Funding Supports Innovative Educational Program
Collaboratory’s Women’s Legacy Fund (WLF) recently awarded Healthy Living Collaboration $65,000 and committed to two more years of additional investment. The school garden program has reduced food insecurities among students and grown healthier minds, stronger communities, and created future leaders.
Healthy Living Collaboration unites four departments from the School District of Lee County and a diverse network of cross-sector partners to establish and sustain impactful school garden programs. As a result, there are about 80 school gardens spread throughout elementary, middle and high schools in Lee County. These range from small pollinator habitats to full-scale hydroponic and aquaponic systems. During the past school year, school gardens produced nearly 11,000 pounds of produce and saved roughly $25,000 for school
kitchens.
“The impact of these gardens goes far beyond the numbers – it’s about the transformation we see in our students,” said Leisha Roy, Chair of the Healthy Living Collaboration. “We’re witnessing first-hand improved academics, stronger mental health, and a renewed sense of purpose. These gardens are cultivating leadership, confidence, and a deeper connection to learning, all while strengthening our communities and creating a healthier future for our students.”
Alongside Healthy Living Collaboration, two additional project teams – each emerging from the Health and Wellness Coalition – presented to WLF and still seek support. Produce RX addresses obesity and diabetes through education and produce distribution in Immokalee, Fla. – a food desert with nearly double the obesity rates of other Collier County zip codes. Headstream, which partners with the Hendry County K-12 Learning Lab, addresses critical mental health challenges where there is just one mental health counselor for every 2,850 residents and just one mental health counselor for every 1,500 students. This initiative aims
to equip teachers with the digital resources necessary to support students’ mental well-being and bridge the gap in mental health services within the school district.
Since 2008, WLF has awarded more than $387,000 to improve communities in Southwest Florida. They strive to increase the power women possess to strengthen their communities through philanthropic giving; educate women and the community on current issues and philanthropic strategies; and inspire women to be leaders in philanthropy.
For more information on membership and to join this collective, inspiring group of women, visit www.collaboratory.org/wlf, contact Gina Dengler at gdengler@collaboratory.org or call
(239)3334171. For more information about how to help support these initiatives visit; Online Donation, contact Maureen Gleason at mgleason@collaboratory.org or call (239-333-4178
ABOUT COLLABORATORY
Collaboratory is a regional community foundation with an evolved mission committed to coordinating the solving of Southwest Florida’s major social problems by 2040. Not alone, but with everyone—the entire community working together across all five counties: Lee, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte and Collier. Collaboratory provides community leadership, raises and
coordinates funding, and disburses funds to organizations that are helping solve the problems our donors and the community have identified as priorities. Collaboratory also provides capacity building with training and resources for regional partners. Given the complexities of the social challenges in our region, Collaboratory ensures we are all working together and that every generous donor achieves the biggest impact with their funds. By using and sharing data to track progress, we ensure that donor dollars are best invested to move the needle on improving social issues.
Connection and collaboration are at the heart of our mission. Since 1976, we have made over $130 million in grants to individuals and organizations across the region to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. It is upon that legacy of a commitment to community we will collectively achieve our 2040 goal. To learn more and get involved, call 239-274-5900 or visit www.collaboratory.org.
PHOTO: Healthy Living Collaboration team. From Left to Right; Left to Right: Susan Hassett, Leisha Roy, Jennifer Hagen, Amy Carroll, Mary Graham
Contact: Francesca Donlan, APR, cell: 239-464-4205, pr@francescadonlan.com
