Research shows mentoring has a positive effect on students’ scholastic success. Underserved populations of children, especially those in foster care, are vulnerable and are considered “at-risk” in the educational field. Only 30% of foster children across the US complete high school by the time they age out of the system at age 18.

Footsteps to the Future, (FTTF) is an evidence-based mentoring program, serving young women in and those “aged out” of foster care. Our focus is on education, job readiness, and self-sufficiency with the goal of helping these young women become productive, contributing members of our communities. We match the young women with mentors and tutors to help them identify, set, and work on their goals. We are stakeholders in their academic achievement, supporting them in obtaining their high school diploma or GED and encouraging them to pursue a higher education. We know that Education is the Passport out of poverty.

We have been established in Lee and Collier counties for close to 13 years and have served over 150 young women during this time.

We ask for your time, your talent, and your treasure in supporting this all-important project.  Please consider volunteering as a mentor or becoming a tutor for one of our young women in foster care, helping them on their road to successful academic achievement. We have excellent training and ongoing education for all our mentors, tutors. and volunteers.

If you want to invest in the future, mentor a child. Contact FTTF today! Together we can make a difference

If you feel moved to find out more or are ready to jump in, please contact us today:

Judi Woods

Founder and Executive Director

Footsteps to the Future

www.footstepstothefuture.org

j.woods@footstepstothefuture.org

239 281-7378

Lisa Hefner

Mentor Recruter

lhefner@footstepstothefuture.org

239-628-9153

Joyce Wilson

Lee County’s first choice for a new manager has withdrawn her name from consideration.

Joyce Wilson notified the county at 8:30 this morning that she was breaking off any negotiations for a contract with Lee County.

Wilson is currently serving as the city manager of El Paso, Texas, and the city has made counter offers to keep her. That means a local candidate Roger Desjarlais will become the top candidate. Negotiations should begin soon to make him an offer. He works for Lee County Property Appraiser.

Average retail gasoline prices in Florida have risen 5.1 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.51/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 8,237 gas outlets in Florida. This compares with the national average that has fallen 2.1 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.61/gallon.

Including the change in gas prices in Florida during the past week, prices yesterday were 20.3 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 5.6 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has decreased 5.0 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 8.0 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

“The national average has continued its downward decline in the last week, likely being helped by relief in the Great Lakes, a region that had been plagued with refining issues that have seemingly been resolved,” said Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. “While the national average stands higher than it did a year ago, we likely will see the average decline, and for motorists in the Great Lakes, the downward trend should mean well needed relief at the pump.”

From the Vice President Jere Carrick

Attention Members: meeting for Wednesday June 19^th has been cancelled.

Just received word from Brent Barkway, our featured speaker for our meeting Wednesday that he was notified of a meeting that he is required to attend Wednesday. We surely don’t want him to miss bringing more businesses here!

Our executive board has met several times and is working on developing the agenda and speakers for this coming year. The challenges continue to grow for Lehigh Acres and we need to stay informed.

Our next meeting will be scheduled and you will be notified of the time.

Irene was a proud parent with, and the loving wife of Edward L. Weston III who sadly predeceased her in 2009. She leaves behind to cherish her loving memory her two wonderful daughters, Colleen Murray (Michael) of Lehigh Acres and Rachel W. Ketchow (Todd) of New Jersey. She is also survived by her precious granddaughter Savanna Grace Ketchow and her two beloved dogs, Cocoa and Ginger.

Funeral services are private with interment to follow at a later date in New Jersey.

Update 2:35 p.m. : Three individuals were transported to the hospital when a white vehicle (unknown make and model) traveled into the path of red vehicle (unknown make and model). Blockage is cleared and charges are pending

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Emergency crews are on the scene of an accident with injuries that has left Westgate Blvd. blocked at Lee Blvd.

The extent of injuries is unknown at this time, as is the cause of the crash.

Avoid the area, or extpect delays.

Pfc. Luis Amill Martinez graduated from basic training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. He is the son of Emily Ortiz of Lehigh Acres and a 2012 graduate of Lehigh Senior High School.

That first weekend we were gone, someone tried to break into our home. Our children found the patio doors propped open and a decorative brick from our flower garden was laying next to the one door.

The doors were locked, a small slit was cut into the screening. Which is how they unlocked one door. Nothing was taken; so we can only assume they were interrupted by someone.

When our son called and told us what had happened; I went on line and E-mailed all of our neighbors. I heard back from many of them saying that they were going to be walking around the house oftener then they had been. One even went so far as to change their driving habit, to driving past our house before going to work.

Now that is a GREAT Neighborhood Watch Group.

Thanks again to everyone.

When I was young many, many years ago, we had a neighborhood watch.  It was called neighbors. People in my neighborhood stuck together and everybody knew everyone.  Someone was always watching what was going on in the neighborhood.

Today things are different. People have become more isolated and many families don’t even know their neighbors.

After living in Lehigh Acres for about 6 years, we began to experience break-ins and air conditioners being vandalized in my neighborhood.  It was then that I became concerned about my safety and was ashamed that I barely knew my neighbors. I realized that it was impossible to have a police officer on every block at all times, so I felt that community involvement was needed to reduce the opportunity for crime. My husband and I got to know our neighbors and realized that we shared a common interest in keeping our community safe.  Together, we started a Neighborhood Watch.  

Was it worth the effort? Yes. Besides reducing crime in our neighborhood, we have become educated about activities that are suspicious and learned how and what to report to the police. We have learned home and personal safety tips.  We have gotten to know some of the Sheriff’s Deputies who serve our area and are always amazed at the rapid response and pleasant attitude our concerns generate.

But the best part of all is we got to know our neighbors.  We have neighborhood block parties, barbecues, and visit with our neighbors. We are aware when someone is hospitalized, when a couple is expecting a baby, or when the kids are having birthday parties.

I strongly encourage you to get involved in a Neighborhood Watch or start one. For more information on how to start a Neighborhood Watch group, please contact Larry Gutridge at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Unit (239-477-1400).

Not only do we have a Neighborhood Watch program but we now have a neighborhood!

Eli and Yvonne

The Triangle Neighborhood Watch