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Blooming Futures | Palm Beach County Students Advocate For Foster Care Kids
Palm Beach County Students Advocate For Foster Care Kids
Speak Up for Kids a Winner at The Great Charity Challenge
Speak Up for Kids wins $17,500 at The Great Charity Challenge!
Music Buddies founder Anden Toale in Wellington High School marching band to perform in London's New Year's Day parade
Music Buddies founder Anden Toale in Wellington High School marching band to perform in London's New Year's Day parade
Speak Up For Kids Hosts Eighth Annual Winterfest. Holiday Wonderland Serves 500+ Foster Children!
Winterfest 2022! Positively one of the most joyful events of the holiday season! Happiness + memories created for over 500 kids in foster care.
Over $100,000 Raised by Robert and Michelle's Annual Holiday Party and Gift Drive Benefitting Speak Up for Kids and 1,600 Foster Children
Placing foster children at the forefront, Robert and Michelle's Annual Holiday Party engages the community and holiday spirit to spread Joy to foster Kids during the holidays.
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.