You're Invited! Child Abuse Prevention Blue Ribbon Luncheon in Sarasota

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and blue is the color of the Prevent Child Abuse ribbon. You can show your support for this cause by liking us on Facebook and getting involved—perhaps by attending this event!

(If you are unable to read the flyer, the text is as follows):

APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

PROTECTING CHILDREN IS EVERYONE'S JOB

Join us at the Robert L Taylor Complex

1845 34th Street, Sarasota Fl 34234

on Thursday, April 17 from 11am to 1pm for a Blue Ribbon Luncheon

Guest speakers include:

The Honorable Judge Haworth of Circuit 12

and

Doug Staley - Executive Director of the

Child Protection Center

Event activities include:

Reading of the Proclamation Moment of Remembrance and a Ceremonial Activity

Kindly Wear Blue

RSVP to Amertyris@thesarasotay.org or 941-371-4799 x110

See you there!!!

Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center Benefit Dinner and Auction

Register for the Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center's Life is Beautiful - Benefit Dinner & Auction here and help make a difference for mothers and babies in our community!

You're Invited to Central Church of Christ's Trunk-Or-Treat!

Foster families and everyone are invited to Central Church of Christ's Trunk-or-Treat on Wednesday night, October 30th! What better way to have good, clean, safe Halloween family fun? Costumes are encouraged!

See you there!

September 11, 2013: Memorial Service at the Sarasota Police Department

The Sarasota Police & Fire Dept. annual September 11th Memorial Service will take place at 8:30 am on Wednesday, September 11th, 2013. Minister Rod Myers (founder of BAANK and Chaplain for the Sarasota Fire Department) will be giving the invocation. Join our community as we honor the fallen.

19th Annual Manatee Children's Summit—Our Children: Safe from the Start

The 19th Annual Manatee Children's Summit (Our Children: Safe from the Start) will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2013 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. The event features presentations on child safety and tons of fun activities for the kids.

Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call (941) 749-3030.

A Themed "VBS" Foster Parent Night Out: Sharing the Bible with Foster Kids

On Saturday August 10th, the Central Church of Christ combined an Operation Relaxation (Foster Parent Night Out) with a themed VBS on the Genesis story of Joseph. Fifty-nine foster children got the opportunity to hear the Bible and do fun VBS activities that usually only church kids get to do.

In addition, 16 foster families received school supplies for the school aged children in their care.

The fun night included a puppet show, crafts, and t-shirts.

Puppet show on the story of Joseph

Even the hallway tells a story: the imagery from Joseph and Pharaoh's dreams

The Central Church of Christ had a large team of 29 volunteers that night.

Two Central volunteers in "jail"

We'd especially like to thank the Northwest Tampa Church of Christ puppet team for blessing the foster kids with a puppet show and a Bible story!

Northwest Tampa Church of Christ puppet team

The kids all had so much fun!

The area's next Foster Parent Night Out will be Saturday, September 21st at Sarasota Christian Church.

Trauma Informed Care Workshop - September 28th, 2013

This free, half-day workshop is for pastors, youth workers, children's workers, small group leaders, community ministers and church members to become better equipped to deal with trauma in people's lives. 

It will take place on Saturday, September 28th from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm at Grace Church SRQ.

We are excited to have psychologist Dr. Robert Boxley from Manatee Glens join us as our keynote speaker, along with the other professionals who will be facilitating the breakout classes.

Refreshments will be provided.

For more information and to register, contact Rod Myers at (941) 374-1818 or BAANKCentral@comcast.net.

Save the Date for a FREE Trauma Informed Care Workshop

Free Workshop Sponsored by:

Believers Against Abuse and Neglect of Kids (BAANK)

Manatee Glens Hospital for Mental Health & Addictions

GRIP: God Raising Incredible Parents

Family Safety Alliance

Florida Department of Children and Families

Selah Freedom

Guardian ad Litem

Eagle's Wings Counseling Center

Save the Date!
WHEN: Saturday, September 28 from 8:00 am-12:00 pm
WHERE: Grace Church SRQ
8000 Bee Ridge Rd
Sarasota, FL  34241
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Dr. Robert Boxley, Manatee Glens
BREAKOUT SESSIONS for Pastors, Small Group Leaders, Youth and Children Workers, and Community Based Ministers
WHY? (1) To equip pastors, teachers, and community-based ministers for working with people we encounter with deep wounds (trauma) that affect faith and behavior. (2) To connect with like-minded people.

CONTACT: Rod Myers, 941-374-1818 or BAANKcentral@comcast.net

Selah Freedom 5K! Race Your Voice: Run for the Voiceless

Selah Freedom will be hosting a "5K for Freedom" and Family Fun Walk on September 7th, 2013 at Stoneybrook Golf Club in Bradenton, FL.

Selah Freedom is a Florida organization that fights domestic human trafficking.

To register as a runner in the 5k or the Family Fun Walk, fill out the form on the Selah Freedom website. Non-runners and business owners wishing to become sponsors can do so by contacting info@selahfreedom.com.

Safe Children Coalition to put on LETS B SAFE™ Event on Child Safety

Free Gifts for first 20 Families to register!

The LET’S B SAFE™ provides a
“Unique Approach to Improving Literacy & Protecting Children.”

Do you know? There is an attempted abduction every 4.5 minutes? That l out of every 4 girls and l out of every 6 boys will be sexually molested before they get out of high school? Have you taught your child the safety rules they will need to know (and follow) in today’s increasingly dangerous world…they’re much different from the rules you were taught growing up!

You’re invited to learn…

How to teach your child how to identify “safe strangers” people they can go to if they’re lost or in danger (other than a police officer or fireman).

How to prepare your child should he/she ever get lost or separated from you.

How to teach your child some of the most common lures used by predators on children of all ages.

Child I.D. What works, what doesn’t, who needs it and why?

Strategies to help boost your child’s reading skills…And lots more!

Most importantly! You’ll learn how to fit this important part of parenting into your already jam-packed day!

WHEN: March 28, 2013
WHERE: Woodland Community Church, 9607 E. SR 70
TIME : 7:00 p.m. Childcare is limited

While there is no charge, you must be register to attend.
To register: please leave your name, phone number, and ages of children who will be attending by calling Andrea Mertyris at 941-371-4799 X 110 or emailing amertyris@thesarasotay.org.

Remember…free gifts for the first 20 families to register!

Program presented by the SAFE CHILDREN COALITION & LET’S B SAFE

Questions? Call Andrea at 941-371-4799 X 110 or Brenda Zofrea with LET’S B SAFE at 973-800-3501

GRIP (God Raising Incredible Parents) 1st Annual Fundraising Dinner!

GRIP (God Raising Incredible Parents) is "a faith-based nonprofit organization that teaches biblical principles to parents without partners to raise their children in a safe, healthy, and stable home environment." They are having their first annual fundraising dinner. Be sure to come out and support them!

Want more info? Visit gripministries.com or "like" GRIP (God Raising Incredible Parents) on Facebook.

Join the Florida Center for Early Childhood for a Family Fun Day!

Below is the information from the flyer:

Join us for a day of family fun featuring FREE activities for children birth to 9!

• Is your child on track? Free Developmental Screenings
• Bounce House
• Meet the Experts & Parent Resources
• Games
• Art Activities
• Tour Our School
• Sign up for Summer Camp, and much more!

It will be FUN and INFORMATIVE, so bring your FAMILY and FRIENDS to the Florida Center for a DAY TO REMEMBER!

Saturday March 23, 2013
9 am-noon
Two Locations:
SARASOTA: 4620 17th Street
NORTH PORT: 6929 Outreach Way

Contact Michelle Moreno for more information at (941) 371-8820 ext. 1025 or by email at Michelle.Moreno@thefloridacenter.org

National Faith Symposium 2012

Over 400 people from around the state of Florida were called together in Orlando on October 24-26, 2012 by DCF Secretary David Wilkins and DJJ Secretary Wansley Walters. The gathering was a mixture of state workers, including Attorney General Jennifer Carrol and faith-based representatives from the panhandle to Miami. Governor Scott, who was scheduled to be there until his mother was hospitalized, defined this symposium in a letter:

The “Our Children, Our Future: Restoring Hope” National Faith Symposium is an initiative of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice’s Faith Community Network and Volunteer Chaplaincy Services Program and the Florida Department of Children and Families designed to involve faith communities in providing voluntary programs and services to troubled youth and their families.”

In addition to the wonderful keynote speakers, which included Tony Dungy and Papa Joe Bradford, a full array of breakout sessions were provided to educate participants on the needs within our state and the faith-based programs designed to meet those needs. I learned about a program for families whose fathers are incarcerated. I heard about web-based programs to help connect needs with volunteers. I learned about the Partners in Promise program directed by DCF that connects community partners in each region of Florida. Foster and Adoption recruitment was highlighted by Tanya Wilkins, wife of Secretary Wilkins.

There was plenty of time to network and talk with our state leaders. The atmosphere was spiritual in nature and very encouraging as groups came together around a common goal: to make life better for our at-risk youth. There is a move throughout state government to shift resources to prevention. Each of us recognized that we cannot continue to deal with the consequences of bad parenting, bad decision making, and bad policies that simply remove kids and lock up offenders alone. Our state leaders are not just inviting the faith community to help them, but urging us to take the lead in addressing the needs of our state. We must seize the opportunity to get involved and make a difference.

That’s why BAANK exists. Call us and see how you can partner with us and others around the state of Florida. Why not make plans to attend next year’s symposium?

-Rod

Fall for Orphans Festival

Today BAANK participated in Harvest Christian Life Center's first annual Fall for Orphans Festival in Englewood, FL to mark the beginning of Adoption Awareness Month this November. Hosted by the adoption assistance organization Angels Appear, a number of organizations and vendors were present, including Safe Children Coalition, Bethany Christian Services, Thirty-One, and Tastefully Simple.

BAANK's table. Behind us is a van selling gumbo!

The event, hosted by Maggie Shaw of Angels Appear, featured BINGO games with jewelry prizes, and an apple pie and cake making contest.

Playing BINGO at the main tent

For the kids, there were games and animals, all with a fall flair.

Maggie Shaw (left) showing the little boy how to pet the horse

This sweet, tail-wagging baby goat Tiberius was quite possibly the cutest goat in the 12th District. Wouldn't you say so?

He loves the horse...

...and he loves food!

We met some friends and partners there as well—people with the same heart for kids and families as us. It's a blessing to be able to work together with these wonderful people!

Jill Steiner with the Safe Children Coalition

Angels Appear

Thank you, Maggie, for hosting the event. We look forward to next year.

Have you ever thought about adopting? The Florida Department of Children and Families is looking to recruit 1,200 foster parents this year to meet the needs of kids in our state. Adopting through foster care is one way to adopt, and it has the benefit of meeting the immediate needs of the kids.

If you're thinking about fostering or adopting a child, resources like Angels Appear and Bethany Christian Services are there to help you. Maggie, who spoke of her adoption experience at the event, says don't give up because you think it's too daunting and definitely don't go at it alone—seek assistance from these organizations that know the legal details and want to help.

FFAPA Mini-Conference: Kids Having Fun!

On Saturday October 20th, the Florida Foster/Adoptive Parent Association hosted its annual mini-conference in Sarasota. BAANK took care of childcare at Sarasota Christian Church while their parents were at the conference, and boy did we have fun!

Operation Relaxation coordinator Judy Betts (right) with some volunteers

The kids loved the fire truck that came. A special thanks to the firemen who came and explained what all the instruments on the fire truck did and let each kid "drive" the truck!

The fireman explaining the fire truck to the kids

Wendy from Central Church of Christ came equipped with her Bricks4Kidz program, wherein kids do organized Lego activities. For the younger kids, she taped a paper plate on top of a motorized spinning Lego helicopter and let them create spin art!

Preschooler spin art created with a Lego helicopter

And the older kids got to build cool stuff.

Lego station for the older kids

Thank you, Wendy!

Randy from Dogs of Courage came and gave the kids a presentation with his dog, Top. He demonstrated for the kids that Top can resist temptation and obey his master, and the master can bring out his full potential and make him a champion dog. It's the same between us and God: God can train us to resist temptation and obey him, and he can make us into all we were meant to be! He also talked about how important it is to listen to our parents when they are trying to teach us right from wrong.

Dog trainer Randy with his dogs

The kids had a great time with us, and we with them. Thanks to Judy who organized it, and to all the volunteers who came out. See you next time!

Faith-Based and Community Symposium Coming Up!

On October 24-26 the Department of Children and Families and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice will host the 2012 Faith Symposium at the Florida Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Speakers will include renowned speaker Papa Joe Bradford of Elijah Heart Ministry and New York bestseller/legendary coach Tony Dungy.

Dungy speaks to many Christian groups about family-related issues

The conference, "Our Children, Our Future: Restoring Hope," will center around equipping and empowering families to be successful.

"Our Children, Our Future: Restoring Hope," brings together leaders of faith, child welfare, juvenile justice, and others to talk about how we work together to empower Florida's children and families and set them on a path to success.

As a Tampanian, I'm excited that the former Bucs coach is engaged in family issues in our state. Join us in praying that the conference will be useful to those who attend and will allow people to collaborate toward a common goal. When we follow God, our families become stronger and so do our communities of faith.

Follow live tweets of the event with the hashtag #FLFaith2012.