Posts by Jeremy Rex
Suncoast Credit Union Foundation Helps Expand Therapeutic Support for Pepin Academies Students
As students across Tampa Bay head back to school, Pepin Academies is celebrating a meaningful investment in the success of students with learning disabilities. Thanks to a generous $7,500 grant from the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, Pepin Academies will continue providing the specialized therapeutic services that help students overcome barriers to learning and reach their…
Read MorePreparing Tomorrow’s Special Education Teachers Through Hands-On Experience
Exceptional education is about more than what happens in a textbook. It requires patience, creativity, adaptability, and a deep understanding of every student’s unique strengths and needs. This summer, twelve University of South Florida students had the opportunity to develop those skills firsthand through the Pepin Academies Summer Institute. Over the course of four weeks,…
Read MoreProtecting Those Who Protect Us
Officers Graduate from Groundbreaking Mental Health Program New Class of Mental Health Liaisons Brings Critical Support Back to Tampa Bay Law Enforcement Agencies First responders are trained to run toward crisis, but the emotional toll of that work often builds quietly over time. Throughout their careers, law enforcement officers may respond to violent crime scenes,…
Read MoreA Meal, a Moment, and a Lasting Impact at Ronald McDonald House
For families staying at the Ronald McDonald House near Tampa General Hospital, a warm meal can mean more than just dinner. It can offer a moment of comfort during an incredibly difficult time. Pepin Academies students recently stepped into the kitchen to provide exactly that. As part of a hands-on culinary training experience, they prepared…
Read MoreStudents with disabilities embrace work opportunities at The Florida Aquarium
Excerpt from Spectrum News: October is Disability Employment Awareness Month. It is a time to recognize the positive impact people with disabilities have on the American workforce. At The Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa, there are all kinds of jobs, from scuba-diving tank cleaners to animal experts. There are even people in place to welcome guests. “Hello,…
Read MorePepin Academies Named 2025 Yass Prize Contender for Innovation in Learning for Students with Disabilities
The Tampa Bay schools are among just 23 organizations nationwide competing for $1 million award Pepin Academies, a network of public charter schools dedicated to serving students with learning disabilities, has been named a 2025 Yass Prize Contender—one of only 23 education organizations nationwide recognized for their innovative and transformational approach to learning. Often called…
Read MoreProtecting Those Who Protect Us: St. Pete Police Officers Receive Mental Health Challenge Coins
As Officer Suicides Climb, Graduates Take Steps to Save Lives and Change the Future of Policing On World Mental Health Day, a new kind of badge of honor was handed out to St. Petersburg Police officers at this morning’s briefing—custom challenge coins designed to break the stigma and spark conversations about mental health in law…
Read MoreHundreds Celebrate the Community and First Responders at the 3rd Annual Family Fun Day
Hillsborough County’s firefighters and deputies spent Saturday giving back to the community they serve at the 3rd Annual Family Fun Day at Raymond James Stadium. Children climbed aboard fire trucks, explored sheriff’s vehicles, and watched the bomb squad robot in action, while first responders mingled with families, answering questions and sharing stories. Organized by Hillsborough…
Read MoreTampa’s Next Generation of Leaders
Excerpt from Tampa Magazine: As a child, Tina Pepin wanted to be part of her family’s legacy and business. Her grandfather founded Pepin Distributing, and her father purchased the business in 1981 — but they did far more than distribute beer. “My grandfather would give money to at-risk populations, and when my father took over, it…
Read MoreFormer Senate President Tom Lee Inducted into the Florida Housing Hall of Fame
The Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) proudly announces the induction of Tom Lee into the prestigious Florida Housing Hall of Fame, honoring his decades of leadership, vision, and service to the home building industry and the people of Florida. The Florida Housing Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose dedication and accomplishments have made a lasting…
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