Page 6 - The Shores of Jupiter - February '21

Page 6, The Shores
Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center Recognized

For Excellence And The center is
recognized as a Gold
Innovation In Education, Seal Quality Care

Outreach To The Community Program provider
of afterschool care,
As It Enters Its 35th Year Of is licensed by the
State of Florida, and
Service is grateful for the
support of United
The Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center (EWRTC) works Way of Palm Beach
to honor the children and families served by its center – and County, Jim Moran
beyond its Limestone Creek, Jupiter “perimeter” – daily. Foundation, The
On the heels of overriding challenges in 2020, as it enters Honda Classic Cares,
its 35th year of service, its leadership, staff, volunteers and The Ed and Leah Frankel Supporting
supporters are celebrating landmark growth and recognition Foundation and others. This community
for its ongoing dedication to helping children succeed in support allows the tutorial center to
school and life; and to extending its outreach and care into care for students to continue beyond
the larger community of senior citizen residents – so that no graduation with scholarships awarded
one feels alone. each year to graduating seniors at
In spite of the unanticipated pandemic, the Edna W. Edna’s “Movin’ On!” ceremony with
Runner Tutorial Center was able to provide a continuity of the long-established Mary Hinton
care and services with safe learning alternatives for working Scholarship Awards. Year after year,
parents, so they could get back to work, and children could students return to thank her and share
continue to remain on track. Supported by funds provided by steps along their educational and
the Community Foundation and others, the staff created new career paths. Some return to volunteer
ways of interacting with volunteers and students to ensure that and hold staff positions under her
learning loss was minimized in the challenging environment. leadership at the center.
That extra effort mattered, and the Palm Beach County School The tutorial center’s Program
District complimented the tutorial center’s students on being Director, Travis Conway, is one such example. Recognized dream and achieve goals. In turn, they learn how to model
well prepared when they returned to the classroom! in 2020 as one of National Afterschool Association’s this in their community. The newly-installed Simon’s
Last spring, with dedicated, fast-track grassroots (NAA) elite 2021 Next Generation of Afterschool Giving Garden allows donors to adopt a garden bed to
fundraising and awareness efforts, the center reopened its Leaders; and as a coveted “Professional of the Year” support the community. Named to honor Simon Baker, a
doors, with a huge expansion completed including new nominee in Nonprofit First’s 2020 Hats Off Awards – as Jupiter Community High School student who tragically
outdoor recreation spaces, counseling rooms and a STEAM an alumni – Conway understands the needs of the students passed away last August, Simon’s Giving Garden is a place
classroom all generously donated by the community. Its served by the center. of reflection, carefully designed to include perennial plants,
welcoming “new” doors invite kids to reap the rewards, of not Although just 28 years old, Conway led the charge butterfly plants, and raised beds for wellness education and
only wonderful afterschool tutoring, recreation, life coaching during the COVID-19 academic closures to ensure his community food. Students will plant vegetables and herbs,
and mentoring ... but also to an exciting host of new and students would not suffer. A product of the center, Conway nurture their growth, and learn about healthy eating habits,
enhanced programs filled with learning opportunities from knew that students critically needed a sense of safety, and how to prepare nutritious snacks and meals with the
volunteers – experts, teachers, and professionals in culinary feelings of connectedness and feelings of hope that they center’s Culinary Program. The garden construction was
arts, music, technology, engineering, and more! might not get at home. Working with area businesses and supported by numerous agencies and donors including the
Edna Runner, “Miss Edna” – as she is fondly known – is educators, he ensured computers, Internet access and Mary Durstine McArtor Reynolds Memorial Giving Fund,
an inspiration to all who know her and experience her genuine other support critical to students’ success were available who created a Mary’s Growing Garden featuring nutritious
care, concern, and love in the community. As executive as the county transitioned to distance learning. Conway food. The garden will also include pollinator plants for
director of the nonprofit organization that bears her name, and his team wrote curriculum and built a plan to support butterflies, plus areas where students can reflect and grow.
Runner has grown the center’s offerings, always striving to the custom #TutorialCenterMoments videos which helped Edna Runner, executive director of the Edna W. Runner
do more. In 2020 alone, Runner, her staff, and the tutorial support the academic and psychological needs of students. Tutorial Center, said, “The kids are going to learn a lot
center have been recognized by the community with several He led a team of eight teachers to create 160 custom about food that really doesn’t come from the grocery store,
nominations by peers and officials. Some include: Nonprofit STEAM projects, 172 videos, 856 home care kits and it comes from the garden, so this will be a great experience
of the Year, Executive of the Year, Woman of the Year, published them under the tag #TutorialCenterCamp during for them.”
Professional of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, by highly the summer. 100 percent of parents reported students While spending quality time at the center, filling the
acclaimed organizations and affiliations such as Nonprofits participated in these programs regularly and area schools gap when kids are “out of school,” students learn about
First, Palm Beach North Chamber Women in Business reported that the center’s students were better prepared respecting themselves and others … and a big part of
Council, and the National Afterschool Association. than their peers upon return to school this fall. this is involving the kids in Runner’s extensive outreach
Throughout the year, the program the staff team are to the senior citizen members of the community. Events
supported by a cadre of 100-plus volunteers who are and activities celebrate and showcase their contributions
often retired professionals serving nearly 5,000 hours to the community, and Edna draws from her personal
annually. The center allocates 2,000 meals a year, over childhood memories to give back. Many are caregivers
500 music lessons, and nearly 100 educational events – and grandparents of the children served by the center.
often coordinating support from area businesses or partner Edna tirelessly brings food, clothing, household items and
agencies. The impact is significant with 90 percent of masks, to assist them with care and compassion.
EWRTC students going on to graduate high school on time. Events include the center’s Winter Wonderland,
The Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center achieved the Valentine’s Day Cupid Match Party, Veterans Day
coveted Maintenance Level in the Quality Improvement Ceremony, and a Thanksgiving Feast with all the
Standards for the 10th year. The strategic partnerships trimmings!
for enhanced learning opportunities with FPL, FAU, the The Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center is valued in the
University of Florida, Florida State, the University of community as is the founder, Runner, a humble icon of
Miami, add tremendous support for the center’s S.T.E.A.M. selfless giving. This special place inspires all who know
Southern Exposure Technologies curriculum. These enhancements and a strong volunteer and experience it. Runner shares, “My goal is that everyone
Computer Install/Setup/Repair program helped the center achieve 78 percent improvement has opportunities to succeed. A lot of that starts with feeling
in reading scores and an overwhelming parent support rate.
loved and valued.”
(561) 315-0144 Core to the center’s mission, is to offer a place where Photos contributed by
getsetgo.annie@gmail.com children feel safe and are nurtured to help build self-esteem, the Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center
* DSL, Broadband,Wireless Install
* Networking, Troubleshooting
* Instruction
* Hardware/Software Installation
* Virus/Spyware/Adware Fix
* Cleanup/Maintenance/Backup
* Business Consult/Startup/Move
* Website Design/Maintenance
Call S.E.T. to install your “new computer, printer
and wireless network”!
GET S.E.T. GO!
REASONABLE HOURLY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY RATES
FOR SMALL BUSINESSES FOR AS LOW AS $50.00 AN HOUR,
WITH A MINIMUM OF 6 HOURS A MONTH,
OR 2 HOURS A WEEK, OR ON AN AS-NEEDED
BASIS RATE OF $75.00 P/HOUR.
START YOUR NEW YEAR WITH SECURE BACKUPS, 747-PALM
QUALITY MAINTENANCE, ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND
PERSONABLE ON-SITE SUPPORT! 747-7256
(561) 315-0144
CALL S.E.T. TODAY FOR YOUR COMPUTER NEEDS!