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Quality Life Center of Southwest Florida Inc. » Join the Movement

Why We’re More Than a School

Quality Life Academy (QLA) is more than a school—it’s the national hub of Youth-Led Community Solutions, a youth-led initiative empowering students to lead real change in their lives and communities.

Rooted in East Harlem’s legendary Youth Action Program, YCS invites students ages 12–24 to imagine, design, and implement solutions that make an impact—starting in their own neighborhoods. When students join QLA, they become part of a movement for justice, leadership, and opportunity.

With funding from the Office of American Possibility and in collaboration with More Perfect, YCS will launch a National Call to Action on July 4, 2026, in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. This campaign will invite young people across the nation to form teams, identify community challenges, and design bold, actionable solutions.

Rear view of three students with braided hair working on Chromebooks at a long black table, displaying reading comprehension or writing exercises.

“We envision a generation grounded in cultural identity, driven by purpose, and equipped to lead lives of excellence and impact.”

— QLA Vision Statement

<br />Students participate in an educational activity using laptops, while an adult facilitator stands at a podium displaying the "Quality Life Center" logo in the background.
<br />Students participate in an educational activity using laptops, while an adult facilitator stands at a podium displaying the "Quality Life Center" logo in the background.

Where It All Began: From East Harlem to a National Movement

In the 1970s, Dorothy Stoneman and a group of teenagers in East Harlem asked a bold and transformative question:
“If you had adult support, what would you do to improve your community?”

Their answers—building parks, launching peer-led hotlines, creating affordable housing, and founding leadership schools—ignited a youth-led movement that grew into YouthBuild and now inspires a new, separate initiative: Youth-Led Community Solutions.

Youth-Led Community Solutions honors and replicates the original organizing model, empowering young people to lead change in their own communities.

Today, Quality Life Academy (QLA) serves as a national anchor for Youth-Led Community Solutions’ expansion, ensuring that youth in underserved communities have the power, skills, and support to transform their lives—and their world.

What Is YCS?

Youth-Led Community Solutions is a national, youth-led initiative where teens (ages 12–24) engage in:

  • Community improvement projects
  • Leadership training and public speaking
  • Civic engagement and media literacy
  • The National Youth Congress, a youth-driven platform for change

Supported by adult allies, YCS projects address issues like:

  • Violence prevention
  • Mental health access
  • Education equity
  • Housing and environmental justice
An adult teacher guides three young children, who have dreadlocks, as they write names and corresponding colors on a small whiteboard during a classroom activity
A young student with long dark hair sits at a table, resting her head on her hand while concentrating on a math or counting worksheet with a pencil.

The Structure Behind the Movement

YCS is powered by:

  • A Start-Up Council of young leaders from urban, rural, and tribal communities
  • A Pilot Site Implementation Council (PSIC) of nonprofit leaders across the U.S.
  • National coordination by Quality Life Center (QLC) in Fort Myers, FL

QLC’s Role as National Hub:

  1. Training & Support – Equipping partners with tools, coaching, and curriculum
  2. Funding Access – Linking youth-led work to grants and public support
  3. Community & Identity – Uplifting youth stories across media and culture
  4. Leadership Development – Embedding civic knowledge and identity-building into every step

How You Can Join the Movement

Enroll at Quality Life Academy
QLA is now accepting students in grades K-12 who want to grow as leaders, creators, and scholars in a supportive, purpose-driven environment.
What’s Included?

  • 220-day school year with before- and after-care built in
  • All meals included: breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner—with vegan/gluten-free options
  • Daily enrichment: visual arts, performing arts, athletics, leadership, and emotional wellness
  • Academic growth tracking: using MAP testing, personalized dashboards, and 1:1 coaching
  • Smart learning tools: including Khan Academy, IXL, SplashLearn, VictoryXR virtual reality labs, and MagicSchool.ai
<br />Overhead view of a child's hand working on an "Adding 3 Digits" math worksheet with a pencil, surrounded by numbered wooden blocks on a white table.

Tuition & Financial Options

  • Annual tuition: $13,000–$18,000
  • Sliding scale based on household income
  • Flexible payment plans available
  • Scholarships and grants to ensure accessibility for all families

Contact: Jurni Vincent or Ashlee Harmon

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Volunteer, Partner, or Give

Families:

  • Commit just 3 hours/month to support QLA programs
  • Attend monthly family meetings and student showcases

Community Partners:

  • Co-host student projects
  • Offer internships or mentorship
  • Join the WeCreate national pilot network

Donors:

  • Support a student scholarship
  • Join our Naming & Memorial Program to honor a loved one
  • Contribute to local or national WeCreate expansion

For partnerships or donations: info@qualitylifeacademy.org

Why It Matters

“YCS is more than a program. It’s where creativity meets civic power—and youth are not just preparing for the future, they are shaping it now.”—Dorothy Stoneman

We are not just changing education. We’re transforming lives.
Join us.
📍 Fort Myers, Florida
📧 info@qualitylifeacademy.org

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