FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tonight, those closest to Dunbar's Quality Life Center are left scratching their heads after the City of Fort Myers recently decided to cut them out of the upcoming budget.
Those I spoke to said they were completely unaware that the city would make this decision -- especially after receiving city funding for the last 11 years.
"I was appalled," said Jacquelyn Holloway, a Parent of Quality Life Center.
"That was a surprise to us, "I think the council is out of touch." said Abdul-Haq Muhammed, Founder & Executive Director, Quality Life Center.
There is shock and confusion at Dunbar's Quality Life Center as members and leaders learn that the Fort Myers City Council recently voted to remove them from the city's 2020 budget.
More than $300,000 that would normally be split between the Quality Life Center and other community organizations -- will now go completely to the nearby STARS recreational complex.
Abdul-Haq Muhammed: It's poor judgment on their part.
Last year alone, the city gave the Quality Life Center $137,000 to fund the various after-school, summer camp, and teen leadership programs that the organizations have been providing to the community for almost 30 years.
Abdul-Haq Muhammed: It's threatening the stability of our programs and activities. And it's not just programs and activities, but it is also lives of young people.
Jacquelyn Holloway: She's gone from being okay with a 'C' to getting 'A's and B's' and being excited.
Holloway believes the center is doing vital work for the neighborhood it serves and for the life of her. She can't figure out why the city could make a move like this.
Jacquelyn Holloway: How can they take money from such an organization that brings so much to the community.
It's a question the center's founder is hoping to get to the bottom of soon.
Abdul-Haq Muhammed: I've placed many calls in to speak to city council as well. Including the mayor.
Muhammed says so far; he's only gotten a response from one city council member and the city manager.
We've also placed calls to city leaders and haven't heard back yet.
