSWFL.

Since opening in 2010, DFSSWFL has impacted and empowered over 3,500 women in Lee, Collier and Hendry counties. Its goal is to serve more women, provide more services and programs, and ultimately mentor them right into a job.

To register for the virtual event, visit BlackAndWhite2020.EventBrite.com. For more information, call Hendra at 239-689-4992 or email [email protected].

Mental Health Mondays series provides timely resource for getting kids prepared to go back to school in the “new normal”
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 7, 2020) – Kids’ Minds Matter is hosting several sessions on Facebook Live during August and into September to help prepare families as children transition back to school in an ever-changing landscape. The sessions are part of Mental Health Mondays, a virtual series providing information, discussion and resources about mental health topics to the Southwest Florida region and beyond.
Upcoming sessions include:

• Aug. 10, 2:30 p.m., Sherry Wenzel, coordinator of Mental Health Services for The School District of Lee County, and Caroline Brennan, supervisor of Mental Health Supports and Social Emotional Learning for Collier County Public Schools; “Back to School: Navigating Social-Emotional Learning”
• Aug. 17, 5 p.m., Deborah Comella, executive director of Lee County Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida and Jonathan Engh, senior vice president, team leader of Commercial Banking at Busey Bank and chair of the board for Lee County Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida; “Prevention in Today’s World: Just Say No to the Old Paradigm”
• Aug. 24, 9:30 a.m., Julie Noble, child advocate for Golisano Children’s Hospital; “Tips for Helping Kids Stay Safe at Home During Virtual Learning”
• Aug. 31, 4 p.m., Kari Davis, holistic life coach, essential oil educator and founder of The Well Team; “Using Aromatherapy for Upleveling Kids’ Mental Health”
• Sept. 7, 12:30 p.m. Peggy Jugmahansingh, Joseph R. Craig, Jeannine Sparkes, mental health navigators, and Richard Keelan, child advocacy supervisor for Golisano Children’s Hospital; “How Mental Health Navigators are Making a Difference in SWFL Schools”

“Everything for children and families has been turned upside down in recent months,” said Dr. Paul Simeone, vice president and medical director of behavioral health at Lee Health. “Children and the community have been impacted by changes to continue education during the pandemic, and Kids’ Minds Matter is dedicated to providing resources to help parents and children navigate these changes successfully.”
The Mental Health Mondays series is streamed live every Monday from the Kids’ Minds Matter Facebook channel (Facebook.com/KidsMindsMatter). Each week, experts speak on a different aspect of mental health and answer questions from viewers. Community advocates, partners and viewers are encouraged to create “watch parties” to join the experience and share the live stream with friends and family. Those who are unable to view live can later watch a video of the presentation on Kids’ Minds Matter’s Facebook. To learn more, visit KidsMindsMatter.com/MentalHealthMondays.
About Kids’ Minds Matter
Founded in 2016, Kids’ Minds Matter is a unified movement in Southwest Florida dedicated to advancing pediatric mental and behavioral health services. By developing clinical pathways to screen and treat patients, enhancing public awareness through education, and lobbying for systemic change and sustainable funding, Kids’ Minds Matter aims to align mental health providers, local agencies, the judicial system, law enforcement, schools and faith-based organizations. Kids’ Minds Matter is managed through the Lee Health Foundation. Philanthropic support for Kids’ Minds Matter has allowed Lee Health and Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida to: implement a tiered model of care that clinically aligns community, inpatient and outpatient care; hire additional psychiatrists, child advocates and other mental health professionals; offer Mental Health First Aid training to local pediatricians, emergency service providers and others who work directly with children; renovate an outpatient center in Fort Myers where a child’s needs can be addressed in a therapeutic setting; and launch a first-of-its-kind Pediatric Digital Cognitive Behavioral Health diagnostic and treatment protocols interlaced with Tele-Psychology support to treat anxiety, depression and trauma. Most recently, Kids’ Minds Matter introduced mental health care navigators into Lee and Collier County schools who will help families find resources and care to address their child’s mental healthcare needs. Please visit KidsMindsMatter.com or call 239-214-0921 for more information.
 

NAPLES, Fla. (Aug. 3, 2020) – Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, Inc. is pleased to announce it has received a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Collier County. These funds will support vital Junior Achievement educational programs that provide students lessons on career/work readiness, financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills.

These funds invest in the infrastructure of the organization, to build sustainable growth throughout these challenging times. Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida is committed to continuing to impact thousands of students with financial literacy programs, economic education, work readiness preparation and entrepreneurial education, inspiring students to realize a brighter tomorrow.

“Whether in-person or through virtual learning, we will continue to provide these essential programs. Understanding money, finances, budgeting, preparing for a future career and exploring an entrepreneurial spirit are skills that employers seek, and Junior Achievement can help provide that for our students,” said Angela Fisher, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida.

The Community Foundation of Collier County awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process. Selected organizations receive grant dollars from the Changing Needs Fund. This Fund is made up of donors who believe in the Community Foundation’s ability to identify and grant to the community’s most current needs.

About Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. Junior Achievement programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches more than 4.8 million students per year in more than 107 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.2 million students served by operations over 100 other countries worldwide. Locally, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida partnered with classroom business volunteers during the 2019-2020 school year to provide nearly 70,000 hours of instruction to nearly 10,500 students in 453 classes throughout Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. For more information on Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, visit www.JASWFL.org, call 239-225-2590 or email [email protected].

About the Community Foundation of Collier County

The Community Foundation of Collier County is a tax-exempt, public, charitable organization, established in 1985 to increase and focus private philanthropy in the area. Today, the Community Foundation of Collier County manages more than 750 funds, serves hundreds of nonprofits, holds $214 million in assets and has distributed more than $183 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and community programs since its inception in 1985. The Community Foundation of Collier County is one of Florida’s fastest growing community foundations. For good. Forever. Learn more at cfcollier.org or call 239-649- 5000.

FORT MYERS, FLA., July 20, 2020 – A new program to help children in need will launch this fall due to a $100,000 commitment from The John E. and Aliese Price Foundation to the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Counties.
“This project is the first one in the foundation’s new philosophy of being proactive to identify social and education needs in the community and develop partnerships with other charitable organizations in order to make a greater impact.  We chose the United Way because of our long-standing relationship with them, and their integrity and outstanding reputation for successful services to the community,” said Price Foundation President and CEO Kenneth P. Walker.
The United Way Gifts in Kind program will provide clothing, shoes, hygiene items and school supplies to children who may be struggling with homelessness or other challenges as identified by School District of Lee County social workers and school resource officers.
“This is a partnership among the United Way, the Lee County School District and The Price Foundation to provide support for our county’s neediest children so that they can have nice shoes, clothing and school supplies. These things are important for them to develop a positive self-image,” Walker said.
The United Way sources clothing, school supplies and hygiene items directly from manufacturers across the country.  Items are also donated from the local community, according to Hannah Pelle, United Way’s Vice President of Community Impact, and the originator of the program.
For example, she recently acquired $49,000 worth of clothing for just a small shipping cost. It is anticipated that the $100,000 from the Price Foundation could generate as much as $3.2 million in goods to provide for the children because of the United Way’s special relationships with vendors and donors. “We’re talking about brand new items from top name brands like Nike, Calvin Klein, and Guess with the price tags still attached,” she said.  “The manufacturers work with non-profits to donate these overstock and surplus items.
Walker said the Price Foundation will be allocating $25,000 per year for the next four years to the project with plans to continue after that, if the program is as successful as they believe it will be.
“This is part of our emphasis on helping children,” “They need to be able to focus on learning and developing self-confidence instead of worrying about not having enough school supplies or clothing.  We want children to feel good about themselves,” Walker said.
“We believe this may be the first school district in the state with a resource like this,” Pelle said.  “We are hoping this will become a model for other school districts to implement.”
Only social workers will have access to the Community Impact Center at the District office, and they will be able to check items out on a weekly basis.

“If they see that Johnny’s shoes are being held together with duct tape, then they can obtain new shoes for Johnny,” Pelle said.
With nearly 100,000 children in the Lee school system, Pelle estimated that a large portion of those children may need the services of the Community Impact Center, especially as so many families have been financially impacted by COVID-19.
“We are extremely grateful to The John E. & Aliese Price Foundation and the United Way for creating this unique program that will help our children succeed,” said Adam Molloy, Coordinator, Community Engagement of the Lee County School District.
The center expects to open when school begins this fall.
 
About The John E. & Aliese Price Foundation
The John E. & Aliese Price Foundation was founded by the late John E. and Aliese Price in 1961 to make contributions or gifts to public not-for-profit organizations operated exclusively for religious, charitable or educational purposes.  The Price Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees who are responsible for using the foundation’s resources to support organizations, programs and projects that bring hope to people and improvement to our community.
 
About the United Way
The United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee has raised and distributed over $188 million since it was established in 1957.  All dollars raised in the United Way Campaign stays in the local community to help support the local human service network. United Way partner agencies and initiatives like Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, Children’s Advocacy Center, Harry Chapin Food Bank, ACT, LARC, and United Way 211 serve a diverse range of needs in our community such as nurturing children and youth, strengthening families, and meeting critical needs such as helping the elderly and disabled live independently, and empowering communities by bringing health and human services to neighborhoods.
In addition to raising funds for human service organizations in our community, the United Way promotes partnerships and collaborations among agencies and initiatives, helping them to work together focusing on issues and solutions that continue to improve lives.
For more information please call United Way at (239) 433-2000 or visit www.UnitedWayLee.org.

Face Coverings, social distancing required to bring grieving families together
FORT MYERS, Fla. – July 27, 2020 – Valerie’s House, the only non-profit organization in Southwest Florida with its sole mission to help children grieve, is reopening Monday, Aug. 3, with in-person support groups at its three locations in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties.
“Grief is already isolating.  Having to do it alone is not who we are,” said Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin. “We have a solid plan in place.  However, we also know that at any moment, things can change.  We are moving forward, but with caution.”
During the past 90 days, 67 new children joined the Valerie’s House program, including children who lost a family member to the virus.  Valerie’s House has been offering virtual support groups since March 29 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  A survey sent to families indicated 80 percent wanted to come back to meeting in person.
Safety precautions will be enacted, including requiring face coverings, social distancing, and temperature checks of each person as well as a form that each person will sign attesting they have not been ill or associated with anyone who has COVID-19.  Chairs and floor cushions the children sit on will be placed six feet apart.  Some groups will be conducted outside under tents.
“We may not be on the hospital’s front lines, but we’re right behind them,” Melvin said. “That means we have to pivot and adjust.  The important thing is that we’re together.”
All children will receive a face covering at the first meeting that they can decorate in honor of their loved ones.  Staff will clean all surfaces each night with a deep cleaning weekly by a professional company.  Family dinners will no longer be offered.
Valerie’s House has also added additional nights for grief support to allow for social distancing and increased demand.  Groups now will be offered every night Monday through Thursday at each of the locations throughout Southwest Florida.  Two additional counselors have been hired to accommodate the expanded schedule, bringing the total number of employees to 10, including three licensed clinicians.
“We are spending money that we had not planned for, but the work we are doing is crucial to helping children during this dark time,” Melvin said.
Virtual groups will continue to be available for families who want to continue meeting online. In addition to providing grief support groups, Valerie’s House also sends an e-newsletter to their families and focuses their efforts on connecting families with additional resources in the community.
Valerie’s House is accepting appointments for new enrollments. Families in need of grief support for children can reach Program Director, Amy Strom by phone at 239-841-9186 or by emailing, [email protected].
“Our doors are always open to families in grief,” Melvin said.
 
About Valerie’s House
As the first and only organization in Southwest Florida with the sole mission of helping children grieve, Valerie’s House has helped more than 1,000 children and their families since opening its doors in 2016.  Valerie’s House provides a safe, comfortable place to heal together following the death of someone they love. Valerie’s House offers support groups and other activities at a home on 1762 Fowler Street in Fort Myers and a home in Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace. Valerie’s House also holds group meetings at First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda. Valerie’s House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations that can be made online at www.valerieshouseswfl.org or by mail to Valerie’s House, Inc., P.O. Box 1955, Fort Myers, FL 33902.