Annual community projects are a cornerstone of the Leadership St. Pete program — a six-month experience that supports local business professionals.
The Class of 2026 selected the Lealman and Asian Neighborhood Family Center for this year’s effort.
Founded in 2001, the nonprofit offers a variety of services for adults and children. These include a food pantry, tax filing assistance, a computer lab and language classes for individuals who are learning to speak English.
Additionally, LANFC oversees youth programs including after-school care and a summer camp.
“I think part of the reason that the class selected the organization was that, at least during one of the site visits, there were neighborhood people coming in and asking for food,” said LSP Class of 2026 chair Debbie Viveiros. “I think seeing it firsthand really touched many hearts.”
She added that Lealman “doesn’t get as much of the spotlight as some of our other areas in need” and bringing “awareness” to the community was attractive.
LANFC executive director Donna McGill said that the initiative will consist of renovating the facility’s playground area and enhancing the front entrance. Additionally, the existing deck that leads to the playground will be replaced due to rotting boards.
“The first and most important thing this project will do is keep our kids safe,” she explained. “They have been in school all day long and they want to get out and run. Right now, we have to make sure that we are walking them around the cones where the boards are.”
Choosing LANFC was a multi-step process. It started with an open application that was offered to nonprofits in the St. Petersburg area, Viveiros said.
Once the applications were received, a planning committee reviewed them and narrowed the options down to three organizations. After representatives from each nonprofit presented their needs, the group selected which project to support.
Currently, the Class of 2026 is planning out the effort — including how to get the money necessary for the renovations. The goal is $50,000.
Viveiros added that the funds will be raised through various means including grants and events. The first, a trivia night, is scheduled Feb. 24 at 3 Daughters Brewing.
Class of 2026 and planning committee members will participate in a day of service May 16. They will be doing the work “with their own hands,” she said. Additionally, a majority of the planned updates will be completed on that date.
Established in 1970, the Leadership St. Pete program is designed to educate participants on how to make an impact in the community. The initiative, organized by the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, invites professionals to think about local social, economic, business and political issues.
Viveiros currently serves as vice president and commercial relationship manager at the Bank of Tampa.
“I think the community project exposes the class to giving back,” she added. “For people who have never done fundraising before or have never served on a board before, it just opens up their eyes and gives them awareness that there is a lot of need in the area.”