Executive Summary

Quality Life Center (QLC) serves at-risk children aged 5-18, and their parents, residing primarily in the African American community of Dunbar in Fort Myers, Lee County, Florida. Many of Dunbar’s children suffer from poverty, low educational achievement, lack of healthy role models and opportunities, and significant levels of tension. Nearly 70% of third-graders cannot read at grade level. Parents face rising costs for housing that is often substandard. Fresh and affordable food is scarce. Mental health care is virtually non-existent.

QLC grew organically in Dunbar, formed over 30 years ago by its founder and a group of parents seeking healthy activities and role models for their children. Eventually attracting a talented and diverse team, the organization transformed a former nightclub / drug distribution site into a state of the art educational and enrichment facility. Through its youth program “Arts, Character and Education”, QLC has helped thousands of children attain a quality life by guiding them toward a healthy self-image and improved school grades, through tutoring, enrichment, leadership and life skills, healthy afterschool meals and snacks, and therapeutic mental health care. Children see themselves in staff members who are role models who inspire children to see a place for themselves in the world by instilling a sense of worthiness and belonging, values, and a strong work ethic. This paves the way for a positive, healthy childhood, high school graduation, and eventually higher education and/or employment. Alumni, now adults with successful lives, say QLC gave them the foundation for a quality life.

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