Leading Charities And Foundations 2019-2020
https://digital.goodnewsfl.org/2019/November/

MAGNIFICENT video story of Guardian ad Litem and Speak Up For Kids out produced entirely by the extraordinarily talented DANTZI media by Danilda Martinez and family.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G194PFSylc4

[Tallahassee] – The Florida Guardian ad Litem Program has recognized State Representative Rick Roth of West Palm Beach as its newest honorary member, thanks to his work on behalf of abused, abandoned and neglected children in the state foster care system.

Guardian ad Litem Executive Director Alan Abramowitz said the lawmaker, now in his second term, has championed a number of measures to help these children find permanent homes.

"Since he took office, he's made protecting vulnerable children one of his top priorities," Abramowitz said.

The Guardian ad Litem Program represents abused, abandoned and neglected children in dependency court proceedings. In House District 85, Representative Roth is very supportive of Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County, the non-profit arm of the GAL circuit program, which honored him at its gala earlier this month.

For the upcoming 2020 legislative session, Representative Roth is sponsoring House Bill 61, which would allow veterans and military service members to be eligible to receive adoption benefits when adopting children from the state's child welfare system. He also is sponsoring House Bill 193, which provides additional childcare benefits for certain foster parents.

"As a state, we should be looking for ways to support people with loving homes who adopt and foster children," Representative Roth said. 

An agricultural business owner, Representative Roth earned his bachelor's degree from Emory University and serves on the boards of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and the Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau. He is affiliated with the Belle Glade Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, Farmers Feeding Florida, the Florida Association of Food Banks and the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce.  

To learn more about the Guardian ad Litem Program or to become a volunteer, visit GuardianAdLitem.org or call 1-866-341-1425.

Thirty-eight do-gooders are up for the coveted “Woman Volunteer of the Year” award.

Hosted by the Junior League of Boca Raton, the annual Woman Volunteer of the Year Luncheon will return for the 32nd year on Nov. 8 to the Boca Raton Resort & Club.

Over 1,000 Junior League members, nominees and guests are expected to attend the festivities, which kick-off at 10 a.m.

The luncheon celebrates outstanding women in the community nominated by nonprofit organizations throughout Palm Beach County for their dedication and expertise as volunteers, as well as the work they do to further the missions of the organizations they serve.

“The coolest part of this event is we get to honor these women who make such an impact in our community,” Junior League of Boca Raton president Cristy Stewart Harfmann said. “What would Boca be like without our volunteers?”

This year, the event will be planned by co-chairs who know what it takes to put on a large luncheon. Nicole Mugavero and Lisa Warren co-chaired the luncheon 10 years ago. They have been Junior League members for 20 years.

And while they wouldn’t dish out what surprises they have up their sleeve for the event this year, they shared that there will be a big surprise when you walk in the room.

Amy Kazma, a long-time member of Junior League, has been named the honorary chair of this year’s luncheon.

The 38 volunteers were introduced late September during a kick-off event at the Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s Christine E. Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Institute.

The hospital is the award sponsor and hospital president Mark Larkin said it is something that the hospital is “honored to do.”

Also announced during the kick-off event is the fashion designer who will be featured during the fashion show produced by Saks Fifth Avenue.

This year, the designer is Andrea Lieberman and her ready-to-wear line A.L.C. Lieberman will attend the event and sit at the Saks-VIP table. The swag bag at the Saks-VIP table will include gifts from A.L.C.

“We’re thrilled to have such an exciting designer showcased in this year’s fashion show and attending the luncheon! Andrea Lieberman’s design is known for being bold, versatile, and modern; a style which also embodies the essence of our volunteers and members,” Stewart Harfmann, said.

Yves Saint Laurent is the 2019 Beauty Partner for the fashion show and will provide YSL gifts for the nominees at the kickoff reception and gifts in the Saks-VIP Table swag bag on the day of the luncheon.

Saks also donated a Fendi Baguette Leather Shoulder Bag valued at $2,690 to be raffled off. Only 200 tickets will be sold. Raffle tickets cost $100. The winner will be drawn at the luncheon.

Tickets to the luncheon start at $150 per person. VIP runway seats cost $250 per person, which includes priority check-in and access to a VIP lounge where guests can sip on a signature cocktail in Saks Fifth Avenue’s Beauty Bar. Runway VIP guests will have an opportunity to meet the Fashion Show’s featured designer during a pre-show meet and greet.

2019 nominees: Judi Shuman, Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center; Cheryl Van Hare, Alzheimer’s Association; Jan Dymtrow, American Association of Caregiving Youth, Inc.; Lori Castle, American Cancer Society; Meryll Bangsil, Best Foot Forward Foundation; Julianna Miron, Boca Ballet Theatre; Mariebel Torres, Boca Helping Hands; Pamela Higer-Polani, Boca Raton Brain Bowl (Alzheimer’s Brain Bowl); Sabrina Smith, Boca Raton Children’s Museum (ImagiNation at the Children’s Museum); Maria Di Pasquale, Boca Raton Christian School; Joanne Barnes, Boca Raton Firefighter & Paramedic Benevolent; Denise Alman, Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum; Jane Katzen, Caridad Center; Nilsa McKinney, Caring House Project Foundation; Fran Nachlas, Connected Warriors; Becky Knapp, CROS Ministries; Sherry Thomas, Debbie Rand Memorial Service League; Martine Pierre-Paul, Eat Better Live Better; Gwen Collins, Faulk Center for Counseling; Kelly Ferrarese, Florence Fuller Child Development Center Inc.; Nancy Dockerty, George Snow Scholarship Fund; Robyn Raphael-Dynan, Habitat for Humanity South Palm Beach County; Aggie Stoops, HomeSafe; Kim Beaumont, Impact 100 Palm Beach County; Kirsten Stanley, Junior League of Boca Raton; Julie Rudolph, Junior League of the Palm Beaches; Lisa Ashley, KidSafe Foundation; Marilynn Wick, National Society of Arts & Letters, Florida East Coast Chapter; Michelle Stallone, Pinkball; Renee Feder, Place of Hope Rinker Campus; Marilyn Wilson, Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton; Shaw Thomas, Speak Up for Kids Palm Beach County/Guardian ad Litem Program Palm Beach County; Debbie Anderson, Spirit of Giving Network; Jamie Levin, Student ACES; Jeannette Stark, Unicorn Children’s Foundation; Viviane Altef, Women’s Executive Club of South Palm Beach County; and Rosie Inguanzo-Martin, YMCA of South Palm Beach County, Boca.

Red shoes and red ties abound, Speak Up For Kids Inaugural There's No Place Like Home took guest from Kansas to Emerald City in a night to remember. Characters greeted guests who were led from Kansas to the Lollipop Land then down the Yellow Brick Road to Oz. The message of the night "There's No Place Like Home" hit the heart of all those that attended.

Jupiter, FL, October 28, 2019 --(PR.com)-- Presented by event Chair, Robin Henderson and Honorary Chairs Ric & Dorothy Bradshaw, this ruby shoe and red tie affair was held October 19 at Jupiter’s Johnathan’s Landing Clubhouse and transported attendees to our very own Emerald City where cocktails, silent auction, dinner, and dancing was abound - all in support of the 15th Judicial District Guardian ad Litem advocacy program; the volunteer corps serving as the voice of the estimated 1,700 children involved in abuse and neglect cases in our county.

“Our heart is to remain true to not only our mission, but also to the hearts of the children we serve,” says event chair, Robin Henderson who is a Senior Vice President/Senior Client Manager with Bank of America Merrill Lynch in the Palm Beach Business Banking Division and serves as the Vice President of Speak Up for Kids board of directors. “Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, local children are yearning for home. Speaking up for them fuels us.”

This desire also resonates with Honorary Chairs, Ric & Dorothy Bradshaw who say “There is no higher duty than the one we have to ensure children have hope and a future."

The night’s events included recognition of the Tin Man, Lion, and Scarecrow honorees; Voloridge Investment Management, Representative Rick Roth, and Ackerman LLP, respectively, for their heart, courage, and the intellectual capital exhibited to enhance impact and improve legislation in the child welfare arena.

“Our honorees have granted children’s holiday wishes, served to champion legislation for improvement of the dependency system, and empowered our youth through scholarships and pro bono legal services,” says Bradshaw. She continues, “Collective impact deserves recognition and Palm Beach County exemplifies unified dedication to elevate children above their current circumstance and pave the way for them to thrive.”

Sponsored by: PBSO, Steinger, Greene & Feiner, DS Eakins Construction, Split Rock Foundation, Bank of America, Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, Caracuzzo - Keller, Keller, Caracuzzo, Cox & Belluccio, Wendy Dohner, NextEra, Woodland Landscaping, Southern Certified Incorporated, Morgan Mitchell Photography, Robin Henderson, Sherrie Wolfe and Enrique Echave,

Speak Up for Kids champions the efforts of the local Guardian ad Litem Program, volunteer child advocates who serve as the voice for child victims of abuse, abandonment, and neglect. Funds raised from this event will provide resources so that every vulnerable child in care has what they need and has a voice representing their physical, educational, and emotional best interest in court proceedings. For information, visit www.SpeakUpforKidsPBC.org.

Contact InformationSpeak Up for Kids
Coleen LaCosta
561-355-3799
Contact
speakupforkidspbc.org

https://aguyonclematis.com/2019/10/an-unbirthday-party-by-speak-up-for-kids-on-clematis-street/

by Aaron Wormus | Oct 25, 2019

This is why it takes me so long to walk down Clematis Street each day, also why I love it so much.

After work while strolling back to my car I walked into an “Unbirthday Party” that @speakupforkidspbc was throwing at @subculturecoffee. The event was to raise awareness to their Guardian ad Litem program.

Chris Warner did an excellent job in putting together a whimsical tea party to benefit Kids in Foster Care and all the quality of life items like birthdays, which are often not even acknowledged 😭. 

Artist Heather Neiman supported the event through her art.

Chris reminisced about his time in the Foster care system and how they treasured the birthday cards that their Guardian ad Litem sent them each year.

As part of the event party goers could buy a birthday card for $25. For each card sold Speak up for Kids PBC will give a card, cake and gift for a child in the Foster Care system.

It was inspiring to hear all the work that they were doing. Thanks for bringing your passion and throwing a party on Clematis Street!

Get more info at https://speakupforkidspbc.org

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —

Speak Up For Kids, through their Foster Palm Beach program, is devoted to finding caring homes for abused, abandoned, & neglected children in Palm Beach County.

https://www.wpbf.com/article/this-day-in-history-einstein-szilard-letter-delivered-to-president-roosevelt/29432639

Boca Raton, FL – Nonprofits First, Inc. has announced 113 nominees, representing 90 local nonprofit organizations and community partners, who will be recognized at its third annual Hats Off Nonprofit Awards ceremony.

The event, a spirited, hat-themed cocktail reception, will take place on Tuesday, October 1, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Harriett Himmel Theatre in West Palm Beach.  Well-known former TV personalities Suzanne Boyd and Eric Roby, who host the Rise+Live morning talk show, will emcee the evening.  In keeping with supporting the nonprofit community, hors d’oeuvres will be catered by Joshua Catering from The Lord’s Place.

Awards will be given in nine categories, including awards for organizations and individuals. New this year is the Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring an individual who, over the years, has effected noteworthy change in Palm Beach County and is held in high esteem by the community. The winners in each category will be kept a secret until they are announced on stage during the ceremony.

A blue-ribbon panel of 50 community leaders in the public and private sectors selected. Two live awards will also be announced at the event. Guests will be invited to vote on the People’s Choice Award, which will acknowledge the nominee receiving the most votes.  Also, judges will be scouting for creativity when selecting a winner of the Best Hat Award.

“This event sold out last year, so we encourage people to buy their tickets early,” said Jessica Cecere, CEO of Nonprofits First, which is hosting the event. “We anticipate another exciting evening of cheerful celebration for those in the business of doing good.”

Funds raised from this unique event benefit Nonprofits First Education Programs. These programs focus on the professional development, leadership and training the nonprofit community volunteers and employees need to lead and succeed.

To view the nominees, visit https://www.nonprofitsfirst.org/page/HatsOffNominees. To purchase tickets, go online to www.HatsOffAwards.org or call Nonprofits First at 561-214-7435.

For more than 12 years, Nonprofits First, Inc. has been the leading resource for strengthening the administrative and operational capacity of nonprofit organizations in the community. Comprised of experienced professionals, consultants and volunteers, the vision of Nonprofits First is a community in which all nonprofits achieve their highest level of success.

2019 Hats Off Nonprofit Awards Nominees

Nonprofit of the Year – Small – (Operating budget less than $500,000)

Chasin A Dream Foundation

Eat Better Live Better

Encore Palm Beach County

Florida Fishing Academy

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach

Friends of Palm Beach

Funding Working Families

Holy Ground Shelter of Palm Beach County

Ladies of Futurity

Piper’s Angels Foundation

Princesses Against Cancer

Restoration Bridge International

Sea Turtle Adventures

The Reef Institute

WiseTribe.Us

Nonprofit of the Year – Medium – (Operating budget $500,001-$2.49 million)

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary

Christians Reaching Out to Society (CROS Ministries)

Coalition for Independent Living Options

Compass LGBTQ Community Center

First Serve

NAMI Palm Beach County

Susan G. Komen Florida

Unicorn Children’s Foundation

Village of Hope of Palm Beach County

Nonprofit of the Year – Large – (Operating budget more than $2.5 million)

Achievement Centers for Children and Families

Big Dog Ranch Rescue

Community Partners of South Florida

Drug Abuse Foundation of Palm Beach County

Place of Hope

Redlands Christian Migrant Association

The Arc of Palm Beach County

Lifetime Achievement 

Nancy G. Brinker

Jan Cairnes

Gregory Demetriades

John A. Foley

Liz Lieber

Jane Robinson

Lauree Simmons

Julie Swindler

Monique D. Brown Wellons

Dan West

Tenna Wiles

Nonprofit Executive of the Year 

Sharon Alexander, Unicorn Children’s Foundation

Jervonte Edmonds, Suits for Seniors

Tracey Godin, Feeling Fine Canine and Equine Rescue

Scott Hansel, Community Partners of South Florida

Elizabeth Harrigan, The Reef Institute

Karen Hilo, Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County

Lisa Johnson, Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida

Laura Kallus, Caridad Center

Sharon L’Herrou, 211 Helpline

Coleen LaCosta, Speak Up for Kids

Lizabeth Olszewski, Horses Healing Hearts

Rhonda Rogers, Lake Worth West Resident Planning Group

Wil Romelus, Digital Vibez

Edna Runner, Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center

Colleen Smith, Ballet Palm Beach

Dr. Chase St. James, Operation Wounded Warriors

Valerie Staggs, Pandora’s Kids

Nancy Stellway, Take Stock in Children Palm Beach

Travis Suit, Piper’s Angels Foundation

Julie Swindler, Families First of Palm Beach County

Debra Tendrich, Eat Better Live Better

Chris Tress, Urban Youth Impact

Nonprofit Professional of the Year

Stephanie De La Cruz, Center for Child Counseling

Kathryn Grace, Hanley Foundation

Nickie Hennevelt, West Palm Beach Library Foundation

Josh Hirsch, Susan G. Komen Florida

Amy Mann, Unicorn Children’s Foundation

Katherine Murphy, NAMI Palm Beach County

Berthanie A. Pierre, Achievement Center for Children and Families

Kelly Powell, Community Partners of South Florida

Chloe Rits, Be Like Brit

Barbara Scarlata, Pediatric Oncology Support Team

Lauren Scirrotto, Center for Child Counseling

Carolyn Williams-Smith, YWCA of Palm Beach County

Melissa Wise, United Way of Palm Beach County

Nonprofit MVP of the Year

Tara Hails, Pathways to Prosperity

Wilbert Jean-Baptiste, Digital Vibez

Robbriannia “Annia” Johnson, YWCA of Palm Beach County

Tracy Speranza, Community Partners of South Florida

Nonprofit Volunteer of the Year

Michael T. Bayer, Redlands Christian Migrant Association

Melissa Bilodeau, Big Dog Ranch Rescue

Robert Cataldo, Big Dog Ranch Rescue

Evan C. Deoul, Philanthropy Tank

Dana Finegan, Restoration Bridge International

Angela Fisher, Unicorn Children’s Foundation

Keely Gideon-Taylor, Pace Center for Girls Palm Beach

Brian Kappen, Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League

Thomas M. Kirchhoff, Historical Society of Palm Beach County

Wayne Lefkowitz, Compass LGBT Community Center

Theresa LePore, YWCA of Palm Beach County

Bill Lynch, Center for Child Counseling

Denise Mariani, No Kid Hungry, Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County, Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation, Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Jupiter Beach, Leadership Palm Beach County

Fr. Seamus Murtagh, Holy Ground Shelter for Homeless

Adam Narkier, Community Partners of South Florida

Judy O’Malley, Historical Society of Palm Beach County

John Tedesco, Police Athletic League of West Palm Beach

Shaw Thomas, Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County

Melissa Wise, Feed the Hungry Pantry of Palm Beach County

Community Collaborators Award

Feeding 150 Children and Families Over Summer Weekends Through the Distribution of Over 1200 Bags Of Food 

Achievement Centers for Children and Families, Palm Beach County Food Bank, Volunteers of the Palm Beaches, and the Polo Club of Boca Raton

Empowering Foster Care Youth in Palm Beach County to Realize and Achieve Their Dreams by Graduating from High School and Leading Successful, Productive Lives

Best Foot Forward Foundation, Inc., ChildNet, and AT&T

Engaging the Youth of Palm Beach County while out of School for the Summer, Winter, and Spring Break

Boynton Beach Police Department, Delray Beach Police Department, Stuart & Shelby Development CEO Chuck Halberg, and GBDC Entrepreneurship Institute

Delivering Medical and Behavioral Health Services to the Chronically Homeless and Other Underserved Adult Patients Across Palm Beach County

1. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics – Mobile Clinic, City of West Palm Beach, The Lord’s Place, St. Ann Place, St. George’s Center

Locally-Led Solutions for Community Wellness, Including Healthier Together Sites in Northern West Palm and Riviera Beach, Lake Worth Beach, and the Glades

Community Partners of South Florida and Palm Health Foundation

Getting Kids Moving Toward a Lifestyle That Prioritizes Health and Fitness 

Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center and Palm Health Foundation

Creating Safe and Beautiful Visitation Rooms to Promote Bonding and Interactions Between Parents and Children in the Child Welfare System

Guardian ad Litem, Childnet, Children’s Home Society, Palm Beach County Youth Services, FAU, The Breakers Palm Beach and community supporters

Encouraging Children to Show Other Children Inclusiveness and Belonging While Raising Awareness About the Negative Impact of Bullying  

Mental Health America of Palm Beach County and Author/Educator Loverly Sheridan

Saving the Lives Of Adoptable Animals Entering the Palm Beach County-Run Shelter

Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League and Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control

Giving Youth the Opportunity to Reach Their Full Potential as Productive, Responsible Adults Who Will Enhance the Communities Where They Reside

Student and Athlete Mentoring Program and Boys and Girls Club of Palm Beach County

Creating a Comprehensive, Integrated System of Care That Meets the Changing Needs of Persons With Special Needs/Disability Throughout Their Life Span

The Palm Beach County Special Needs Advisory Coalition

Teaching the Students of Palm Beach County to be Stewards of Our Oceans Through Research and Educational Opportunities

The Reef Institute (formerly Healthy Aquatics Institute) and the School District of Palm Beach County

Keeping Victims Of Domestic Violence and Their Children Safe With Their Non-Offending Parent and Holding Perpetrators of Domestic Violence Accountable

YWCA of Palm Beach County, Aid to Victims of Domestic Violence, DCF Circuit 15, Childnet, Children’s Home Society, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, State Attorney’s Office, Children’s Legal Services, and the Florida Department of Corrections

Communications strategist, business owner, mother of two, and diehard child advocate Shaw Heydt Thomas, was introduced to child welfare and the societal implications of abuse, abandonment, and neglect through her work with various South Florida organizations. Through her many service efforts, she was learned about the work of the Guardian ad Litem Program, a league of approximately 600 volunteer court-appointed child advocates serving as the voice for victims of maltreatment. At any given time, in Palm Beach County alone, there are between 1,400 and 1,600 children involved in victimization cases; usually perpetrated by the adults they trusted the most. Each of these children deserve a voice in the court system; but the workers are too few to meet the need. 

“I saw, in a very real way, how the budget shortfalls realized by the Guardian ad Litem Program had a direct impact on the safety, security, normalcy, and permanency goals of the children the system set out to serve,” says Thomas. When a dedicated group of volunteer advocates decided to form the Speak up for Kids of Palm Beach County nonprofit with an exclusive focus on raising supplemental funding for the Guardian ad Litem, Thomas was at the table as a founding member, dedicated to achieving 100% advocacy for all children involved in dependency proceedings. “I cannot believe that was 10 years ago; so much has happened since then,” Thomas laughs. “Most recently we reached 100% advocacy for children in Belle Glade. That is tremendous, but there is always more to do.”

Today, Thomas is the President of the Board of Directors of Speak Up for Kids and her resolve remains unwavering.  While attending a symposium, she learned that most children in foster care never experience a birthday party; she was determined to change that. Known in her professional circles as an action-oriented leader, she is adept at creating solutions when challenges were presented. Thomas created and implemented the Speak Up for Kids ‘Gift-A-Birthday’ program. “To be truly impactful, conversations around child welfare and foster care must include normalcy for victims. That includes celebrating a child on his or her birthday,” says Thomas, “and anyone can make that happen with a $25 donation.” 

“The foster care and child welfare systems do not reach as many people as they should because the message is just too much. It is a gargantuan issue, laced with epic shortfalls, and even though the masses are moved emotionally when they hear the sad stories, they feel overwhelmed and ill-equipped to help in any meaningful way,” says Guardian ad Litem child advocate, and former foster child, Christopher Ray Warner.

Warner began his journey in foster care at the age of three and remained in the system until he ‘aged out’ at 18. Now in his 20’s, Warner recalls his experiences growing up ‘in care’ as a time of constant upheaval and uncertainty with very few moments of joy or celebration. When he heard about Speak Up for Kids Gift-A-Birthday program, he thought, “Wow! They get it!” 

Citing Thomas as his inspiration, Warner created the unBirthday Party, an event where art and creativity combine with a cause. Warner, as well as other child welfare advocates, will be on hand to ‘Spill the Tea’, a euphemism for the foster care truths Q&A session central to the event.  

Warner hosts these events several times per year.  “This is a community effort with businesses either partnering for each event,” says Warner. “Partners like Subculture Coffee, who, donates the space to us, Heather Neiman Art make these conversations possible,” he continues.

“We have increased participation with each event and more people are beginning to see that everyone can do something,” Warner says. “It is revolutionary when I tell someone that it is ‘OK’ to impact only one person and I see that they get it. Not everyone is made to take on an entire system; most of us aren’t equipped to do that.”

Warner, who has fond memories of his own Guardian ad Litem, admits that he has kept every birthday and greeting card he has ever received through his time in foster care; even through periods of homelessness. “By celebrating a child, we tell them they are worthy, and they begin to internalize their value. Sometimes, that is all they’ve got. I know how much it meant to me.”

Through ongoing financial support, Speak Up for Kids champions the efforts of the volunteer child advocates of the Guardian ad Litem Program. Their Foster Palm Beach program works to find foster homes for children in care.  For more information on this event, to sign your business up to host an unBirthday event, or to find out ways you or your organization can help, call 561.408.7779.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A shortage in foster care parents in Palm Beach County has a foster care advocate asking people to step up and become foster parents. 

The reason for the need is the increase in parents using opioids.

Diana Reese, advocate with Speak Up for Kids, said over 400 hundred children have ended up in foster care in the county since the beginning of the year, outpacing the number of foster homes available.

This is causing many of children to end up in group homes.

https://cbs12.com/news/local/increase-in-opioid-addiction-is-causing-a-strain-the-foster-care-system?fbclid=IwAR1fDxjSF1SHjAml8FeBlf2mbwZ4eMji_9DqnIYEt_Ktzc-i5xU0wCoibWI

Florida Guardian ad Litem prides itself on a team approach to representing abused, abandoned and neglected children. In this video, some of our finest attorneys explain why our multi-disciplinary team is a model for representing children's best interests.

Guardian ad Litem

by Christen Thompson on June 18, 2019 in Donating, Family, Mom

Although the summer has officially started and we are now in June, the month of May was Foster Care Awareness Month. One great way to support foster children and families in our community, is to volunteer your time with the Guardian ad Litem program. If you don’t have time for volunteering right now, another great way to help is to donate your gently used baby and kids’ items to organizations like Speak Up for Kids or Place of Hope, whose mission it is to provide for the needs of local children in Palm Beach County.

Guardian ad Litem

A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is a volunteer who is appointed by the court, to advocate for the needs of children in the dependency system, which is the process families go through after suffering abuse or neglect. In order to volunteer, you must be 21 years old, and attend a training that is paid for by the program. Next, you are responsible to visit the child or children on your case at least once a month, to attend court hearings about once every six months, and to submit a report to the court based on your observations.

The Guardian ad Litem program is part of a larger, nationwide system called the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA). It is made up of staff members and trained volunteers. In Florida, it is called Guardian ad Litem, and is part of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit here in Palm Beach County.

Beyond volunteering, there are many ways to help local children:

Place of Hope

Place of Hope is a nonprofit organization that provides faith-based, family style foster care and other services for children and young people in the community, as well as their families. It has made a huge impact in our community, by providing services for over 11,000 children, youth, and families, including caring for over 340 children and youth daily, and finding homes for over 250 young men and women who would otherwise be homeless. (Source: Place of Hope 2018 Impact Statement).

You can donate baby and children’s clothing, toys, and furniture and larger items like cribs, to Place of Hope or their charity store, called Treasures for Hope.

Speak Up for Kids

Speak Up for Kids is a nonprofit organization that supports the work of the Guardian ad Litem program. They accept donations of clothing and toys, and many GAL volunteers use this as a resource for the children on their cases. According to their website:

“Children with a GAL Child Advocate are…
TWICE as likely to find a safe, permanent home
HALF as likely to re-enter foster care
MORE LIKELY to receive available therapeutic services
MORE ATTENTIVE and do better in school
. . . than any child without a GAL Child Advocate Volunteer.”

Being involved with these organizations is a great way to be deeply connected to our community, by supporting local children.

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Forty Palm Beach Foster Care youth making their way through the system are also making strides towards success.

Angela Dawkins was one of the 40 youths honored Thursday in a graduation achievement celebration sponsored by ChildNet .

“What I went through affects what I want to be in life, so it basically pushed me and strengthened me to be who I am,” says Dawkins.

MORE: Read more "Good News" stories

The honorees celebrated different types of success: high school diplomas, GEDs, vocational certifications and college degrees.

“It means a lot to me because a lot of people doubted me. They said I’d be just like my mom or my dad. So, basically I just crossed a very big milestone, and I’m proud of myself because I could’ve been given up,” said Dawkins.

She wouldn’t have been alone. According to Casey Family Programs, it’s estimated across the country only 30 percent of children who grow up in foster care graduate from high school.

CEO and President of Larry Rein says the youth in Palm Beach County have some help from, “organizations like Vita Nova, Place of Hope, Best Foot Forward all work to support these kids, Children’s Home Society. So, we do a good job in Florida, not as good as we really need to but we do a good job.”

Students like Dawkins say they hope other foster care youth can take after her.

”I am an example and inspiration to my generation and many more because we can do anything we put our minds to. We just have to really want it, and we have to work hard for it. And it’s never gonna be easy. It’s gonna be hard. But if it’s not hard, is it really worth it or deserving?”

Dawkins says she plans on attending Tallahassee State Community College then Florida State while chasing her dreams to be a child advocacy lawyer.

Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

REDFORD, Mich. (WXYZ) — When she was only 12 years old, she became part of the foster care system through the Judson Center. Now, she’s working for Judson Center to pay it forward to other children. 

"I truly love what I do,” said Brandy Mason. 

Brandy Mason is the Building Community Partnership Program Manager at the Judson Center. Her job is to successfully reunite families who’ve been separated through foster care, providing guidance and tools to make such families can live happy and health lives. Her work takes her to Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Genesee Counties.

"I spent six years in foster care, so I know foster care,” said Mason. 

When Mason was born, her grandfather took over to raise her. At the age of 6, Mason says she was reunited with her mother, only to suffer physical and sexual abuse at the hands of her stepfather.

“My stepfather was a tyrant, he was a true tyrant, and he made our lives hell,” said Mason. 

Mason spoke out about the abuse, was placed in the care of other family members and eventually ended up in foster care through Judson Center when she was 12. 

It was not until she was 17 years old that she was reunited with her biological father, and was placed into his care. 

She credits her social worker through the Judson Center for helping her through the pain and anger she felt after the abuse. Mason says being in foster care was her saving grace, and believes the abuse she suffered is now helping in the work she does today.

“I do believe that there was a purpose for my pain, I don’t think that everything I went through it was just for naught, it was a reason why God had my path to go through,” said Mason. 

There are more than 13,000 children in Michigan’s foster care system and only about 6,000 available foster homes. Mason is urging anyone with a big enough home and heart to consider being a foster care parent.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, click here .

Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

WEST PALM BEACH - By the time most of us take the first sip of our morning coffee, 72-year old retired educator and current Guardian ad Litem (GAL) and Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County volunteer, Ellen Kranzler, has already researched her newest child abuse case, created a plan of action, made a list of people to contact for one of the many events she organizes, and set up the dates for the next GAL book review. “Ellen is a force of nature,” says Coleen LaCosta, Executive Director of Speak Up for Kids, “…and her heart for these children and our program shines through in all she does.”

Kranzler is one of greater than 600 Palm Beach County volunteer child advocates known as Guardians ad Litem; a league of court-appointed volunteers representing the child’s best interests in cases of abuse, neglect, and abandonment. When an allegation of child abuse is investigated and substantiated by DCF, the child(ren) is removed from parental custody and, when appropriate, placed with relatives or family friends. When other arrangements are unavailable, they are placed in a foster or group home setting. In the best scenario, heroes like Kranzler are assigned to the case and walk with the child victim throughout the sometimes years long process. 

Guardian ad Litem Circuit Director, Michelle Canaday, says, “It is typical for the GAL to be the only consistent adult in the child’s life through their dependency court journey. On any given day there are between 1,300 and 1,600 children in care; we simply do not have enough Guardians to go around.” Kranzler says she is, “…filling in the gap. No child should be left without a voice in their own life. None of these children should feel as if no one cares. None of them deserve that.”

In the 11 years Kranzler has been a Guardian ad Litem volunteer child advocate, she has dedicated greater than 22,880 volunteer hours equating to an estimated $550,000 of salary savings to the program. Since her appointment as a GAL, she has been assigned greater than 55 cases, some involving sibling groups in varied placements. Her advocacy has extended to children with disabilities, including Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, and Autism, visiting children from Jacksonville to Miami, and ensuring their best interests are represented.

Walk into the Guardian ad Litem or Speak Up for Kids offices and mention Ellen’s name and the love and admiration for her simply envelopes you. According to staff and volunteers, Kranzler serves as a mentor to incoming GALs, the district transportation coordinator, and the organizer of the annual GAL Appreciation Dinner. She is also the chairperson for annual GAL Holiday Party where GALs from across the county not only share a meal and encourage one another, but also shop for toys for children in their care, choosing from among the thousands of donations received through Speak Up for Kids. Kranzler has also crafted the local Storybook Village, an annual community event, where books come to life and imagination soars for the estimated 1,500 child and adult attendees.

To combat the statistic of homelessness in foster youth, Kranzler has established a working relationship with independent living service providers to secure housing and support for youth as they transition into adulthood from the foster care system. She takes children on outings, hosts birthday parties at her home, often for children whose birthdays have never been celebrated.  Canady says, “Ellen is a grandmother to many of these kids, and she is an angel to us.”

Though the Guardian ad Litem program is state-funded, there are tremendous shortfalls. Speak Up for Kids is the nonprofit that raises money to achieve the mission of 100% advocacy for kids in care. “Volunteers like Ellen are crucial to our success,” says LaCosta. “Ellen drives daily from her home in Boynton Beach to the Palm Beach County Courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach, volunteering the equivalent of full-time hours each week dedicated to in-house administrative functions. That’s in addition to the cases she oversees.”

Recently, Kranzler was nominated for, and won, the Area Agency on Aging 2019 Prime Time Calidus Management Award for Volunteerism. This is a celebration of senior volunteers from Palm Beach, Martin, Indian River, and Saint Lucie counties with the breakfast and award ceremony scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 23rd at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott. 

When asked how she feels about being selected for this prestigious award, Kranzler reflects, “I am honored to even be nominated, but I am not special. Each day, I get to see our community’s dedication to child victims of abuse, and I am blessed to be able to help. We all have the capacity to do something. The tragedy occurs when we choose not to.” Kranzler laughed at the idea of slowing down and taking things at an easier pace, saying, “There is still so much to do.”

PALM BEACH COUNTY GUARDIAN AD LITEM PROGRAM

Guardian Ad Litem is a state supported program of trained volunteers 21 years of age and older and professional staff.  These volunteers become part of the court process in order to represent and advocate for a child’s best interest.  Most of these children, now subjects of judicial proceedings, have been removed from their homes because of alleged abuse, abandonment or neglect.

Our volunteers advocate for needed services for the child, report to the judge, case manager and attorney via written reports/ testimony and monitor the case from beginning to end. With a GAL, a child is half as likely to languish in the foster care and child welfare system and more likely to find a safe, permanent home.

In Palm Beach County, there are approximately 1,400-1,600 children in the system at this time. To be part of Guardian ad Litem, there are no special legal skills necessary- just good common sense and the desire to help abused and neglected children. Someone interested in helping children may also volunteer for our Speak Up for Kids program. Speak Up for Kids’ is a 501(c3) non-profit whose sole purpose is to support the GAL program and its mission through fundraising, grants, community events/ awareness and presentations. Volunteers are needed for Marketing, Website Management, Administrative, Special Events and Media Relations.

To VOLUNTEER or obtain more information regarding Guardian ad Litem and Speak Up for Kids, visit our website at Galpbc.org or speakupforkidspbc.org or call 561-355-6224. 

Make a lasting difference in the life of a child. VOLUNTEER to be the VOICE of a child.

Tagged: #Volunteers #AARP   

https://cbs12.com/features/forever-family/forever-family-getting-involved-in-the-guardian-ad-litem-program

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — If you aren't in the position to foster or adopt, there is still a way to make a lasting difference in the lives of children in foster care.

Here's more about the Guardian ad Litem program and how you can get involved.

Three Palm Beach County businesses working to help improve outcomes for children and youth were named “2019 Birth to 22 Business Champions” Friday during the second annual Birth to 22 Business Breakfast April 12 at the West Palm Beach Marriott.

The Champions are:

Small Business – Progressive Pediatric Therapy. Progressive Pediatric offers services for developmentally delayed children, including a monthly wheelchair clinic and orthotic clinic to evaluate children between the ages of 3 and 22 years for custom wheelchairs. Physical and occupational therapists in the practice work with school-based therapists to ensure that children receive maximum benefit. Approximately 120 students have been served.Mid-Sized Business – Boca West Country Club. The Project SEARCH program at Boca West Country Club enables students with intellectual or developmental disabilities to cultivate marketable skills through internship opportunities. Such partnerships provide a sustainable, steadfast future for these students and give the business access to a new and diverse talent stream.Large Business – The Breakers. The Breakers Palm Beach Resort has been instrumental in supporting a coordinated and collaborative effort to improve the foster care system. One effort is the construction of the Visitation Center at the Children’s Home Society. Children and families are able to have supervised visits there in a safe, welcoming and comfortable environment, which is essential for creating and maintaining healthy relationships and reducing trauma.

Each Business Champion selected a local charity to receive a share of the proceeds from Friday’s event, called “Birth to 22: Shaping Our Children’s Future Together.” Selected 'Charities of Choice' are:

Hope4Mobility.org, selected by Progressive Pediatric Therapy. Hope4Mobility’s mission is to provide people with developmental disabilities and special needs financial assistance and relief so they can get essential equipment, products and therapy services to help improve their health, mobility and quality of life.Unicorn Children's Foundation, selected by Boca West Country Club. Unicorn is dedicated to redefining what is possible for individuals with intellectual/developmental disorders by creating cradle to career pathways that will allow them to live productive, engaged and fulfilled lives.Speak Up for Kids! selected by The Breakers. Speak Up for Kids! is committed to providing every vulnerable child in Palm Beach County with a voice to advocate for their physical, educational, and emotional best interests.

The alliance, Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures, was established in 2013. More than 300 people attended the sold-out Business Breakfast.

“The businesses currently supporting Birth to 22 add an invaluable dimension to our collective impact efforts,” said Tammy Fields, Director of Palm Beach County’s Youth Services Department, and Lisa Williams-Taylor, CEO of Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County. “Many view their participation as a sound investment made today — for compounded returns tomorrow.”

About Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures

Birth to 22 is a collective impact alliance designed to achieve social change through strategic collaboration. The mission is to support the healthy growth, development and education of our children and youth prenatal through young adulthood, so they can graduate from high school and succeed in life.

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PALM BEACH GARDENS — Fran Sadoff-Lebow had little trouble raising thousands of dollars for a national children’s charity.

The Palm Beach Gardens resident and former special needs teacher reached out to everyone she knew to support Comfort Cases, a Maryland-based nonprofit that provides children in the foster care system with backpacks filled with essential items.

“I am a really good networker, and have a bit of a pit-bull personality,” Sadoff-Lebow said.

RELATED: New program seeks to recruit Palm Beach County foster parents

With an assist from her friends and many others, Sadoff-Lebow raised about $4,000 to purchase 67 backpacks and supplies with which to fill them.

On Sunday, she will host a packing party with 15 of her friends to pack the bags with supplies such as pajamas, blankets, toiletries, books, stuffed animals and baby items.

Once the backpacks are filled, they will be delivered to Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County, Inc., a nonprofit that works with the Guardian Ad Litem program to advocate for the physical, educational and emotional best interests of children in the dependency court system.

Sadoff-Lebow plans to send Speak Up for Kids 25 backpacks per month beyond the initial donation because of the size of its caseload.

According to the organization, there are more than 1,400 children in Palm Beach County who are involved in dependency court.

“We selected Speak Up for Kids because they are local,” Sadoff-Lebow said. “Also, as a Guardian Ad Litem for children in foster care, they advocate for children in care on a daily basis.”

Sadoff-Lebow worked with foster care children and special needs students for about 30 years as a teacher and administrator in Maryland. When she heard of Comfort Cases through a friend, Lesley Robinson, she jumped at the opportunity to assist in its mission.

RELATED: New adoption website uses eHarmony tech to find homes for foster kids

“I worked with many foster care children,” she said. “So many of them had such a low self-esteem and lacked a sense of dignity. I was very intrigued with what Lesley shared and wanted to volunteer, especially after having experienced a different side of working with children in need. I have done a lot of volunteer work. This just called to me.”

Sadoff-Lebow plans to continue her work with Comfort Cases, whose mission is to bring dignity and hope for children in foster care. These children often carry their belongings in trash bags when they move from home to home. 

“Our goal is to get a Comfort Case to everyone of the 438,000 children in foster care in the United States,” Sadoff-Lebow said. “No more trash bags.”

Sadoff-Lebow is accepting donations for Comfort Cases. For information, contact her at fsl143@comcast.net, or www.comfortcases.org.

jwagner@pbpost.com

@JRWagner5