Duval Connect Magazine

10/06/2026

✨ Jewels Of The Future INC.

WE ARE CELEBRATING FLORIDA CLIMATE WEEK 💚😍 we are bringing out the ICONIC Eugene “Trey” Ford from the Florida Fish Pepper Co. 🌶️. to teach us about a how a almost forgotten heirloom pepper is helping revive black farming practices and revitalizing the community 👧🏾🧒🏾💚

Come learn with us and continue to make the Northside a cleaner better place for the youth and family’s occupying it! We’re giving away FREE goodies and access to resources here in Jacksonville! You don’t want to miss it! 💖

09/28/2026

🚨 DCM COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

TEACHER, SOCIAL MEDIA & FREE SPEECH: WHERE DO WE DRAW THE LINE?
A year after Hope McMath was removed from her AP Art History classroom at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts over controversial social media posts following Charlie Kirk’s death, a Florida administrative law judge has recommended that the state dismiss the disciplinary charges against her.

The judge rejected all five alleged statutory violations and found there was not competent evidence that McMath’s conduct brought her or the teaching profession into public disgrace or disrespect.

But the story isn’t over.
➡️ The Florida Education Practices Commission still has the final say on her teaching certificate.
➡️ McMath’s Duval Schools contract was not renewed.
➡️ She’s continuing a federal lawsuit alleging that her First Amendment rights were violated.
And the community is divided.

Some Jacksonville residents and educators have rallied behind McMath, arguing that teachers should retain their constitutional rights when speaking on personal social-media accounts outside of school.

Others believe teachers occupy a position of public trust and should be held to professional standards even when they’re speaking away from the classroom.
So we’re bringing the conversation to DCM Community Talk.

🗣️ QUESTION FOR THE COMMUNITY:
Should teachers face professional consequences for political speech made on their personal social-media accounts?
And where should the line be drawn between personal expression and professional responsibility?

👇🏽 Tell DCM what you think.
Keep it respectful. Different opinions are welcome.

09/26/2026

https://duvalconnect.blogspot.com/2026/09/duval-teachers-social-media-case-raises.html

Duval Teacher’s Social Media Case Raises Questions About Free Speech, Educators and Consequences A year after Hope McMath was removed from h...

09/25/2026

Helping young people find their voice, build confidence, and prepare for opportunity.
QCP Level Up is a youth communication and life-skills program designed for ages 13–17.
Our goal is simple: help young people learn how to communicate with confidence and use their voice with purpose.
Registration:
• FREE for QCP subscribers
• $15 per course
• $20 for both Courses 1 & 2
• FREE workbook included
Ages: 13–17

https://mailchi.mp/468788d7298f/is-your-teen-ready-to-level-up

09/25/2026

🎃 Community Monster Mash: Halloween, Resources & Community Connection
Jacksonville families, get ready for a Halloween celebration with a purpose!

Jewels of the Future Inc. is bringing its annual Community Monster Mash to the 32209 community on October 24, 2026, with a free carnival designed to bring families, children and community organizations together.

From 3–8 p.m., families can enjoy bounce houses, games, face painting, candy, food, drums, trunk-or-treat and more—all at no cost to the community.
But this event isn’t only about Halloween fun.

Jewels of the Future Inc. wants to help connect Jacksonville families with the many nonprofits, organizations and coalitions working to make the city a better place.

🤝 Organizations Needed
The organization is looking for 10 nonprofits and/or community organizations to participate in the event’s trunk-or-treat and community fair.
If your organization provides services that could benefit Jacksonville families, this is an opportunity to get involved, meet residents and share information about what you do.

🧸 Help Bring Prizes to the Kids
Jewels of the Future Inc. is also collecting plushies, toys and other items that can be used as prizes for children attending the Monster Mash.

Donations can be dropped off at:
Cutz, Linez & Trimz Barbershop
6050 Moncrief Road, Suite 10
Jacksonville, FL 32209
📅 Tuesday–Saturday
⏰ 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
📣 Volunteers Wanted!

Jacksonville residents can also get involved by volunteering and helping make this year’s Monster Mash a success.
Whether you’re an individual volunteer, nonprofit, organization or coalition, Jewels of the Future Inc. is looking for you!

📅 October 24, 2026
⏰ 3–8 p.m.
📍 6050 Moncrief Road, Suite 10, Jacksonville, FL 32209
📧 [email protected]
🌐 jewelsofthefuture.com
Come for the Halloween fun. Stay for the community connection.
DCM Community Spotlight is highlighting the people and organizations creating opportunities, connections and brighter futures for Jacksonville families.
don

09/18/2026

At Girls Inc. of Jacksonville, we are excited about the IMPACT we are seeing every day in the lives of the girls and young women we serve.
From Kindergarten through age 24, we are creating pathways for girls to become STRONG, SMART, and BOLD, because when girls thrive, our entire community becomes stronger.

💪🏽 STRONG
Through our middle school programming, we help girls develop the tools they need to care for their physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. We create safe spaces where girls can build confidence, strengthen healthy relationships, understand their emotions, and develop lifelong habits for a healthy body and mind.

📚 SMART
In our elementary programming, literacy is at the heart of what we do. Through GIRLSMART, our Monday–Friday literacy initiative, we work with girls in Kindergarten through 3rd grade to strengthen reading skills and build academic confidence. Because literacy is the foundation for learning, stronger reading skills can open doors across every area of a girl’s education.

🔥 BOLD
Through Project Accelerate, we support high school and college-aged young women as they discover who they are, define who they want to become, and explore how they want to make an impact in their communities. We foster environments where girls can dream boldly, lead confidently, and pursue their goals with purpose.

This is more than programming.
It is about building confidence, creating opportunity, developing leaders, and investing in the future of our community.

At Girls Inc. of Jacksonville, we believe every girl deserves the opportunity to be STRONG. SMART. BOLD.
And we are proud to be part of her journey.

09/18/2026

WE ARE BACK WITH ANOTHER CLEANUP 🥳This month after cleaning Lonnie C. Miller Park we’re learning from Sheronda Holzendorf, Founder and leader of We Cope Inc 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 We’re going to learn and explore her Family and Youth Angler program ‼️ She’s going to teach the importance of Angling and how to transform mental health with agriculture 🎣✨

Come help us clean our adopted park and support making the Northside a mentally healthier place and cleaner environment for all 🌳🩷✨ sign up at www.JewelsOfTheFuture.com 💎

09/11/2026

We are super excited to share Evan Quaintance - Field Manager for Equal Ground will be our guest speaker at our September 2026 Political Action & Civic Engagement committee meeting on September 15, 2026 at 6:00pm (3rd Tues of each month). Please join us for this important conversation!! 🎉 ♥️