Quality Life Center’s “Inspiring Youth” speaker series continues through July

FORT MYERS, Fla. - July 9, 2013 - PRLog -- Each weekday morning over 130 children attend Quality Life Center’s summer camp program. At 8:30 a.m. they file upstairs and after a short meditation, begin the day with a positive message from a business or community professional.  

The President and CEO of Lee Memorial Health System, Jim Nathan candidly discussed some of the personal challenges he faced as a youth and the importance of persistence.  Judge Josephine Gagliardi had special words of encouragement for the girls.  The dean of FGCU’s College of Business, Dr. Hudson Rogers used storytelling to make his point about considering the long-term effects of decisions. Fort Myers Fire Chief Ken Dobson told the kids he was able to become chief at such a young age because he prioritized education.

Not only have the summer campers been hearing – and feeling support – from many people from different walks of life, but they are learning that everyone faces challenges. Quality Life Center Executive Director Abdul’Haq Muhammed wants the children to hear that they can be successful. “And I want them to hear it over and over until they believe it,” he said.

Quality Life Center would like to express its thanks to these and the other generous people who have given of themselves to support and guide the youth in our community, as well as those scheduled to speak in the weeks ahead, including News-Press Editor Mei-Mei Chan, Yemisi Oloruntola-Coates of Lee Memorial, FGCU President Dr. Wilson Bradshaw, Judge Archie Hayward and U.S. Attorney Nicole Waid.

Speakers have included State Representative Heather Fitzenhagen, Chico’s Vice President of Technical Design Tanya Cauren, Fort Myers Police Officer Bryan Fuller, members of Fort Myers City Council Teresa Watkins Brown, Forrest Banks and Tom Leonardo, Mayor Randy Henderson, County Commissioner Frank Mann, professor Christine Rahmings and FGCU’s Director of Community Outreach J. Webb Horton.  Speakers have shared stories about obstacles they have overcome and mistakes they have made. They have offered advice about things such as education, goal-setting and decision-making, often in unique and attention-grabbing ways such as using fables and personal anecdotes.

Quality Life Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization transforming the community by developing the potential of underserved populations in southwest Florida with adult job development training, an early learning program and youth development programs including afterschool and summer camp programs. For more than 20 years, the “Q” has been instilling values of discipline, integrity and self-sufficiency. To learn more about Quality Life Center or to sign up for the next tour date, call 239.334.2797 or visit http://www.qualitylifecenter.org.