THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIALS SAY ALL DETAINEES HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ IN THE EVERGLADES.

WHAT COULD THIS MEAN FOR THE FUTURE OF THE CONTROVERSIAL DETENTION FACILITY AND THE LAWSUITS UNDER WAY TO CLOSE IT DOWN FOR GOOD HELPING WORKING FAMILIES TO AFFORD CHILD CARE.

WE TAKE A LOOK AT A SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ORGANIZATION STRIVING TO PROVIDE TOP NOTCH CARE TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND THE BLENDING CULTURE INTO THE WORLD OF FASHION, THE LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR USING HER HAITIAN HERITAGE TO BRING A UNIQUE STYLE TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING U.S.

HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIALS SAY HURRICANE SEASON IS THE REASON THEY EMPTIED THE CONTROVERSIAL IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTER KNOWN AS ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ.

THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SAYS DETAINEES HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO OTHER FACILITIES, BUT THEY DO NOT SAY WHERE OR HOW MANY DETAINEES WERE TAKEN.

THEY ALSO DID NOT CLARIFY IF THE REMOVAL IS PERMANENT OPPONENTS OF THE FACILITY SAY THEY ARE RELIEVED THAT DETAINEES ARE REMOVED AND THEY WILL CONTINUE THEIR LEGAL FIGHT.

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY DIRECTOR AND SENIOR ATTORNEY, AT LEAST BENNETT JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON THE LEGAL EFFORT.

SOLIS, THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> IT'S GOOD TO BE WITH YOU, JENNIFER.

>> FIRST, WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE NEWS THAT DETAINEES HAVE ALL BEEN MOVED OUT OF THE FACILITY IN PREPARATION FOR HURRICANE SEASON.

ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS.

>> YEAH, I WOULD SAY I HAVE 2 REACTIONS.

THE FIRST ONE IS THAT IF IT IS INDEED TRUE THAT IMMIGRANTS HAVE BEEN MOVED OUT OF THIS HORRIFYING FACILITY THAT IS AND IMPORTANT MILESTONE AND SHOULD BE CELEBRATED.

MY SECOND REACTION WAS TO TAKE ALL OF THAT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT BECAUSE THE TRUMP AND DESANTIS ADMINISTRATION'S HELD PEOPLE IN THAT FACILITY THROUGH THE ENTIRETY OF HURRICANE SEASON LAST YEAR, DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND SADLY, WE'RE NOT NAVIGATING A WORLD WHERE THE GOVERNMENT SAYS WHAT IT MEANS AND DOES WHAT IT SAYS.

AND SO WITHOUT THAT ASSURANCE THAT ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ WILL BE CLOSED FOR GOOD AND BIG CYPRESS WILL BE FULLY RESTORED.

WE'RE READY TO PUSH FORWARD WITH OUR CASE.

>> DID YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW OR HAVE YOU HEARD WERE ANY OF THE DETAINEES HAVE GONE?

>> WE DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF DETAILS ON THAT WE DO HAVE FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN MONITORING THE SITE.

WE HAVE SEEN BUSES COME AND GO AS WELL AS AIRPLANES.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE FACILITIES IN MIAMI AND OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE.

SO I THINK WE CAN ASSUME THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE GOING.

BUT WE DON'T KNOW FOR SURE AT THIS TIME.

>> AND IN THE MEANTIME, CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH WHAT LEGAL CHALLENGES YOU ARE STILL CURRENTLY PURSUING IT AND WHAT THEIR STATUS IS.

>> SO WE CURRENTLY HAVE A CASE PENDING OVER VIOLATIONS OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT, WHICH IS A COMMON SENSE LAW THAT REQUIRES THE GOVERNMENT TO TRANSPARENTLY SHARE WHAT IT IS THAT IT'S DOING AND WHAT THEY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF, THAT WOULD BE.

AND THEN ALSO TO THINK ABOUT ALTERNATIVES THAT WOULD AVOID HARMS TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND WOULD MINIMIZE AND MITIGATE ANY HARMS THAT MIGHT OCCUR.

AND TO THIS DAY, NONE OF THAT REVIEW HAS OCCURRED FOR THE SITE.

SO THAT'S A CLAIM THAT IS STILL ALIVE.

AND WE'RE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT.

WE ALSO INTEND AS WE GO BACK TO THE DISTRICT COURT TO RAISE ADDITIONAL CLAIMS UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT.

AND WE'RE ALSO PURSUING A CASE FOR CLEAN AIR ACT VIOLATIONS.

>> CAN YOU DESCRIBE SOME OF THE HARMS THAT YOU ARE ALLEGING HAVE OCCURRED AT THE FACILITY AND IN THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE IT WAS FIRST BUILT LAST SUMMER.

>> YEAH, WELL, I MEAN, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS WAS A VERY LITTLE USE TO TRAINING AIRSTRIP BEFORE IT BECAME THE SITE OF ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ AND WE'VE PRESENTED EXTENSIVE EVIDENCE AND COURT AND WE CONTINUE TO GATHER EVIDENCE SHOWING THAT THIS CRUEL FACILITY HAS DONE IMMENSE DAMAGE TO A REALLY SPECIAL PLACE.

IT'S COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY BIG CYPRESS, NATIONAL PRESERVE, WHICH IS ONE OF OUR FIRST NATIONAL PRESERVES EVER DESIGNATED HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

VIRTUALLY OVERNIGHT, WE SAW THIS MINIMALLY USE RUNWAY BECOME MASS DETENTION CENTER FOR THOUSANDS OF STAFF.

ANDY SAY KNEES.

WE SAW DE SER DIESEL GENERATORS RUNNING AROUND THE CLOCK AND SPEWING AIR POLLUTION INTO BIG CYPRESS AND THE SURROUNDING EVERGLADES.

THE NUMBER OF THESE GENERATORS HAVE BEEN OPERATING.

24 7 LIGHTING, WHICH CAN BE SEEN FROM 15 TO 30 MILES AWAY AND WHICH DEGRADES THE NIGHT SKY FOR FOLKS WHO COME TO STARGAZE BUT ALSO FOR REALLY VULNERABLE SPECIES LIKE THE FLORIDA PANTHER AND THE FLORIDA BONDED BAT WHO ARE ENDANGERED AND REQUIRE VERY DARK NIGHT.

TIME TO TO HUNT AND FORAGE.

>> AND WHAT KIND OF RESTITUTION ARE YOU SEEKING FROM THE COURTS?

>> RIGHT.

SO THE FIRST THING WOULD BE TO HAVE THAT ANALYSIS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS HAVE BEEN.

WE HAVE A GOOD SENSE FROM THE MONITORING WE'VE DONE, BUT THERE'S A WHOLE LOT WE DON'T KNOW BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT BEEN TRANSPARENT WITH THIS PROJECT.

SO FIRST WE GET THAT ANALYSIS AND THEN THAT INFORMS HOW WE RESTORE THE SITE BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS BEFORE AND TO ENSURE THAT BIG CYPRESS CAN LIVE ON AS A HEALTHY, HEALTHY ECOSYSTEM.

AND BEYOND THAT, UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT, THERE ARE ALSO CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS THAT MEAN THAT THE FEDERAL AGENCIES HAVE TO UNDERTAKE CERTAIN MINIMIZATION MITIGATION MEASURES THAT ARE MEANT TO ENSURE THAT THEIR ACTIONS DON'T JEOPARDIZE THE SPECIES EXISTENCE OR DESTROY REALLY IMPORTANT HABITAT.

ALL OF THAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS HAVE BEEN COMPLIED WITH AND WE FILED THESE CASES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE COMPLIED.

BUT >> AND WHAT LEGACY DO YOU BELIEVE THIS FACILITY HAS LEFT ON THE EVERGLADES AND WILL BE IN THE HISTORY BOOKS.

>> YEAH, I THINK PEOPLE REMEMBER ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ FOR THE MORAL AND BYRON MENTAL AND FINANCIAL DISASTER THAT IT IS.

AND I THINK THAT THE TRUMP AND DESANTIS ADMINISTRATION IS RECOGNIZE THAT AND A BEER APPEAR TO BE QUIETLY DISTASTE AND DISTANCING THEMSELVES FROM THIS, YOU KNOW, POINTING TO HURRICANE SEASON AND TRYING TO QUIETLY WALK AWAY FROM THIS PART OF THE REASON THAT WE HAVE BROUGHT THIS CASE IS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY.

THAT'S ENVIRONMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY.

BUT IF IT HELPS TO PUSH FOR ACCOUNTABILITY ON ANY OTHER FRONT, THEN WILL BE REALLY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE HERE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, ELISE BENNETT, FOR JOINING US TODAY WITH THE VERY LATEST >> FOR THE LATEST ON ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ IN THE FUTURE OF THE DETENTION CENTER, YOU CAN VISIT W TCU DOT ORG.

>> COMING UP FROM THE SANDY BEACHES OF FLORIDA TO THE ROCKY SHORES OF MAINE.

WE'RE PREVIEWING AN UPCOMING ROMANTIC COMEDY PERFORMANCE THAT TAKES YOU TO THE WOODS OF NEW ENGLAND.

THEATER.

CONSPIRACY IN FORT MYERS HAS OPENED ITS SUMMER COMEDY SERIES.

IT FEATURES A ROM COM THAT WILL TRANSPORT YOU FROM THE HEAT OF A SUMMER FLORIDA NIGHT TO A COOL WINTER EVENING.

UP NORTH WGCU ARTS REPORTER TOM HALL HAS THE DETAILS.

>> PLEASE LET ME YEAH.

I CAN FIX IT TO LOTS OF GREAT WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT.

BUT THERE'S NONE BETTER THAN GOING TO ALMOST MAINE.

>> IN TERMS OF 13 RACE, 7.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ON YOUR MAP BECAUSE AS A TOWN IT DOESN'T EXIST.

TECHNICALLY WHAT YOU NEED TO BE A TOWN, YOU'VE GOT TO GET ORGANIZED AND WE NEVER GOT AROUND TO GET ORGANIZED.

SO WE'RE JUST ALMOST.

>> IT'S NOT NECESSARY TO TRAVEL TO THE NORTHERN TIP OF MAINE.

JOHN CARNEY ON HIS ROMANTIC COMEDY, ALMOST MAINE IS AT THE BROADWAY PALM DINNER THEATRE.

THE PLAY IS A COLLECTION OF 9 SHORT INTERCONNECTED SITUATIONAL COMEDIES SET ON A SINGLE COLD CLEAR WINTER NIGHT UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS WHERE THE RESIDENTS OF REMOTE AND ORGANIZED TOWN IN MAINE EXPERIENCE THE MAGICAL, HILARIOUS AND HEARTBREAKING REALITIES OF LOVE.

>> WE COVERED THE HAPPY PART OF RELATIONSHIPS, THE HARD PARTS, THE DIFFICULT PART TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, AND I THINK THE SHOW DOES A REALLY GOOD JOB OF SHOWING LOVE IN WAYS THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY ALWAYS ROMANTIC.

>> AFTER DANICA MURRAY PROVIDES THE SECRET SAUCE FOR WHY EACH OF THE WRONG KINDS VIGNETTES RESONATES WITH AUDIENCES.

I FEEL LIKE WHAT I HEAR A LOT OF RIGHT NOW IS.

>> I MISS MEETING PEOPLE ORGANICALLY AND THIS MEETING PEOPLE OUT AND ABOUT OR RUNNING INTO PEOPLE ARE MEETING STRANGERS BECAUSE SO MUCH OF WHAT WE DO IS ONLINE NOW AND A LOT OF LOVE IS ONLINE.

NOW BETWEEN, YOU KNOW, THE DATING APPS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO I THINK WHAT MAKES THE SHOW SO CHARMING IS THESE FUNNY SITUATIONS THAT WE FIND OURSELVES IN.

>> TO TRY ALBERT SON AND THE CMU BODY.

I SAY THAT THE SHOW CONNECTS BECAUSE THE CHARACTERS ARE SO RELATED.

THERE'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE CAN RELATE TO, SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE CAN TAKE FROM ANY OF THE SCENES AND SEE THEMSELVES IN THE CHARACTERS.

DON'T CONFLATE LIGHT HEARTED WITH SUPERFICIAL.

>> THE STORYLINES IN THIS PLAY ARE DEEPLY METAPHORICAL.

>> LIKE HER HEART.

AND WHICH GLORY CARRIES HER HEART BROKEN INTO 19 PIECES IN A BROWN PAPER BAG SHOWS FULL OF HEART.

>> EVERY SINGLE PERSON COMES TO SEE THE SHOW WILL FIND AT LEAST ONE CHARACTER THAT THEY RELATE WITH THEMSELVES PERSONALLY OR THEY KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS LIKE THAT.

>> THIS IS THE RAIN.

>> THIS THIS PERSON, IT BEHAVES OR TALKS LIKE MY NEIGHBOR, THIS PERSON'S LIKE SOME OF THAT I USED TO DATE ARE, YOU KNOW, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO I THINK EVERYONE WILL FIND SOMETHING THAT THEY WILL LOVE ABOUT THE SHOW.

>> WE'RE GETTING IT BACK.

>> AND WHICH KELLER EYES AND HER BOYFRIEND'S HOUSE WITH BIG RED BAGS FILLED WITH THE LOVE.

HE GAVE HER.

>> SHE'S GIVING THE BACK BECAUSE HE'S APPARENTLY UNWILLING TO COMMIT TO TAKING THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

NOW.

AND THIS IS.

>> I WAS ON MY BACK PATIO ISLAND.

I'M READING THE SCENE AND ALL THIS AND I WAS CRYING AND I LIKE WRITING RIGHT NOW.

AND SO I JUST THINK IT'S ONE OF THOSE ONES THAT JUST LIKE CUT STEEP, WHETHER YOU'RE MARRIED OR NOT MARRIED, IF YOU WANT TO BE MARRIED, I MADE IT.

BUT JUST LIKE IF YOU'VE BEEN IN A RELATIONSHIP FOR A REALLY LONG TIME, YOU KNOW, WE TEND TO DOUBT THING SOMETIMES WHEN THEY'RE NOT AFFIRMED ALL ALL THE TIME.

WHILE EACH VIGNETTE IN THE PLAY OPERATES INDEPENDENTLY OF THE OTHERS, THERE ARE ALSO REFERENCES THAT UNITE THEM.

THERE'S GONNA BE SOME PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO CAN FIND THE EASTER EGGS.

SOME SCENES CONNECT TO OTHER SCENES JUST IN SMALL LITTLE WAYS.

YOU KNOW.

>> THE PLAY BUILDS THE TOWN AND IT BUILDS THE PEOPLE.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING CLOSELY FOR IT.

SO I THINK WHETHER YOU JUST WANT TO WHERE YOU WANT TO SEE SOMETHING.

THAT'S A LITTLE FUNNY.

SEE SOMETHING.

THAT'S A LITTLE SAD.

SEE SOMETHING THAT JUST MAKES YOU FEEL WARM AND FUZZY OR SEE SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE.

REALLY KIND OF HELPING BUILD THE STORY WITH THE ACTORS BECAUSE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THOSE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THE SHOW.

SO I THINK IT'LL BE JUST A TREAT FOR PEOPLE.

>> THE FIRST OF THEATER CONSPIRACY SUMMER SEASON COMEDIES ALMOST MAIN RUNS IN THE OFF BROADWAY PALM THROUGH JUNE 28TH.

>> IS YES.

I BELIEVE I HAVE IT.

>> TOM HALL JOINS ME NOW IN THE STUDIO.

AND TOM, YOU GOT TO ATTEND A REHEARSAL FOR ALMOST MAINE, WHICH OPENED THIS PAST WEEKEND.

HOW LONG DOES THIS RUN?

>> IT RUNS THROUGH JUNE 28TH.

IT IS THE FIRST OF THE THERESA COMEDIES THAT THERE ARE CONSPIRACIES PRODUCING THE SUMMER IN THE OFF BROADWAY PALM.

AND THIS ONE IS REALLY DELIGHTFUL.

IT'S JUST 9 SHORT LITTLE VIGNETTE.

SO THE THE ACTION CHANGES JUST LIKE A SITCOM ON TELEVISION.

SOUNDS SO MUCH FUN.

IT IS.

AND TOM, I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE SOME INSIDER INFORMATION.

>> ON 3, A SUPER IMPORTANT.

>> ANIMALS THAT HAVE BEEN CAST FOR THE ROLE OF TOTO CRAIG.

DO YES, I WAS THERE FOR THE ORIGINAL CASTING CALL.

>> AND BROUGHT YOU THE STORY OF THE 9 CANINES WERE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE CAST.

AFTER THE FINAL DECISION WAS MADE.

WE NOW KNOW WHICH ONES MADE THE CUT.

CANINE ACTORS AT AUTHENTICITY.

PERSONALITY HAD A DASH OF CUTENESS TO ANY THEATRICAL PRODUCTION, WHICH IS WHY PRATHER ENTERTAINMENT HAS CAST 3 DOGS TO PLAY TOTO AND ITS UPCOMING PRODUCTION OF THE WIZARD OF OZ.

THE FIRST OF THIS TERRIFIC TRIO IS BELLA.

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD YORKSHIRE TERRIER.

MAKE SURE THEATRICAL DEBUT IN THE ROLE WHEN SHE'S NOT ON STAGE ARE IN REHEARSALS.

BELLA LIKES TO SHOP WITH HER PERSON.

RENEE, BACK HER FAMOUS WALMART WHERE SHE'S AN HONORARY GREATER AND BELLA IN A MOTORIZED FERRARI IS ALSO A FAN OF THE FLORIDA EVERBLADES.

KOBE IS ALSO NEW TO THE STAGE.

IN ADDITION TO EXUDING TONS OF TALENT KOBE'S BEEN TRAINED BY HIS PEEPS, NANCY AND ALBERT VELEZ TO CLOSE DOORS AND RESPOND TO A HOST OF OTHER COMMANDS.

LUNA ROSE IS A YORKIE BREWER TERRIER.

HER PURSE AND CHRISTINE REED SAYS SHE'S THE POSTER CHILD FOR DOGGED DETERMINATION ONCE PAWING AT A BALL UNDER THE TABLE UNTIL SHE COULD REACH IT INSTEAD OF BARKING FOR HELP.

DURING THE PERFORMANCES, TOTAL WAS HELD BY DOROTHY THE LION AND MISSUS GULCH.

SHE WALKS ALONGSIDE DOROTHY ON A LEASH AND THERE'S ONE SCENE WHERE TOTAL RUNS ON STAGE INTO DOROTHY'S ARMS BELLA.

KOBE IN LUNA ROSE DEMONSTRATED THE SKILLS DURING THEIR INITIAL MEET AND GREET WITH DIRECTOR VICTOR LAKER ETA MEGAN RENEE WOBBLES, WHO PLACED OR THEY AND HER UNDERSTUDY RYLAN DEC.

BELLA COBIA.

LUNA ROSE WILL TAKE TURNS PERFORMING ON STAGE SINCE A MUSICAL LIKE THE WIZARD OF OZ IS PRETTY DEMANDING.

NOT JUST FOR THE PERFORMERS, BUT THEIR OWNERS.

THE SHOW RUNS FOR 6 AND A HALF WEEKS WITH MATINEES AND EVENING PERFORMANCES.

MOST WEDNESDAYS, SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS.

THAT'S AS MANY AS 9 SHOWS IN A WEEK WITH EACH SHOW RUNNING 2 AND A HALF HOURS, INCLUDING INTERMISSION.

THE WIZARD OF OZ IS THAT BROADWAY PALM DINNER THEATRE, JUNE 26TH THROUGH AUGUST, 8TH.

FOR WDSU NEWS.

TOM HALL.

>> AND YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH ALL OF TOM HALLS.

ARTS FEATURES, INCLUDING MORE UPCOMING SUMMER SHOWS BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE WCU DOT ORG, FINDING AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOL EDUCATION REMAINS A CHALLENGE FOR MANY FAMILIES.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAYS PRESCHOOL TYPICALLY COSTS BETWEEN $750 AND $1400 EVERY MONTH.

A COLLIER COUNTY NONPROFIT SAYS IT OFFERS AN AFFORDABLE HIGH QUALITY LEARNING PROGRAM FOR BABIES TO PRE-K STUDENTS AND THE COST DEPENDS ON THE FAMILY'S ABILITY TO PAY CEO OF FUN TIME ACADEMY.

>> THIS KRISTEN CRIMES IS HERE TO TELL US MORE ABOUT THE CHILD CARE CENTER THAT >> REALLY WORKS HARD TO HELP WORKING PARENTS.

THANKS FOR JOINING US IN STUDIO.

HAPPENING.

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THIS ACADEMY SHERIFF?

SO FUN TIME REALLY CHATTED ACADEMY WERE AND ARE 65TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR.

>> WE'VE ALWAYS HAD A MISSION TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION TO UNDERSERVED WORKING FAMILIES.

AND WE REALLY WORK HARD TO KEEP THE PRESCHOOL COST AFFORDABLE FOR THE WORKING FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO DO THAT?

YOU'VE EVOLVED OVER.

>> MORE THAN 60 YEARS.

YES.

>> YEAH.

SO WE ARE A NONPROFIT AND NAPLES AND WE'RE VERY DEPENDENT ON THE PHILANTHROPY IN COLLIER COUNTY.

ONLY 25% OF THE COSTS COME FROM OUR FAMILIES AND THE REST OF IT IS THROUGH GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES AND PHILANTHROPY AND GRANTS AND PRIVATE DONORS.

SO WE KEEP OUR COSTS REALLY LOW WITH THAT.

BUT WE WORK REALLY, REALLY HARD WITH OUR LOCAL DONOR BASE AND WITH READING GRANTS TO OFFSET ALL THE COSTS OF THAT THE FAMILIES ARE HAVING TO MAKE UP THAT MAKE UP THE COST ON THERE AND >> WHO ARE YOUR FAMILIES?

TELL ME WHO YOU MOSTLY SERVE.

YEAH.

SO HAVE FUN TIME ACADEMY.

WE HAVE 4 LOCATIONS AND DEPENDING ON THE PROXIMITY OF THOSE LOCATIONS AND COLLIER COUNTY THEMSELVES.

>> WE REALLY WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FAMILIES ARE THE WORKING CLASS AND NAPLES THAT ARE FALLING WITH AND THE BELOW THE MEDIAN INCOME OF COLLIER COUNTY.

SO HAVE A LOT OF FAMILIES THAT ARE MAKING LESS THAN $80,000 A YEAR.

A LOT OF HOURLY EMPLOYEES.

A LOT OF LANDSCAPERS CLEANING, LADIES, PEOPLE WORKING IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRY ROOFERS, AIR-CONDITIONING WORKERS, JUST THE PEOPLE THAT KEEP OUR TOWN RUNNING BEHIND THE SCENES AND MAKE NAPLES.

BUT IT REALLY IS.

>> CAN YOU TELL US FOR OUR AUDIENCE WHAT WHAT ARE JUST A WONDERFUL ATTRIBUTES OF THIS PROGRAM?

I KNOW YOU MENTIONED YOUR FROM 2 WEEKS OLD ALL THE WAY UP THROUGH PRE-K 4.

SO YOU SERVE QUITE A FEW STUDENTS IN A WIDE RANGE OF AGES.

WE DO FUN TIME STARTED BACK AS ONE LOCATION.

BUT IN 2023, WE STARTED OUR EXPANSION.

>> SO WE USED TO SERVE JUST 95 CHILDREN AND WHAT WE CALL OUR DOWNTOWN LOCATION, WHICH IS OFF OF CENTRAL AVENUE IN THAT LOCATION NOW SERVES ONE VPK YEAR-OLDS.

WE USED TO JUST SERVE 2 YEAR-OLD STARTING OUT OF OUR YOUNGEST AGE THERE.

BUT THIS YEAR WE STARTED TAKING KIDS AS YOUNG AS 12 MONTHS AT THAT LOCATION AND THROUGHOUT OUR OTHER LOCATIONS, WE SERVE CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 2 WEEKS OLD AND WE HAVE AND FENCE AT OUR GOLDEN GATE HIGH SCHOOL LOCATION AT THAT LOCATION.

SPECIFICALLY, WE PARTNER WITH COLLIER COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM TO RUN THEIR TEENAGE PARENTING PROGRAM.

SO WE ALLOW HIGH SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO HAVE HAD A CHILD WHILE THEY WERE IN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL YEARS TO CONTINUE ON WITH THEIR EDUCATION AND END UP GRADUATING WITH A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.

THEIR CHILD GOES TO OUR PRESCHOOL.

AND SO WE RUN OUR PRESCHOOL OUT OF THERE.

WE ALSO HAVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND, YOU KNOW, WORKING CLASS FAMILIES THAT ARE AT THE PRESCHOOL AS WELL.

RIGHT NOW, WE ALSO SERVE THE CHILDREN SO THAT THEIR PARENTS CAN GO ON AND GET THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DEGREE.

WE REALLY TRY TO ACCOMMODATE THE FAMILIES OR OUR WAITLIST ARE.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT'S WHY WE NEEDED TO OPEN UP ANOTHER ONE YEAR-OLD ROOMS THROUGHOUT OUR DOWNTOWN LOCATION.

WE HAD A HUGE NEED FOR ONE YEAR OLD.

SO WE WERE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE BY TAKING MORE ONE YEAR-OLDS THIS YEAR.

HOW DO YOU MAKE IT SO AFFORDABLE?

WITH BEING A NONPROFIT, WE KEEP IT AFFORDABLE BY OFFERING A SLIDING SCALE TUITION RATE FOR OUR FAMILIES.

WE ALSO ARE SCHOOL READINESS PROVIDER THROUGH THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION.

SO FOR FAMILIES THAT MEET THAT STATE SUBSIDY OF A SCHOOL READINESS QUALIFICATION, WE JUST ASK THAT THEY PAY WHATEVER THE STATE SCHOOL READINESS, THE AS OTHER PROVIDERS IN TOWN, SOMETIMES OFFER AND MAKE THE FAMILIES PAY A DIFFERENTIAL FEE, WHICH ADDS ADDITIONAL COST TO THE FAMILIES.

AND WE DO NOT DO THAT.

SO WE HAVE FAMILIES THAT PAY IS LOW AS $4 A WEEK.

AND THAT'S ALL THAT THEY CAN AFFORD BASED OFF THEIR INCOME.

THEN WE ALSO OFFER A SLIDING SCALE TUITION RATES SO THAT STRICTLY BASED OFF YOUR INCOME.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE WORK WITH THE FAMILY.

WE LOOK AT HOW MUCH THEY'RE TAKING IN ALL THE TIME.

AND THEN WE'RE CONSTANTLY MONITORING THAT, TOO, BECAUSE SOME OF THEM ARE HOURLY EMPLOYEES WHO, FOR RIGHT NOW ARE GETTING THEIR HOURS CUT BECAUSE THESE AND IS OVER AND NAPLES.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING WHERE WE'VE GOT RESTAURANT WORKERS THAT ARE NO LONGER GETTING THEIR TIPS FOR THEIR HOURS ARE BEING CUT, BUT THEY STILL NEED TO WORK AND THEY STILL NEED THEIR CHILD TO HAVE ACCESS TO PRESCHOOLS THAT WE WE ADJUST THE RATE BASED OFF WHAT THEY'RE MAKING.

AND THEN FROM THERE.

WE DON'T ASK THE PARENTS PAY A DOLLAR MORE, YOU KNOW, IS THAT WE WORK WITH OUR DONORS AND BY WRITING GRANTS AND WE HAVE SUCH A GREAT DON ARE BASED IN COLLIER COUNTY THAT UNDERSTANDS THE NEED FOR THESE FAMILIES.

AND SO THEY OFFSET THE COST OF FUNDRAISING FOR FUN TIME AND DONATING TO US.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE TODAY THAT ARE KIND TO ME?

I WOULD SAY FUN TIME.

ACADEMY IS THE HOPE THAT IS NEEDED FOR COLLIER COUNTY TO MAINTAIN THE STATUS.

BUT IT'S BECOME I'VE LIVED HERE FOR OVER 20 YEARS NOW AND I'VE SEEN COLLIER COUNTY GROW LET ALONE FORT MYERS, BECAUSE RIGHT, WE HAVE ESTERO BONITA SPRINGS THAT HAVE TAKEN OFF OFF AND COLLIER COUNTY HAS CHANGED SO MUCH.

AND SO FUN TIME ACADEMY US TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE GROWTH.

KEEP UP WITH THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, BUT I WOULD SAY REALLY TAKES THE COMMUNITY TO RALLY BEHIND US TO KEEP US GOING.

WE'VE DONE REALLY WELL.

WE'VE BEEN AROUND FOR 65 YEARS FOR THE LONGEST STANDING NONPROFIT PRESCHOOL IN COLLIER COUNTY.

IT STARTED AS ONE TINY LITTLE PRESCHOOL AND A TRAILER IN THE RIVER PARK COMMUNITY.

AND NOW WE HAVE 4 LOCATIONS AND THE HOPE WOULD BE THAT WE WOULD HAVE MORE.

BUT WHAT IT TAKES IS A COMMUNITY TO RALLY BEHIND US AND REALIZE THAT THE WORKING FAMILIES IN OUR TOWN OF THE CHILDREN MATTER AND THOSE HOUSEHOLDS DESERVE THE EXACT SAME ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY CARE AND TO BE READY FOR KINDERGARTEN.

AND WHAT I LOVE PEOPLE KNOWING ABOUT FUN TIME IS WE ALLOW THE FAMILIES TO NOT HAVE TO MAKE THAT DIFFICULT DECISION TO STAY HOME AND TO HAVE TO CUT BACK ON AN INCOME AND THEN STRUGGLE EVEN MORE.

THEY'RE ABLE TO COME TO COME TO FUN TIME AND MAINTAIN AN INCOME BASE THAT THEY NEED FOR THEIR FAMILY TO 5.

WHAT A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM.

AND THANK YOU FOR TELLING ME ALL ABOUT IT TODAY.

I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT IT SO WELL.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING LOVE.

LOVE HEARING A LOT LESS MEDIA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THANK YOU.

>> HERE IS MORE INFORMATION ON THE COST OF CHILDCARE FROM THE WGCU NEWSROOM.

THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAYS AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE SHOULD COST NO MORE THAN 7% OF A FAMILY'S INCOME.

HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO WORLD DATA DOT COM, MOST FAMILIES SPEND ABOUT 20% TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE STORIES THAT AFFECT YOUR FINANCES.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT WGCU DOT ORG AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, BRINGING AN INTERNATIONAL FLAIR TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FASHION.

THE SMALL BUSINESS WITH BIG CULTURAL INSPIRATIONS THAT IS LOOKING TO UP IN THE FASHION WORLD.

FORT MYERS BUSINESS OWNER HAS DECIDED TO USE UNDER-RECOGNIZED, INCLUDING HER OWN HAITIAN HERITAGE, HAS THE KEY TO MAKING A LASTING IMPRESSION IN THE WORLD OF FASHION.

WGCUS CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS.

REPORTER ELIZABETH AND ARCHIE HAS THE STORY.

>> THE SACRIFICE IS BEHIND ALL THIS SEE THIS NIGHT WHEN YOU WANT SOMETHING SO MUCH AND HAVING TO GO FOR IT AND THE NOSE THE IT'S JUST NOT GOING TO MAKE.

AND IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA.

SO PEOPLE ARE NOT SAYING THAT.

BUT WHEN THEY COME AND THEY SEE, OH, MY GOSH, THIS IS AMAZING AFTER NEVER SEEING ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE THE DRESSES STOP YOU FIRST.

>> THEN THE HATS THEN.

>> YOU START TO WONDER WHERE EXACTLY ARE YOU?

>> IF YOU ARE IN ROMANCE RUSE, THIS IS LOU D CHARLES VISION, 6 YEARS IN THE MAKING >> WE HAVE DESIGNERS FROM HAWAII.

WE HAVE DESIGNERS FUN NIGHT.

JERRY, A WE HAVE DESIGNERS FROM TURKEY.

SO AND HAIR IS SO WE ARE REALLY WHICH IS A MIXING BOWL OF CULTURE AND FASHION.

SO AND I ALMOST WISH WE ALWAYS INSPIRE WOMEN TO BE TRUE TO THEMSELVES TO BE BEAUTIFUL INTO THE ROOM.

>> CHARLES CAME TO THE UNITED STATES FROM HAITI AT AGE 11 AND EVEN KNOW SHE MIGRATED DECADES AGO.

SHE SAYS FOR FAITH IN FASHION NEVER LEFT HER.

>> MOST OF MY LIFE HAVE BEEN HERE IN THE IN THE STATES.

SO I PRACTICALLY GREW UP HERE, MAY'S OCCASION HERE.

AND SO.

WITH THAT SAID AND WHAT I SAID, THE HAITIAN CULTURE JUST STUCK WITH ME.

>> DID YOU EVER THINK THIS MIGHT FAIL?

>> ALL THE TIME THAT ALL OF THAT HONESTY.

>> HOWEVER, I SAID SOMETHING TO EARN THE YEAR TO BY FAITH, CHRISTIAN.

TO BE CREATION.

YOU HAVE TO BE CRAZY.

AND FOR ME HAVING FAITH.

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