Fort Myers Florida Weekly

SanCap Resilience publishes community survey report

From May 1 to June 15, 2024, SanCap Resilience surveyed residents and business owners on Sanibel and Captiva about how they were doing with their recovery nearly two years after Hurricane Ian made a direct hit on the community. The goals of the survey were to assess the progress made since the Sept. 2022 storm, understand how resident concerns have evolved and guide planning for SanCap Resilience's future efforts.

Response to the survey was strong, with almost 900 questionnaires submitted. "We were really happy with the number of community responses we received," said Bob Moore, chair of the SanCap Resilience steering committee. "We knew that the bigger the number, the more representative of the community the results would be."

Distributing the survey was a collective effort. Links to the survey were sent in emails and social media posts from SanCap Resilience and partner organizations, including the City of Sanibel, SCCF, COTI, "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society, F.I.S.H. of SanCap, Community Housing & Resources, Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce, Captiva Civic Association, and America's Boating Club SanCap Sail and Power Squadron.

The survey results are now available to the public at bit.ly/3NeXZOq .

"Not only did we receive responses from a lot of people — those who responded had a lot to say," Moore commented. "The community feedback fills nearly 70 pages in this report." Moore said it took the all-volunteer organization the whole summer to put the report together.

Included in the report are an Executive Summary that highlights key findings, charts showing responses to each question and an Appendix listing all individual written comments. These comments convey the breadth and depth of experiences and concerns of nearly 900 residents, business owners and employees.

The survey summarizes the status of where respondents say they are in the recovery process. It describes investments owners have made to improve the resiliency of their properties and landscapes and the challenges they have faced in the process. It outlines some of the emotional and financial challenges that are still present for many, and lastly, it captures respondents' views on needs and concerns for the future.

As a part of those future concerns, the survey raised questions about the impacts of climate change and how the community should respond. 84% of respondents are either "concerned" or "very concerned" about climate change. 95% of respondents would like to see Sanibel and Captiva become a model of a resilient coastal community through adaptation of critical infrastructure. Two-thirds said they would like to see the community go further and become a model of how to reduce future climate change risk through energy efficiency, renewable energy, electrification of transportation and other measures.

Collaboratory scholarship applications now open

Collaboratory's scholarship application for the 2025-2026 school year is open from now through Jan. 14.

Since 2014, FutureMakers Coalition at Collaboratory has been working toward a goal of transforming Southwest Florida's workforce by increasing the percentage of working-age (25-64 years old) adults who hold post-high school credentials to 55 percent by 2025.

Collaboratory's scholarships support this goal by providing funding to a variety of students including traditional college-bound individuals as well as those that want to earn a credential after high school and adults looking to reconnect with education to start or advance a career. Scholarships are available for students seeking or continuing education at vocational and technical colleges and state colleges and universities.

In 2024, Collaboratory awarded more than $1.2 million and 174 scholarships to local high school students, adult learners, undergraduate and graduate students from Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties. One in six students who applied received a scholarship. Collaboratory had over a 55 percent increase in applicants compared to the previous year and awarded 31 of the scholarships as multi-year awards which will continue to help the students each year towards completion.

Students can apply at collaboratory.org . The scholarship application process will close on Jan. 14 at 11:59 p.m. Applicants may apply for multiple scholarships and can upload a transcript, letter of recommendation, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid 25-26 Submission Summary, which is a summary of the data provided on the FAFSA form. All scholarships require the FAFSA form available at fafsa.gov which is set to open in December this year.

"FutureMakers Coalition partners throughout Southwest Florida have been vital in spreading the word about the scholarships offered and helping increase the number of awards," said Crystal Maldonado, scholarship coordinator at Collaboratory. "We have scholarships available for students across many categories and encourage all to apply to expand their educational opportunities."

For those interested in starting a Collaboratory scholarship fund, contributing to the general scholarship fund, or serving as a scholarship application reviewer, email or call 239- 308-1214.

Pine Island collection event garners more than 18,500 pounds of household chemicals and electronics post Milton

Lee County Solid Waste reports that Pine Island residents dropped off more than 18,500 pounds of household chemicals and electronics at a recent post-Hurricane Milton collection event. The county will host an additional event on Nov. 16 to help islanders continue to recover from Hurricane Milton.

The top three items of solid waste collected on Oct. 19 included 9,720 pounds of latex paint, 4,067 pounds of used oil and gas and 1,769 pounds of lead acid batteries. Other collected items consisted of various household hazardous waste such as gas cylinders, ammunition, fluorescent bulbs, rechargeable batteries and more.

Collected electronics will go to a licensed demanufacturer for recycling. The chemicals that can be recycled will be filtered for reuse, and the remainder will be properly disposed of by the county's chemical waste contractor.

More than 220 Pine Island residents participated in the Oct. 19 event. Due to its success, Lee County Solid Waste will return to Pine Island for another free collection event at the same location. Residents can drop off materials from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 16 at Phillips Park, 5675 Sesame Drive, Bokeelia.

Residents who do not want to wait for the event can visit the Household Chemical and Electronics Recycling Facility, 6441 Topaz Court, Fort Myers. The site is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and the first Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to noon, excluding holidays. There is no charge to drop off items.

To find out more information on proper material disposal, residents can download the Recycle Coach app or visit www.leegov.com/solidwaste/recycle-coach.