Event
Photos: Reading with the Rays
See photos from the 2022 Reading with the Rays Event at Tropicana Field!
Scott Schneider
August 21, 2022
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Our Programs
Afterschool4Success
Our home-grown mentoring program that builds STEAM, improves grades and prevents youth (7-17) from getting involved in risky behaviors
HIV/AIDS Education, Counseling, and Testing
Through a Florida Department of Health license, we provide free RAPID HIV testing and services, FREE
Coding4Success
FICS offers weekly computer coding classes for its youth. Coding has been proven to help improve critical thinking and math skills. In addition, coding paves the way for future job opportunities!
Partners in Wellness
FICS programming has been strategically focused on responding to identified community needs and an overall request to assist in creating more wellness, opportunities and positive outcomes at the individual, family, peer/school and community levels
Volunteer Program: Mentoring and Tutoring
Through our volunteers and partnerships we provide on-site tutoring and mentoring free of charge. We have a site license for youth to access MobyMax.com for FREE
Research, Planning, and evaluation
Our staff have expertise in qualitative and quantitative research, from design to data collection to analysis and reporting. Available in English and Spanish.
Prodigy
We offer youth FREE arts/crafts and theater classes through our contract with UACDC for Prodigy Cultural Arts! Currently we have art and dance! Stay tuned for more!
All Things Culture & Straz Partnership
We are bridging the gap between arts, art education, and our communities with partners at the Straz and Arts Council! Learn more by visiting our website!
Our Mission
To PARTNER with communities across Florida to help them achieve their goals through research, education, training, services and the arts. FICS believes that communities know their strengths and gaps better than anyone else. We work to build on the strengths to close gaps through active partnerships.
News
Coding4Success
Coding4Success Launch
Coding4Success has been launched at FICS to teach youth of all ages to code.
Scott Schneider
July 28, 2022
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Press Release
FICS Receives Recognition from the State of Florida
FICS is proud to receive a Certificate of Recognition from the State of Florida Governor’s Office.
Scott Schneider
July 28, 2022
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Statement
Security Upgrades at FICS
FICS announces safety improvements to our Morgan Woods location.
Scott Schneider
July 27, 2022
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Summer4Success
Photos: Summer4Sucess STEM
Today was an epic day of STEM as our young scientists pondered the best use of the large sturdy UHaul box
Scott Schneider
July 22, 2022
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Operations
Support FICS on Prime Day 2022!
On this prime day, support FICS by shopping via Amazon Smile or by donating much needed supplies!
Scott Schneider
July 12, 2022
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Upcoming Events
Our Impact
FICS works at the community level to identify gaps and strengths. Through our community advisers, we use those strengths to write plans and create effective programs that build resilience and keep youth out of gangs, help make people healthier, and HIV and Substance free. Our reach extends to thousands of people per year, and we have documented significant improvements in teen pregnancy reduction, violence prevention, improved community responsibility and reduced dependence on law enforcement, prisons, and healthcare systems. We estimate a conservative savings to our community of $4.89 for every dollar spent on after school programs, meaning we have saved the community $1.5 million for youth. In terms of diabetics’ outcomes, we have documented a cost-savings of $782,811 per year.
Our Model
Community at the Center
FICS serves as a facilitator in assisting community by working across partners and groups in a way that allows youth, parents, researchers, community members, educators, and professionals to interact, exchange information and knowledge to create solutions.
Our Finances
Transparency is a focus of the Florida Institute for Community Studies. We proudly provide financial information to GuideStar. Because of our transparency, we have earned GuideStar’s Gold Participant status.
Where do we spend our money?
Program Expenses
67%
Administrative Cost (Rent, Office Supplies, printing, etc.)
18%
Misc. Expenses
15%
Based on 2018 financial reports. FICS exceeds industry standards in ensuring grant donations go to our programs, not marketing or executive salaries.
Our Facility
FICS is located at Morgan Woods Park in Town n’ Country, Florida. Our facility includes the following:
- Safe, fenced in outside recreation area
- Outdoor covered patio
- Separate adult/youth restrooms
- 21st Century Computer Lab
- Flexible Seating Arrangements
- Large Classoom
- Imagination Playground
- Gun-Free Zone
- Fingerprint Cleared Staff
- Indoor/Outdoor Security Cameras
Planning a Visit?
FICS In the News!
- Tampa Bay Times 11/22/2020
- Washington Post
- NBC News
- Tampa Bay Times 08/24/20
- Tampa Bay Times 09/24/20
- Spectrum Bay News 9 08/19/19
- Tampa Bay Times 08/04/2016
- Tampa Bay Times 02/24/2018
- Tampa Bay Times 04/24/2019 (Column written by FICS Executive Director Dr. Alayne Unterberger PhD)
FICS was seen on ABC Nightly News. In the image, Jordon Montaez, 13, left, and Mariana Soto, 10, participate in e-learning Monday at the Florida Institute for Community Studies while director Alayne Unterberger talks with Soto’s teacher to troubleshoot issues on the first day of school for Hillsborough County in Tampa. (Ivy Ceballo/Tampa Bay Times/AP)
Storycorps Interviews
Episode 1
Debbie King (42) shares a conversation with her friend, El Campbell (31), about gender fluidity, coming out, community, capitalism, and living with a chronic illness.
Episode 2
Fen Ganymede (30) talks with their friend Dr. Alayne Unterberger (56) about their experience teaching non-traditional differently abled students, their own ADHD and their inspiration to become an educator.
Episode 3
Friends Russell “Russ” Patterson (69) and Dr. Alayne Unterberger (56) discuss Russ’s upbringing, his military service and travels, and his political involvement over the years.
Dr. Alayne Unterberger
Executive Director
Alayne is a co-founder of FICS, which grew out of a series of initiatives with community leaders, students, professors and activists from across the state. She is passionate about FICS’ motto: CARE. It stands for Community, Activism, Research and Education. These four pillars emerged from community participatory research and reflect our belief that communities know their strengths and needs best. We work to develop community voices to advocate for solutions that create the conditions for success. Dr. Unterberger possesses a PhD in Medical Anthropology from the University of Florida and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Public Health at the University of South Florida.
Email: alayneu@ficsinc.org
Education:
- PhD Medical Anthropology, University of Florida
- MA Anthropology, University of South Florida
- BA, International Relations and Spanish, Juniata College
Other Professional Activities:
- Adjunct Professor of Public Health, University of South Florida
- Adjunct Professor of Anthropology, Hillsborough Community College
Meet our Board Chairman
Carlton Lewis
Chairman of the Board
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Human Resource Management, Saint Leo University
Awards and Honors:
- Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, Citizen of the Year 2005
- Hillsborough County, Florida Citizenship Award 2004
- Hillsborough County of Children Services Citizenship Award 2003
- Hillsborough County Moral Courage Award, Timberlane Crime Watch 1993
- Honor Graduate, Cum Laude, Saint Leo College, Delta Epsilon Sigma 1993
- Veteran of 20 years United States Army, Military Intelligence, 1991
Meet our Director of Technology
Scott Schneider
Director of Technology
Scott’s journey at FICS began in May 2019 with an application on Volunteer Match to be FICS’ Webmaster. In 2 months, Scott completely overhauled the FICS website, migrating from Google Sites, to WordPress. After 2 months as a volunteer, he fell in love with the community and the organization. In July 2019, Scott took on the role of IT Manager, working to modernize the organizations web presence and on-site IT infrastructure. One of his major accomplishments was the procurement of high speed internet service and installation of an internet line at FICS’ Morgan Woods location. In March 2020, when COVID-19 spread through our community, Scott worked to digitalize FICS’ programming so that services could resume remotely. In April 2020, Scott responded to the healthcare needs of the community by joining a large health system as a nursing assistant on the Covid-19 Care Unit. Today, Scott is back at FICS as our Director of Technology where he continues to work towards finding innovative ways to expand our programming utilizing technology and expanding our digital footprint. In addition, he holds weekly computer coding lessons for our youth. Scott possesses a Bachelors of Healthcare Administration from Polk State College.
Email: scott.schneider@ficsinc.org
Education:
Bachelor of Applied Science, Healthcare Administration, Polk State College
Certifications:
- Microsoft Office Specialist Certification
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certification
- Inclusive and Ethical Leadership Certification
Professional Affiliations:
-Member of the Computer Science Teachers Association
Volunteer With FICS
Openings
FICS is in constant need of volunteers. We are currently seeking
- Enthusiastic mentors
- Event Volunteers
- Data Entry Volunteers
- Cleaning/Maintenance Volunteers
Requirements
- At Least 14 Years Old*
- Orientation Mandatory
*If Under 18, a parent must attend orientation.
Questions? Email our volunteer coordinator by clicking here!
Donate
Support FICS
FICS is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, therefore all contributions are tax-deductible. Consult your tax professional for more details.
Donations are processed securely through Stripe. To view their privacy policy click here.
Our Sponsors
FICS greatly appreciates the sponsorships within our community. For more information on how to sponsor FICS and our mission please contact our executive director by clicking here!
Contact Us
Mission
To PARTNER with communities across Florida to help them achieve their goals through research, education, training, services and the arts. FICS believes that communities know their strengths and gaps better than anyone else. We work to build on the strengths to close gaps through active partnerships.
FICS Board of Directors
Carlton Lewis, Chair
Cloe Cabrera
Dr. Georgina Rivera-Singletary PhD
Pablo Sierra
Vanessae Vazquez
Laura Wright
Equal Opportunity Statement
FICS does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors.