Untitled Document

On Saturday, March 11, 2006 Zonta of Sanibel-Captiva will hold its fifth annual Peek at the Unique. This popular house tour features intimate views of four outstanding island homes.

The first home offered through the generous spirit of the homeowners is the first house on Captiva just over the Blind Pass Bridge. Named "In The Pink," for obvious reasons, this three story structure commands gorgeous views of the gulf, the bay, and the wildlife haven bordering the waters. Entering through the front door, the "Tara" like staircase is only the first of the many impressive architectural details which the visitor will experience first hand from inside this house that so many islanders pass by so often.

The speaker at the house will be Alison Hagerup, full-time administrator of the Captiva Erosion Prevention District. This is a governmental body created by a special act of the Florida Legislature whose mandate is to handle erosion-related problems on Captiva Island. The county and CEPD are focusing their efforts on reopening Blind Pass, and placing sand on adjacent eroded beaches. This will restore the natural tidal flow. (www.cepd.net)

The sponsor of "In The Pink" is Sanibel-Captiva Trust Company. Zontians are especially grateful for their support as one of two businesses as they have been house sponsors for all five years of the house tour. Through Zonta and so many other local organizations Sanibel-Captiva Trust Company, a private, independent trust company whose goal is to "preserve, enhance and perpetuate your assets," certainly gives back to the community in which its roots are planted.

There is a range of sponsorship opportunities available associated with the Peek at The Unique. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Gini at 699-4545 or at ZontaPeek@comcast.net. Peek at the Unique has been sold out for the past four years, so put March 11th on your calendar and enjoy a splendid three hour tour of a variety of houses representing a diversity of styles on our islands. Tickets for the event will go on sale in mid February.

As in previous years the proceeds from this major fundraiser are awarded in grants to Zonta's tax-exempt charitable partners.
* Girls Making It On Purpose, providing emotional and practical support for young women transitioning out of foster care;
* The Transitional Living Center (TLC) at Southwest Florida Addiction Services, also in Fort Myers, providing education and support for women in recovery from addiction; and
* Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking (FCAHT) aiding local efforts to combat human trafficking in Southwest Florida, as well as support to Zonta International's anti-trafficking project in Eastern Europe.

The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva is a service organization of professional women working together to provide hands-on assistance, advocacy, and funds to strengthen women's lives on the islands, in Lee County, and around the world through Zonta International.

Aerial view of home from CEPD website

View of home from Blind Pass

View of house from Captiva Drive

December 5, 2005

Zonta Inducts New Members

Three island women were inducted into the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva at its recent meeting at Beachview Steakhouse and Grill..

Diane Forney, Claire Mallon and Louise Johnson were welcomed to the club by Karen Pati, president, during the breakfast induction ceremony. A yellow rose, symbol of Zonta International was presented to each new member. .The club now has 62 members.

Forney is a Registered Nurse with 30 years experience working with patients suffering from alcoholism and substance abuse. She most recently was head nurse in the adult psychiatric department at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. She will be using her experience and training in working with Zonta service programs helping women recover from addictions. Sponsored by Virginia Parker, Forney is also a member of SCCF and BIGArts and an avid gardener. She lives on Palm St. with her husband, Leslie, a retired Army general.

A long-time islander and former Sanibel mayor, Johnson was sponsored by another Sanibel mayor, Nola Theiss. She served on the Board of Directors of SCCF and nearly 20 years on its Environmental Committee and is a member of many island environmental and arts organizations. Born in Syracuse, NY, she most recently has taught at Edison Community College and Alfred University in New York.

Mallon is retired from the New York City school system, where she supervised special education students in three schools after serving as a special education and elementary teacher for 27 years. A Staten Island native and resident before moving to Sanibel, she works with the island turtle patrol program, Gumbo Limbo Homeowners Assoc., and BIGArts. She is sponsored by Susan Dunn.

Each of the new members has chosen both a working committee and a partner organization group from among the many volunteer opportunities.

The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva is a service organization of professional women working together to provide hands on assistance, advocacy, and funds to strengthen women's lives on the islands, in Lee County, and around the world through Zonta International. Additional information is available at www.zontasancap.com or by calling Ginger Parker on 466-5100.

November 13, 2005

Zonta Again Observes 16-Day Campaign Against Gender Violence (Island Sun)

DID YOU KNOW?

About domestic violence …

" Studies from 48 countries show that from 10-69% of women have been physically assaulted by an intimate partner at some point in their lives, 22% in the United States;

" More than one in four of all women will experience some type of domestic violence at some point in their lives;

" In many developing countries, women believe physical violence at the hands of their partner is justified in some circumstances;

" Many victims do not report the abuse, for reasons of shame, fear, or isolation, so we may never know the true extent of such abuse in our country or state.

About human trafficking …

" According to the United Nations, anywhere from one million to four million women and children worldwide are forced into prostitution and other forms of exploitation annually. And the number could be even higher;

" Almost every country serves as the country of origin, destination, or transit for human trafficking (mostly women and children). Yet in most countries, drug dealing carries stiffer penalties than dealing in human slaves.

And about HIV/AIDS …

" Today, half or more of the 17 million people in the world infected with HIV are women.

" Over half of new HIV infections worldwide occur in young people ages 15-24;

This year, beginning the day after Thanksgiving, November 25, the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva will again join with Zonta International in observing 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. This international campaign originated from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991, and is an organizing strategy for individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women. Under the theme of "For the Health of Women, For the Health of the World: No More Violence," the campaign will focus on the connections between women, violence, and human rights, and this year includes HIV/AIDS, since women and girls are highly vulnerable to HIV infection because of deep-rooted gender inequalities and violence against them. Since 1981, November 25 has been recognized as International Day Against Violence Against Women; December 1 is World AIDS Day; and December 10, the final day, marks the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In 1998, Zonta International created Zonta International Strategies to Prevent Violence Against Women (ZISVAW), with the goal of reducing the incidence of violence against women and girls through education, awareness and advocacy strategies locally and internationally. Locally, in addition to their two principal service projects, Girls Making it on Purpose and Southwest Florida Addiction Services, the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva has embarked on a multi-year plan to bring visibility to human trafficking, particularly of women and girls, in Southwest Florida. This outreach effort has resulted in national recognition for the club and has been highly successful in gaining the support of law enforcement agencies, locally and regionally. Speakers are available by request, and more information is available on the web at www.zontasancap.com.

November 7, 2005

Zontians Team with SWFAS to help furnish two new supportive housing units (Sanibel Captiva News)

You can help!

During this time of Thanksgiving and harvest, Zontians will be sharing with the women of Southwest Florida Addiction Services. Tops on the list of needs are professional clothing in sizes 6 -14, and belts, purses, shoes. Also needed are furniture and other household items such as lamps, linens, towels and blankets. Things that you might want if you were setting up a household for the first time or interviewing for your first job. If you have things to donate please call club member Gini Jones at 699-4545 to arrange for a pick-up before November 16.

Southwest Florida Addiction Services (SWFAS) is the oldest and largest comprehensive substance abuse treatment program in Southwest Florida serving adult men and women and adolescents. Since 1980, SWFAS has helped more than 45,000 residents in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades and Hendry counties rebuild their lives. However, while the population has nearly tripled in the past 20 years, the resources to meet the demand have been shrinking.

SWFAS offers a complete range of services to help substance-abusing individuals with one or more programs that are more appropriate to meet their individual needs. Some of these services include short-term residential treatment, day treatment, evening treatment, and detoxification support. A longer-term adult residential program called The Transitional Living Center (TLC) allows the recovering individual to live at SWFAS while working in the community and learning life skills that will enhance the transition back into the community SWFAS now has available a limited number of permanent, supportive, housing units for single persons or a family who are essentially ready to integrate back to the community but are in need of continuing services and affordable housing. This furniture drive will help furnish two new supportive housing units.

Residents, who are homeless at time of admission, may remain in the housing as long as they live a drug-free lifestyle, obtain work, and pay monthly rent that is based on their income. "The residents who live here have three goals - residential stability, increased skills that will produce increased income, and greater self-determination that will enable them to make good choices in their lives," said Transitional Living Center Director Rosemary Boisvert.

Other ways that YOU could help:
- Take a few hours to speak to the women on a topic of your choice; recovery oriented, educational, motivational or just for fun. Phone Rosemary Boisvert at (239) 338-2977
- Be an advocate for increased resources. Ask our congressmen/women and senators to address the situation that although the tax base is one of the highest in the state, the area is receiving the least amount of funding for substance abuse treatment. If care is further reduced the community loses, and will pay the for impact in other ways.
- Order embroidery or engraved products for your business or holiday gifts. Residents of the SWFAS community perform this service and the proceeds directly benefit the residents. call Richard Tallman at 239-338-2977, Ext 27. "Cottage Creations" web site can be found at www.swfas.org.

Zonta of Sanibel-Captiva has partnered with SWFAS since 2000 to assist women in their recovery from substance abuse, including returning to the workforce, moving to their own home, and reuniting with their children and families. In addition to an annual monetary award, club members help the women in SWFAS with interviewing skills, financial instruction, and stress management techniques and activities to help replace addiction.

Cassandra and Sharon in the home they share at Transitional Living Center's Permanent Supportive Housing furnished with help from Zonta Sanibel Captiva.

The second of three permanent supportive living duplexes.

Cassandra with the cottage industries embroidery machine

October 31, 2005

Zontians Support Community Efforts With Food Sorting

A group of seven Zontians, unafraid of getting sweaty working in a non-air-conditioned warehouse, responded to a request from the Hairy Chapin Food Bank to help sort canned goods.

The Harry Chapin Food Bank solicits, collects and stores surplus and salvage food and distributes it to nearly 160 non-profit agencies which provide meals or emergency food to needy clients without charge."

Karen Pati, president of Zonta Sanibel-Captiva and a board member of the food bank told club members that while it is better to have canned goods donated than have unwanted food thrown away, cash is better still because every dollar of cash donated can generate nine dollars worth of food. A $100 donation will allow the food bank to obtain, store and distribute 430 lbs. of food with a retail value of over $900.

Sue Denham, Gini Jones, Kris Ritts, Dee Congress, Karen Pati, Esther Saltzman

Gini Jones, Kris Ritts, Claire Mallon, Esther Saltzman, Dee Congress

Sue Denhman, Claire Mallon, Karen Pati, Esther Saltzman and Gini Jones in the box.

October 17, 2005

Zonta Goes on Shopping Spree for Foster Care Graduates (Island Sun)

Zonta club members shopped till they almost dropped for the benefit of Girls Making it on Purpose.The shopping spree was in response to an invitation from Eileen Fisher Inc., a Sanibel and Naples clothing store that agreed to donate 10% of the proceeds from the day's purchases in the two stores to Girls Making it on Purpose or GMIOP. GMIOP is a pioneering organization that provides emotional and practical support to young women transitioning from foster care. The shopping days earned GMIOP almost $1,000. One of the young women from GMIOP modeled clothes during the day.

Zonta of Sanibel-Captiva has been a partner of GMIOP since the day founder Judi Woods spoke at a meeting of the club in 2002. Zontians will be assisting at GMIOP annual fundraiser, Champagne Homecoming at Robb & Stucky in Bonita Springs on November 4th.

Members of Zonta at Eileen Fisher, joined by GMIOP member Darlene Achille

From GMIOP, Judi Saint Sommer, Darlene Achille and Founder Judi Woods

October 10, 2005

Zonta Brings Home the Governor's Cup By Joan Good (Sanibel Islander)

When Karen Pati, the club's current president, Nola Theiss, president elect and Joan Good, foundation treasurer left for the Bahamas to attend the 27th annual Zonta District 11 Conference they traveled with high hopes. Their fellow Zontians had sent them off with chants of "bring home the cup." The prestigious Governor's Cup award is the district's highest award for accomplishing the goals of Zonta International. The District 11 conference included attendees from clubs ranging from Puerto Rico to Alabama (including Naples, Fort Myers and Bonita Springs). It was held September 23-25 at the Atlantis Hotel on Paradise Island. This year only thirteen of the eligible clubs had made it through the nomination process into the finals for the award and Zonta Sanibel-Captiva was on the short list. But the announcement would not be made until the end of the conference. So the suspense went on for days with only district Lieutenant Governor Bea Weaver knowing the outcome. Finally, at the closing banquet, after awarding the runner up award the Governor began listing the accomplishments attributed to the winning club. It slowly became clear that the cup would be coming to Sanibel -Captiva and to enthusiastic applause the cup was accepted.

Additional conference business included the election of district officers. Our own Nola Theiss was elected Area 6 Director, an area ranging from Sarasota and Highlands to Naples. Nola will serve in the 2006 to 2008 biennium. Other highlights included the keynote speaker, Arlene Nash Ferguson, author of Coming to Get Me and a Junkanoo performance. A welcome reception at the Government House was hosted by the Governor-General of the Bahamas, Dame Ivy Dumont, the first female Governor-General.

The Sanibel-Captiva club's activities to fight against human trafficking were discussed and featured as a model throughout the District 11 conference. In addition to supporting Zonta International's anti-trafficking effort in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Zonta Sanibel-Captiva provides funding to the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking (FCAHT) and helped the Lee County Sheriff to form a task force on human trafficking. Information from the task force's first meeting led to the arrest of suspected human traffickers in Lee County. The club's efforts were recognized by an article in the October 2005 The Zontian, the magazine of Zonta International.

Anna Rodriguez, founder and executive director of FCAHT, said, "Since April of this year, we have been able to rescue four girls who were victims of human trafficking and sexual battery." The support of a grant from Zonta Sanibel-Captiva helped to make that possible. For further information on human trafficking you are invited to watch a two part mini-series on LifeTime Television at 9PM on October 24th and 25th.

Zonta Sanibel-Captiva also provides funding and support to Girls Making It On Purpose (GMIOP), an organization that helps young women raised in foster care to begin their adult lives. In the organization's report to Zonta, GMIOP said, "The Zonta group has been more than a funder to our organization. We feel they have become part of our family of volunteers working to make life better for a group of young women who have through no fault of their own become victims of the system. We want them to become citizens of tomorrow."

Another organization supported by Zonta Sanibel-Captiva is the Transitional Living Center operated by Southwest Florida Addiction Services (SWFAS). The center is a home for women who are making the transition from addition treatment to productive lives. . "What Zonta has done and continues to do for our ladies is nothing short of a miracle in progress. The funding from Zonta helped to enhance the recovery process and assisted women to become independent, productive individuals," said Rosemary Boisvert, program director for the center.

The club funds other local efforts, such as Partners for Breast Cancer Care, an organization providing diagnostic procedures for low-income women in Fort Myers; and Planned Parenthood's Outreach and Peer Education program, providing education to at-risk adolescents in SW Florida.

Nola Theiss, Karen Pati, Area 6 Director Cynthia McIntosh, District 11 Governor Ina Edens, and Joan Good.

October 3, 2005

Local Zontians Hear about Zonta International Foundation Service Programs (Island Reporter)

(Part 1- Afghanistan Institute for Learning)

The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva met for a breakfast meeting at Beachview Steakhouse and Grill at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 21, 2005. Member Carolyn Gray spoke to the group about Zonta's International Service Programs

Since 1956, the Zonta Foundation International Service Fund has provided more than US$6 million for projects in more than 25 countries, reaching to the causes, not just the symptoms, of the primary barriers to equality. Members of local Zonta clubs and supporters worldwide embrace the International Service Fund through their generous donations. This program enables Zontians to address some of the most crucial and pressing issues affecting women, issues like HIV/AIDS, denied access to education, trafficking for sexual exploitation, maternal and neonatal tetanus, female genital circumcision and more. In the 2004-2006 Biennium, three projects will be funded by contributions to the Zonta International Foundation International Service Fund. Continuing projects include The Afghanistan Institute of Learning and the Anti-Trafficking Community Mobilization Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina (STAR Network). A new project is Mata Masu Dubara, Micro Credit and Health Education for HIV/AIDS-Affected Women in Niger.

In articles in the coming weeks the women of the local Zonta chapter would like to share information about each of these programs. The following information comes from the website of Zonta International. The Sanibel-Captiva communities - both individual and business - have indirectly supported these international service programs through your support of Zonta Sanibel-Captiva's major fundraiser, The Peek at the Unique held each March. While the majority of the money raised does go to Zonta's service partners here in Lee County, an increasing contribution is also made to support these international projects

The Afghanistan Institute of Learning (AIL) serves women and children in rural areas. This country has suffered more than two decades of armed conflict and several years of severe drought, both of which have devastated its resources and impoverished its people. Home to approximately 25 million people whose average life expectancy at birth is 46 years, Afghanistan is a country with one of the lowest literacy rates, particularly for women and girls, and one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world.

Afghan society has traditionally been male-dominated with females considered to be property. For almost six years, under the Taliban, Afghan women were completely removed from social, economic, and political life, and virtually all of their human rights were violated. Girls had no right to education, and women were not allowed to work outside their homes. Since the fall of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and the start of reconstruction, progress has been made in areas such as health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education and the protection of rights for the country's women and children. This progress has been achieved through the commitment of the Transitional Government, non-governmental and UN agencies, such as the Afghan Institute of Learning and UNICEF, the Afghan people, and countless members of the world community. However, there is still much to be done.

The Afghanistan Institute of Learning (AIL) launched efforts funded by the Zonta International Foundation International Service Fund in the 2002. Despite numerous barriers, AIL was able to begin and rapidly expand education and health services in the rural area of Mir Bacha Kot about 45 miles north of Kabul city. By building trust with the community and providing services in a culturally acceptable way, AIL was able to reach women and girls who previously had no access to health or education services. With funding from the Zonta International Foundation, AIL worked in cooperation with the community leaders of Mir Bacha Kot to establish one of the largest and most successful education and health programs for rural women and children in Afghanistan. It is a model for the country and continues to grow. AIL now has Women's Learning Centers in three villages in Mir Bacha Kot providing educational programs in literacy, Arabic and sewing, Fast Track classes, a girls' home school and teacher training. Some of the girls have already completed grades one and two and are now studying in grade three. AIL will establish at least one additional Women's Learning Center, continue to provide teacher training and begin to offer human rights classes to women.

AIL believes there are at least 27,000 women and girls who will be direct beneficiaries of the AIL Women's Learning Center programs in Mir Bacha Kot in 2004-2006. There will be at least 2,000 students who will receive a higher quality education because they are taught by trained teachers. Teachers receiving training will offer their students a higher quality education that stimulates critical thinking and, in some cases, allows them to complete grade requirements on an accelerated basis in Fast Track classes. AIL believes many women will be empowered through attending human rights and leadership workshops that will improve their communication skills, teach them skills for preventing violence against themselves and others, and give them knowledge and leadership skills to affect positive change with their families and communities. The quality of life for women will be improved through health services, health education and counseling.

Using a grassroots and participatory approach to the development of women's and girls' health and education programs, AIL has been successful in developing high-quality, culturally sensitive education and health programs and has been able to offer these programs to hard-to-reach rural women and girls. Many communities with whom AIL works have historically been resistant to women's and girls' education despite the overwhelming need. AIL's model and its successful implementation is revolutionary and has dissolved many barriers that have impeded the health and well-being of Afghan women for centuries. The support of Zonta International/Zonta International Foundation will enable AIL to continue and to expand its efforts.

Additional information is available at www.zontasancap.com and at www.zonta.org.

August 12, 2005

Zonta, Sanibel and Human Trafficking By Joan Good (Sanibel Islander)

Ever since the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva became involved in the issue of Human Trafficking, members have been asked how this happened. After all, the club has been honored by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services as a "role model of citizen activism" and a little more than a year ago, members barely knew what the term "human trafficking" meant.

Zonta's involvement is a direct result of two things: its mission to advance the status of women and last year's strategic planning process, the "Futures" project, spearheaded by Darla Letourneau. The strategic plan revealed an interest in developing a local service project with ties to Zonta International. Six members of the club went to the July 2004 International Conference and began researching the international projects. They chose the issue of Human Trafficking upon learning that Florida had the 2nd highest prevalence of the crime in the United States and that slavery had become the 2nd largest international crime.

Back in Sanibel, they further researched both the issue and local organizations with the goal of finding an existing not-for-profit to partner with. They found and partnered with Anna Rodriguez who recently founded the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking, after serving 10 years as a victim's advocate for the Collier County Sheriff's Department and being involved in a number of landmark cases. Anna has been an integral partner and the club has advanced her work with a $10,000 training and education grant. The research has been organized and made available to the public on the website, www.zontasancap.com.

Convinced of the merits of the project, yet stunned by the lack of knowledge of the crime, Zonta members introduced a resolution to fight human trafficking at the September 2004 District meeting. It was unanimously passed and has been enthusiastically worked on by many clubs in the district.

Darla, Karen Pati and Nola Theiss approached newly elected Sheriff, Mike Scott, to discuss the issue. He confirmed that the department had not been educated on the subject and agreed to join training classes and initiate a Task Force. At the same time, they invited Anna Rodriguez to speak to the club and to teach a series of Renaissance Academy classes. Anna has shared her expertise and brought in experts from the FBI, the US Prosecuting Attorney's office, the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights and the Federal Department of Health and Human Services. Participants include local law enforcement officials, Zontians, service providers and the public at large.

Many members joined the effort, training to become educational speakers and helping organize the Sheriff's Task Force meetings. At the first meeting, April 20, a service provider told one of the Zonta facilitators that she thought one of her clients might be a trafficking victim. The Sheriff's Department, which, by this time and at the request of the local FBI agent had formed a Human Trafficking Unit, took the lead and three weeks later arrested 4 people on charges of Human Trafficking. The second meeting led to the formation of a steering committee, of which Nola Theiss is a co-chair, and the announcement of the task force's name "The Coalition Against Human Trafficking in SW Florida". At the third meeting, Steve Wagner, the Federal Director of the Rescue and Restore Campaign of the Department of Health and Human Services called the Coalition a role model for the nation.

Meanwhile, Zonta services include organizing Task Force meetings, developing educational materials, collecting supplies for local victims, and speaking to local community groups, including the News-Press, BIG Arts Woman Studies class, Catholic Charities service providers, Women of Vision and Action and other Zonta clubs. They are scheduled to speak at Lee Memorial Hospital, the Lee County School Board, the Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club and a local Sanibel church. Nola and Anna also helped the Sarasota Zonta club organize a meeting of local law enforcement and service providers in order to start a task force in Sarasota County.

Human Trafficking is crime where victims do not or cannot speak for themselves and their safety and freedom is dependent on individual citizens who spot the signs of human trafficking. With a little information, you may be able to save someone from slavery. You may schedule a presentation for your organization, neighborhood or church by e-mailing zontasancap@lycos.com or calling 472-3400.

June 30, 2005

Zonta Club is Updated on Women's Health Issues

The June program meeting of the Zonta Club of Sanibel/Captiva was devoted to hearing the latest on women’s reproductive health issues, as seen through the eyes of Jan Chester, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida (PPSWCF). For the past ten years, the club has supported the work of PPSWCF, this year with a grant of $2,500 for community outreach and educational materials.

The mission of Planned Parenthood is to ensure that every child born is wanted, loved and cared for. To that end, the organization provides low-cost medical services including annual GYN checkups and medical intervention; helps prevent unwanted pregnancy and the transmission of disease; and engages in public affairs and advocacy. From her office in Sarasota, Ms. Chester oversees six clinics from St. Petersburg to Fort Myers. Although Planned Parenthood draws criticism for offering safe, legal abortion services, she said that less than 10 percent of PPSWCF services annually are related to termination of pregnancy. More important issues, in addition to health checkups, are helping victims of rape or sexual abuse, and providing counseling and support for those seeking guidance in family planning. Since many of these clients are young people-and sex education is banned in our schools-teen “peer educators” are being trained in Lee County. The goal for this year is to reach at least new 3,000 clients in Lee County in facilities such as halfway houses, community centers, and juvenile detention centers.

The need for services is growing, in part due to growing numbers without health insurance. Last year, PPSWCF served 22,000 clients, of which 3,800 were from Lee County, an increase of 17 percent over the previous year. The clinics see both men and women, and are often the only option for people without adequate health care coverage, or what are termed the “working poor.” Patients pay on a sliding scale according to their means, and these fees provide 70 percent of the operating budget. Without federal funding, and with only limited state funding, the remainder must be raised in other ways, including individual donations. The Fort Myers clinic is to be reconfigured this year to improve service delivery, with a renovation price tag of $40,000.

Ms. Chester concluded her remarks by thanking club members again for their support over the past ten years. The Zonta Club of Sanibel/Captiva is a service organization of professional women working together to provide hands-on assistance, advocacy and funds to strengthen women’s lives on the islands, in Lee County and around the world through Zonta International.

Ellis Robinson, Misty Smeltzer and Jan Chester, of Planned parenthood, and Karen Pati.

May 29, 2005

Lee County slavery and you — the 'new abolitionist'

Guest opinions By KAREN PATI AND NOLA THEISS
SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS
Published by news-press.com on May 29, 2005

BACKGROUND
Prosecutors say a Guatemalan girl was sold by her parents and brought to Cape Coral, where she was held captive, used as a sex slave and forced to cook and clean. Two men and a woman were charged in the case.

Cape Coral officials are probably correct in stating: "We had no indication or evidence of human trafficking." Slavery is a hidden crime; most captives do not identify themselves as victims and/or are so fearful for their lives or their families' lives that they will not try to escape.

Many have illegally entered our country from areas with corrupt officials, and will not divulge vital information to law enforcement. Additional barriers include language, customs, lack of education and psychological coping methods resulting from their ongoing torture.

Modern slavery is a unique crime. Those on the forefront are offering training to identify and investigate cases, and partnering with those who can help the victims. Advocates and trainers readily admit that even they missed clues in cases over this past decade because they were unaware of the slavers' tactics.

The answer is to realize that slavery does exist here in our backyard and to commit to making a difference. That requires education and training.

A MISUNDERSTANDING

We were among 75 participants at a human trafficking training session hosted last week by the Lee County Sheriff's Office. It was apparent there that Chief Assistant U.S Attorney Doug Molloy was not criticizing law enforcement or service providers, but praising them for taking the initiative to learn about a crime largely misunderstood — and previously ignored; to pursue training; to encourage public awareness and to work together to save human beings in our midst from slavery.

With the passage of a new Florida law and tough federal laws, they now have the tools to root out this crime. The sheriff's office deserves high praise for being open to citizens' suggestions, for understanding the importance of this issue and for pursuing leads so diligently.

Why do we, two Sanibel women, care? About a year ago, our group of local professional women became interested in the human trafficking issue, in part, because our parent organization, Zonta International, funded an international anti-slavery project.

Research revealed that slavery was the second largest international crime, Florida was one of the top three states in incidents of slavery and that women and children are the primary victims. So, the Sanibel-Captiva chapter of Zonta decided to tackle the issue locally.

Zonta's mission is to advance the status of women so we wanted to provide whatever services our group could to law enforcement, service providers and the community to increase public awareness.

A REVELATION

This led to a collaboration with the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking, its founder, Anna Rodriguez, and the Lee County Sheriff's Office. In December, club members met with newly elected Sheriff Mike Scott, who enthusiastically endorsed the cause. He sent members of his office to a four-evening training course on Sanibel sponsored by the Renaissance Academy of Florida Gulf Coast University and taught by Anna Rodriguez. Later, sheriff's office members of the new Lee County Human Trafficking Unit met with club members and Rodriguez to organize a task force meeting, held on April 20.

At that meeting, sheriff's office representatives and more than 80 other local law enforcement personnel, service providers and community groups met to hear Rodriguez, the FBI and Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Molloy define human trafficking, identify signs of trafficking, learn about the federal laws and the new Florida law and discuss case studies to help participants understand the crime.

During table discussions, one woman mentioned that perhaps a young girl in her agency's care was actually a human trafficking victim. From that lead, the sheriff's office, FBI and U.S. Attorney's office worked the case and arrested three suspects on charges of involuntary servitude.

This is the first case to be prosecuted jointly under federal and Florida laws, and the first where the victim is a juvenile.

YOU CAN HELP

As citizens, we are thrilled with the efforts of all aspects of law enforcement on their handling of this case and their recognition of the importance of this crime in our nation and our region. We think it's great that these professionals recognize the need to understand and enforce these new laws so aggressively in our community.

Lee County is being recognized nationally for its work. We are happy to have had a small part in it.

We all have different roles in combating this crime — as identifiers of the victims, as enforcers of the laws and as providers of services for these victims. We need each other to do it most effectively. Thank you, Lee County Sheriff's Office, and all those who have taken the time to get involved. It's not too late for you, too, to become what U.S. Attorney Molloy calls "A New Abolitionist."

Karen Pati is president of the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva.

Nola Theiss is leader of Zonta's Anti-Trafficking Team.

May 19, 2005

Sister Mary Ellen Dougherty Speaks about Human Trafficking at Zonta Luncheon

Sister Mary Ellen Dougherty, project coordinator of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' grant on human trafficking, described the reality of modern day slavery and abuse of people at a Zonta luncheon held at Sheila Hoen's home on Sanibel.

Sister Dougherty, who has testified before Congress on modern day slavery, pointed out that forced labor in homes and in farm fields, along with sexual slavery are three forms of trafficking uncovered in Southwest Florida. She stressed that this is a human rights issue and not just a women's issue, as human trafficking includes both male and female victims.

Sister Dougherty outlined four major areas of concern she has. The perception that human trafficking is mainly sexual exploitation via prostitution is a myth the media supports--sensational stories of victims in the sex trade make better television than the stories of agricultural slaves or domestic servitude cases. The second concern is the demographics of demand. How do we meet the demand of low cost goods and services without taking advantage of a vulnerable population? Thirdly, the challenge of trafficked children. Only 10% of rescued victims are children, but it is estimated that 50% of trafficking victims are children. Why? It is easy to hide them in a raid, they may not 'admit' they are a victim, they are easier to dump on the streets or into a county child welfare system. Lastly, the U.S. citizens, mostly women and children who have become victims. Modern day slavery is not just an issue for immigrants but it is a problem for citizens of this country. Many of the benefits are available to international victims rather than domestic.

Education is key to addressing these concerns. The laws, according to Sister Dougherty are good laws. Federally, there is money to address the issue, and good people are working against human trafficking. But across the country, education of people who might come in contact with possible victims, including law enforcement, healthcare workers, service providers and the general public is important. She suggested getting discussions about modern day slavery into the schools as early as middle school.

Also present at the luncheon with Sister Dougherty were Anna Rodriguez, President of the Florida Coalition against Human Trafficking, and Officers from the Lee County Sheriff's Office. Zonta presented a $10,000 grant to Anna Rodriguez for public outreach and education to make the Southwest Florida community aware of human trafficking.

The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva has chosen the eradicating of trafficking of women in Southwest Florida as a priority project. Zonta is focusing attention on trafficking, and seeking partners to educate the public about the serious local incidents of trafficking. Members of Zonta's Speaker's Bureau, who have been through training with Anna Rodriguez and a team of law enforcement officials, are available to speak at meetings of organizations concerned about this issue. For information, contact zontasancap@lycos.com.

Detective Shawn Ramsey, Sister Mary Ellen Dougherty, Darla Letourneau,
Esther Saltzman, Anna Rodrigues, Sergeant J.D. Loethen

Darla Letourneau, Anna Rodrigues after receiving a $10,000 grabt from Zonta,
Sister Mary Ellen Dougherty, Sergeant J.D. Loethen

April 25, 2005

Zonta Teams up with Sheriff in Anti-Trafficking Effort

The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva culminated a year-long anti-human trafficking effort with participation in The Lee County Sheriff Department Task Force in Fort Myers. Wednesday, April 20, marked the first meeting attended by over sixty interested parties including twelve Zonta members and friends who served as facilitators among the groups. Representatives of law enforcement, governmental and non-profit service providers, healthcare professionals and others came together to learn about modern day slavery in our midst. Each group needs to approach the problem from a different angle but all involved need more information on how to identify the victims and what to do next. Thanks to the leadership of Sheriff Mike Scott and his staff, Anna Rodriguez, head of the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking, and Nola Theiss and the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva, the event was a success.

After a welcome to the meeting, attendees watched a Department of Justice video featuring successful rescues and consequent prosecutions of traffickers - two right here in southwest Florida. The first speaker, US Attorney's Office Chief Doug Malloy whose job it is to prosecute the traffickers, stressed that it takes all of us to identify the victims and care for them prior to going to trial. The theme that ran through each of the comments of the speakers was the importance of cooperation to free the victims and lock up the traffickers. Brief presentations followed by Anna Rodriguez, FBI Special Agent Jim Roncinske, and Zontian Nola Theiss. The meeting ended with a spirited session of networking and discussion about what each group is doing now and what can be done in the future. The sincere interest and concern by those in the room was palpable.

This event marked the end of a busy week for Zonta's Anti-Trafficking team. On Monday, April 18th, the first speaker's training took place. The all day event led by Anna Rodriguez was held to develop a speaker's bureau to address a growing interest in the community for more information on human trafficking on the islands and throughout the area. Sanibel-Captiva organizations are encouraged to schedule Zonta speakers at meetings to inform members about the growing problem of modern slavery in our area. (email zontasancap@lycos.com or leave a message at 699-4545).

The Zonta membership was brought up to date on the progress of the Anti-Trafficking team at its regular meeting at Gully's restaurant. With primary goals of increasing the awareness of the issue, and educating people about it, the Task Force meeting was an exciting culmination of work to date. The Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking is one of the three local grass roots organizations which Zonta has adopted as working partners. Recently, a grant in the amount of $10,000 was approved by Zonta membership to be awarded to the Florida Coalition on Human Trafficking to aid in its public outreach efforts. Zonta will continue to work closely.

April 19, 2005

Zontians say "Thank you": Peek a huge success!

The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva held its fourth annual house tour Peek at the Unique on Saturday, March 12, 2005. The 2005 tour net record earnings totaling nearly $27,000 through increased ticket sales and the growing support of program sponsors. New this year, the Chance at the Unique raffle provided an additional opportunity to contribute.

Zonta would like to publicly express gratitude to those who made this event an overwhelming success. The funds raised enable the service club to have an even greater impact, helping women in need throughout Lee County and beyond. From the 55 members of the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva, a big "THANK YOU" goes to:

Esther Warner, quilt winner presenting the quilt to Caitlin and Catherine
with President Darla Letourneau looking on at a regular meeting at Gully's Restaurant.

March 15, 2005

Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva Welcomes Five New Members

Five islanders: Jan Alden, Joan Faris, Laura Greendale, Sandi Hutchings and Carolyn Swiney, were welcomed into Zonta on March 2. The induction
ceremony focused on the club's commitment to service on the local and global levels, with Vice President Nola Theiss asking the new members to take the Zonta International oath to improve the lives of women. Each new member was presented a symbolic yellow rose

Jan Alden, who recently moved here with her husband Chip Specht from the Minneapolis area, is a retired psychologist who worked with clients with
eating disorders, historical abuse issues, and body image issues.

Joan Faris, a nutritionist and educator, moved to the island in 1996 with husband, Richard, and daughter, Adrienne. She is a faculty member at Florida Gulf Coast University and serves as the Nutrition and Wellness Coordinator for the Kleist Health Education Center. Her private practice specializes in holistic approaches to weight management, cardiovascular and sports nutrition.

Laura Greendale, who has her own website development company, has already been put to work helping with the Zonta website. She, too, has led
women's support groups and worked with people to improve their communication skills. Laura and husband Max, have been wintering in Sanibel since 2000. She will be contributing year round by working on the website from her other home in Woodstock, NY.

Sandi Hutchings has been coming to the Island since the 4th grade -BC- before causeway. She purchased Gulf Breeze Cottages 26 years ago after a real estate career in Naperville, Illinois. Sandi is a University of Miami and Delta Gamma Alumni, and has 4 terrific Sanibel grandchildren.

Carolyn Swiney came to Sanibel as a part time resident 10 years ago and now divides her year between the island and County Donegal, Ireland. Prior
to Sanibel, she lived in Europe, the Middle East, Bermuda, and the Far East,working as a social worker and a volunteer in refugee centers and orphanages. While living in Hong Kong she was a relocations advisor and shopping consultant. Carolyn is now doing decorative and furniture painting, which she markets both here and in Ireland.

Club President, Darla Letourneau, welcomed the new members to the Club. "Not only is it wonderful to have these five new talented and enthusiastic women join us, we are particularly grateful that they have become members in time to help us with our annual fundraiser, the 4th annual"Peek at the Unique" house tour on Saturday, March 12th."

The Zonta Club is a service organization of professional women,working together to provide hands-on assistance, advocacy, and funds to strengthen women's lives on the islands, in Lee County and around the world through Zonta International. Additional information is available at www.zontasancap.com or by calling Ginger Parker at 466-5100

New Members with sponsors:
Left to Right: VP Nola Theiss, Sue Denham sponsoring Laura Greendale, Jan
Alden, Carolyn Swiney with sponsor Caroline Hoisington, sponsor Connie
Clancy with Joan Faris and Sandi Hutchings.

March 7, 2005

Last Chance to Take a “Chance at the Unique” Offered by Zonta

Three unique items will be raffled on Saturday March 12, at the conclusion of the "Peek at the Unique" at The Schoolhouse Theater. Ten dollar raffle tickets are available from local Zontians and Saturday only, at the theater. This is also your last chance to join us on the house tour. Stop by the Theater on Saturday to see if space is still available or just to buy a raffle ticket. Unique prizes have been donated by local Zontians, in the club spirit of exuberant generosity and volunteerism.

The Congress family is probably as well known for their generosity as they are the beautiful selection of fine jewelry and excellent service at Congress Jewelers. One can barely open a paper without seeing the many causes the family & business support. For this fundraiser they donated a 14 Karat Gold Sandal pendant & chain with diamonds & lapis, a $600 value. Dee Congress, a founding member of the Zonta Club of Sanibel Captiva, helped husband Larry start Congress Jewelers on Sanibel in 1983. In 1998, Dee and Larry retired, selling the business to sons Scot and Doug. Dee's quote reflects her philanthropic nature when she simply states: "It is an honor to participate in this fundraiser and the "Peek at the Unique".

Denise McEnroe, owner of McEnroe Gallery is a relative newcomer by comparison. Celebrating her first anniversary as a Zontian, and 4 years with McEnroe Gallery. She started her island business in 1997 with Island Framing at Tower Gallery. McEnroe gallery features local artists and full-custom picture framing. Denise is also intimately involved in many local fundraisers. A recent tour of the store, located in Palm Ridge Plaza, highlighted the display of not only the "Chance at the Unique" goods, but also the Sanibel Cares, Myra Robertson print to benefit the Children's Hospital. For the "Chance" Denise is donating "True Colors" a gicleé on canvas painting by local artist Leoma Lovegrove a $550 value.

Also on display at the McEnroe Gallery is "ABC", a handmade children's quilt donated by island quilter Peggy Newell, a $300 value. Peggy also joined the Zonta Club in 2004 and has since graced the club with her experience as a writer, copy editor, researcher and storyteller.

Zonta is grateful for the generosity of these donors, please join us in supporting their island businesses and in making this a successful fundraiser.

Please take a "Chance at the Unique". Proceeds benefit the Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida and the charities its supports to improve the status of women in Lee County and around the world. Additional information about Zonta, The Peek at the Unique tour of homs and The Chance at the Unique Raffle is available at www.zontasancap.com

Dee and Scot Congress with donation of 14 Karat Gold Sandal pendant with diamonds & lapis & chain.

Denise McEnroe with donation of gicleé on canvas painting by local artist Leoma Lovegrove.

ABC kid's quilt donated by Peggy Newell.

Donation by Congress Jewelers

Donation by McEnroe Gallery

February 21, 2005

A Sneak Peek at The Four Homes on THE PEEK

The Peek at the Unique, Zonta's 4th annual tour of unusual island homes, is only a few weeks away and tickets are going fast. This year's tour has four very different homes, with something for everyone.

Historic East End Charm:
At your first stop, sponsored by the generosity of Barrier Island Title Services, you will see East End charm, and a wonderful example of the renovation of an older home built in the 1940's. Speaker Alex Werner will fill you in on the history of this area of the island and the home B.C. - Before Causeway.

Native Plant Oasis:
The next stop features a backyard oasis filled with native plants. Owner Kathy Boone directed the native plant nursery at Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation for 17 years. Kathy will be the speaker informing you about her use of native plants and answering your questions. Thanks again to Bob Wigley and Sanibel - Captiva Trust Company for sponsoring this home.

Clam Bayou Views:
The tour bus will then take you to the far west end of Sanibel, past Bowman's Beach to the home of Jack and Lytha Weston in the gated community of Heron's Landing. This home, built and sponsored by George Parker, Inc. is an exquisite example of island architecture at it's best. Although the home is 4000 sq. feet, the homeowners accomplished their goal of having a large home with a cozy feel. Situated on Clam Bayou the views surround you with light, water, and greenery. From many places -- including the raised swimming pool on level with the living room or the bathtub in the master bath -- you will experience incredible views of Clam Bayou, Silver Key and (since Hurricane Charley) even the Gulf of Mexico. Ginger Parker will be speaking at this home about the collaborative process among the homeowner, architect, interior designer, and builder.

European Modern Beauty:
At the fourth stop you will find yourself in yet another infrequently traveled part of Sanibel as you travel down unpaved Sawgrass Road off of West Gulf Drive. As you turn the sharp corner in the driveway that hides this home from the road you will be greeted by a vast, gleaming white beauty with multiple entrances, angles and arches higher than the palm trees surrounding it. Perched on seven acres of land next to conservation acreage, this remarkable house was built in 1991 by a Munich architect for an extended family that resides most of the year in Germany. The architect designed the 8000 sq ft. home to have two independent and complete living areas, linked by one central large and well-used kitchen and family dining table. The two principal 'house' components are roughly mirror images, each having two stories that contain a living room/dining area, perimeter porch with steps to the yard and swimming pool, a separate two-bedroom guest wing, and a master suite with bath, and second bedroom/bath flanking a sky-lit atrium. Architect Toni Ferrell will be speaking on the differences between American and European styles of decorating. Special thanks to Susan Dunn & Company for sponsoring this house, now for sale.

Get tickets now for March 12:
Tickets for Peek at the Unique house tour are $45 donation per person and include light refreshments, bus transportation to each house and presentation. There are less than two weeks to go before the annual Peek at The Unique on Saturday, March 12. If you have not already made reservations, dial the ticket line today at 395-9176. Tour busses will leave from the Schoolhouse Theatre every half hour . Call now to reserve your preferred time.

Then make arrangements to have a meal at one of our sponsoring restaurants, and take in the performance afterward at the Schoolhouse Theatre. Make a day of it using the coupons provided by our sponsoring businesses!
The Peek at the Unique is a project of Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva to benefit Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida. Donations raise money for Southwest Florida Addiction Services, Girls Making it on Purpose, Partners For Breast Cancer Care, and outreach programs to prevent modern day slavery and human trafficking. The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva is a service organization of professional women working together to provide hands-on assistance, advocacy, and funds to strengthen women's lives on the islands, in Lee County, and around the world through Zonta International. Additional information about Zonta and The Peek is available at www.zontasancap.com

Ginger Parker, Lytha Weston and Caroline Hoisington finalizing details on a sunny side porch.

The Weston home on Clam Bayou.

The Sawgrass home.

The Living room of the Sawgrass Home

Whimsical lawn ornament at house #2.

February 17, 2005

Zontians Offer a “Chance at the Unique”

The Zonta Club of Sanibel Captiva is now offering $10 raffle tickets for 3 unique prizes:

• A 14 Karat Gold Sandal pendant & chain with diamonds & lapis donated by Congress Jewelers ($600 value)

•"True Colors" a gicleé on canvas by local artist Leoma Lovegrove donated by McEnroe Gallery ($550 value),

• Handmade children's "ABC" quilt donated by island quilter Peggy Newell ($300 value).

Tickets are available from members of Zonta and at McEnroe Gallery, 2330 Palm Ridge Road (across from CVS) where the painting and quilt will be on display through Friday March 11. The Sandal Pendant can be seen at Congress Jewelers at Periwinkle place.

Sales of tickets will continue Saturday March 12 at the School House Theater during Zonta's Peek at the Unique Home Tour. Three winners will be drawn at 6 PM, at the conclusion of the tour.

Additional information is available at www.zontasancap.com or by calling Denise at McEnroe Gallery, 472-1118.

Proceeds benefit the Zonta Club of Sanibel/Captiva Foundation and the charities it supports to improve the status of women in Lee County and around the world

February 17, 2005

Ticket line now open for Zonta’s March 12^th House Tour The Peek at The Unique

The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva is excited to announce that the ticket line is now open for its fourth annual Peek at the Unique. This popular house tour, which features intimate views of four unique island homes, has sold out since its inception. At least half of the $45 tickets will be sold to “peekers” who have been on past tours. Your ticket will reserve a seat on a specific bus and will provide you with a delightful and informative day with the added knowledge that you will be helping grassroots organizations in Lee County helping women. Call 395-9176 now to make sure that you don’t get