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The combined efforts of people looking for ways to help the Lealman community gave birth to a Family Center that houses multiple programs.
By ANNE LINDBERG
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 5, 2001
LEALMAN -- About three years ago, Mike Quinlivan and other members of Lealman United Methodist Church decided something needed to be done about the neighborhood's vandalism, family abuse and despair.
About the same time, the Lealman Optimist Club, spearheaded by Marcie Lauster, was looking for a place to meet, and the church offered that group a place to gather. The Optimists were also looking for ways to help the community.
Soon, Quinlivan, Lauster and people from the neighborhood began working with the Juvenile Welfare Board, which broached its idea of a Family Center, a place where many programs could be housed under one roof. It's kind of a one-stop shop for families who need help.
In January 2000, the Lealman Family Center was born. It was the 11th Family Center to open in Pinellas County.
"From there it kind of took off," said Quinlivan, who is now executive director of the center.
In choosing the programs, the center's board looks at the needs of the community. For example, Lealman has the highest incidence of family abuse in Pinellas County, so that became an immediate priority.
The Family Continuity program and Families First moved in counselors this year who deal with family abuse and foster care through the Family Center.
Plans are afoot to offer a GED program and offer a computer lab, after-school tutoring, a children's library and resource center, arts and crafts, and exercise or karate classes. The center also wants to open a Teen Council or Teen Club.
"Let them design an after-school program," Quinlivan said.
But to do all that, the center needs one thing: space.
"Really the thing we're up against right now is room," Quinlivan said. "Our third year is where we really start adding on to our programs. Right now, we're bursting at the seams."
What: Lealman Family Center
Address: 4070 58th Ave. N
Phone: 528-7891
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Founded: January 2000
Programs: Family counseling; parenting classes; anger management classes; service referrals; SHARE food program; Easter egg hunts; youth summer camp; back-to-school carnival; co-sponsoring Thanksgiving food baskets with Lealman United Methodist Church; co-sponsoring toys for children and food for Lealman families with Jim's Harley-Davidson; supporting the community newsletter in cooperation with the Lealman Community Association.
Partners: Juvenile Welfare Board, Family Continuity programs, Family Service Centers, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Lealman Fire and Rescue, Lealman Community Association, Lealman United Methodist Church, Lealman Avenue Elementary.
Vision and goal: "Become a one-stop shop to handle the problems in the area . . . to provide the needed education and social services for this area."