Quality Life Center of Southwest Florida

In 2023, Quality Life Center achieved several notable milestones in its efforts to support the well-being of children and youth in the dunbar community. Through its arts, character, and education (ace) afterschool program, the Center served 150 children and youth, with 65 of them completing a full year in the program. Among these participants, improvements were observed in academic performance, with 58% making grade- level advancements or maintaining a/b grades in reading, 69% in math, and 82% in science. Additionally, 91% of participants demonstrated improved knowledge and skills in positive behavior, teamwork, and social interactions, highlighting the program's focus on values and character development. Parental involvement was also significant, with 88% of parents attending meetings throughout the year. Quality Life Center provided 15,349 meals and 11,417 snacks to ensure children were fed and able to learn from and enjoy our programs. In the summer 128 children and youth participated in our 2023 summer camp. Some summer camp students were also enrolled in our after school program. In all, 194 children and youth benefitted from the programs of Quality Life Center during the year. Quality Life Center provided a substantial 53,573 hours of youth programming through the ace program during the year. The organization was assisted in delivering on its mission with the support of 165 volunteers. Through its sound mind program, Quality Life Center's licensed mental health staff provided 784.25 hours of evidence-based therapeutic counseling sessions. Program staff provided therapeutic counseling for 46 clients, and provided psychoeducational group sessions for 52 clients. Psychoeducational group sessions covered topics such as coping skills, feelings identification, emotional regulation, communication skills, behavior management, self-esteem, and bullying. More than 80% of the program's mental health clients were children. Quality Life Center's performing arts dance troupe delivered 13 performances throughout Southwest Florida, before a combined total of over 3,500 attendees, including our major summer camp performance "the evolution of music", our annual fundraising gala, artfest, martin luther king day celebration, divercity festival, and black heritage festival. The troupe one first place in this year's delta sigma theta dance competition. During the school year the students between the ages of 5-12 in our afterschool program participated in dance classes & rehearsals from august -june, monday -friday between the hours of 4-6 pm. Advanced dancers participated on wednesdays and fridays between 6-7 pm and on saturdays. During our summer camp, select groups of students participated in instruction/rehearsal in hourly blocks daily between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm. Dance genres performed included ballet, hip hop, break dancing, step, gospel, rhythm & blues, classical, and african. Students demonstrated progress toward the program objectives of increasing students' knowledge and demonstration of: 1. Dance skill/technique (increased range of motion, coordination, and technical skills); 2. Social skills/teamwork (expresses feelings productively, awareness and appreciation of self & others, improved ability to work as a team); and 3. Critical thinking/creating (demonstrates critical thinking skills, ability to appreciate, interpret, and create dance pieces using cognitive and reflection skills). Quality Life Center's commitment to the arts helps students become well- rounded individuals, contributing to their overall academic success, confidence, and cultural awareness. Performing arts activities at our Center included various disciplines such as dance, drama, music, poetry, and spoken word. By engaging in these hands-on learning experiences, students not only develop their artistic talents but also enhance their poise, coordination, imagination, and their communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Our "leaders in training for excellence" initiative provided 47 teens with activities, field trips, and learning about career paths and college readiness through sat prep, campus tours, and on-the-job training. Seven teens served important roles in the daily operation of our Center as paid employees, demonstrating leadership, responsibility, and service for the younger children.