The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Win Up To $2,000 Off A Home Remodeling Project with CMK Construction

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CMK Construction is in the holiday spirit — big time.

To give back to the local community and thank its customers this holiday season, CMK Construction is hosting a Toys for Tots drive.

In exchange for donating a toy, which you can either donate at the company’s all-inclusive, 4,000-square-foot showroom or during a home appointment, you will then receive a scratch-off that will reveal up to $2,000 off any kitchen or bathroom remodeling project.

The CMK crew is getting into the holiday spirit.

This is the first time the remodeling company is participating, but Manny and Courtney Kavouklis — co-owners of CMK Construction — felt it was the perfect time to get into the giving spirit.

“We wanted to thank our customers for a great year,” says Manny Kavouklis. “With everything going on in the world, we’re blessed to be where we’re at, so we wanted to give back.”

CMK Construction has two large bins and its goal is to fill both of them up with toys, to the very top.

The team at CMK Construction, which has a total of 50 employees, also is excited to participate in the toy drive.

“We have a team that truly cares a lot,” says Kavouklis. “Sometimes, as with any business, that’s hard to find, but at our company, our employees always go the extra mile.”

“They don’t look at the clock, they finish when they get the task done. Whatever it takes to make the customer happy, they will do it.”

The remodeling company has been serving the Tampa area for more than 19 years and offers customers a personalized experience, from an introductory visit in your home to the company’s 4,000-square-foot showroom to an individual design specialist for each project.

“Our showroom has everything you need to remodel a kitchen or bathroom,” says Kavouklis.

What really sets CMK Construction apart from its competitors, according to Kavouklis, is the products they use.

“We use premium products. For instance, in all our bathrooms, we use Schluter products, which allow for lifetime warranties in those wet spaces. We only sell the best quality finishes and then combine them with flawless installation; it truly gives you that ‘WOW’ factor,” says Kavouklis.

Customers who reach out to CMK Construction about a bathroom or kitchen project can visit the company’s showroom for a private design consultation, where a certified designer can show you hundreds of products and can help you select what to use based on your dreams for the space.

“That uniqueness of getting to sit with an accredited designer in the showroom, to bring your vision to life, combined with having a dedicated project manager and a high-quality installation are just a few things that set us apart,” Kavouklis says. “Each of our customers is getting a project manager who can tell them what’s going on, on a day-to-day basis.”

The company offers many selections of new bathroom and kitchen fixtures, kitchen countertops and cabinets, backsplashes, accent lighting and more. CMK also offers custom engineering, computer-rendered 3D designs, and eco-friendly products, to name but a few options.

You will select every color, fixture and tile with the help of a certified designer. If you can dream it up, CMK accredited designers can help you make it happen.

The company doesn’t sacrifice quality, but does offer competitive prices and a host of flexible financing options with attractive terms to help make it easier to budget for the remodel.

So, is your kitchen and bathroom outdated, not reflective of your style or failing to make the best use of the space? If so, it’s time to breathe new life into the heart of your Tampa home with a custom kitchen and bathroom remodel from CMK Construction.

As the company says, “Your Tampa home is more than your refuge from the world – it’s also one of your most important investments.”

“If you can imagine it, we’ll design it and then we’ll build it,” Kavouklis says.

CMK Construction offers its services across the area, including Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and more.

To learn more, visit CMKConstructionInc.com, or call 813-767-0646 for a free estimate.

Published November 30, 2022 

Bringing the Living Space of Your Dreams to Life

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Your Instagram-inspired dreams of a new and beautiful kitchen or bathroom don’t have to stay that way with the help of the design professionals at CMK Construction. The remodeling company co-owned by husband-and-wife team Manny and Courtney Kavouklis has been serving the Tampa area for more than 19 years and offers customers a personalized experience, from an introductory visit in your home, to the company’s 4,000-square-foot showroom to an individual design specialist for each project.

And that’s just the beginning.

“The products we use are what really sets us apart,” Manny Kavouklis said. “We use premium products. For instance, in all our bathrooms, we use Schluter products, which allow for lifetime warranties in those wet spaces. We only sell the best quality finishes and then combined with flawless installation; it truly gives you that ‘WOW’ factor.”

Simply put, if company leaders wouldn’t put something in their own homes, they won’t install them in yours. You can count on the people with CMK Construction to bring you only the highest quality and durable items for your kitchen and bathroom.

In conversations about the company, the word “personalized” is what kept coming up. Customers who reach out to CMK Construction about a bathroom or kitchen project can visit the company’s showroom for a private design consultation, where a certified designer can show you hundreds of products and can help you select what to use based on your dreams for the space.

“That uniqueness of getting to sit with an accredited designer in the showroom, to bring your vision to life combined with having a dedicated project manager and a high-quality installation are just a few things that set us apart,” Kavouklis said. “Each of our customers are getting a project manager who can tell them what’s going on, on a day-to-day basis.”

Each project begins with an in-home visit before clients then visit the showroom to walk through plans with an accredited designer.

The company offers many selections of new bathroom and kitchen fixtures, kitchen countertops and cabinets, backsplashes, accent lighting and more. CMK also offers custom engineering, computer-rendered 3D designs, and eco-friendly products, to name but a few options.

You will select every color, fixture, and tile with the help of a certified designer. If you can dream it up, CMK accredited designers can help you make it happen.

CMK Construction first started in 2004 and offers customers options at all price points for kitchen and bath remodels, to make projects affordable.

The company doesn’t sacrifice quality but does offer competitive prices and a host of flexible financing options with attractive terms to help make it easier to budget for the remodel.

And if you reach out now, CMK Construction is offering a Black Friday promotion that will give you 0% interest for 36 months.

The special begins Nov. 1 and runs until Nov. 25 at midnight.

CMK Construction has won awards with Home Advisor, Tampa Bay Times, Thumbtack and others for its design, and holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

But that’s not all. Reviewers on Google and elsewhere also shower the Tampa-area staple with praise.

“We received three estimates from different companies and couldn’t be happier that we chose CMK,” one reviewer wrote. “They did an amazing job. They made suggestions on how to approach our project to get the most for our money, remain within our budget while getting an amazing outcome. They suggested things we hadn’t even thought of. There was never any pressure. If we said no to something, no one ever pushed back.”

Check out more of the company’s reviews to see what other customers thought of the work.

So, is your kitchen and bathroom outdated, not reflective of your style or failing to make the best use of the space? If so, it’s time to breathe new life into the heart of your Tampa home with a custom kitchen and bathroom remodel from CMK Construction.

As the company says, “Your Tampa home is more than your refuge from the world – it’s also one of your most important investments.”

CMK Construction offers its services across the area, including in Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and more. “If you can imagine it, we’ll design it and then we’ll build it,” Manny Kavouklis said.

To learn more, visit CMKConstructionInc.com, or call 813-767-0646 for a free estimate.

13329 W. Hillsborough Ave., #104, Tampa, FL 33635

License Number: CGC 1516665 Plumbing License: CFC 1430533

Avalon Applauds Fostering Change Foster Closet

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Congratulations to Fostering Change Foster Closet for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Based in Pasco County, Fostering Change is a nonprofit program created to provide needed clothing, personal care supplies and food to children who are moved quickly from their homes and entered into foster care.

The nonprofit aims to minimize the time it takes for a foster child to be placed with a loving foster family. The family must have all the items needed to care for a child, like a crib, before a child can be placed with them. Pasco County’s Child Protection Team (CPI) has 24-hour access to Fostering Change’s facility, and the nonprofit is available just about any time to meet with foster families.

The foster closet, currently at 10207 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, was founded by George Agovino and Josh Gaulden back in 2019.

According to Fostering Change’s website:

“When children are removed from their living conditions, they are frequently given a garbage bag and five minutes to gather their belongings before they leave. This can be a very traumatic experience for a child of any age, leaving them feeling empty, confused, and hopeless. The goal of the foster closet is it to be a place for foster children to visit any time, day or night, any day of the week, to get back a little piece of the normalcy that was ripped from them…”

Some of the items foster parents and children can get from the closet are necessary supplies such as clothing, toiletries, food, backpacks, etc.

According to its Facebook page, since Fostering Change first opened, it has helped over 3,378 individuals.

In 2022 so far: 857 families have been helped; 172 Easter baskets were given out; 100 backpacks were sent to VA families, and 40 sent to schools and families in need; a 6-foot by 12-foot trailer full of toys was sent to Hillsborough County foster children; medical bills for a foster family in need were paid for; and day care expenses for a single mom were paid for. Those are just some of the accomplishments the nonprofit has achieved.

“We are just scratching the surface. There is so much need out there and we have so much more we want to accomplish…We don’t want to stop helping!” says Agovino.

The Tampa Bay Lightning recently honored Agovino as its Lightning Community Hero, making him the 505th hero recognized since the Lightning program was introduced in 2011-2012. Agovino received a $50,000 donation from the Lighting Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program, presented by Jabil, and will donate the money to Fostering Change and Caterpillars to Butterflies.

Fostering Change currently is hosting a fundraiser to help Agovino purchase land, for a building to house the new Foster Closet and all its programs.

The garage on site will allow Agovino to begin some new programs, such as teaching teens who are older and aging out with a trade. The nonprofit also will use the land to start a small animal farm for therapy, as well as an all-around petting zoo for foster children.

“One-time and recurring monthly donations, large or small, are all appreciated,” says Agovino, who is a foster father of four special-needs children and a retired law enforcement officer.

For more information about the nonprofit, visit FosteringChangeCloset.com, or call Agovino at 813-421-1958.

 

Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing brings experience, expertise to the Tampa Bay area

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In the five years since Ron Ierna opened his company, Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, he has created a culture of technical expertise and exceptional customer service that has helped hundreds of Tampa Bay families with their air conditioning and plumbing needs.

“I’ve been personally servicing this area for 25 years now, both as a technician and owner of two HVAC companies,” said Ierna. “That experience has allowed me to hire the most qualified A/C and plumbing technicians in the area, and to build an office staff that always focuses on the customer.”

Whether your A/C or furnace is in need of service, cleaning, repair or replacement, you can count on Lakeside to give you a fast, honest, ethical estimate the first time around.

Owner, Ron Ierna

“When you call us, you can trust that our expert technicians have no interest in wasting your valuable time. We will give you the most comprehensive diagnosis of what your issues are and your options,” says Ierna.

Lakeside is proud to be recognized as a Rheem Pro Partner, a prestigious designation awarded by the manufacturer to contractors who adhere to continuing education, professionalism and exceptional customer service guidelines.

As a Rheem Pro Partner, you can count on Lakeside and the leading manufacturer to stand behind its products, installation and service. With flexible payment plans, great financing options, rebates, outstanding warranties and its excellence in workmanship, you can always rely on Lakeside to be your trusted HVAC and Furnace Contractor.

Customer service is the most important thing to Ron Ierna and his team, as the technicians always go the extra mile to make sure the customer is satisfied with their service.

“Lakeside installation technicians are the best in skill, attitude and workmanship,” says Ierna. “Providing the best quality price and service for our customers has always been my vision for Lakeside.”

It’s in the little things, such as the technicians not wearing shoes on your carpet, not smoking or swearing on the job, cleaning up when they are finished and not leaving until the customer is fully satisfied with the job.

Whether you have something such as a clogged drain, service or repairs on appliances like garbage disposals, the need to upgrade a water softener, or kitchen and/or bathroom appliance and fixture installation, the experts at Lakeside have you covered.

“After 25 years of helping families with their A/C and plumbing problems, we can quickly and accurately assess the best course of action when someone calls.”

In addition to Rheem air-conditioning systems, Lakeside also can install systems made by Trane, Goodman, Frigidaire and Mitsubishi. The plumbing division of the company installs water filtration systems and hot water heaters, and helps homeowners qualify for up to $550 in water tank rebates with the purchase of  a tankless gas system. Lakeside takes care of all rebate paperwork for its customers through its customer service department.

Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is on U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. Its central location gives it fast access to customers in Pasco, Hillsborough and Hernando counties.

“We take our responsibility very seriously when you place your trust in us,” said Ierna. “Please give us a call, and see what you’ve been missing.

Lakeside, at 4608 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., can be reached at 813-444-9474 or LakesideComfortPros.com.

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A Sense of Hearing

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The human body has five senses—sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste—and each one of them diminishes as we age.  Only one of them—hearing—can be restrengthened through digital technology.

“Hearing is an extremely sophisticated, complex, and individual process of the human anatomy,” Dr. Judith L. Reese explains. “The natural ear includes a series of bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, membranes and nerves that convert sound waves into electrical impulses. These impulses are sent to the brain and then translated into recognizable sounds, as in speech, all in microseconds.” Reese has been an audiologist for nearly 30 years, and has served thousands of patients at her clinic, JC Audiology, in Lutz. “When such an intricate and complex sense begins to diminish,” she continues, “it can affect an individual’s entire brain function, including their memory and sense of balance.”

Dr. Judith Reese and her husband, Charlie

Dr. Reese has studied the science of hearing and hearing loss for decades, and her research has been lauded by national journals as the best in the nation. She also has studied extensively on the new technologies that emerge for treating hearing loss. As a private practice, independent dispenser of hearing devices, she can make recommendations to patients that are free from the incentives manufacturers place on many franchise dispensers. This unbiased approach serves the patients she sees well, and her recommendations are based on what devices she knows will be best for the patient first, and not some corporate office elsewhere.

With hearing aids now being offered over the counter, Dr. Reese feels this will enable many people to begin trying hearing aids earlier than they might have previously. “The earlier you address your hearing loss,” she explains, “the better it is for your overall quality of life, emotional well-being and cognitive health.” There are caveats to self-treating hearing loss, however. Dr. Reese said that over-the-counter solutions are limited, and are intended to help those with a mild hearing loss who can self-adjust their devices to the amplification they desire.

The more significant a hearing loss is, she says, the more attention you should spend on a comprehensive hearing test and professional calibration of devices to better match your individual loss. “Your hearing and hearing levels are a part of that sophisticated auditory system,” Dr. Reese continues. “It’s not a place most people want to take a shortcut on.”

In addition to testing hearing levels and calibrating devices to match in a more natural way to individual hearing levels, Dr. Reese stresses the importance of proper maintenance of hearing devices. “We service more than 150 devices in our clinic every month. These devices are little computers that are worn upwards of 16 hours per day in a humid ear canal where the temperature is 98 degrees. They need specialized maintenance care and, at times, additional professional care.” Dr. Reese said that her “Hearing Aid Hospital” is busy every day, with many devices coming in needing complete revitalization.

Dr. Reese offers complimentary hearing aid consultations at her clinic, JC Audiology, 1519 Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 105, in Lutz.  For appointments, call 813-949-1331.

Avalon Applauds Restoration ID

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Congratulations to Restoration ID for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Restoration ID exists to create an authentic community that leads to real conversations, creating a culture that matters.

The nonprofit officially started in February 2021, but the idea was birthed out of a men’s church retreat in November 2020 where Josh Saliba, along with 10 other men, traveled to Logansport, Louisiana, to slow down and seek God.

“Coming back from the trip, we began talking about what made that trip so special and how do we create space for what happened on the retreat, to happen back in our everyday lives,” says Saliba.

One of the conversations Saliba had was with Mike Schaer, a captain in the Temple Terrace Fire Department, who also went on the trip.

“We talked about how much first responders specifically see, and deal with, and how much a trip like this would help. More than the trip, it was the community that made the difference. That is where our work with first responders was born,” says Saliba.

Some of the things that Saliba and the Restoration ID team have found as they work with first responders are:

  • According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), roughly 1 in 3 first responders develop PTSD.
  • Depression is up to 5 times more common in first responders.
  • Studies show the divorce rate for law enforcement personnel is around 75%.
  • Statistics show that first responders are more likely to die from suicide than from a duty-related death.

“What we discovered was that as we created spaces for First Responders to connect with others, it allowed us to begin having great conversations about their lives and health. Believing that it was the authentic community that was opening the doors to these types of conversations, we began to look for ways to build those relationships,” says Saliba.

Some of the ways Restoration ID helps support first responders is by hosting monthly meals for first responder agencies, organizing family events and date nights for first responder families, and promoting businesses in the area to help them take care of a family’s needs while first responders are deployed and serving.

“We are constantly looking for other opportunities to build an authentic community with first responders so that we can have real conversations that lead to a healthier culture in their worlds,” says Saliba.

One of the more recent ways Restoration ID has helped is to cook for agency members on the frontlines in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. The nonprofit has served over 300 meals in the first five days of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office being deployed to Cape Coral.

Restoration ID also works with other organizations and community groups such as Grace Family Church, The Arbours at Fort King in Dade City, various groups in Zephyrhills, as well as both the Temple Terrace Police and Fire Departments.

The goal is the same: create places for authentic community to happen, so that they can engage in real conversations that add value to people’s lives and, ultimately, restore their identities and create a culture that is unified and healthier than before.

For more information, go to RestorationID.org, or call 813-618-7909.

Compass Concierge Helps Increase Your Home’s Value

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True Story: Recently a homeowner was offered $595,000 for their home from a national online iBuyer service. They promised less hassle, no showings, no waiting or worry. The homeowner chose to list his home with an agent instead, and after just four showings, the agent executed a contract for $694,000 – $100,000 more than the iBuyer company had offered.

Would you show your house four times to earn an extra $100,000?
Many times, a homeowner will choose to utilize an iBuyer service so that they can sell their home in “as-is” condition. Homeowners may not have liquid cash assets for required repairs or updates before selling. That is where Toni Hedstrom, PA and Compass come into the picture.
Compass Concierge allows you to tap into your home’s equity with an interest-free loan that you will pay back at closing. Invest a little upfront with interest-free money to have a much greater return on your home sale.

Here are examples of how the money can be used to increase your home’s value or make your move experience simple and stress-free:
·   Painting
·   Staging
·   Replace appliances
·   Update light fixtures
·   Replace countertops
·   Replace flooring
·   Update landscaping
·   Decluttering service
·   Professional cleaning
·   HVAC replacement
·   Window replacement
·   Paying for movers
·   Moving materials
·   Trash removal
·   Pay for a storage unit
·   Down payment for assisted living or retirement home
·   Short-term housing
·   Dog walkers during showings
·   Post-inspection repairs
·   Replace knobs & hardware
·   Replace faucets & shower heads
·   Deep clean carpets
·   Replace roof
·   Resurface pool
·   Fix or replace pool equipment

Options are endless as the money can be used for any purchase that supports the sale!
Use any vendor you choose and use any of the following three methods to pay them: Concierge Capital Debit Card, check payment sent directly to the vendor, or cashout to your bank account to pay vendor via cash, Venmo, PayPal, etc.

For more information, call Toni Hedstrom at 813-830-8664, or email .

Avalon Applauds D.A.Y.S.

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Congratulations to Depression Awareness & Youth/Young Adult Suicide (D.A.Y.S.) for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

The nonprofit’s mission is to promote public awareness and educate the youth/young adults on suicide prevention, depression and bullying, and assist in the process of healing after the loss of a loved one due to suicide.

D.A.Y.S. was founded in 2020 by Brie Burke, who at age 10, dreamed of forming the nonprofit after her cousin David committed suicide at the age of 22.

“I not only felt the heartbreak that came with losing my cousin, but I also witnessed the gut-wrenching pain that my family went through,” says Burke. “No family should know the pain of losing a loved one through suicide, to forever wonder if you could have stopped that person by simply being there and listening, wondering if you missed some sort of sign that could have told you what that person was thinking and feeling.”

Burke realized at that young age that she would stop at nothing to help those suffering from depression, being bullied, or those who thought that they were better off not existing in this world.

D.A.Y.S organizes suicide, depression, and anti-bullying events in middle schools, high schools and colleges, as well as other venues, to provide educational information about these topics, and to help reduce the stigma associated with these issues and promote open communication lines.

According to Burke, some of the common signs of someone who is depressed and/or suicidal are persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness and/or anger, loss of interest in hobbies, weight gain or loss, fatigue, loss of concentration, and social withdrawal.

Burke says there are lots of common misconceptions about youth depression and suicide.

“Probably one of the most common misconceptions is ‘What could possibly be so bad for them at such a young age to be sad or depressed about?’ Firstly, depression is a biologically based illness that is basically triggered by stressors such as social media, self-image, peer pressure and, in general, just fitting in. Young adults today have much more pressures and demands put upon them than those 30, even 20 years ago,” says Burke.

Burke’s advice to parents who have kids who are depressed and/or have suicidal thoughts is to listen, be supportive and nonjudgmental.

“Since loneliness usually comes hand in hand with depression, keep them busy. Do family events, have them join a club at school, invite schoolmates over for movie or game night. The goal is for them to not only feel but also see how connected they are to those around them, abolishing any feelings and thoughts that they are alone,” says Burke.

D.A.Y.S. currently is trying to get the funding needed for a new computer, printer, phone, as well as rack cards to be distributed through Pasco County middle schools, high schools and colleges, offering its assistance wherever needed. To donate, go to https://gofund.me/0f69ca1e.

The nonprofit is also looking to get a website developed, and Burke says it would be greatly appreciated if anyone would be able to donate some of their time to assist with that.

To stay updated, you can follow the nonprofit on Facebook under the page, D.A.Y.S. Nonprofit Organization. To get in touch with D.A.Y.S., email .

Published September 14, 2022

FUNdamental Minds Makes Learning Fun

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Ariel Cortes, founder of FUNdamental Minds Education Services, knows firsthand the importance of academic support outside of the classroom.

She began teaching for Pasco County in 2016, and within the first week, saw the students’ needs for additional support that just couldn’t be provided in the classroom.

Wanting the students to succeed, Cortes began private tutoring — eventually helping 24 kids a week.

Like all other teachers, Cortes quickly had to navigate virtual teaching when the world shut down due to COVID.

Because there was a lack of preparation on how to be effective through virtual instruction, the need for student and academic support vastly increased. The number of kids she tutored went from 24 a week, to 60.

When everyone returned to the classroom, Cortes quickly noticed that in general, students had even bigger learning gaps. She was now tutoring 15 to 20 kids a day.

This was when Cortes says she started praying about opening her own tutoring center.

In March 2021, Cortes met with a real estate agent and by month’s end, she toured a place, said yes, and prepared to open FUNdamental Minds.

Then the difficult decision came — Does Cortes go back into the classroom, or leave and fully focus on FUNdamental Minds? She ultimately chose the latter.

Cortes says the main goal at FUNdamental Minds is to make learning fun. “Our kids don’t feel like they’re learning; they’re just having fun and growing because of it.”

On top of in-person and virtual tutoring services, FUNdamental Minds also offers elective-style classes such as Spanish, STEM, Arts and Crafts, Cooking, and Coding.

And the center will also offer homeschool day classes this fall, which Cortes is very excited about.

“There are a lot of families who homeschool in this area and because of this, the kids lack the opportunity to have elective-style classes and have that peer-to-peer interaction,” says Cortes.

As a single, working mom for the past eight years, Cortes says that providing quality education at an affordable price is extremely important to her.

“There are a lot of families whose kids need academic support, but they can’t afford those top-name companies that often don’t even have certified teachers. So, we are now that buffer. Anyone who works for me is a certified teacher, and every class I offer is affordable,” says Cortes.

Cortes believes the need for academic support for kids will continue to grow.

“We just survived a health pandemic and now we’re on the cusp of an academic pandemic,” says Cortes, “The teacher shortage is worse than it’s ever been.”

Cortes wants parents to know that there’s always hope and resources out there to access for their kids’ academic success.

“If you’re feeling you’ve reached that battleground zone, it’s time to reach out to us and let us help,” says Cortes, “I want to make learning fun for all.”

FUNdamental Minds is located at 26809 Tanic Dr Suite 102, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544, and is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, go to FundamentalMinds.com, or call 813-428-6564.

Avalon Applauds Healing Hearts Cafe

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Congratulations to Healing Hearts Cafe for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Healing Hearts Cafe’s mission is to provide the homeless with all the resources needed to become contributing members of the Zephyrhills community.

The nonprofit has evolved over the last 10 years, as its roots were originally with the Grace Cafe, founded by Donna Nelson. Grace Cafe served a free meal every Saturday, to anyone in need.

After Nelson moved from the area, director Kathy Pahl changed the name to Healing Hearts Cafe and began serving Saturday night meals, followed by a church service. She also began taking meals to the park two days a week.

Around this time, Joni Keane began helping her, along with Nelson who had just moved back to Zephyrhills.

The three of them felt a need to do more, as the home-insecure had multiple issues to address. They began to pray that God would provide a building where they could offer showers, laundry facilities, and a safe place out of the heat or severe weather. God answered their prayers and they’ve been in their current building for about 16 months.

At Healing Hearts Cafe, three free meals are provided each day. The dining room also serves as a “family room” where displaced persons can hang out, play board games, watch TV, and charge their phones. The building also has laundry facilities and a shower.

The nonprofit also provides rides to job interviews, doctor appointments, court appearances and numerous other places. All of its services are free of charge.

“If there is something we can’t provide, we find someone who does,” says Keane.

In its first year of operation, the nonprofit served 25,000 meals to an average of 50 or more people each day, as well as offered 2,400 showers and completed 700 loads of laundry.

Homelessness has always been an issue, but Keane says it’s been exacerbated lately due to the increased cost of rent, food and other essentials.

People from all walks of life have come to Healing Hearts Cafe for help. Keane says many circumstances can lead to homelessness, including addiction, mental illness, medical catastrophes, abuse, abandonment from loved ones, and poor decision-making.

There are a variety of ways the community can help support Healing Hearts Cafe, including serving food, stocking shelves, cleaning, and spending a few moments to provide encouragement to the clients.

“We are also looking for job coaches, financial advisors, and Bible study leaders. Our facility lso often needs repairs with plumbing and electrical issues, to keep it running smoothly,” says Keane.

The cafe accepts donations of food, paper products and cleaning supplies, at any time.

Monetary donations are greatly appreciated, too. “Due to the high volume of laundry and showers, our utility bill is quite high. We also have the usual expenses of rent, insurance, and cable/wifi,” says Keane.

And, at the end of the day, prayer is always welcomed and appreciated.

Healing Hearts Cafe is located at 6436 12th St., Zephyrhills, FL 33542 and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, go to  HealingHeartsCafe.com.