Page 14 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - May '23

Page 14, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
Building Community Means Assisting Many Generations

At The Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center

Teaching children partners like Florida
about trade schools Atlantic University,
and jobs that might Lockheed Martin,
not require a four- and area businesses
year degree has have proven to
become an initiative increase grade
at Edna W. Runner point averages and
Tutorial Center which self-esteem in the
is run by the West students at the Edna
Jupiter Community W. Runner Tutorial
Group, Inc., a 501(c) Center.
(3) organization that Ed Hocevar, a
has been providing former engineer at
services for the young Pratt Whitney and
and older residents in currently a tutor at
the area since 1986. Ed Hocevar with the kids the center, volunteers
The tutorial center, to teach the students Senior Christmas tour
which is named after their leader, Edna W. Runner, is a about carpentry.
provider of after-school, spring break, and summer camp Hocevar established a hands-on curriculum to explain In addition, students learned how to plant a variety
services for children in grades K through 8 along with how to build a bench, and shared basic information from of fruit and vegetables in the center’s garden, named
hosting a plethora of special events each month for their selecting the wood to using tools to cut and measure the Simon’s Giving Garden, and preserve area which was
senior citizen group. materials needed. made possible by a grant from Impact 100 – The Palm
This past year, the Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center “I have been pleasantly surprised at the students’ Beaches. The children even took home the vegetables
received a grant made possible by the Community enthusiasm and continued interest in the program. They they grew to cook them at their homes and share their
Foundation, to develop an educational program called always want to know when the next class is going to take lessons with their families.
the T3: Touch, Tech and Trades. At T3 classes elementary place,” said Hocevar, who is also a board member of the “Ashton brought home sweet potatoes and collard
students learn about different trade jobs to broaden West Jupiter Community Center. “I have also found it greens that we washed and prepared for dinner,” said Joe
their awareness of pathways and future career options. great that the girls in the class have taken an active role Sirmans, father to student Ashton Sirmans. “It was the
Students work on a variety of trade areas including wanting to be hands-on with the tools and materials. This first time we cooked together. Now Ashton gets to help
culinary, electronics, fashion design and sewing, design has been a rewarding experience for both me and the with preparing meals.”
and drafting, auto, carpentry and home renovation. students.” The tutorial center also offers a senior citizen program
The T3 program was developed to help the students Aurellia Wiggerton, a fifth grader, who attends the to people in the West Jupiter area. With enrichment
at the Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center understand that Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center, has enjoyed the T3 activities ranging from health and nutrition education to
college is not the only pathway to success. Sixty-eight program, stating, “I have a feeling of accomplishment holiday celebrations, the center is ensuring that elders
percent of business owners have struggled to hire skilled after building the bench. Now I can build more things continue to remain connected with their community. For
workers and more than one-third, 35 percent, are slightly by expanding on what I learned.” the last 18 years, the monthly events offer the senior
or extremely understaffed. Over half of tradespeople, 52 citizens a learning experience, some time to socialize,
percent, say a lack of available workers is stunting their a complimentary lunch with friends, and sometimes
growth and 68 percent say they could grow their business dancing.
if they could find more available workers. Skilled trades Connectedness to others is a critical element to
are a needed, mobile, lucrative, and fulfilling way to be wellness and the senior citizens at the West Jupiter
a very productive member of a community. Exposure Community Group have many opportunities to share
to opportunities and hands-on learning projects from and connect. During the Christmas holiday, the seniors
were invited on a bus tour around Jupiter where they
shared dinner with the congregants of the First United
Methodist Church of Jupiter-Tequesta, received gifts
from the residents at Jupiter Inlet Colony and sang songs
with current and past teachers from Limestone Creek
Elementary School. They also enjoyed a holiday light
tour while they drove around the city of Jupiter.

Kids in the garden Building Community on page 15

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