THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS COMING UP IN PROPER AND INHUMANE CONDITIONS ARE AT THE CENTER OF A NEW REPORT CONCERNING THE DEFUNCT ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ WE BREAKDOWN SOME OF THE REPORT'S CRITICISM OF THE FACILITY.

A COMMUNITY EFFORT TO HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

MEET THE ORGANIZATION, DELIVERING EVERYTHING FROM BACKPACKS TO BIRTHDAYS TO KIDS IN NEED YEARS AFTER RINGLING BROTHERS AND DID THEIR ANIMAL PERFORMANCES, RETIRED CIRCUS ELEPHANTS ARE LIVING THE RETIRED LIFE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THE PRESERVE THAT STILL ENABLES THE ELEPHANTS TO AMAZE GAS IN A VERY DIFFERENT WAY.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SEVERELY CRAMPED LIVING CONDITIONS, LIMITED DRINKING WATER AND NO DEFINED SET OF STANDARDS FOR HOLDING DETAINEES ARE JUST A FEW OF THE FINDINGS FROM A REPORT FROM THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

AFTER AN INSPECTION ON THE NOW CLOSED ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ THE CONTROVERSIAL IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTER OFFICIALLY CLOSED ON JUNE.

25TH OPERATING FOR LESS THAN ONE YEAR AT THE CENTER OF THE REPORT, IMAGES OF METAL HOLDING CELLS WITH JUST 18 SQUARE FEET OF FLOOR SPACE, IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

HE HAD STATED THE METAL CAGES WERE CALMING AREAS FOR DETAINEES TO DE-ESCALATE.

BUT THE NEW REPORT STATES THE USE OF SUCH RESTRICTIVE SPACE IS HIS QUOTE, HIGHLY UNCONVENTIONAL AND DOES NOT ALIGN WITH THE STANDARDS FOR HUMANE TREATMENT.

THEY RECOMMENDED AN IMMEDIATE STOP TO ANY USE.

SO THE METAL CAGES TO HOLD ANY DETAINEE FOR ANY REASON OR AMOUNT OF TIME.

>> ATTORNEY SWEET CHUNG IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AMERICANS FOR IMMIGRANT JUSTICE AND SHE JOINS US NOW.

AND THIS CHUNK THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT WHICH WAS RELEASED ON SEPTEMBER.

11TH IS BASED ON THEIR FINDINGS AFTER A SURPRISE INSPECTION TO WHAT THEY CALL ICE IS FLORIDA SOFT-SIDED FACILITY OR ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ IN THE EVERGLADES ARE NOW THIS VISIT WAS MADE IN JANUARY OF 2026.

AND WHILE THE REPORT FOUND THAT THE FACILITY DID COMPLY WITH INTAKE AND USE-OF-FORCE STANDARDS, THERE WAS MUCH THAT IT FAILED TO COMPLY WITH.

SO IN SUMMARY THEY FOUND THE FACILITY DID NOT COMPLY WITH SOME VERY BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MEDICAL FOOD SERVICE, PERSONAL HYGIENE, OR RECREATION STANDERS PHOTOS SHOW SEVERELY CRAMPED LIVING QUARTERS AND 8 HOUSING UNITS.

THERE WAS A LACK OF ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER AND COPS THAT WAS REPORTED IN VERIFIED.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION AFTER READING THE 27 PAGES THAT THIS VERY COMPREHENSIVE REPORT?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.

THE REPORT REINFORCES WHAT WE HAVE THOUGHT OR BELIEVED OVER THE TIME THAT WE HAVE BEEN REPRESENTING INDIVIDUALS AT THE EVERGLADES FACILITY.

IT REINFORCES THE NECESSITY FOR OUR ACCESS TO COUNSEL LITIGATION.

INDIVIDUALS DETAINED WERE WITHOUT BASIC SAFEGUARDS OR MEANINGFUL ACCESS TO LEGAL COUNSEL AND AND SEVERE UNDERREPRESENTATION OF INDIVIDUALS.

SO MORE OF THIS INFORMATION COULD COME TO LIGHT.

MORE OF THIS COULD BE REPORTED.

SO WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO US AT THIS POINT BECAUSE THE EVERGLADES FACILITY HAS BEEN CLOSED AS OF JUNE 2026.

IS THAT WE DON'T FORGET WHAT'S IN THIS REPORT.

CLOSING ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ IN, QUOTE, ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ DOESN'T ERASE HARM.

THERE'S CONTINUING HARM AND DANGER GOING FORWARD.

THIS IS A FACILITY THAT IT NEITHER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR THE STATE GOVERNMENT TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF OVERSIGHT THAT IS HAPPENING AT THESE FACILITIES THAT ARE NOT OVERSEEN OR SUPPOSEDLY NOT OVERSEEN BY ICE.

I DO HAVE TO NOTE THAT THERE WAS AN EARLIER REPORT BY AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IN DECEMBER 2025.

AND THAT REPORT HAD EVEN MORE GRAVE ISSUES ENCLOSED WITHIN.

THE CURRENT REPORT.

THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL TALKS ABOUT THESE CAGES.

BUT THE REPORT FROM AND AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL FROM A MONTH EARLIER REPORTED 2 BY 2 CAGES AND 4 BY 4 CAGES.

SO THIS IS VERY CONCERNING.

AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC SHOULD BE GRAVELY CONCERNED ABOUT THESE TYPES OF VIOLATIONS.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR DEEPEST CONCERNS AS YOU READ EACH PAGE AND YOU SAW THE PHOTOS?

>> I WELL, EVERY ASPECT OF THE REPORT, THE VIOLATIONS WERE DEEPLY CONCERNING.

I THINK WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THIS IS A FACILITY THAT WAS CREATED WITH A LOT OF FANFARE.

AND IN JULY 2025, AND IT TOOK 8 DAYS TO CONSTRUCT AND THEY WERE ESSENTIALLY TENSE WITH WATER BEING BROUGHT IN WASTE BEING TAKEN OUT.

THERE WERE TENSE WITH CAGES NOW, WE'RE HEARING THAT THERE'S VARIOUS FORMS OF CAGES.

THEIRS CAGES HOLDING 32 MEN STEPPED IN BEDS WITH JUST 3 TOILETS AND THEN THERE WERE SMALLER CAGES FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT NEEDED SPECIAL, QUOTE, MANAGEMENT.

AND THEN OF COURSE, WE SAW ALL OF THOSE PHOTOS WITH THOSE VERY CONCERNING IMAGES OF CAGES THAT ARE THE SIZE OF A PHONE BOOTH.

SO THE FACT THAT A FACILITY COULD BE CONSTRUCTED THIS QUICKLY OPENED AND COST THE TAXPAYER SO MUCH MONEY.

WE'RE TALKING 1.2 BILLION DOLLARS THAT THE STATE HAS SPENT THE COST PER INDIVIDUAL WAS $3,571 PER DAY.

THAT'S IN COMPARISON TO $165 PER DAY.

AND THE TYPICAL EISEN FOR PUNS ENFORCEMENT SCHEME AND ITS 21,000 INDIVIDUALS HAVE WHO WENT THROUGH THIS TERRIBLE FACILITY OVER A YEAR'S TIME.

SO IT'S DEEPLY CONCERNING THAT OTHER LOCATIONS, OTHER FACILITIES SUCH AS THIS WITH NOT ENOUGH OVERSIGHT COULD CONTINUE TO BE CONSTRUCTED, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THERE IS A MANDATE OR THERE'S A PUSH FOR INCREASED IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO REMEMBER IS THAT THE INCREASE OF NON CRIMINAL APPREHENSIONS FOR IMMIGRATION PURPOSES HAVE INCREASED BY 2,450% AND OF NEWLY FILED IMMIGRATION CASES FOR REMOVAL OR DEPORTATION.

IT'S LESS THAN 2% IN 2026.

WERE BASED ON A CRIMINAL BASIS.

SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FAMILIES.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THAT THE PARENTS OF SO MANY U.S.

CITIZEN CHILDREN THAT ARE JUST SEVERELY IMPACTED BY THIS WIDE SWEEP AND BEING PLACED IN THESE TYPE OF FACILITIES.

NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO ENDURE THIS.

THIS TYPE OF TRAUMA.

>> NOW THIS REPORT WAS RELEASED IN SEPTEMBER AFTER THE FACILITY CLOSED IN JUNE.

THE OIG HAS IN ESSENCE NOW ADMINISTRATIVELY CLOSED ALL OF THESE 10 RECOMMENDATIONS, AS I UNDERSTAND IT.

BUT HAS AN ATTORNEY.

DO YOU EXPECT ANY LEGAL ACTIONS CAN NOW BE FILED ON BEHALF OF DETAINEES WHO SAID THEY EXPERIENCED INHUMANE TREATMENT?

NOW THAT IT'S BEEN DOCUMENT DOCUMENTED BY THE OIG?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT INDIVIDUALS NEED TO DO AND CONSULT ATTORNEYS ABOUT THE TREATMENT THAT THEY RECEIVED WITHIN THOSE FACILITIES.

BECAUSE, AGAIN, IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT NOT JUST FOR US TO AS ATTORNEYS OR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO DOCUMENT WHAT HAS OCCURRED.

SOME OF THIS HAS TO HAPPEN WITH LEGAL ACTION.

SOME OF THIS HAS HAS TO HAPPEN WITH AND TO TEASE LIKE AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL OR THE INTER AMERICAN COMMISSION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS OR THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DOCUMENTING HISTORY AND THE TRUTH OF WHAT IS, YOU KNOW, OCCURRING AND HOW ARE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE BEING TREATED.

IT REALLY IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT.

SO INDIVIDUALLY, I DO BELIEVE THAT IT INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE AT THIS FACILITY AND DID SUFFER HARM.

IT.

THE NOTATION WITH THE AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT IS IT COULD CONSTITUTE TORTURE WHAT INDIVIDUALS MAY HAVE SUFFERED.

THEY INDIVIDUAL SHOULD GO FOR IT FORWARD WITH THOSE CLAIMS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US IS CHUNG.

APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

COMING UP, THE FIGHT FOR FREE FLORIDA LEADS THE NATION WHEN IT COMES TO THE BANNING OF BOOKS IN SCHOOLS.

ACCORDING TO NEWSWEEK DURING THE 2024 2025 SCHOOL YEAR, FLORIDA BANNED 2000 304 BOOKS MAINTAINING THE HIGHEST RANKING IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY FOR THE 3RD CONSECUTIVE YEAR.

THE TOPIC OF BOOK BANNING WILL BE PART OF A LOOK AT THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN SCHOOLS HAPPENING THIS SUNDAY AT UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF GREATER NAPLES.

JOINING US NOW IS ELLEN HAMRICK AND DOCTOR AMY PER ONE.

>> WHO ARE TAKING PART IN AN OPEN FORUM THIS WEEKEND IN NAPLES.

>> ON THE TOPIC OF CENSORSHIP IN FLORIDA SCHOOLS.

THANKS FOR JOINING US IN STUDIO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ELLEN, CAN YOU TELL US HOW THIS TOPIC THE TITLE FOR THIS FOREIGN CAME TO BE?

>> YES, SO THIS PARTICULAR FARM IS OUR KICK A FORM IN A SERIES THAT WE'RE CALLING NAVIGATING LIFE IN.

IT POST-TRUTH WORLD AND HOPING TO SHINE THE LIGHT ON THE LACK OF INFORMATION THAT WE THINK IS VITAL FOR USE THEM TO HAVE IF THEY'RE GOING TO BECOME GOOD LEADERS IN THE FUTURE OF A HEALTHY COMMUNITY.

>> AND THIS FORUM WILL FEATURE THE GUEST.

SPEAKER.

YES, DOCTOR AMY PER WIN.

AND YOU'RE ALSO A COLLIER COUNTY PARENT.

AND YOU HAVE BEEN QUITE ACTIVE IN THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS AND UP IN TALLAHASSEE.

WHAT WILL YOU BE FOCUSING YOUR DISCUSSION ON ON SUNDAY?

>> MY INTENT IS REALLY TO LAY THE GROUNDWORK TO KIND OF HAVE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

IN TERMS OF CENSORSHIP.

>> THEY'VE BEEN VERY BUSY IN TALLAHASSEE.

CRAFTING LEGISLATION PASSING BILLS THAT HAVE CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THERE'S SOME CHILLING OF FREE SPEECH IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

SO THE LIKE I SAID, THE INTENT IS TO LAY THE GROUNDWORK AND THEN ALSO TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ON HOW PEOPLE CAN BE INVOLVED IF THEY DON'T LIKE WHAT THEY SEE AND THEY WANT TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN A CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

>> AND WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST CONCERNS THAT YOU'RE SEEING REGARDING CENSORSHIP?

>> AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM?

MY BIGGEST CONCERNS RELATE TO.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION, ACCESSED INFORMATION CAN BE FROM BOOKS.

>> THAT THERE ARE STORIES ABOUT A WIDE VARIETY OF LIFE'S.

>> THAT STUDENTS SEE THEMSELVES REFLECTED IN THESE STORIES AND NOT SO THEY THAT PERTAIN TO LEARN ABOUT LIVES THAT ARE DIFFERENT THAN THEIR OWN.

I HAVE CONCERNS RELATED TO WHAT WE'RE TEACHING IN CORE SUBJECTS LIKE U.S.

HISTORY.

YOU KNOW WHAT IS BEING COVERED?

WHAT IS BEING TAKEN OUT?

SO THE MAJOR CONCERN IS WHAT KIDS AREN'T LEARNING IN SCHOOL.

>> AND WHAT ROLE DO YOU FEEL THAT PARENTS HAVE WITH REGARD ING TO WHAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE ALLOWED TO READ?

>> THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS MADE IT VERY CLEAR AND I WOULD AGREE OF, YOU KNOW, PARENTS RIGHTS AND PARENTS KNOWING WHATS GOING ON IN THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES.

THAT BEING SAID WHEN YOU HAVE TEENAGERS, IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR TEENAGER'S LIFE.

THE STATE OF FLORIDA, HOWEVER, HAS UNDER THE LEGISLATION RELATED TO PARENTS RIGHTS.

DICTATED TO SOME OTHER PARENTS.

WHAT KIDS CAN AND CAN'T LEARN WHAT KIDS CAN AND CAN'T READ.

SO I COMPLETELY SUPPORT PARENTS RIGHTS BUT REALLY DOES NEED TO BE ALL PARENTS AND TO NOT HAVE THE SITUATION WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW WHERE ONE PARENTS CAN MAKE A DECISION THAT THEY FEEL A BOOK IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR THEIR CHILD, MAKING THE DECISION FOR IT.

THE WHOLE COMMUNITY OF CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL.

>> AND FOR PERSPECTIVE, YOU ALSO SAY COLLEGES.

>> YES.

DO YOU FEEL THAT ANY MATERIAL, A BOOK SHOULD BE BANNED IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM?

>> I WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT I HAVE PERSONALLY READ FROM COVER TO COVER SEVERAL DOZEN OF THE BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN PULLED FROM OUR SCHOOLS.

>> AND I WOULD NOT HAVE AN ISSUE HAVING THEM PUT BACK IN SCHOOLS FOR THE APPROPRIATE AGE.

ONE PIECE OF IT LIKE TO MENTION IS THAT SOME OF THE BOOKS THAT ARE POLAR PULLED AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

BUT WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT BOOK BANS ARE SOME TIPS NOT TALKING ABOUT YOUNG CHILDREN.

SO OF COURSE, A HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL BOOK IS NOT APPROPRIATE.

AGE WISE, 4, 5, 6, 7, 0, GREY SCHOOL CHILD.

NOW, WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUR FORUM WE'LL ACCOMPLISH ON SUNDAY.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME THE COMMUNITY INTO SEEING HOW OPEN DIALOGUE CAN HELP US ALL GROW AND LEARN TOGETHER.

AND REINFORCE THE VALUE OF EDUCATION.

>> AND WHERE IS IT?

WHAT TIME AND WHO CAN COME IS EVERYONE.

>> ANYONE CAN COME.

THERE WILL BE CHILDCARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.

WE INCLUDE I TEENS AND TWEENS ARE INCLUDED IN THE FORUM.

IT FREE FOR EVERYBODY.

AND IT'S AT ABOUT 11.

45 AFTER SERVICES AT THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION, A GREATER NAPLES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

TELLING US ABOUT THIS.

AND IT'S THE FIRST OF A SERIES.

SO THE YEAH, WE'LL BE MORE THAT PEOPLE CAN LOOK FOR.

YEAH TO THE SERIES WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION ON VOTER SUPPRESSION.

>> WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION ON COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY EDUCATION.

THE RACER OF BLACK AND LATINO VOICES FROM PUBLIC SPACES AND EDUCATION MEDIA LITERACY, MENTAL HEALTH.

AND THE USE OF DRAG AS A WEDGE ISSUE AND IN THE CULTURE WARS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY WITH A SHIFT.

>> FOR MORE EDUCATIONAL STORIES AND FEATURES THAT IMPACT THE FLORIDA EDUCATION SYSTEM.

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE WGCU DOT ORG.

DESPITE A STEADY DECLINE IN RECENT YEARS, FLORIDA STILL HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST FOSTER CARE RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

DATA FROM FOSTER CARE CAPACITY SHOWS THAT IN 2025 THERE WERE OVER 15,000 CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE IN FLORIDA.

THAT'S DOWN FROM A RECENT HIGH OF OVER 24,000 BETWEEN 2017 2019, ONE ORGANIZATION IN NAPLES IS ON A MISSION TO PROVIDE A SENSE OF NORMALCY FOR KIDS IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM WITH A GOAL OF MAKING SURE THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

>> FOSTERING SUCCESS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND HUGHES JOINS US NOW IN STUDIO.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US IN STUDIO TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING CITED THE YEAR.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE MISSION OF YOUR NON-PROFIT, WHICH I READ SERVED AT LEAST 750 CHILDREN LAST YEAR ALONE.

>> IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, ABSOLUTELY.

OUR MISSION IS BASICALLY TO HELP ANY FOSTER CHILDREN WHO ARE DOWN HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

PREDOMINATELY COLLIER, HENDRY AND GLADES SUCCEED.

WE DO THIS THROUGH EDUCATION AND ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES AND WE GO OUT TO WHERE THEY'RE LOCATED RATHER THAN THEM HAVING TO COME TO US.

>> AND THOSE ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES ARE REALLY THE CORNERSTONE OF YOUR NONPROFIT IN HELPING THESE CHILDREN.

6 SEED.

CAN YOU TOUCH ON SOME OF YOUR KEY PROGRAMS?

SURE.

>> WE START WITH LIKE I SAID, THE ENRICHMENT ONE WAS JUST SAID IMMEDIATELY IF A CHILD IS REMOVED FROM THEIR HOME, WE HELP THEM WITH EMERGENCY BACKPACK AND THAT IS A BACKPACK THAT IS FILLED WITH SUPPLIES THAT THEY'LL NEED FOR 3 DAYS BECAUSE THEY'RE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY FROM THEIR HOMES DUE TO THEIR PARENTS, ABUSE, NEGLECT, ADDICTION.

AND NOW WE'RE SEEING HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE HAVE SO THE CLOTHING THAT THEY NEED FOR 3 DAYS TO PROVIDE FOR THEM IN THE CLOTHING, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, SHOES, SNEAKERS AND WHATEVER THEY NEED TO HAVE.

WE ALSO HAVE A STUFFED ANIMAL IN THERE, A BOOK AND A BLANKET.

AND THEN WE MOVE TO BASIC NEEDS, WHICH IS ANYTHING THAT THEY WANT OR HAVE TO HAVE FOR SECURITY COULD BE A CAR SEAT.

ABADI OFFER A LOT OF BEDS, CLOTHING AGAIN, SNEAKERS, WHATEVER THEY NEED FOR SUCCESS WHEN THEY'RE PLACED IN A FAMILY HOME.

>> AND THEN YOU HAVE A PRE KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM DETAIL.

>> LIKE PEOPLE DON'T THINK THE FOSTER CHILDREN ARE BABIES, BUT WE HAVE THAT 225 BABIES AND TODDLERS THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH RIGHT NOW.

AND WE CONNECT THEM TO QUALITY EARLY LEARNING CENTERS THROUGHOUT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

>> AND THIS ALSO FOLLOWS THEM AS THEY GO THROUGH THEIR ACADEMIC CAREERS.

>> AND YOU PROVIDE TUTORING.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS >> CRITICAL IS REALLY.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT PROGRAM THAT WE OFFER ONCE THE CHILDREN HEAD KINDERGARTEN, THAT WE PROVIDE THEM WITH ONE TO ONE TUTOR WHO GOES TO WHERE THEY ARE, WHATEVER SCHOOL THEY'RE IN.

WE'LL GO TO THAT.

SCHOOL ARE A LIBRARY OR AN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM AND IT PROVIDES CONSISTENCY.

SO EVEN AFTER THE CASE CLOSES IN THE COURT, WE WILL STAY WITH THIS CHILD UNTIL THEY GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL AND EVEN THROUGH COLLEGE AND BEYOND.

>> AND YOU ALSO PROVIDE SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR A LOT OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND THAT IS THE ABILITY FOR THEM TO HELP PAY FOR COLLEGE.

ONCE THEY REACHED THAT POINT IN THEIR LIVES.

>> TELL ME ABOUT THAT PROGRAM.

CERTAINLY WE CAN THAT THE CHILDREN WITH IT.

>> ANY COLLEGE THAT THEY WANT TO GO TO IT DOESN'T HAVE TO VIEW NOT TO GO TO FOR YOUR SKULL.

WE'D LOVE THAT, YOU KNOW, GOING TO SCHOOL AT FGCU OR FSW.

BUT THIS ALSO AMAZING TRADE SCHOOLS DOWN HERE AS WELL.

SO WE HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP THAT IS FOR ANY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY FOR 8 STUDENTS.

PAYS FOR A LOT OF FEES.

IT PAYS FOR THEM TO ISHAN.

EDUCATION WILL CONNECT THEM TO HIM.

AND AND IT'S BASED ON THEIR NEEDS AND THEIR STORY RATHER THAN THEIR ACADEMICS.

SO WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS A LOT OF OUR YOUNG ADULTS, MAYBE A C STUDENT, AND THERE'S NO SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TO THEM.

BUT THEY HAVE THEY HAVE SEE BECAUSE OF ALL THE TRAUMA THAT THEY'VE EXPERIENCED.

SO WE PROVIDE THEM WITH THIS SCHOLARSHIP PER YEAR AND IT CHANGES LIVES.

IT GIVES THEM CONFIDENCE.

IT ALLOWS THEM TO GO TO SCHOOL.

IT FILLS THEM UP WITH THEIR CAREER.

AND NOW WE HAVE STUDENTS WHO ARE ACTUALLY GRADUATING COLLEGE THROUGH OUR SCHOLARSHIP AND PAYING A FORWARD.

THEY'RE NOW TUTORING OUR YOUNGEST KIDS WHO ARE COMING THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

>> AND YOU ALSO MAKE A BIG POINT OF CELEBRATING THEIR MILESTONES EVERY YEAR.

TELL ME ABOUT THE BIRTHDAY PROGRAM DIRECTLY.

>> SADLY, MOST FOSTER CHILDREN HAVE NEVER CELEBRATED THEIR BIRTHDAY BEFORE.

THERE HAS BEEN NOBODY SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

HEAR SOME GIFTS HEARS A LITTLE CAKE FOR YOU.

SO WE HAVE A PACKAGE OF A BIRTHDAY CAKE THAT THEY CAN MAKE WITH THEIR FOSTER FAMILY OR THEIR NEW FAMILY THAT THEY'RE WITH.

AND ALSO WE SEND GIFTS TO THEM AS WELL.

SO A TARGET GIFT SO THAT THEY CAN GO BUY SOMETHING FOR THEMSELVES EACH YEAR AND IT'S THEM OUT OF.

THANK YOU.

LETTERS THAT WE GET ON THIS PROGRAM IS AMAZING.

AND WHY WOULDN'T YOU WANT TO CELEBRATE A CHILD'S BIRTHDAY AND WHAT IS YOUR HOPE?

>> FOR THIS PROGRAM AS YOU MOVE FORWARD INTO THE NEXT FEW YEARS, ARE THEIR EXPANSION PLANS.

THERE ARE EXPANSION PLANS FOR RIGHT NOW LOOKING INTO EXPANDING TO IMMOKALEE AS WELL.

>> WE HAVE BEEN SEEING MORE AND MORE CHILDREN BEING PLACED IN LEE AND CHARLOTTE COUNTY BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH FOSTER HOMES IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

SO MY HOPE IS THAT PEOPLE OPEN THEIR HEARTS AND THEIR DOORS TO OUR FOSTER CHILDREN SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE A STABLE ENVIRONMENT AND A LOVING HOME.

AND THEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO EXPAND AND OFFER ANY SERVICES THAT THE FOSTER FAMILIES MEET.

>> WELL, I LOVE LEARNING ABOUT THIS.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE AN AMAZING NONPROFIT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US IN STUDIO FROM MAY.

>> BULLS AND HUGHES, THANK YOU SO MUCH, JENNIFER.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> AFTER THE BREAK, IT'S RETIRED LIVING AFTER BEING THE STARS OF THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH.

WE'RE HEADING TO MYAKKA WHERE A REFUGE PROVIDES 100 YEARS AGO.

SARASOTA SERVED AS THE WINTER QUARTERS FOR THE RINGLING BROTHERS AND BARNUM AND BAILEY CIRCUS IN 2016, THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD NO LONGER USE THEIR SIGNATURE ELEPHANTS AS PART OF THEIR ACT.

SO ONCE AGAIN, SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WELCOMED THE NOW RETIRED PERFORMERS WGCUS EILEEN KELLEY.

>> THEY WERE SAYING HI, THE TRUNKS OF CZ PADDY IN BABA.

WE'LL COVER THE PENDING CLOSURE GREETING THEIR SPECIAL GUEST TO THE RETIREMENT HOME AS THE MYAKKA ELEPHANT RANCH IN SOUTHEASTERN MANATEE COUNTY.

>> WELCOME, EVERYONE.

I'M JULIA AND WE ARE AT MACK ELEPHANT RANCH, A NONPROFIT CONSERVATION EDUCATION CENTER FOR ELEPHANTS.

THIS IS TRULY BURN.

>> SHE AND HER BROTHER LUKE >> FROM THE FAMILY ON OUR FOOTPRINT TOURNAMENT RANCH.

THIS CLOSE-UP ENCOUNTER GAVE THE PEOPLE AFFILIATED WITH THE LOVELAND CENTER IN VENICE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME TO SPEND A DAY WITH ELEPHANTS.

>> SO THE ELEPHANTS HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN HERE SINCE THE 80'S.

SO THEY'RE GRANDFATHERED IN AND THIS PROPERTY.

BUT AS FAR AS THE CONSERVATION EDUCATION THAT WE'RE DOING TODAY, IT'S EXPANDED EVERY YEAR AND HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE PREVALENT AND HAVE A AMAZING TO MEDIA OUTREACH GROUPS LIKE THE LOVELAND CENTER ARE BIG PART OF OUR MISSION >> OUR >> MAIN GOALS ARE EDUCATION, CONSERVATION AND EXPERIENCE.

WE BELIEVE THE EXPERIENCE WE HAVE HERE ON THE RANCH LEAVES A LASTING IMPRESSION ON PEOPLE AND REALLY LEADS TO LASTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN THE WILDS.

>> AND IT LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION WE HAVE A CHANCE TO TAKE IN ONE HOUR FROM FEELS LIKE.

>> NOT TOO MANY CAN SAY THEY'VE DONE THAT BEFORE.

BUT CHASE IN MOUNT.

WELL, HE CAN SAY HE HAS TO CHASE HIM.

AN ELEPHANT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING PEOPLE DESIRE AND TREASURE LOVE.

I LOVE THEM.

>> TO REALLY MAKE LASTING CONSERVATION.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THAT CONNECTION FIRST.

AND THE PEOPLE THAT COME OUT HERE, THEY GET CONNECTED TO THE ELEPHANTS AND HAVE AN EMOTIONAL BOND.

AND THEN THAT'S WHEN THEY GO HOME AND TELL THEIR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS AND REALLY.

IN BODY WHAT IT IS TO CARE FOR.

AN ELEPHANT AND WANT TO SEE THEM FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

SHE SAID WAS STUNNED AT THE SHEER SIZE OF THESE CREATURES.

>> KENNEDY HAD CAUGHT IT ALL.

HAVE THEY?

THEY ALL.

>> HE AND OTHERS LEARNED HOW AN ELEPHANT'S CALAIS CAMP IS REALLY VERY SENSITIVE.

>> THEY CAN FEEL THIS DEAL BY.

IT'S A REAL SENSE OF THAT HOT.

YOU LIKE IT HAS THE BEST PLACE TO TOUCH AN ELF AND REALLY ANYWHERE.

EVERY FEELING THAT THE WHOLE BODY.

>> THIS SUMMER'S ALSO LEARNED HOW INC PRACTICALLY STRONG THESE ONCE CIRCUS IN HOLLYWOOD STARS ARE ESPECIALLY THOSE TRUNKS.

THOSE WAIVING MUSCLES OF LOSS THAT THEY USED TO EAT AND TO DRINK AND TO SAY HELLO AND WELCOME.

>> TRUMP ALONE COULD BE UP 3 TO 700 POUNDS AWAY.

THESE ARE TOSSED THEIR IRA TO HOPE YOU LOOK, THERE WERE 1000 HOW.

>> THE ADVENTURE WAS ALSO A CHANCE TO FEED THE ELEPHANTS.

AND JUST LIKE MOST OF US TO TO CLOSE OUT THE DAY.

ELEPHANTS ALSO HAVE BACK TIME THE LEFT AND CENTER IS BOTH A LEARNING CENTER IN A RESIDENTIAL HOME.

>> AND THE MYAKKA ELEPHANT RANCH IS ONLY SEEKING OPPORTUNITIES TO TEACH VISITORS A THING OR 2, INCLUDING TO HELP THEM LOVE.

>> AND BELOW THAT, IT HAD A CASE IN MY LIFE THAT I THANK.

I LEFT THAT.

LET ME HAVE IT AVENUE AND THEM.

I LOVE THEM.

>> FOR WGCU NEWS, THIS IS EILEEN KELLEY WITH PHOTO JOURNALIST ANDREA MELENDEZ REPORTING FROM MYAKKA.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HAD TO WGCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN RIGHT HERE FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.