NEWS & STORIES
In Lifelong Service to Kids and Kittens - 'Jupiter Wendy' is Truly Committed to Protecting the Most Vulnerable
Speak Up For Kids of Palm Beach County
Tue, July 19, 2022, 2:00 PM·3 min read
Speak Up for Kids board member and Guardian ad Litem volunteer Wendy Dohner exemplifies servant leadership and inspirational dedication
Wendy Dohner
Wendy Dohner
JUPITER, Fla., July 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Each Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County volunteer seems personally dedicated to multi-faceted advocacy, extending beyond singular focuses, living life in service to those most vulnerable and unable to speak up for themselves. Wendy Dohner, Speak Up for Kids board member and Guardian ad Litem volunteer, is a prime example.
Five years ago, Wendy, a California transplant and Jupiter local became a Guardian ad Litem - a court-appointed special advocate representing the best interests of children involved in Palm Beach County abuse, abandonment, and neglect cases. Through her service, she was introduced to Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County, the exclusive nonprofit support of the local Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program, and was inspired to volunteer for the Board of Directors. Since her GAL certification in July 2017, Wendy has volunteered 1,432 hours and driven greater than 10,000 miles in service to 12 cases - impacting 17 children. If assigned a dollar value, her volunteerism saved Palm Beach County greater than $55,000. That does not include her service on the board, coordinating and participating in functions.
As a San Diego, CA resident, Wendy served Standup For Kids as a mentor to children experiencing homelessness. Still, children are not the sole beneficiaries of the dedication and commitment of 'Jupiter Wendy' - the moniker to which she is lovingly referred. Over the past two years, her work with various local cat rescues has affected the rescue of 2,000 cats, while her partnership with Miami Beach's Kitty Campus has aided with the rescue, foster, and adoption of more than 82,000. Wendy is a powerhouse!
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Citizen on Patrol (COP) counts Wendy among their volunteers, serving Jupiter Farms patrolling in a vehicle, or as part of the elite Bike Unit. In addition, she extends her heart further to advocate for domestic violence victims while hosting mattress and clothing collections and coordinating toy drives to ensure dependency-involved children or those otherwise at-risk can celebrate holidays - and be celebrated on their birthdays.
Wendy is determined to make the world a better place, most recently spearheading a fundraiser for a family experiencing homelessness. Through her call to action - and proven advocacy record - enough money was raised to purchase and furnish a mobile home for the family. Speak Up for Kids is proud to have such remarkable volunteers among its ranks. Wendy humbly acknowledges her efforts while establishing that she is drawn to '…kids and kittens…" because they are "...the most vulnerable, completely unable to speak up for themselves."
Wendy's selfless commitment yields ripple effects beyond Palm Beach County, and we remain in continuous, collective awe as she effortlessly fits a 40-hour week into each 24-hour period she is given.
For more information please contact info@speakupforkidspbc.org
StoryBook Village At Mounts
Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County and the Guardian ad Litem Program will host their seventh annual StoryBook Village at the Mounts Botanical Garden on Sunday, March 20 from 1 to 4 p.m.
The village contains approximately 15 StoryBook Booths offered by foster agencies, child service agencies, young children educational agencies, literary organizations and others. Approximately 2,000 books will be available for adoption. Special this year is that children will enjoy the Lego exhibit at the Mounts Botanical Garden, located in West Palm Beach on Military Trail across from Palm Beach International Airport, along with face painting, photo ops, stories, activities and other exciting happenings.
“Each booth will present a storybook related to our 2022 theme, Where the Wild Things Are,” said Ellen Kranzler, the event chair and volunteer child advocate. “Last year’s StoryBook Village was What I Want to Be When I Grow Up. We had a great community turnout and continue to grow each year.”
Events like StoryBook Village are so important to the community, said Coleen LaCosta, executive director of Speak Up For Kids.
“The children we serve have experienced some of the worst types of trauma imaginable. When a child victim of abuse gets to forget their circumstances and feel normal — even for just one day — that ignites a spark of hope.” LaCosta said. “We are thrilled that the Mounts Botanical Garden recognizes the importance and allows us to bring the community together and multiplies that hope.”
Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County is the nonprofit fundraising arm for the Guardian ad Litem Program of Palm Beach County.
Guardian ad Litems (GALs) are court-appointed volunteer child advocates. They come from all walks of life, but they are united in their commitment to the most vulnerable children. No child should have to go to court alone; volunteer child advocates stand up for them and become their voice. The court places great weight on what the GALs have to say. If you want more information on how to volunteer, e-mail christie.geltz@gal.fl.gov or visit www.galpbc.org.
HOMETOWN HEROES: Wellington teens start program to give free music lessons to foster kids
by Samantha Kerrigan
Monday, January 24th 2022
WELLINGTON, Fla. (CBS12) — At just 16 years old, Anden Toale and Jocelyn Spellman are using their passion for music as a way to give back to other kids in our community.
The Wellington High School band students are the proud co-founders of a program that provides free music lessons for foster children in Palm Beach County, called ‘Music Buddies.’
Anden started playing the piano when he was eight years old and then the flute a couple years later.
“It’s a good way to express yourself and I get to play any sort of fun song I want,” he says.
Jocelyn also started on the piano before her interests turned to percussion.
“It’s just really fun and I have a lot of friends who do it with me, so it’s cool to jam out with them,” she says.
Now, this pair of friends is sharing that love of music with other kids who might not have the same musical opportunities they had growing up.
“We wanted to see if we could find a way to give back and give those kids a chance to take music lessons even if it’s not with a professional instructor, but just with someone else,” Anden says.
Anden Toale and Jocelyn Spellman are Wellington High School band students and proud co-founders of 'Music Buddies' - a program that provides free music lessons for foster children in Palm Beach County. (Music Buddies)
Through the Students Speak Up for Kids organization, which supports foster children in our area, Anden and Jocelyn started ‘Music Buddies.’
They recruit other high school band students to serve as instructors, and the program has already given instruments and lessons to dozens of foster kids.
“Having this opportunity to give back by doing something I’ve always enjoyed and that’s had a big impact on my life is a really nice experience,” Anden says.
“It makes me feel like I’m actually making an impact on other people’s lives,” Jocelyn adds.
Anden’s mom, Sandy Toale, helps manage the program.
She admits bringing ‘Music Buddies’ to life during the pandemic had its challenges, but it was all worth it.
“It’s been so rewarding to watch the instructors, which are the high school students, as well as the foster children just blossom and grow and establish a connection through music,” Sandy says.
Anden and Jocelyn say their main goal is to make sure all their “music buddies” are enjoying their lessons and feeling supported.
“We hope that at some point they fine an instrument they like and go on to be in the band,” Anden says. “Band is like a family so they can join it and have a place where they feel safe and have a lot of friends,” he adds.
There are lots of ways to get involved with ‘Music Buddies.’
If you’d like to learn more about the program, just visit their website.
And be sure to tell us about the people making a difference in your community.
Send us your nominations to hometownheroes@cbs12.com.
A Child’s Home: A look at Speak Up for Kids’ Winterfest 2021 event
By Megan Hayes
Published: Dec. 29, 2021 at 9:35 AM MST
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (WFLX) - On any given day, around 750 children are ready for adoption in Palm Beach and Broward Counties.
Watch “A Child’s Home” every week. You’ll have the opportunity to meet a local child looking for a forever home, see how you can become an adoptive parent, and learn more about the programs/events available to children in South Florida.
Created by ChildNet, a community-based agency serving Broward and Palm Beach County.
*Sponsored by AChildsHome.org.
(Video produced by Sydney Steinger, host of A Child’s Home. Sydney was highlighted in Forbes in 2021 for her work with a Child’s Home and helping to place needy children in forever homes. You can read the article here.)
Copyright 2021 WFLX. All rights reserved.
https://www.wflx.com/2021/12/29/childs-home-look-speak-up-kids-winterfest-2021-event/
A Child’s Home: Better to Give event shows kids how to care for others
By Megan Hayes
Published: Dec. 23, 2021 at 12:18 PM MST
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (WFLX) - On any given day, around 750 children are ready for adoption in Palm Beach and Broward Counties.
Watch “A Child’s Home” every week and meet a local child looking for a forever home. You’ll see how you can become an adoptive parent and give someone the family they deserve.
Created by ChildNet, a community-based agency serving Broward and Palm Beach County.
*Sponsored by AChildsHome.org.
(Video produced by Sydney Steinger, host of A Child’s Home.)
Copyright 2021 WFLX. All rights reserved.
https://www.wflx.com/2021/12/23/childs-home-better-give-event-shows-kids-how-care-others/
Ballet Palm Beach gives away 600 tickets for this weekend's performance of 'The Nutcracker'
Ballet Palm Beach is donating more than 600 tickets to this weekend's performance of "The Nutcracker" at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
The ballet company is reaching out to nonprofit organizations and programs, which will then distribute the tickets to families in Palm Beach County. The groups include: Community Partners, El Sol, For the Children Inc., Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County, Little Smiles, Milagro Center, Pandora’s Kids, Place of Hope, Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County Inc., The Lord's Place, Vita Nova Inc., Families First of Palm Beach County, Friends of Foster Children, and the West Palm Beach Parks & Recreation Department.
"The Nutcracker" is a perfect first ballet for young children to experience, according to Colleen Smith, the executive and artistic director of Ballet Palm Beach. Smith said that becomes clear before the dancing even begins.
"The music is so recognizable — all children have heard this music, and already, they are lit up,” she said. When the curtain finally opens and the spectacular set is revealed, the children are in awe, ready to be transported into the Christmas Eve story of Marie and her nutcracker.
Smith describes the experience in the theater as a give and take between the performers and the audience, and it is one all children and families should experience. “If it is done well, it is magical.”
Beth Zigler, volunteer recruiter with Palm Beach County Guardian ad Litem Program, explains that the 94 tickets they got are for the children as well as the volunteers, foster parents, and relative or non-relative caregivers who will accompany them.
“Our children have already been through a traumatic experience, so this is an amazing experience they can share,” said Zigler. “These children have never been to a show — or their family members have never had an experience like this. We are grateful for the overwhelming generosity during this time of giving.”
Children in the Guardian ad Litem program have been removed from their homes because of abuse, abandonment or neglect, and their parents are working toward reunification. With a Guardian ad Litem volunteer advocating for their best interest, 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.
Zigler understands the significance that one special experience can have in a child's life.
“Exposing children to art gives them a whole new world — something they may never have known about.”
Amy Mauser, chief development officer of Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County, is anticipating 150 tickets will be distributed to Habitat for Humanity homeowner families.
“When we build a home with a family, we welcome them into the Habitat family for as long as they own their home,” Mauser said. “This is an excellent way for us to remind them of that and for us to continue celebrating the holiday season with these families, many of whom we’ve known for a very long time.”
For many families, one of the challenges they have is a lack of exposure to the world beyond their own poverty, Mauser said. Attending a performance, such as this, is a way to increase their exposure to art and culture, she said, adding “It’s wonderful to play a part in that and expand the reach of the cultural partners in our community.”
Ballet Palm Beach has offered free performances for Palm Beach County's school children throughout their many seasons. But Smith points out that attending a performance with family is different as it becomes a memory to cherish for years to come.
“We are incredibly proud to make it possible for children and families who would otherwise be unable to afford it, to attend this magical holiday tradition,” says Smith. “We don’t deserve to be in the community if we aren’t serving the community.”
The Nutcracker will be performed on Saturday and Sunday. For tickets, visit www.balletpalmbeach.org or call the Kravis Center box office at 561-832-7469 or 800-572-8471. New health and safety requirements can be found on www.kravis.org.
Group aims to donate more than 1,000 gifts to foster, homeless children in Palm Beach County
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The holidays can be a tough time for homeless kids and foster children, especially those who were recently separated from their parents.
At La Meseria Restaurant in Palm Beach Gardens, a dinner raised about $75,000 for the group Speak Up for Kids, a part of Palm Beach County's guardian ad litem program.
Donors at the event also brought enough toys to fill a small truck for these kids.
"It helps get through, and helps us bring a little joy into their Christmas life," said event co-organizer Robert Donohoo. "This is a big thing for them."
The group hopes to make sure 1,100 children in Palm Beach County have toys to play with this holiday season.
Guardian ad Litem volunteers needed for abandoned, abused and neglected children
By: Arthur Mondale
Posted at 4:47 PM, Sep 23, 2021 and last updated 3:20 PM, Sep 23, 2021
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — There are more than 1,200 abused, abandoned and neglected children in Palm Beach County’s Guardian ad Litem program. And within the program, there are over 500 court-appointed volunteers who serve as their advocates both in and out of the courtroom. This also includes suicide prevention. And in recognition of Suicide Awareness Month, there’s a need for more powerful voices for children.
Guardian ad Litem program staff advocate Pamela Brooks is headed to the 15th Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court.
“Representation matters,” Brooks said.
She has two hearings on the docket, but there’s also a team of volunteers working behind the scenes.
“What they do is help us with some of the leg work,” Brooks said.
It’s a court-appointed position her boss, Guardian ad Litem circuit director, and attorney Michelle Canaday takes personally. Canaday too was raised in foster care.
”They go out and meet with the child, and they meet with the family and the school and the therapists and learn what would be best for that child and come in and advocate for that in court,” Canaday said. “I wanted to make a difference for kids growing up in the system.”
And Canaday says the advocacy saves lives and families.
”They’re either advocating for reunification with the parents, or we advocate for adoption or maybe living with a relative,” Canaday said.
“What does the child really want,” added Brooks.
The program estimates children in foster care are two-and-a-half times more likely to consider suicide than other youth and four times more likely to try it which is why volunteers can work with children for years.
”Read their history. Take the time to really read the file and find out who this person is — this person is just not a case, this child is a person with a lot of depth to them and so we need to get to the heart of what’s going on,” Brooks said.
And there’s also a need for more Black male volunteers. 45-percent of children within Palm Beach County’s program are Black.
“We need more Black males. Our Black males are suffering,” Brooks said. "We need men to focus on these young male lives and let them know how they made it. Be honest and transparent and help them break out of the system."
”Where does that number come from? Why do we have that number,” Canaday added. “We need to focus on how to keep kids with their parents in their home and looking at our own racial bias to do it. We need to address it.”
If you’d like to be a voice for children in court you must be 21 or over, take a background check, attend 30 hours of training and commit to at least 10 hours a month representing children. To learn more, click here.
Owls Speak Up For Kids is on a mission to aid foster children and teens
This university chapter works to advocate on behalf of foster children through donations, toy drives, and more.
Darlene Antoine, Features Editor
August 18, 2021
On a mission to be a voice for the voiceless, one club has taken a stand to assist an unheard community.
Owls Speak Up for Kids is a college chapter extension of Students Speak Up For Kids of Palm Beach. The organization was established in 2020 and maintains a core initiative of advocating for every child and teen in the foster care system of Palm Beach County.
President Sarah Meyer Bertheau said that her work in the club is significant due to its impact on the lives of foster children.
“This organization has helped raise awareness and advocate for those children within our Palm Beach County community, which is home to over 1,500 foster children,” Bertheau said. “My perspective of life has completely changed by observing how small actions performed by each individual in a group of college students can have a lasting impact on many children. This opportunity has been immensely fulfilling and has given me a sense of purpose beyond simply focusing on myself.”
Vice President Zavala explained that the club works alongside other organizations to maximize its efforts to aid foster children.
“Our chapter works side by side with Students Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County. Their parent organization is Speak Up for Kids of PBC, which works with the Guardian ad Litem Program and Foster Palm Beach. We aim to support each other through projects, donations, and educating ourselves about the foster care system,” Zavala said.
Despite the pandemic, the club remains committed to its advocacy work as members were able to participate in both virtual and in-person activities. From in-person, socially distanced card making for foster children to virtual meet-ups to write letters to Guardian ad Litem (GaL) volunteers, the club members participate in activities to showcase their passion for helping those in need.
“Guardian ad Litem is a volunteer who speaks on behalf of a foster care child’s best interest in court hearings and other legal decisions,” Treasurer MaryAnn Singer said. She explained that joining the club has made a profound impact on her life and the lives of others she has connected with along the way.
“As a member of this chapter, my most memorable experience is when a fellow officer and myself personally delivered donuts and a thank you card to the GaL office. This small gesture went a long way, and it meant a lot to me that I had the opportunity to participate in giving back to the wonderful Guardian-Ad-Litems who always have the foster care child’s best interest in mind and at heart,” Treasurer MaryAnn Singer said.
Zavala noted that despite currently being in a leadership position, she was initially hesitant to take on the role due to being a full-time student at the Jupiter campus. However, her doubts subsided once she was able to make connections with members who were just as passionate about supporting one another.
“I find it extremely rewarding when you find people that want to help each other, and I found that in this organization. Over this past year, the officers and I had our ups and downs that every starting club has at the beginning, but we came out of the tunnel stronger than ever and I’m very grateful for that. We learned a lot,” Zavala said.
Bertheau said that her work in the club heavily influenced her future career aspirations. She detailed that their efforts furthered her initiative to continue to help others in a meaningful way.
“Thanks to the life-changing impact that this organization has had on me, I hope to become a Pediatric Surgeon and one day lead a non-profit organization aimed at helping children in third world countries as well as the foster children within our country. Doing volunteer work along with Owls Speak Up for Kids has been a truly inspiring and fulfilling experience. It makes me truly joyful when I know that I am helping make a child’s day brighter and happier,” Bertheau said.
When asked about why she originally joined Owls Speak Up for Kids, Zavala remarked that it was the goal of helping foster children in need that motivated her the most.
“I chose to join the club because children and the concept of childhood are very important to me. A large part of who we are is based on our childhood, and I believe children only deserve the best and our future most definitely depends on them. Many people take this for granted and believe kids won’t remember things or are too little to understand things,” Zavala said. “And although that may be partially true, our minds are sponges as we grow and children may be wiser than we may think they are. In a world full of stress and anxiety, we need to show more compassion and love to those who need it most. I hope this chapter can take away at least some of the stress the foster care system can have on kids and bring a little more happiness to their lives.”
Darlene Antoine is the Features Editor for the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email antoined2019@fau.edu.
Birthday Celebration Makes Wishes Come True For Foster Kids
GL Homes hosted a birthday party for 20 foster children complete with cake, crafts and presents at the Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach. The children, ranging in age from two to 12, enjoyed a special arts and crafts project, birthday cake and presents. These foster children are part of the Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County program, which provides advocacy to abused, neglected and abandoned children.
Photo credit: Tracey Benson Photography
https://glhomesphilanthropy.com/birthday-celebration-makes-wishes-come-true-for-foster-kids/
Teens Spread Love of Literature With WPB Book Drive
Stuck at home and feeling helpless was something us high school students wanted to change.
For a summer project, we decided to start the West Palm Beach Book Drive. The book drive was started to spread our love for literature to those who needed the extra help during COVID. Literature is important to the both of us as books encourage us to understand other viewpoints, inspire our actions, and help us learn about important topics.
We wanted to help others in our community, so we created a contact-free book drive – a door-to-door service collecting books that we would deliver to the PBC Homeless Coalition and Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County. We designed, printed, and hand-delivered over 130 flyers to mailboxes.
After our first collection, we received 200 donations! Continuing our collections monthly, we want to spread positivity and inspiration to other high school students to make a difference in their community! Little did we know that this collection was just a small step of our journey. We were able to expand from our community to a partnership with the Literacy Coalition of West Palm Beach. We felt the need to assist our classmates who wanted to support their community during COVID but had difficulty due to safety precautions.
Furthermore, we have started monthly donation collections with our school, allowing us to give community service hours to our fellow students through the Literacy Coalition of PBC. Starting in August, we successfully completed our first book drive meetup and continued to have meet-ups once a month until April. In 6 months, we are proud to say we have awarded 500 community service hours to students of American Heritage and donated over 2,000 books!
The literature we collect includes all types of books, including all types of fiction and nonfiction. Specifically, donations to the PBC Homeless Coalition focus on adult literature involved in education that teaches a reader to develop a skill. These books can help people experiencing homeless improve their situations to be better equipped for certain occupations and interviews.
Recently, we connected with the Joy4All Project and Ripple Kindness Project to extend our reach to inspire more teens to help their communities across the globe. Teaming up with our local Court House, we are currently working with Students Speak Up For Kids to help foster children feel more at home by collecting new and gently used board games. We joined the message for Students Speak Up For Kids because we wanted to support fellow kids in our community with the help of donations from classmates.
Volunteering in our community helped us connect with others and we learned the needs of our community during COVID. We learned about the significant increase of homeless populations in our area due to the loss of jobs from COVID. To make a difference, we decided to help the PBC Homeless Coalition. Additionally, we can relate to the feeling of isolation during COVID with staying home and virtual school. We wanted to spread positivity to local children through books using the Literacy Coalition and board games with Students Speak Up For Kids.
To check out our journey, follow our Facebook page WPBBookDrive, or contact us at Wpbbookdrive@gmail.com!
Speak Up For Kids of Palm Beach County Launches Growing Grads
Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County has launched Growing Grads, a new community campaign aimed to celebrate young adults who, despite involvement in the foster care system, are graduating! In conjunction with the launch, Speak Up For Kids received invaluable support from the Leadership Palm Beach County Engage Class of 2021.
“We are profoundly honored and humbled to celebrate our graduates this year! Our triumphant students have risen above their circumstances and worked hard to break the cycle of abuse and neglect through education and empowerment,” said Coleen LaCosta, Executive Director of Speak Up For Kids.
Learn more by visiting the website https://speakupforkidspbc.org or emailing info@SpeakUpForKidsPBC.org
Today in Palm Beach County, there are approximately 1600 children in our local foster care system. While several organizations are doing great work for segments of the foster care population, Speak Up for Kids is unique. As the nonprofit dedicated to the PBC Guardian ad Litem Program, Speak Up serves ALL of these children- from newborn to young adult.
Each of these children has experienced abuse, abandonment, or neglect which has led to entanglement in a complex legal system. The Guardian ad Litem Program provides direct legal advocacy on behalf of the children involved in dependency court proceedings. Their advocates are court-appointed to represent the best interest of the children – in doing so we support the physical, emotional, and educational needs of each individual child.
The 2021 Graduation Celebration- Growing Grads kicks off with the Celebrating YOUth Scholarship in which awards of $500 are available to high school graduates within the foster care system. With community support, Speak Up for Kids plans to grow the new scholarship fund in order to increase award amounts annually. Learn more by visiting the website speakupforkidspbc.org/celebrating-youth.
In lieu of an in-person 2021 Graduation Celebration Event, Speak Up for Kids pivoted to bring the party to the grads despite COVID circumstances. Grads are celebrated with a personal delivery of a congratulatory yard sign and Gifts For Grads swag bag filled with community contributions including gift cards from Speak Up! Learn more by visiting speakupforkidspbc.org/growinggrads.
“For the teens we serve, normalcy and independent living skills are emphasized to ensure a bright future filled with lifelong connections and self-sufficiency,” said Fiona Wade at Speak Up For Kids. “We celebrate the successes of our young adults- especially the significant milestone of graduation at each level in their education.”
This year, Speak Up for Kids is celebrating 32 graduates in Palm Beach County! As Class of 2021, these students cross the finish line as graduates of high school, GED, college, and vocational school. Despite involvement in the foster care system, each of these young adults has reached this significant milestone in their education and deserves to be celebrated.
https://www.goodnewsfl.org/speak-up-for-kids-of-palm-beach-county-launches-growing-grads/
Palm Beach County Proclamation Recognizes May As National Foster Care Month
The Palm Beach County Commission has issued a proclamation designating the month of May as National Foster Care, Speak Up for Kids and Guardian ad Litem Month in honor of the hard work and dedication exhibited on behalf of vulnerable child populations across the county.
There are 20 Guardian ad Litem Circuits in Florida, with Palm Beach County (www.galpbc.org) designated as the 15th Judicial District. The Palm Beach County Guardian ad Litem circuit director is Michelle Canaday, while the executive director for Speak Up for Kids is Coleen LaCosta. Together they serve as Palm Beach County’s dynamic duo of child advocacy.
In addition to the Palm Beach County Commission, the cities of Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, the Town of Lake Park and the Village of North Palm Beach have either already issued proclamations or have agreed to do so this month. In May 2022, Speak Up for Kids will host the inaugural Celebration of Advocacy Luncheon to honor volunteers and city and community leaders in the continued effort to protect, advocate and speak up for children.
“Last year, we asked the Palm Beach County Commission, as well as each city, to sign a proclamation in support of May as National Foster Care Month, in addition to recognizing the work of Speak Up for Kids and the Palm Beach County Guardian ad Litem,” LaCosta said. “We were at the height of a pandemic, and still, the support was tremendous. This year’s support has been no different.”
The need for volunteers is also great.
“We are looking for opportunities to engage with each city in Palm Beach County to forward our mission of ensuring each child involved in dependency court proceedings has a Guardian ad Litem; in essence, a voice in the court system representing only the child’s best interest,” Canady said. “With hundreds of children currently awaiting a volunteer, the need is great, but we continue to be encouraged by the outpouring of support and the opportunity to build awareness.”
Speak Up for Kids (www.speakupforkidspbc.org) is the exclusive nonprofit supporting the efforts of the Palm Beach County Guardian ad Litem program and the close to 700 volunteer child advocates who provide oversight and support to children while also serving as their voice in the court system.
The work of volunteer child advocates and their associated nonprofit supports generates savings to Florida of almost $20 million, estimating it would take an additional 450-plus employees to perform the work of the statewide network of Guardian ad Litem volunteer advocates. In Palm Beach County, there is a savings of greater than $1 million in salaries and mileage reimbursement costs alone.
Speak Up for Kids and the Guardian ad Litem Program work hand-in-hand to not only train and appropriately equip volunteer advocates but to also locate potential foster and forever families and provide funding for activities so children in the system can participate in activities comparable to their peers, including sports, birthdays and music lessons; all allowing for normalcy during the most chaotic time in their young lives.