Quality Life Center of Southwest Florida

Quality Life Center of Southwest Florida, Inc. (qlc) is a community organization guiding at-risk children ages 5-18 toward the attainment of a fulfilling Life through high-quality afterschool and summer tutoring, enrichment activities, performing and visual arts, mental health services, case management, leadership, Life skills, character development, and healthy afterschool meals and snacks. Qlc has been active in fort myers for over 30 years. Qlc has received general grants and donations from the city of fort myers over the years, with the city's arts and culture grant, in the amount of 6,100, having first been awarded in 2023. Our objectives are improved school grades, improved behavior, and a high level of parent participation. Additional specific objectives for our performing arts students are discussed below. Arts, character and education ("ace) is our year-round out-of-school educational and enrichment program which promotes: 1.) Academic excellence through evidence-based tutoring in reading and math, 2.) Self-confidence through the arts, sciences, and athletics, 3.) Leadership through character development, responsibility, and values, 4.) Well-being through mental health counseling and education, and 5.) Collaborative support from parents and the local community. Target group served and need our target community is children ages 5-18 from the predominantly african- american community of dunbar in fort myers. The majority of children enrolled in our program attend the 17 public schools within a 5-mile radius of our Center. Academic data from these schools reveal that failure rates in math and reading in 2022-23 were significantly higher than county-wide, state-wide, and nation-wide, with a tragic 71% of 3rd graders not able to read at grade level. Many of these children lack healthy role models and opportunities. Among the families in our program, 82% earn low to very low incomes based on area median income. These children need intensive social, academic, and emotional support to learn and succeed in school and in Life. Our ethnically diverse staff are role models, instilling a sense of worthiness, belonging, values, and a strong work ethic. Alumni, now successful adults, credit Quality Life Center with giving them a foundation for a Quality Life. Meeting the target group's needs our program focuses on four key areas: "academics: our professionally trained tutors provide high impact small group tutoring in reading and math using evidence-based curricula aligned with public school standards. "enrichment: our diverse team offers fun, engaging after school activities in the performing arts, music, visual art, athletics, technology, and science. "leadership: our "leaders in training for excellence" initiative exposes teens to careers and college readiness through sat prep, campus tours, and on-the-job training serving important roles in the daily operation of our Center. "mental health: our sound mind provides professional mental health counseling, supported by case management and educational group sessions emphasizing coping skills, boundaries, emotional regulation, and bullying prevention. Measurable outcomes based on more than ten years of outcome data, we expect students completing one school year in our program will attain the following improvements: 70% will improve a grade level or maintain an a/b grade in math 70% will improve a grade level or maintain an a/b grade in reading 70% improved a grade level or maintain an a/b grade in science 75% will improve their demonstration of positive behavior, teamwork & social skills 70% or more of parents will attend monthly parent meetings grade improvements are measured by school report cards. Behavioral improvements are measured by a staff-administered assessment instrument. Parent participation is measured by attendance at monthly parent meetings. Performing arts outcomes are discussed below.