Page 6 - Hobe Sound Reflections - February '21
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Page 6, Hobe Sound

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      Edna W. Runner Tutorial                               Although just 28

      Center Recognized                                  years old, Conway
                                                         led the charge during
                                                         the COVID-19
      For Excellence And Innovation In Education,        academic closures to
      Outreach To The Community As It Enters Its         ensure  his students
      35th Year Of Service                               would not suffer. A
                                                         product of the center,
         The Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center (EWRTC) works   Conway knew that
      to honor the children and families served by its center   students critically
      – and beyond its Limestone Creek, Jupiter “perimeter”   needed a sense of
      – daily. On the heels of overriding challenges in 2020,   safety, feelings of
      as it enters its 35th year of service, its leadership, staff,   connectedness and
      volunteers and supporters are celebrating landmark   feelings of hope
      growth  and  recognition  for  its  ongoing dedication to   that they might
      helping children succeed in school and life; and to   not get at home.
      extending its outreach and care into the larger community   Working with area businesses and
      of senior citizen residents – so that no one feels alone.   educators, he ensured computers,
         In spite of the unanticipated pandemic, the Edna W.   Internet access and other support
      Runner Tutorial Center was able to provide a continuity   critical to students’ success were
      of care and services with safe learning alternatives for   available as the county transitioned
      working parents, so they could get back to work, and   to distance learning. Conway
      children could continue to remain on track. Supported by   and his team wrote curriculum
      funds provided by the Community Foundation and others,   and built a plan to support the
      the staff created new ways of interacting with volunteers   custom #TutorialCenterMoments
      and students to ensure that learning loss was minimized in   videos which helped support the
      the challenging environment. That extra effort mattered,   academic and psychological needs
      and the Palm Beach County School District complimented   of students. He led a team of eight
      the tutorial center’s students on being well prepared when   teachers to create 160 custom
      they returned to the classroom!                    STEAM projects, 172 videos, 856
         Last spring, with dedicated, fast-track grassroots   home care kits and published them
      fundraising and awareness efforts, the center reopened   under the tag #TutorialCenterCamp during the summer.   about healthy eating habits, and how to prepare nutritious
      its doors, with a huge expansion completed including   100 percent of parents reported students participated in   snacks and meals with the center’s Culinary Program.
      new outdoor recreation spaces, counseling rooms and   these programs regularly and area schools reported that   The garden construction was supported by numerous
      a STEAM classroom all generously donated by the    the center’s students were better prepared than their peers   agencies and donors including the Mary Durstine
      community. Its welcoming “new” doors invite kids to reap   upon return to school this fall.          McArtor Reynolds Memorial Giving Fund, who created
      the rewards, of not only wonderful afterschool tutoring,      Throughout the year, the program the staff team are   a Mary’s Growing Garden featuring nutritious food. The
      recreation, life coaching and mentoring ... but also to   supported by a cadre of 100-plus volunteers who are   garden will also include pollinator plants for butterflies,
      an exciting host of new and enhanced programs filled   often retired professionals serving nearly 5,000 hours   plus areas where students can reflect and grow.
      with learning opportunities from volunteers – experts,   annually. The center allocates 2,000 meals a year, over      Edna Runner, executive director of the Edna  W.
      teachers, and professionals in culinary arts, music,   500 music lessons, and nearly 100 educational events –   Runner Tutorial  Center,  said,  “The  kids  are  going  to
      technology, engineering, and more!                 often coordinating support from area businesses or partner   learn a lot about food that really doesn’t come from the
         Edna Runner, “Miss Edna” – as she is fondly known   agencies. The impact is significant with 90 percent of   grocery store, it comes from the garden, so this will be a
      – is an inspiration to all who know her and experience   EWRTC students going on to graduate high school on time.  great experience for them.”
      her genuine care, concern, and love in the community.      The Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center achieved the      While spending quality time at the center, filling the
      As executive director of the nonprofit organization that   coveted Maintenance Level in the Quality Improvement   gap when kids are “out of school,” students learn about
      bears her name, Runner has grown the center’s offerings,   Standards for the 10th year. The strategic partnerships   respecting themselves and others … and a big part of
      always striving to do more. In 2020 alone, Runner, her   for enhanced learning opportunities with FPL, FAU,   this is involving the kids in Runner’s extensive outreach
      staff, and the tutorial center have been recognized by   the University of Florida, Florida State, the University   to the senior citizen members of the community. Events
      the community with several nominations by peers and   of Miami, add tremendous support for the center’s   and activities celebrate and showcase their contributions
      officials. Some include: Nonprofit of the Year, Executive   S.T.E.A.M. curriculum. These enhancements and a strong   to the community, and Edna draws from her personal
      of the Year, Woman of the Year, Professional of the Year,   volunteer program helped the center achieve 78 percent   childhood memories to give back. Many are caregivers
      Lifetime Achievement, by highly acclaimed organizations   improvement in reading scores and an overwhelming   and grandparents of the children served by the center.
      and affiliations such as Nonprofits First, Palm Beach North   parent support rate.                   Edna tirelessly brings food, clothing, household items
      Chamber Women in Business Council, and the National      Core to the center’s mission, is to offer a place where   and masks, to assist them with care and compassion.
      Afterschool Association.                           children feel safe and are nurtured to help build self-     Events include the center’s  Winter  Wonderland,
         The center is recognized as a Gold Seal Quality Care   esteem, dream and achieve goals. In turn, they learn how   Valentine’s Day Cupid Match Party,  Veterans Day
      Program provider of afterschool care, is licensed by the   to model this in their community. The newly-installed   Ceremony, and a Thanksgiving Feast with all the trimmings!
      State of Florida, and is grateful for the support of United   Simon’s Giving Garden allows donors to adopt a garden      The Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center is valued in the
      Way of Palm Beach County, Jim Moran Foundation, The   bed to support the community. Named to honor Simon   community as is the founder, Runner, a humble icon
      Honda Classic Cares, The Ed and Leah Frankel Supporting   Baker, a Jupiter Community High School student who   of  selfless  giving. This  special  place  inspires  all  who
      Foundation and others. This community support allows   tragically passed away last August, Simon’s Giving   know and experience it. Runner shares, “My goal is that
      the tutorial center to care for students to continue beyond   Garden is a place of reflection, carefully designed to   everyone has opportunities to succeed. A lot of that starts
      graduation with scholarships awarded each year to graduating   include perennial plants, butterfly plants, and raised beds   with feeling loved and valued.”
      seniors at Edna’s “Movin’ On!” ceremony with the long-  for wellness education and community food. Students will                 Photos contributed by
      established Mary Hinton Scholarship Awards. Year   plant vegetables and herbs, nurture their growth, and learn       the Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center
      after year, students return to thank her and share steps
      along their educational and career paths. Some return to
      volunteer and hold staff positions under her leadership
      at the center.
         The tutorial center’s Program Director,  Travis
      Conway, is one such example. Recognized in 2020 as
      one of National Afterschool Association’s (NAA) elite
      2021 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders; and as a
      coveted “Professional of the Year” nominee in Nonprofit
      First’s 2020 Hats Off Awards – as an alumni – Conway
      understands the needs of the students served by the center.
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