Leadership Lee County Class Renovates Oasis Youth Shelter Courtyard, Raising More Than $23K for At-Risk Youth

On March 26^th, 2026, the Oasis Youth Shelter hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated courtyard on their campus. The Leadership Lee County Class of 2024-25 raised over $23,000 in monetary and in-kind donations and committed countless hours of labor to create an inviting space for the youths in residence to enjoy. The support of area businesses was integral to the success of the project.

The Oasis Youth Shelter in Fort Myers is operated by Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) and provides temporary shelter, crisis counseling and support services to at-risk youth aged 10 – 17. They serve runaways, homeless and troubled girls and boys in their 22-bed facility. The individualized support addresses the root causes of crisis and facilitates family reunification, boasting a 98% success rate.

Leadership Lee County is a program of the Chamber of Southwest Florida that strives to strengthen and serve the community with an intensive interactive learning experience that focuses on the concepts of servant leadership. Each class chooses and completes a project that benefits the region, with this year’s courtyard renovation standing as a meaningful contribution to local youth.