As of December 1, 2025, Neapolitan Family has acquired Lee Family News, a trusted parenting resource that’s served Lee County families since 1991. This expansion allows us to better serve families across both Lee and Collier Counties — and we couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead.

Starting with the January 2026 issue, we’ll launch a combined Lee-Collier edition of Neapolitan Family Magazine, designed to provide even more helpful content, events, and local resources to parents throughout Southwest Florida.

A Shared Mission, A Stronger Community

The decision to bring Lee Family News under the Neapolitan Family umbrella was a heartfelt one. Kathy M. Kuser, longtime publisher and president of KMK Publishing Inc., is stepping into retirement after more than 20 years of service to the Lee County parenting community.

“After 21 years in publishing, I’m ready to slow down and spend more time with my grandchildren,” Kuser shared. “It’s been an honor to serve our readers, and I’m confident that the Neapolitan Family team will continue this work with heart and integrity.”

We’re honored by Kathy’s trust. Over the past two decades, our teams have worked side by side in neighboring counties, sharing a common goal: to uplift and inform local families. Now, we’re bringing that shared passion together in one expanded platform.

What Readers Can Expect

Our combined print and digital edition will offer:

• Parenting articles tailored to local families
• A comprehensive event calendar covering Lee and Collier Counties
• Weekly “best events” newsletter
• Annual guides to schools, camps, and special needs resources
• Popular seasonal fairs and expos
• Deeper coverage of local organizations and family-friendly businesses

If you’re a longtime Lee Family News reader, welcome! We’re excited to have you in our community. And for our Neapolitan Family readers, get ready for even more stories, ideas, and events to enrich your family life.

Staying Rooted in Southwest Florida

Neapolitan Family Magazine has proudly served Collier County since 2000, and we remain deeply committed to being a trusted, locally owned resource for families across Southwest Florida.

Happenings Magazine, also part of KMK Publishing, will continue under the leadership of publisher Jamie Kuser — covering arts and entertainment throughout the region as it has since 1995.

This is more than a merger; it’s a joining of missions, audiences, and community spirit. We can’t wait to grow with you.

The post Lee Family News Joins Neapolitan Family Publishing appeared first on SWFL Family.

How the Tradition Began

It’s a holiday tradition that keeps getting bigger and more elaborate every year. Victoria Park has been known for decades as the place to go to see lights and decorations. 

Lindsey Manring grew up in Victoria Park and has seen the explosion of holiday spirit. She lived there as a child in 1988 and moved back with her husband and five kids in 2014.

“There have always been a lot of Christmas lights, but it wasn’t until 1992 that they really started synchronizing everything,” she said.

Martha and Rob Anderson agree.

“We moved here in 1994, and I would say even back then it was a Christmas light destination,” Martha Anderson said. “But not to the extent that it is now.”

Street by Street: Themes & Rivalries

In 2007, a college student from Victoria Park was home for the holidays and, with some buddies, created a few lighted archways over Windsor Way. That soon grew to more than a dozen arches set up over the street each holiday season. Other streets added their own themes. Candy canes sprouted on Sussex Street, followed by Christmas trees on Whitehall Street, organized by the Andersons.

“The candy canes popped up first and we were jealous. We thought, ‘We are a great street; we can do that,’” said Martha Anderson. “One of my kids said ‘How about a tree? That’s just a triangle.’ Rob built one and put it up on our mailbox. He went door-to-door and asked people to look at it, and everybody unanimously said, ‘Yes, do it.’”

The Andersons bought the supplies, and the neighbors worked assembly-line style to make lighted trees to glow from the top of every mailbox on the block. Other streets now decorate mailboxes with snowmen, snowflakes, shooting stars, angels, candles, and more. 

When Dayanna and Blaise Ciabaton and their four children moved to Victoria Park in 2019 they already knew about the decorating tradition from their years of visiting during the holidays. As soon as they moved in, Dayanna started buying holiday decorations. Her favorites are the Santa and sleigh on her roof and all her inflatables. The Elf on the Shelf inflatable is her favorite, because so many children comment on how much they enjoy it. She and her family enjoy sitting by their fire pit in their driveway watching all the people enjoy the lights.

“It’s the coolest thing to give that much joy to so many people,” Ciabaton said.

Michael and Michele Standish moved to Victoria Park in 2000. They like to sit in their driveway by a fire pit and watch all the people drive by. Often traffic backs up all the way onto Airport-Pulling Road.

“During the middle of the week is better,” Michael Standish advised for avoiding crowds. “You can start on Huntington and work your way back up and down.”

Standish said the least crowded times are right after sunset and after 9:30 p.m. Most residents shut their lights off between 10 and 11 p.m. Of course there is no avoiding traffic on Christmas Eve, when almost every home has luminaries lining their lawns and driveways. There is so much traffic that it backs up all the way to Immokalee Road, and deputies have to help direct drivers.

Residents know their glowing community means lots of vehicles. It’s so popular that the Naples Trolley and many gated communities organize tours.

“We do not leave the house the month of December after 5:30 p.m.” Anderson said. “It is an understood thing. We love it. We sit outside most nights. People wave and shout ‘Merry Christmas’. It is just amazing. It is such a fun thing.”

“I feel like it is really special for our kids,” Manring added. “We have made it into a scavenger hunt. People have hot chocolate and Santa hats. My daughter has her birthday in December and she has her friends over to look at the lights. They can’t want to invite their friends over.”

“It’s something that really brings the community together,” Standish added.

Visiting Victoria Park: What to Know

Where It’s Located:
Victoria Park is in North Naples, situated just off Airport-Pulling Road between Vanderbilt Beach Road and Immokalee Road. Look for Nottingham Drive as the main entrance to the neighborhood

When to Visit:
The lights typically turn on at sunset, making early evening a great time to arrive. To avoid crowds, aim to visit on a weekday and either shortly after dusk or later in the evening, around 9:30 p.m. Christmas Eve is the busiest night of the season, with heavy traffic and long lines stretching out to major roads.

Best Route To See Victoria Park Christmas Displays

How to Experience the Lights:
Most people enjoy the displays from their cars as they slowly drive through the neighborhood. It’s a drive-through experience, with streets glowing in synchronized themes, mailbox decorations, inflatables, and holiday music playing from some homes. A few visitors walk, but driving is the primary way to experience the lights.

Tips for a Smooth Visit:

• Lower your headlights when driving through to see the displays better and avoid distracting others.

• Keep a slow, steady pace and avoid honking.

• Bring hot chocolate, snacks, and festive gear, and turn it into a holiday outing.

• Avoid blocking driveways or stopping in the middle of the road for too long.

• If you plan to take photos, look for safe areas to pull over without disrupting traffic.

• Some local trolleys and tour companies include Victoria Park as part of holiday lights tours—these can be a stress-free alternative to navigating traffic on your own.

What Makes It Special:
From lighted arches to themed streets and mailbox displays, Victoria Park goes above and beyond with its holiday cheer. The residents embrace the tradition, often sitting outside by fire pits to greet visitors with waves and holiday wishes. The sense of community and joy keep people coming back year after year.

The post Victoria Park: The Story Behind the Most Lit Neighborhood for the Holidays in Naples appeared first on SWFL Family.

Legal Aid Service of Collier County: Legal services provided would include advice and counsel, limited representation, full representation in litigation/court, and negotiations with third parties to resolve claims or disputes. November 20, 2025 is the 1st Annual Impact Awards Luncheon. Register here.

Here is a list of meals and deals for Veteran’s Day 2025 in Southwest Florida, including both local and national restaurants. To find year-round military discounts, benefits, and resources, go to our Veteran and Military Resource page.

Local Southwest Florida Deals:

Burntwood Tavern: Veterans and active-duty military get 50% off their meal on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2025. Valid military ID required.

Pure Florida Sightseeing Cruises: Veterans and active-duty military can enjoy a free cruise on Veteran’s Day.

Mercato: A variety of stores and restaurants are offering discounts for veterans over Veteran’s Day weekend​.

Naples Botanical Garden: Offering free admission for active-duty military and veterans over Veteran’s Day weekend​.

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens: Active and retired military members receive free admission from November 11-17.

Il Primo Pizza and Wings: Offers a 10% discount to all veterans.

Sundial Beach Resort & Spa: Offering complimentary access to its beach, pool, and recreation amenities for local first responders and their families on November 9-10. 

National Chains:

Applebee’s: Veterans and active-duty military can choose a free meal from a special Veteran’s Day menu​.

Bob Evans: Veterans and active-duty military personnel receive a free meal from a special menu on Veterans Day​.

Buffalo Wild Wings: Offering a free order of 10 boneless wings and fries for veterans and active-duty military. Available for dine-in or at GO locations​.

Chili’s Grill & Bar: Veterans and military personnel can enjoy a free meal on Veteran’s Day. Dine-in only, valid military ID required​.

Dunkin’ Donuts: Many locations across the U.S. offer a free donut on Veteran’s Day to military members, both active-duty and veterans, with a valid military ID.

IHOP: Veterans and active-duty military get free Red, White & Blueberry Pancakes on November 11. Valid military ID required​.

Hooters: Current and former military members will receive a free entrée from a special menu when they dine in on November 11, 2025.

Olive Garden: Veterans and active-duty military get a free meal to veterans and active-duty military on Veteran’s Day.

Red Robin: Offering a free Red’s Tavern Double burger and Bottomless Steak Fries for veterans and active-duty military on Veteran’s Day​.

Texas Roadhouse: Veterans receive free meal vouchers on Veteran’s Day, which can be redeemed for a meal at a later date.

Important Tips:

• Most of these deals require a valid military ID to participate.
• Offers may vary slightly by location, so it’s always a good idea to check ahead to confirm the specific details.

This list includes a blend of local and national favorites, offering plenty of options for veterans and military personnel to enjoy this Veterans Day in Southwest Florida!

The post Veteran’s Day Deals and Meals in Southwest Florida appeared first on SWFL Family.

Domestic violence affects people of all backgrounds, ages, and economic levels. It includes not just physical violence but also emotional, psychological, financial, and sexual abuse. One in four women and one in nine men experience severe intimate partner physical violence in their lifetime, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. But there is hope—and help is available.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. For non-emergencies, these national and local resources offer confidential support, safety planning, and practical assistance.

Immediate Help: Crisis Hotlines

• National Domestic Violence Hotline
  • 800-799-7233 (SAFE)
  • Available 24/7 with trained advocates providing crisis intervention, safety planning, information, and referrals.
• Florida Domestic Violence Hotline
  • 800-500-1119
  • Confidential support available around the clock.
• RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline
  • 800-656-4673 (HOPE)
  • National sexual assault hotline with trained staff.

Local Resources in Southwest Florida

Collier County

• Naples Shelter for Abused Women & Children
  • 24/7 Crisis Line: 239-775-1101 | Admin: 239-775-3862 | TTY: 239-775-4265
  • naplesshelter.org
  • Services include emergency shelter at two locations (Naples and Immokalee with 60 beds each), individual and group counseling, injunction assistance, court advocacy, hospital accompaniment, and a kennel for pets. All services are confidential and free.
• Project Help
  • Helpline: 239-262-7227 or 800-329-7227
  • projecthelpnaples.org
  • Provides specialized support for sexual assault survivors. Available 24/7.
• Collier County Sheriff’s Office – Domestic Violence Section
  • Office: 239-252-0090 (8 a.m.-5 p.m., M–F) | After Hours: 239-252-9300 | Emergency: 9-1-1
  • Email: blake.rising@colliersheriff.org
  • Provides law enforcement assistance and victim services.
• Collier County Clerk – Domestic Violence Division
  • 3315 Tamiami Trail E., #102, Naples | 239-252-2646
  • collierclerk.com
  • Assistance with injunctions for protection and legal paperwork.

Lee County

• Abuse Counseling & Treatment (ACT)
  • 24-Hour Hotline: 239-939-3112
  • actabuse.com
  • ACT operates emergency shelters in Fort Myers (73 beds), Cape Coral (23 beds), and Hendry County (19 beds) providing safe havens for domestic violence victims and their children.
• Lee County Sheriff’s Office – Victim Advocates
  • 239-477-1000 | Para español: 239-477-1678
  • sheriffleefl.org
  • Provides a wide range of services to victims of domestic violence and violent crimes.
• Lee County Clerk of Court – Injunction Services
  • 239-533-5000
  • leeclerk.org
  • Free assistance in filing injunctions for protection.

Additional Support Services

Basic Needs Assistance

• Salvation Army
  • 239-775-9447
  • naples.salvationarmyflorida.org
  • Offers food, clothing, and emergency assistance.
• Eva’s Closet
  • 239-339-3216
  • evas-foundation.org
  • Provides clothing and household items to those in need.
• Helps Outreach
  • 239-593-3226
  • helpsoutreach.org
  • Offers various community assistance programs.
• Beverly’s Angels
  • 239-404-2082
  • beverlysangels.org
  • Emergency assistance and support services.

Legal and Advocacy Support

• Victim Services Information Referral Line
  • 800-226-6667 (English/Español)
  • TDD (TTY) Users – Florida Relay Service: 800-955-8771
• Legal Aid Service of Collier County
  • 239-775-4555
  • collierlegalaid.org
  • Free legal assistance for qualifying individuals.
• Lee County Legal Aid Society
  • 239-334-6118
  • leecountylegalaid.org
  • Legal support for domestic violence survivors.

Educational & Advocacy Organizations

• Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence
  • 800-500-1119 | TTY: 711
  • fpedv.org
  • Statewide advocacy and education organization.
• University of South Florida Harrell Center
  • 813-974-7832
  • health.usf.edu
  • Research and education on family violence prevention.
• WomensLaw.org
  • 800-799-7233
  • womenslaw.org
  • Legal information and resources for abuse survivors.
• National Electronic Network on Violence Against Women (VAWnet)
  • 717-461-3939
  • vawnet.org
  • Research and information clearinghouse.

Safety Planning Resources

Creating a personalized safety plan is crucial—whether you’re in an abusive relationship, planning to leave, or have already left. These plans help protect you and your children. For more information, contact:

• Naples Shelter for Abused Women & Children
• Florida Department of Children and Families
• National Domestic Violence Hotline

Financial Independence Resources

Understanding financial abuse and rebuilding economic stability are vital for leaving an abusive relationship. Resources include:

• Securing housing
• Protecting pets during relocation
• Accessing free or low-cost transportation

Specialized Resources

• National Child Abuse Hotline
  • 800-422-4453
  • childhelphotline.org
  • For situations involving child abuse and neglect.
• Tribal Law and Policy Institute
  • 323-650-5467
  • home.tlpi.org
  • Specialized resources for Native American communities.
• MyFlorida.com – Domestic Violence
  • myflfamilies.com
  • State-specific information, statistics, and resources.

Warning Signs Parents Should Know

Domestic violence often affects entire families. Children who witness abuse may display changes in behavior, academic performance, or emotional regulation. Warning signs in teens might include:

• Controlling relationships
• Unexplained injuries
• Sudden personality changes or social withdrawal

Parents should engage in age-appropriate conversations about healthy relationships, respect, and consent to help protect children from becoming victims or perpetrators.

How Our Community Can Help

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is also about building a community where survivors feel safe and supported. Here’s how families can make a difference:

• Educate yourself and others about signs of abuse and available resources
• Share resources with friends, family, and on social media
• Support organizations like ACT and The Naples Shelter for Abused Women & Children through donations or volunteering
• Create safe, non-judgmental spaces for others to seek help
• Advocate for survivor-friendly policies and accountability measures

Remember: You Are Not Alone

Abuse is never your fault, and you deserve to live free from fear. The organizations listed here are staffed with trained professionals who understand the complexities of domestic violence and can help you navigate your options safely.

Recovery and healing are possible. With the right support system and resources, survivors can rebuild their lives and create the safe, healthy futures they deserve.

For immediate danger, always call 911. For confidential support and safety planning, the 24-hour Naples Shelter crisis line at 239-775-1101 is always available.

If you or someone you know needs help, don’t wait. Reach out today. Every call matters, every person deserves safety, and every step toward getting help is an act of courage. 

The post Domestic Violence Resources in Southwest Florida appeared first on SWFL Family.

Kunjani Craft Coffee & Gallery

780 Seagate Dr, Naples, FL 34103

kunjaninaples.com

A blend of coffee excellence and African art, known for organic tea, pastries, and a cozy gallery vibe.

Acopio

5100 Tamiami Trail N #101, Naples, FL 34103

https://acopiocoffee.com/

Enjoy your favorite specialty Coffee and cacao, tea, baked goods, and a wide selection of delicious small bites and real food.

Narrative Coffee Roasters

Mercato Shops, Naples, FL 

https://narrativecoffeeroasters.com/

Foxtail Coffee Co.

2700 Immokalee Rd Ste 1, Naples, FL 34110

https://www.foxtailcoffee.com/

Where coffee meets community.

Coffee Bar

960 Immokalee Rd, Naples, FL 34110

https://naplescoffeebar.com/

 Stop in for a fresh brewed coffee, cappuccino, espresso, latte, hot chocolate, and one of our breakfast and lunch plates.

5th Ave. Coffee Company & 6th St. Diner

Corner of 5th Ave. and 6th St, Downtown Naples

https://www.5thavncoffeeco.com/

​Enjoy your favorite coffee, drinks, baked goods, and a wide selection of delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner items.

Fort Myers

The Grind Coffee House & Roaster

16230 Summerlin Rd #205, Fort Myers, FL 33908

grindcoffeehouse.net

Specializes in craft coffee roasting with a warm atmosphere and delectable hot chocolate options.

Bonita Springs

Survey Cafe

10530 Wilson St, Bonita Springs, FL 34135

surveycafefl.com

A quaint café offering coffee, tea, and hot chocolate alongside hearty breakfast and brunch options.

Estero

Cavo Lounge

23161 Village Shops Way, Estero, FL 33928

cavolounge.com

Known for its relaxing ambiance, with premium coffee and hot drinks perfect for cooler weather.

Marco Island

Wake Up Marco

916 N Collier Blvd, Marco Island, FL 34145

wakeupmarco.com

Offers rich coffee blends and specialty hot drinks, great for enjoying island mornings.

Cape Coral

The French Press

5789 Cape Harbour Dr #116, Cape Coral, FL 33914

frenchpressfl.com

A cozy café with an artisanal touch on coffee and tea, ideal for a warm-up on breezy days.

Ave Maria

Bean of Ave Maria

5068 Annunciation Cir #101, Ave Maria, FL 34142

beanofavemaria.com

Known for its community-centric vibe and a wide variety of hot beverages.

Lehigh Acres

For Heaven’s Shakes

25 Homestead Rd N, Lehigh Acres, FL 33936

Offering comforting hot drinks and sweet treats to complement cooler days.

Gateway

The Grind Coffeehouse

Gateway Boulevard (specific address pending confirmation)

A friendly neighborhood spot with locally roasted coffee and a selection of teas and hot chocolate.

Each of these cafes and coffee shops offers a unique experience, blending great drinks with a welcoming atmosphere, making them perfect for Southwest Florida’s cooler months.

The post Best Places for Coffee, Tea, and Hot Chocolate During Cooler Weather in Southwest Florida appeared first on SWFL Family.

Most children cannot understand the magnitude of a storm or its lasting affects and will take their cue from the adults around them. It’s important to prepare your family for dangerous weather so that you can stay safe.  Events that are traumatic for adults are more so for children if they don t know what to do.  Children look to adults for help.  How we react tells them how real the danger is.  If we are calm and prepared, they will be reassured.

Children have varying understanding of storm preparation and recovery, and they may have questions and concerns.  Listen, and answer their questions carefully, stopping when they seem satisfied.  Be truthful and speak at a child’s level.  If you don’t know the answer, say so. Make sure children are supervised and know who is in charge. We cannot prevent storms, but we can let our children know we love them, will be with them, and are doing everything possible to keep them safe.

Make Plans

It helps if a family can plan together for hurricane season.  One family I know meets together to discuss what they will do. Their four children ages three to fifteen, listen, learn, and give input. They have found that their children are learning about hurricanes in school and other programs and have much to offer.  Their friend’s teen saved her horses during Hurricane Charley because she had learned to leave them outside from a guest speaker at her 4-H club meeting.  The barn collapsed during the storm, and her horses would have been injured had they been left indoors. This made an impression on the adults, and they are more open to what their children have to say.

Last hurricane season, my neighbor made lists and assign tasks to family members, checking it off with a sticker or star when each job was done. The younger children enjoyed that visible recognition, and were proud of themselves. I watched as the Mom expressed appreciation to her older daughter, hugging her and thanking her for how she helped her younger sister.

When assigning tasks, they are careful to be reasonable. Depending on their ages and abilities, children help put things away, fold laundry, clear the yard, gather items for evacuation, move outdoor furniture inside, and keep younger children occupied.  Their teen can pack for evacuation, make a home inventory, prepare for pet evacuation, move heavier furniture and equipment, help install shutters; take pictures, and put important papers in plastic protectors.

Your family may need to evacuate or move to one part of your home.  Help children choose what to bring, and pack ahead of time. Include favorites (blanket, stuffed animal), treasures (a special gift or found object), and necessary tools (flashlight, personal radio).   The ideal carrying case is waterproof and can be carried or wheeled easily by the child.  It can be a backpack or canvas bag.  Load the car in advance to see if everything fits.  This is a great time to discuss priorities.   Be sure to include a photo ID and basic identifying information.

Make age-appropriate disaster kits

For infants and toddlers, breast milk is the safest food during an emergency.  Nursing mothers have successfully fed their children through wars and natural disasters.  Nursing has a calming affect on both the mother and child, and nursing can begin up to six months after birth.   If using powdered formula, be sure to have at least 72 hours worth of safe water on hand, and at least that amount of liquid formula if appropriate.  Add diapers, wipes, baby washcloth and towel, a change of clothing, soft toys and board books.

Preschoolers can have their own flashlight, blanket, change of clothes, hat, favorite toy and book. For school age children add a journal and pencil, cards or a board game.   For ‘tweens and teens, add sunscreen and insect repellant if you know they will handle these responsibly.  Children with special needs may have medication, an inhaler, or other special equipment.  Everyone will need water and healthy snacks.

Children should know their names, their parents’ names, address, and phone number.   They should know where to meet in case of emergency and the name of a contact relative outside the immediate area.  Young children can carry this information on a lariat or have it written on clothing or in their disaster kit.   Children need to know how to use 911 and be familiar with disaster helpers, such as firemen, police, FEMA, Red Cross volunteers. Determine a buddy system within the family.

Children thrive on routines and limits. Family routines are certain to be upset in an emergency, and should be re-established as quickly as possible.  This includes getting up, dressing, eating breakfast, going to school, dinner, homework, playtime, and chores.   Limits include the amount and content of TV and computer time allowed, bedtime, healthy foods versus junk foods and drinks, where a child can and cannot play.  For example, downed power lines and standing water MUST be off limits!

Some parents have found that it helps to take time to explain what is happening before and after a storm.  Families can learn about the science of storms and the meaning of weather related vocabulary.  Ask your librarian or bookseller for helpful books to read together.  4-H has developed related curriculum to use with groups, and will be giving presentations at area libraries and park day camps.

Other families allow children to do art projects to express feelings, and to act out scenes using props.  The children drew picture of the storm, before during, or after, then they did a skit on the storm.  Play is a great way for children to process and gain understanding and a sense of control.

After the Hurricane

After a storm, parents can help grieve losses talking about what the storm has taken away.  Did your favorite tree come down?  If so, you might talk about how you’ll miss it’s shade, and how you’ll choose a new tree to plant.  Also talk about good things, such as how everyone helped each other.   Ask, what can we do?   Depending where the storm hit, children can assist with clean-up or help others by sending donations and caring letters. Taking action provides a sense of control.

Every family needs a first aid kit, and to discuss safety after a storm.  Teach children to be careful approaching animals, even your own, as they may be disoriented and can bite. Be sure children are supervised, wear closed-toed shoes, work gloves, and eye protection when helping   Keep a buddy system, know where your children are and give them a time when they are due back. Reassure them that the family is what is most important, and that material things can be replaced in time.  As soon as possible, replace a favorite or treasured item that may have been lost.

After a storm or even after storm preparation, some children may be especially fearful during every day thunder and lightening storms.  They may have nightmares and not want to be away from their parents.  Professional help is available if lasting fears and nightmares occur, and can make all the difference.

Project H.O.P.E. was developed by FEMA to help children handle the emotional aftermath of storms.  Using animal puppet characters and an elaborate, attractive stage, trained staff portray a scene after a storm. They then talk with the audience about what happened, working through any emotional responses the children have.   Project H.O.P.E. collaborates with other youth-serving agencies and can be reached at 863-228-6473 to schedule a performance.

Those who have been hit hard by storms know that the affects can be lasting, and that there is no return to “normal.”  Still, as life goes forward, good things will happen, and children need that reassurance as well.

This information and much more can be accessed through websites for FEMA (find the link for FEMA for Kids), Red Cross, EDEN (Extension Disaster Education Network), Collier County University of Florida Extension, Collier County Health Department – WIC (Women Infants and Children) Program) Disaster Homepage:  Children, Stress, and Natural Disasters, University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service.

The post Emergency Preparedness: Where do children fit in? appeared first on SWFL Family.

Fennie was extremely frustrated struggling to keep up with the rising costs.

“I’m a social worker and a single mother of two. It’s to the point where I have to choose between paying my rent or buying food,” she stated. “Being in the middle class is super hard because I don’t qualify for any type of government assistance such as food stamps or Medicaid. It’s so discouraging because the whole purpose of me going to college was so I wouldn’t have to struggle, and I feel like I failed.”

Fennie, who is the mother of a 7 year old and 1 year old, recently had to leave town to make ends meet.

“I was living in Fort Myers and it was getting to the point where I was trying to do everything. I was doing Door Dash, Uber, babysitting on the side, and working as a case manager as my full time job,” she described. “It was not enough to keep my head above water, so I decided to relocate to Atlanta. It is still expensive, but not as expensive as Florida. I am doing good, but I miss Florida.”

She said it is so sad that a person with a college degree and a good job struggles to pay the bills.

“It is not cheap here either,” she said. “My grocery bill is still expensive. A good third of my check goes to my rent. It was worse in Southwest Florida; half my check went to rent and then daycare and I didn’t have any money for food. Hopefully things can change.”

Smith is a third generation Floridian, born and raised in Naples. She thought that her good job, with overtime working 60 hours a week, as a critical research coordinator would be enough, and it was until prices skyrocketed.

“The economy here is hard,” she said. “Our rent jumped, our auto insurance jumped another $300 a month, and we have to pay $260 a week in daycare. Groceries alone kill us. I’ve tried to find a second job myself and it’s hard because I live in Fort Myers and work in Naples, and during season it can take me almost two hours to get home. Most people that live in Fort Myers have to work in Naples. You can’t afford to live in Naples with the rent, but can’t afford to work in Fort Myers. My same position in Fort Myers, I would get $7 an hour less.”

To earn some extra cash Smith posts in moms’ Facebook groups to see if anyone needs help with groceries or handywork.

“I don’t get a lot of feedback because it is so saturated,” she explained. “A lot of people are already doing those things. I have helped somebody move, but that was it. Sometimes my boss will ask me if I want extra money to do odds and ends at the office after work.”

Smith, who has a 14-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter, has done Uber Eats but stopped because many customers weren’t tipping her.

“I work in a profession where I shouldn’t be struggling,” she said. “We get paid very well here, but nobody can keep up with inflation.”

Shawgo works full time while raising her daughters ages, 14 and 9.

“I work at Five Guys every other week when my girls are at their dad’s house,” she said. “I go home after work, let the dog out, and go straight to the other job.”

The Lehigh Acres resident feels lucky to find an employer that lets her work every other week. “It is very hard for single parents who have a custody agreement to find a second job.” Shawgo said the situation is very frustrating. 

“It has almost become unaffordable to live here, not just for single parents, but for people with double incomes as well. At some point it will be unaffordable to live here.”

Stay and Work at Home

Stay-at-home moms are also being forced to find work to help pay the bills, and it is not easy juggling work and little ones.

Amanda Flaitz Von Ohlsen of Cape Coral has a 16-year-old son, a 6-year-old son with special needs, and a 4-year old daughter. She said it is impossible to get a job outside the home because her middle child needs to be driven to therapy five days a week and her youngest would need expensive daycare.

“It would cost more money to go back to work,” she said.

So Flaitz Von Ohlsen started her own digital marketing business that she runs from home. She teaches people how to enhance their social media pages, sell products, and create their own digital marketing business. She recently wrote an e-book about online moneymaking.

“I am starting to make some money,” she said “It took a while to learn the skills, partially since my children are distracting.”

This was not the first venture Flaitz Von Ohlsen tried. For a while she sold hair bows.

.“It was not worth making all these bows and just selling five or 10, so I started researching ways to make money from home. If I sold 10 hair bows, I had to make 10, but with digital marketing if I sell 10 e-books I only have to make it once, so it was working smarter instead of harder.”

It is not always easy. She tries to work while her boys are in school, but she still has to care for her daughter.

“I work on my phone – like all the time,” she described. “I fit it into the little pockets of time throughout my day. We will go to the park and she will play and I will work. We go to Chick-fil-A and while she plays I might get 45 minutes there.”

It’s not easy balancing working from home with children. Ashley Mandeville, Ph.D., an assistant professor of management at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, has some tips.

“This is a tough one,” she began. “The boundary theory is the idea that we construct boundaries around our work self and family self. Sometimes you can’t separate those two worlds and that can cause stress and frustration.”

She suggests creating a home office or designated work space. 

“It can be, ‘When I am at this dining table from 1-5, this is my work space’,” she explained. “The most helpful thing is to create those boundaries and understand that sometimes those boundaries are going to get crossed.”

Starting a Business

Ashley Deal of Cape Coral had worked as an eighth grade science teacher in Lee County, cleaned AirBnbs, and rented out her garage as storage space. She has even sold plasma to earn extra cash.

“I was the queen of side hustles for a while,” she said. “You go in with those degrees and you think you are going to make a lot of money, but the only way to survive is to do overtime or side jobs,”

Then she discovered another way to earn money and spend more time with her three children. Deal started her own business called Cape Credit Repair LLC.

“I do credit repair and business funding,” Deal explained. “I have helped over 200 moms in the area qualify for zero down houses and mortgages. It is a very lucrative job.”

Deal said this was not the way she thought her life would go. 

“I had my masters in psychology and I couldn’t afford to live here,” she said. “I was very good at credit repair and I tripled my salary from teaching. Everybody wants to be able to afford a house. Teaching was rewarding, but this is definitely rewarding too.”

Elise Friedson of Naples also found success by starting her own business. The stay-at-home mom knew she needed some work, but also had a young child to care for. She started renting baby equipment to visitors to SWFL. She uses BabyQuip as a platform to secure the insurance and marketing, which takes a portion of her profits, but Friedson says the business is hers so she can work as much or as little as she wants. She began by renting items her 3-year-old daughter had outgrown and then started buying additional items, and now rents everything from cribs and highchairs to beach wagons and beach chairs.

“Everything is very expensive,” she said. “We wanted to have that extra money on the side.” 

Friedson feels it is beneficial for her daughter to see her work, and her child can even help. “I wanted her to see that work ethic. She helps me at home with cleaning and carrying things. She is very excited to help.”

Be Selective

Gina A. Tran, associate professor of marketing at FGCU, stresses that parents need to be cautious and pick the right jobs.

“There are side hustle gigs that sound like a wonderful opportunity for families that need that additional income.” But she warns that some of them are too good to be true and can end up costing more money than earned.

“If this wonderful opportunity asks you to pay money in advance, be very careful,” she warned, and added that job seekers should be wary of unsolicited offers.

Ask questions about salary and upfront costs and requirements, she advised, and check out the company on the Better Business Bureau website.

“If it is too good to be true, it probably is,” she said.

“People think it is legitimate because it is through a [Facebook] group. They are in need of extra income and they are vulnerable … so they unfortunately fall for it,” Tran said.

“There are a lot of people that are struggling to make ends meet with the rising costs. It is hard. Some are doing these side hustles to save up and some are doing it more as a survival thing. We are hearing more and more of these kinds of stories.” 

The post Many SWFL Parents Now Need Second Jobs to Pay the Bills appeared first on SWFL Family.

In May of 2015, after eight weeks of classes, a 3-inch binder full of paperwork, multiple home studies, and background checks, we became certified foster parents. On May 31, 2015, our first foster baby was placed with us at three months old. She was the light of our life, and though we didn’t know if she would be with us forever, she filled a hole in our hearts. For almost two years, we loved, cared for, and doted on this beautiful, dark-haired, brown-eyed, sassy, feisty, precious little girl. Emotionally, it was a rollercoaster ride on many levels, but her love was so worth it. 

After many court dates, continued home visits by DCF, monthly case manager visits, Guardian Ad Litem home visits, and tons of anxiety, our family officially adopted Mia Rose as our daughter on National Adoption Day, November 19, 2016, at the Lee County Courthouse. 

We continued to foster children, and in January 2019, we were called regarding a newborn placement in the NICU at Golisano Children’s Hospital. She was released into our care, weighing just over four pounds. Her first year of life was difficult as she was medically fragile with over a dozen diagnoses, including failure to thrive, but there was an incredible spark in her eyes and made us fall in love with her. She fought to stay alive every step of the way. 

Mia was absolutely smitten with her and never complained about all of the extra attention and time this baby took from her. On February 3, 2021, Chloe Grace officially became our newest family member. 

Adopting a child from DCF is not easy. It takes interviews, paperwork, extensive background checks, discussion of your marriage, and interviews with family members and friends. However, shouldn’t the adoption process for a child who has been through so much be thorough? That is what we told ourselves each step of the way. It was definitely a labor of love, and in return, we were granted two wonderful daughters who were truly meant for our family. 

We are proud to say that our children were adopted through foster care. We want our daughters to grow up with their heads held high, knowing they are deeply loved and that though their beginnings were rocky, their future is bright. 

As told to Neapolitan Family by Kelsie Gregware. 

Additional Articles:

An Adoption Story: The Alexander Family

Different Paths to Parenthood for Two SWFL Families

Adopting Through Foster Care

Adopting Through Foster Care: The Joel Family

Joy Comes in the Morning: A Spiritual Adoption Story

The post A Personal Adoption Story: The Gregware Family appeared first on SWFL Family.

She knew then what she had to do, but it wasn’t easy. 

“I was scared to call 911,” she recalled. “If I call, he will hear me and might do something worse, but I could not leave the girls with him. I just prayed ‘Please don’t kill me. I need to live for my girls.’  God heard my prayers, and thank God I could get out. I was so scared.” 

‘This cannot happen to me.’ 

Vivianne, 44, who did not want her last name used, thought domestic abuse would never happen to her. She was an educated woman and had worked as a psychologist in her native country of Bolivia, and even worked with victims of domestic violence. 

Vivianne said her husband never abused her daughters, ages 12 and 7, but they heard the violence being directed toward her and saw the aftermath of their battered mother.  

“My older girl was afraid for me,” Vivianne said. 

She didn’t want her children growing up in that toxic environment, and she wanted to be a strong, healthy mother for her daughters.  

Vivianne felt like she had no support. At first, she was too ashamed to tell her family back in Bolivia. She had been living in the U.S. for several years and had been with her husband for 17 years. 

Her husband had her passport and all her legal papers. Vivianne didn’t know if anyone would believe her. She didn’t know where to go. First, she went to a hotel. 

“When I was at the hotel, I was scared. He (her husband) told my daughter she was being kidnapped. He called me to say he was going to the police to tell them I was kidnapping the girls. I was scared the police would stop me and take my girls from me. I was scared, I was sad.” 

A safe place 

Then she found the Shelter for Abused Women & Children in Naples. She and her daughters and their dog spent five days in the emergency shelter in May, and experts helped them with everything from counseling to legal issues. Most of all, Vivianne and her daughters had a safe place to stay. 

“When I came here, I just cried, cried, cried,” Vivianne described. “They had people with patience to hear me. They gave me so much  support.”  

The moment Vivianne saw the big gates around the shelter lock and the locked doors in the building, she knew she was finally safe. At the shelter she found comfort in knowing she was not alone. She also felt stronger knowing that people there believed her. Since her husband denied the abuse, it became a “he said, she said” issue. Vivianne said the judge never asked her daughters what they saw and heard. But she did have medical records. 

“You have to go to the police, to the judge, and you have to show you are not lying,” she explained. “And it doesn’t feel good. Nobody would lie about something this painful.” The shelter also helped her find legal counsel to get her back home and her husband out of the house. “The only place I could express myself was here. They had the patience to hear me and to explain what was happening in my head.” 

“It is so difficult to start again,” she admitted. “If you don’t feel strong enough it is easy to come back to the same place. I want to tell people that they are not alone. There is a safe place where you can find help.”  

Last year there were 1,693 calls to 911 for domestic violence offenses in Collier County. Thousands more incidents went unreported. From July 2022 to June 2023 the shelter helped 1,181 women and 385 children. The shelter operates a 24-hour crisis line, and two 60-bed emergency shelters, one in Naples and another in Immokalee. There are also nine transitional living cottages. All in-house and outreach programs and services, training, and education are free of charge.  

Most of the women at the shelter don’t like to talk about their experiences, but Vivianne believes that by telling her story, she can help other women and children.  

She also realizes now that there is no shame in what happened to her. It was not her fault. But it took a long time for her to understand this. 

“I thought it can never happen to me, and it did.” she stressed. “It is very difficult to accept, and it is difficult to try to get out. I can understand why many girls go back. Every woman wants a family for her kids. You think things will get better, but they get worse and worse, and you think ‘How did I accept that bad behavior?’ How could I make that rational in my head. I thought it was OK. I just have to be quiet. I just have to be calm.  Sometimes I want to say ‘Enough! Let’s be together again.’ But I have to think about my daughters. I have to be strong enough to start over.” 

Reconnecting 

It is still not easy for her even now, six months after leaving her husband. But with the support of her daughters, the shelter and her church, she is forging ahead with her new life. She continues to get counseling and legal help at the shelter. Twice a week she and her daughters attend the Healing Arts Program. They paint, draw, play music, use sound bowls, practice yoga, meditation, write in a journal, and more. 

“I like the bells,” Vivianne said. “It makes you feel peaceful and relaxed. You just forget all the bad things you have been through.” 

Lisette Morales McCabe runs that program and says it has been very helpful for Vivianne, her daughters, and hundreds of others.  

“We provide a nurturing and safe environment for our survivors to explore and process trauma and their feelings,” she said. “A lot of our participants carry a lot of burdens and complex feelings like shame, and a lot of time they can’t verbalize it, so we provide ways for them to express their feelings and emotions.” 

McCabe said the sessions help the women and children reconnect to the person they were before the trauma. 

“They were so controlled, they could not choose the color of their car, or the color of their house, or their clothes, or jewelry,” McCabe explained. “Connecting to colors helps them reconnect to who they were before all this happened. It gives hope and intentional direction.” 

Vivianne’s 12-year-old daughter says she would rather be home studying than attending the programs. The gifted student loves school and excels in all her classes. But she is also very aware of what has happened, and she wants to help her mother. Vivianne’s 7-year-old said she was “happy, but a little sad” when they first came to live at the shelter. She said having her dog with her made things much better. Now that she just comes to the shelter for Healing Arts, she likes it even more. 

Vivianne tried to hold back the tears as she described their experiences, but eventually the tears dripped down her cheeks and she grabbed a tissue. She admits she still cries, but she knows she did the right thing. 

“It is not easier yet, but it is going to be,” she said. “It is better than before, because I am not crying all day every day, and I have to think about the future. We just want to be together. The only thing we want is to be together and feel safe.” 

Assistance is a phone call away. If you or someone you know is impacted by domestic violence, call The Shelter’s crisis line at 239-775-1101. If you want to learn how you can help end domestic violence in our community, go online to naplesshelter.org.

Editor’s note: Save the crisis hotline numbers under an alias on your phone to use as needed or to share with a potential victim.  Using an alternative name for the number helps to protect victims whose phone and internet use may be monitored by an abuser. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR FULL LIST OF RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ABUSE, AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

The post A Survivor’s Journey from Domestic Abuse to Healing appeared first on SWFL Family.

Held annually in September, the event includes some of the best restaurants from Cape Coral down to Marco Island, and everywhere tasty in between! It’s simple, go to sizzledining.com, pick your city and look through the menus of restaurants listed in that area, make reservations and enjoy! No passes, tickets, vouchers or coupons are required. Simply visit any one of the participating restaurants throughout the 21-day event and order from the Sizzle Dining menu. Use #DineWithPurpose to help spread the word and to share your Sizzle Dining experience!

Two-course lunches start at just $19 or $29 and three-course dinners start at either $29, $39 or $49. Price depends on location, but a dollar from each meal purchased goes directly to Blessings in a Backpack SWFL.

Sizzle Dining Founder Guy Clarke said, “We are honored to be able to partner with Blessings in a Backpack for this event again this year. The work they do to support the children in our community is outstanding and we are happy to be able to donate our proceeds to their organization.”

“Being a part of Sizzle Dining each year is a huge benefit for our organization,” said Cecilia St. Arnold, Executive Director for Blessings in a Backpack SWFL. “We sincerely appreciate what Guy and the restaurants do for this event, and encourage the community to dine out knowing that Sizzle Dining supports our children.”

During the week, many young students are fed by federal government programs through school meals. A leader in the movement to end childhood hunger, Blessings in a Backpack ensures these children receive nutritional meals over the weekend during the school year. Every Friday afternoon, each child receives a backpack filled with nutritious, kid-friendly, ready-to-eat items. They return the backpacks on Monday, and each is filled and ready for the next weekend. A donation of only $130 will provide meals for 36 weekends for one school-age child. Blessings’ goal this school year is to feed over 7,000 school children. For more information, please visit swfl.blessingsinabackpack.org.

Sizzle Dining highlights and strengthens our local destination’s brand and culinary reputation. Attracting tourists to the area increases business for hotels, shopping centers, entertainment, and other local businesses. Everyone benefits from this impact and all the restaurants that participate see increased traffic and many new faces during the event. For more information, or to become a participating restaurant, please visit sizzledining.com.

Please consider making a donation to feed more Southwest Florida children at https://swfl.blessingsinabackpack.org/hurricane-ian-response/.

Where will you dine? Find the choices here.

Blessings in a Backpack helps prevent childhood hunger

Blessings in a Backpack SWFL serves over 6,500 students through 31 school-based programs located throughout Lee and Collier Counties. In these schools, test scores, reading skills, positive behavior, general health, and school attendance have improved dramatically due in part to students receiving the nourishment they need throughout the week and the weekends.

Kids are our future; you can help secure theirs. A $130 donation will feed a child for one full school year. Gifts of all sizes are welcome through the donation’s portal at https://swfl.blessingsinabackpack.org/ or via mail at P.O. Box 61402 Fort Myers, FL 33906. All contributions are tax-deductible.

The post Three Weeks of Local Dining Specials Will Help Feed Children in Need appeared first on SWFL Family.