Laurel Civic Association Has a Vision

The Laurel Civic Association doesn't yet own the site for its new headquarters on Laurel Road. It isn't certain how big to build it or who its nonprofit partners will be, and it's still well short of its $50 million fundraising goal.

But President and CEO Peter Casamento is certain of one thing.

"The facility's going to happen," he said.

Growth in both the number and size of the programs LCA offers, and wants to offer, as well as the growth in the area make the construction of a large home of its own a necessity, he said.

The organization is based in the Sandra Sims Terry Community Center at Laurel Park, which is in part a county facility. It has to rent the gym in the building from the county in order to have space for its summer camp, he said.

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Students arrive at 3:30 p.m. and have free time, which includes a nutritious hot meal, until 4 p.m., he said. Then, they do school work, with assistance from a volunteer, staff member or teacher who has online access to their grades and assignments.

The LCA has two district teachers under contract, thanks to a Community Foundation of Sarasota County grant, to help with the program by working with students and mentoring the people who do, he said.

"The teachers are the key to the success," he said.

No one has more than four students to work with, while students with an individualized educational plan due to special educational needs work one on one with someone.

The program is mainly for elementary and middle school students, he said, though a few high school students who came up through it are still participating.

The results are why the district which contributes no money to the free program is considering adopting it.

Last year, 94% of the 121 students in the program had a report card with A's and B's, with 84% of the IEP students making the honor roll.

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