As locals and visitors famously enjoy fun in the sun here, the city of Clearwater focuses development efforts on beachfront luxury resorts and on downtown projects. Waterfront Aqualea Resort and Residences, a $105 million coral-colored luxury hotel and condominium development, opened in 2009 adjacent to the high-end Sandpearl Resort and Sandpearl Residences. New projects downtown include Station Square, a 15-story residential tower, the Strand at Clearwater Centre and Water’s Edge.
YMCA of the Suncoast has launched a new website designed to build communities of like-minded people. The website, launched in March 2011, provides easy access to residents interested in the […]
We're happy that you've chosen us and we're going to walk beside you as you embrace this journey. You are our first priority. We will protect your privacy, restore your hope and focus on your strengths.These are the promises a new fountain in the lobby of Clearwater's Directions for Mental Health makes to clients entering the building for services. April Lott, Directions' new president & CEO, has revitalized both the services Directions provides and the buildings that house those services. Improvements include moving its children's services to a family-friendly Largo location, installing a welcoming lobby with a trickling fountain, adding two in-house physicians and using tele-medicine to reach those who need mental health services but have no transportation.Lott says that the investments were worth it, given the economic impact Directions has on the community."Our economic impact is exponential," says Lott. "We serve over 9,000 clients every year. Those 9,000 individuals are a part of families and businesses. Our services allow them to be productive members of the community and prevent them from becoming homeless or placed in jail."Lott says the installation of the lobby fountain and the message inscribed on it, were especially poignant for her, given that a family member struggles with mental illness. "She said every time she went for help, she felt unwelcome. They didn't even look at her. I didn't want people who walk in here to feel that way,'' says Lott. "When I started working with the architect, Shoreline Designs Group, I told them that I wanted the lobby to be welcoming; that I wanted a water feature that communicates our promises to our clients. "After the fountain was built I shared the promises with my family member. I asked her, 'Would this make you feel welcome?' And she said 'Yes. That would do it.' "Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: April Lott, Directions for Mental Health
The New York Times features a popular Travel series called 36 Hours. The idea is to hone in on special places and experiences a city offers visitors during a short stay. Writer Chris Kuhn takes a similar approach to visiting the Tampa Bay region. Tell us what you think. If your friends had just 36 hours to visit the Tampa Bay region, what would you suggest they do? Where should they go?
WorkNet Pinellas will be hosting a professional mixer at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater on Wednesday, Feb, 16, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The evening affair is not your typical job fair. "The professional mixer is an invitation-only recruiting event where employers have the opportunity to engage high-caliber professionals who have been invited specifically because their skills meet the requirements of the positions," says Haley Loeun of WorkNet Pinellas. Loeun says that this is the third year WorkNet has hosted the event, which has between 175-225 job seekers on the guest list. In order to get on the guest list, job seekers must go through the registration process. "Job seekers interested in attending are encouraged to visit our website to view the open positions," says Loeun, lead business services recruiter. "Resumes must be submitted via email indicating the position in the subject line. If qualified for the position, a business services recruiter will contact the candidate to discuss their resume and the requirements of the position. Candidates will not receive an invitation to the event until they have submitted a resume and spoken with a recruiter."Loeun says employers are still signing up; therefore the job postings for candidates will not be visible on WorkNet's website until the beginning of February. According to Loeun, one of the benefits of the mixer is that, unlike job fairs open to the public where dozens of people may be at a recruiter's table waiting to speak with someone, the limited access allows job seekers more time with employers. It also gives professionals a chance to network with one another in a relaxed, yet professional atmosphere. Writer: Kimberly PattersonSource: Haley Loeun, Worknet Pinellas
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