Member News

Stevens Construction has completed Orthopedic Specialists of SW Florida (OSSWF), announced Dan Adams, executive vice president and partner, Stevens Construction, Inc.

Orthopedic Specialists of SW Florida’s expansion into its new 60,000-square-foot medical office building and corporate headquarters marks a significant milestone in its commitment to providing comprehensive musculoskeletal care. Situated at 14601 Hope Center Loop in Fort Myers, the new facility is designed to accommodate the growing demand in the community for its services.

With an expansive entrance and check-in, the lobby is highlighted by floating ceiling panels, blue accents and natural light from the floor-to-ceiling glass entryway.

Housing 60 exam rooms to serve its 16 physicians and 20 mid-level health care practitioners, OSSWF offers a full suite of onsite services with six X-Ray rooms, six procedure rooms and two MRI suites, which required the construction of a specialized room protected by radio frequency shielding to contain the electric and magnetic transmissions of the MRI.

Nurse stations, offices, conference rooms, storage, lounge and support services ensure efficient operations and seamless patient care coordination.

To reflect OSSWF’s goal to restore and preserve its patient’s ability to move safely and independently, the second floor houses an expansive physical and occupational therapy suite.

Orthopedic Specialists of SW Florida has a porte cochere entrance and carport parking for protection from the Florida elements.

Stevens Construction provided two years of preconstruction services, assisting Orthopedic Specialists with site and design team selection, budgeting and providing cost savings suggestions throughout the design to ensure the project achieved budget and schedule goals.

The Stevens Construction team includes Senior Superintendent Tom Porter, Superintendent Joey Gill, Assistant Superintendent Hunter Stevens, Project Executive Dan Adams and Project Administrator Gina Varner. The project was designed by Baker Barrios.

About Stevens Construction, Inc.

With offices in Fort Myers and Orlando, Fla., Stevens Construction specializes in providing construction management, general contracting and consulting services to clients and design professionals. Other services include site and design team selection, budgeting, project scheduling, permitting, cost and quality control and warranty service. The company builds healthcare, commercial and hospitality facilities. For information, visit www.stevensbuilds.com or call 239-936-9006.

Stevens Construction has completed The Lighthouse Café, located at 1020 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel Island, announced Joseph Cimilluca, director of special projects, Stevens Construction, Inc.

Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian to its previous location, The Lighthouse Café is welcoming patrons in a new and expanded setting, doubling its former size. The Stevens Construction special projects division provided a complete interior renovation of an existing 3,200-square-foot building, which had also suffered hurricane damage, transforming it into a renewed Lighthouse Café boasting a hostess stand with retail area, breakfast bar, commercial kitchen, dish room, storage, restrooms, indoor and outdoor seating for 96 people.

The Lighthouse Café has seamlessly transported its signature atmosphere, complete with lighthouse accents and pictures adorning the walls. Many of these cherished mementos have been lovingly preserved from the original location, imbuing the new space with a sense of nostalgia and continuity.

Prior to commencement of construction, the Stevens Construction team collaborated closely with the client to optimize the utilization of the existing structure while ensuring compliance with Sanibel building codes.

The Stevens Construction team includes Superintendent Carlos Higuera, Assistant Project Manager Fabio Ruiz and Project Administrator Ana Rodriguez.

Scheduled to reopen within the upcoming week, The Lighthouse Café will be offering breakfast and lunch service from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.LighthouseCafe.com.

About Stevens Construction, Inc.

With offices in Fort Myers and Orlando, Fla., Stevens Construction specializes in providing construction management, general contracting and consulting services to clients and design professionals. Other services include site and design team selection, budgeting, project scheduling, permitting, cost and quality control and warranty service. The company builds healthcare, commercial and hospitality facilities. For information, visit www.stevensbuilds.com or call 239-936-9006.

The Children’s Advocacy Center of SWFL (CAC) proudly announces the selection of Alicia Shannon as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2024. Shannon will be the third CEO in the agency’s history; the first being the Founder, Jill Turner, who dedicated her time to the mission for 38 years, followed by Julie Boudreaux, who continued the agency’s success for another five years.

Shannon brings nearly two decades of nonprofit experience and working with at-risk youth, education, and the child welfare system. Alicia is currently serving as the Executive Director of Our Mother’s Home and has helped the organization see a 100% revenue growth during her tenure there.

Alicia’s vision for the Children’s Advocacy Center includes increasing the agency’s community footprint and awareness, diversifying the revenue streams, and expanding the preventative programs that help families succeed by removing the barriers that are often factors in child abuse.

“Joining the Children’s Advocacy Center is more than a new role; it’s a journey that I am eager to embark on, driving growth and innovation. I am home,” says Shannon.

Jake Spanberger, Board President, adds, “Alicia’s leadership style and vision align perfectly with the agency’s mission and vision. She is poised to lead the Children’s Advocacy Center into its next chapter, and we are excited for the future.”

More about the Children’s Advocacy Center
Founded in 1981, the mission of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida (CAC) is to provide a coordinated response to child victims of abuse and neglect; and improve the lives of at-risk children and their families through prevention services. At CAC, we assess and treat children believed to have been physically or sexually abused or to be at-risk of such abuse and provide a safe place for them to come and be heard. We offer abuse determination services as well as therapeutic counseling, pet therapy, parenting education and prevention programs in Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Charlotte Counties.
We are one of the largest children’s advocacy centers in the state of Florida and the only one in the four-county area. CAC is accredited by the National Children’s Alliance. Visit us at www.cac-swfl.org for more information or to find out how to make a donation!

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jessica Walker, MA, APR, CPRC
239-433-5554 or [email protected]

It’s About All of Us, a Yom HaShoah Holocaust remembrance, is 7 pm on April 30 at The Laboratory Theater of Florida

FORT MYERS, FL (April 23, 2024) – In honor of Yom HaShoah, the Laboratory Theater of Florida is holding a community event called It’s About All of Us  at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30.

It’s About All of Us is a Holocaust remembrance program inspired and designed to help the community remember Yom HaShoah, or in English, Holocaust Remembrance Day. Yom HaShoah commemorates the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust as well as the heroism of the survivors and rescuers.

Typically, the solemn day is observed with Jewish leaders, clergy, Holocaust survivors, and Jewish brethren. But for this year’s observance, Lab Theater is expanding this to honor the Holocaust victims. Diverse members of the Southwest Florida community will be coming together to pay respects to the Holocaust victims in a show of support and mutual understanding for the steep cost of hate, indifference, and fear.

Speakers and readers will include clergy, Rabbi Nicole Luna of Temple Beth El in Fort Myers, Dr. Robert Hilliard, a WWII liberator and rescuer, Holocaust survivor Peter Seminauer, Flo Giltman, a second-generation Holocaust survivor and member of Gen Shoah of SWFL, Shalom Life Center musicians Chuck and Diane Coffman and Bella Gutstein, Earl Sparrow, a Fort Myers music teacher and African American community activist, Cape Security owner and area resident Andre Blaine, LGBTQ community member Rachel Kaci Davis, Fort Myers resident Rosemary Allen, Canterbury School student Amelia Smith and other community members.

Sharing Yom HaShoah with diverse members of the community will help us to see the shared struggles and commonalities between us as humans.

“If we are to truly honor the memory of the Holocaust victims and help to ensure we do not have another genocide, we must be able to see the pain and effects of hatred on all members of the human family,” said Ella Nayor, Laboratory Theater of Florida Holocaust and Human Rights Education Outreach Director.

The use of instrumental music, song, and special lighting will allow patrons and guests the opportunity to better understand the importance of honoring the memories of those murdered, as well as the need to educate each new generation so to help prevent another Holocaust from happening again.

Join us for a night of unity and connection on  Tuesday, April 30th at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now for $10, and donations will be collected for the Lab’s Holocaust and Human Rights Education to further the work of human rights education in our community. For tickets, call 239.218.0481.

ABOUT THE LABORATORY THEATER OF FLORIDA

The Laboratory Theater of Florida, a 501(c)3 non profit organization, is dedicated to the promotion of the performing arts, through live performance, education, community outreach, experimentation, and the development of ensemble work. The company features ensemble productions, produces classic works, takes artistic risks, which both feature and challenge local performers. For more information visit www.LaboratoryTheaterFlorida.com or the physical location at 1634 Woodford Avenue, in the Fort Myers River District.

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The Laboratory Theater of Florida

The application portal for the 2024 SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined program is now open and closes APRIL 28, 2024. This program is designed to provide free, comprehensive business coaching and education to CEOs of small businesses, like yours, looking to take their businesses to the next level.

You may already know, this program is community-based and supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The curriculum is taught by experienced Subject Matter Experts and includes a mix of virtual and in-person sessions. You will have the opportunity to learn from a cohort of accomplished peers with diverse perspectives and life experiences, and to build a nationwide business network for life.

Eligibility Qualifications:

The T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined advanced training series is open to small business owners and executives who:

● Have annual revenues of at least $250,000

● Have been in business for at least three years

● Have at least one employee other than themselves

● Can commit to completing the entire program, including coaching, submitting assignments, participating during in-person sessions, and reaching out for help

● Are coachable, ready to be challenged and supported, and willing to put in the necessary work to accelerate growth

Essential details about T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined:

● Applications are open from February 5 to April 28, 2024

● The program runs from June 18 through December 4, 2024

● Attendance is required for the eight in-person sessions at your local cohort

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to reimagine your organization’s future and accelerate your business’s growth.

Apply now at www.sbathrive.com

Craig Scott Memorial Golf Tournament Raises $76,825 for The Heights Center Early Learning

(Fort Myers, Fla. – April 23, 2024) — The Craig Scott Memorial Golf Tournament, “Tee It Up FORE Kids,” benefiting The Heights Center Early Learning program, raised $76,825.  The annual tournament honors Scott, a long-time board member and supporter of Heights Early Learning.

The Heights Center Early Learning program, a vital initiative under The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center umbrella, serves over 80 children from birth to four years old.  Committed to providing quality and affordable childcare for low-income families in the area, the program has earned a prestigious five-star rating from The Early Learning Coalition.

“We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support shown by our sponsors, participants, and volunteers at this year’s tournament,” remarked Kathryn Kelly, Founder, President, and CEO of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center.  “Their contributions enable us to continue providing a stable and nurturing environment for children in need, empowering parents to work knowing their kids are well cared for and safe.”

Title sponsors were Susan Scott and The Masiello Family Foundation.  Pat Ostrom was the Trophy sponsor.  Birdie Sponsors were Lake Michigan Credit Union, Owen-Ames-Kimball Company, RG Architects, Chip and Nancy Roach, Jim & Cindy Dwyer, Neal & Sherry Halleran, Bill & Laurie Harkey, Judy & Gerry Risch, Bonitz, FineMark National Bank & Trust, Florida Gulf Coast University, Golisano Children’s Hospital/Lee Health,  Green, Schoenfeld & Kyle LLP, The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, and Skanska.

The event took place on April 12 at Shell Point Golf Club in Fort Myers.  It included lunch at St. Charles Yacht Club, a raffle, and awards. 

The first place team was Jim Dwyer, Chris Dwyer, John Dwyer, and Jim Welch.  The second place team was Tom Lytton, Tim Vo, Mike Goins, Patrick Halvarson.  The third place team was Chris McLaughlin, Sean Guffey, Mason Covelli, and Steve Barman.  The closest to the pin men was John Muni and Women Beth Prather.  The longest drive men was Jim Dwyer and Women Megan Clipse.

The Heights Early Learning is located at 15570 Hagie Drive, Fort Myers 33908. For those interested in learning more about The Heights Center Early Learning program or supporting its mission, visit www.heightsfoundation.org or contact Annie Campbell at (239) 482-7706 or via email at [email protected].

About the Heights Foundation and the Heights Center

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 155 children in AfterSchool and 153 children in SummerCamp.    The Harlem Heights Community Charter School serves 200 children from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community.   Approximately 923 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments.    Demographically, the population is approximately 81% Hispanic, 15% African-American, and 4% 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.