Computer Lab Community Partnership Creates Lasting Opportunity in Southwest Florida


February 4th, 2026

computer lab community partnership

Introduction

As reported in a press release issued by the SWFL Rotary Club, a computer lab community partnership can quietly reshape access to education without headlines, exaggeration, or promises of instant outcomes. Instead, it reflects something more durable. Collaboration. Commitment. Follow-through.

At Crossroads Hope Academy on Bermont Road, a new computer lab now supports students and educators through a project led by the Southwest Florida Rotary Club. The initiative demonstrates how community organizations, youth leaders, and local partners can align around a clear, practical goal and deliver a resource that meets real needs.

This story is not about technology for technology’s sake. It is about access, stewardship, and long-term support grounded in service.

 

Computer Lab Community Partnership in Action

The computer lab community partnership at Crossroads Hope Academy was the result of coordinated planning and hands-on involvement. The project was led by SWFL Rotary Club member Jacob Poleski, SWFL Interact member Landon Poleski, and Carl Andre of Babcock Ranch. Together, they represented a multi-generational approach to service, blending youth leadership with experienced community involvement.computer lab community partnership

Funding for the lab came from the Babcock Ranch Softball Group, which donated $1,700 raised during its December 2025 softball tournament. The contribution supported the purchase, setup, and installation of a fully equipped lab designed for daily academic use.

The Rotary Club oversaw the project from start to finish. That included fundraising coordination, equipment procurement, physical installation, and future maintenance planning. The result is a functional, ready-to-use space that integrates seamlessly into the academy’s learning environment.

This type of partnership reflects a model that prioritizes execution over visibility. No component was outsourced or symbolic. Every step was completed with the end user in mind.

Technology Access as Educational Infrastructure

Access to reliable technology increasingly functions as core educational infrastructure. At Crossroads Hope Academy, the new lab provides students and teachers with consistent access to desktop computers in a dedicated learning space.computer lab community partnership

The lab supports:

  • Online coursework and assignments

  • Digital literacy development

  • Research and educational software use

  • Instructor-guided classroom instruction

Rather than framing technology as a future promise, this computer lab community partnership delivers immediate utility. Students are able to engage with digital tools in a supervised, structured environment that complements existing curricula.

Importantly, the lab is not a one-time donation without follow-up. The SWFL Rotary Club committed to maintaining the equipment to ensure continued functionality and usability over time. That commitment distinguishes infrastructure investment from short-term charitable gestures.

Youth and Adult Leadership Working Together

One defining feature of this computer lab community partnership is the visible role of youth leadership. SWFL Interact member Landon Poleski participated alongside adult Rotary members throughout the project lifecycle.computer lab community partnership

This structure matters. Youth involvement in planning and execution builds leadership capacity while reinforcing accountability. It also demonstrates that community service is not age-restricted or symbolic. It is participatory.

The collaboration between Interact and Rotary members reflects an intentional approach to mentorship and continuity. Skills related to project coordination, communication, and responsibility are developed through direct involvement rather than observation.

From an organizational standpoint, this approach strengthens institutional memory and ensures service initiatives remain sustainable across generations.

Local Organizations Supporting Practical Outcomes

The role of the Babcock Ranch Softball Group illustrates how informal community organizations can contribute meaningfully to structured service efforts. Funds raised through a recreational event were translated into a tangible educational resource.computer lab community partnership

This is not an abstract impact. The donation directly funded equipment that is now in daily use. The pathway from fundraiser to installation remained clear and traceable throughout the project.

Community partnerships of this kind demonstrate how localized efforts can align with broader educational goals without requiring complex governance structures or external intermediaries.

A Model of Sustainable Community Investment

Sustainability in community projects often depends on maintenance, oversight, and relevance. This computer lab community partnership addressed those elements directly.

The SWFL Rotary Club committed to ongoing maintenance of the lab. That includes ensuring equipment remains operational and usable for students and faculty. This approach reduces the risk of resource degradation over time and reinforces trust between the academy and its partners.

Rather than measuring success through immediate outcomes or projections, the project is grounded in sustained availability. The lab exists. It functions. It is supported.

That simplicity is intentional.

Why This Matters for the Region

Community-based educational infrastructure contributes to long-term regional resilience. While this project does not claim economic outcomes or workforce projections, it strengthens foundational systems that support learning and skill development.

For Southwest Florida, initiatives like this demonstrate how collaboration across civic groups, youth organizations, and local residents can produce durable assets without external dependency.

The project also reflects a service model that other communities can replicate. Clear scope. Defined funding. Local leadership. Ongoing stewardship.