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
Showing posts with label Safe Children Coalition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Safe Children Coalition. Show all posts
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
A Message from Safe Children Coalition on Becoming a Foster Parent
The Safe Children Coalition is looking for families in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties who are able to provide safe, stable, nurturing homes for children in foster care due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. There isn’t one specific type of person that becomes a foster parent. Foster parents come from all races, economic backgrounds and religions. As a foster parent you experience a unique opportunity to shape and mold a life, to give true joy and happiness; there is no greater gift to provide a child. For more information call the recruitment line at 1-866-661-5656 or visit our website http://www.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Christmas Charities: Be A Foster Angel Sponsor
With Thanksgiving upon us and November coming to a close soon, it's time to start looking for Christmas charities to give to. There are scores of worthy organizations that help needy children at Christmas. Through the Angel Sponsor program, you can donate unwrapped toys to the 12th District's most vulnerable children who may not otherwise have toys under the tree.
Dear Community Member,
You may have been an Angel Sponsor in the past and if so, you are probably aware of the Sarasota Family YMCA's many contributions to improve the lives of children and families in need. One of our biggest programs is the Safe Children Coalition. Monthly, the Safe Children Coalition serves close to 1,300 children in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto Counties who have been abused or neglected.
Every holiday season we rely upon the generosity of members of our communities to help us make the holiday season special for these vulnerable children. You or members of your organization can help by becoming a Foster Angel Sponsor. This is a great opportunity to make a real difference one child at a time. Our children would be especially thankful!
Please follow this link to our sponsor letter.
Sincerely,
The Angels Team
The Foster Angels Team
The Sarasota Y / Safe Children Coalition
What a great thought, that a needy child will excitedly open your gift at Christmas and ask who it's from: "Your Angel Sponsor!" Isn't that a way to feel loved! Please consider sponsoring a child this Christmas by donating toys through the Angel Sponsor program. We'll check in and post about other charities you can donate to as well.
You may have been an Angel Sponsor in the past and if so, you are probably aware of the Sarasota Family YMCA's many contributions to improve the lives of children and families in need. One of our biggest programs is the Safe Children Coalition. Monthly, the Safe Children Coalition serves close to 1,300 children in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto Counties who have been abused or neglected.
Every holiday season we rely upon the generosity of members of our communities to help us make the holiday season special for these vulnerable children. You or members of your organization can help by becoming a Foster Angel Sponsor. This is a great opportunity to make a real difference one child at a time. Our children would be especially thankful!
Please follow this link to our sponsor letter.
Sincerely,
The Angels Team
The Foster Angels Team
The Sarasota Y / Safe Children Coalition
What a great thought, that a needy child will excitedly open your gift at Christmas and ask who it's from: "Your Angel Sponsor!" Isn't that a way to feel loved! Please consider sponsoring a child this Christmas by donating toys through the Angel Sponsor program. We'll check in and post about other charities you can donate to as well.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
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.
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| 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.
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| Playing BINGO at the main tent |
For the kids, there were games and animals, all with a fall flair.
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!
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| 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?
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| He loves the horse... |
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| ...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!
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| Jill Steiner with the Safe Children Coalition |
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| 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.
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.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Needy Kids Go Back to School in Style
Seven hundred children in Manatee County returned to school this month with brand new school supplies donated to them by local Publix shoppers. Publix ran its School Tools for Cool Kids campaign for about a month leading up to the first day of school, which was August 20th.
The Safe Children Coalition (the 12th District's lead agency on the child welfare front), with the help of some members from BAANK, prepared the backpacks and supplies collected by Publix and delivered them. According to US Census data, about one in five children in Florida are living in poverty and are not able to afford the basic tools for going back to school.
According to the Safe Children Coalition,
We always appreciate the Safe Children Coalition's constant efforts in the community, and we also appreciate that Publix's values include charity and education. Publix organizes the donation of school supplies every school year, donates to other organizations doing the same thing, and gives college scholarships.
Want ways to help?
The Back-to-School season has already passed, but schools are always looking for volunteers to help them throughout the year. Sometimes it's with jobs you might not think of! If you would like to give of your time and energy for a local school, visit these websites (or look your county's school system up on the web to find out how you can volunteer):
Education is so important for our children, especially children at risk, which is what makes these programs so great. They offer more than just pencils and backpacks; they offer education and empowerment.
The Safe Children Coalition (the 12th District's lead agency on the child welfare front), with the help of some members from BAANK, prepared the backpacks and supplies collected by Publix and delivered them. According to US Census data, about one in five children in Florida are living in poverty and are not able to afford the basic tools for going back to school.
According to the Safe Children Coalition,
Tampa Bay’s News Leader, “10 News” has kicked off their “2012 Publix Cool Tools for School Kids” campaign. The campaign began July 30th and will end on August 31st. The donations are made by Publix customers who want to show support to children who are in need of school supplies. There are fourteen Publix Stores in Manatee County who participate. Through this campaign the SCC has been able to stuff approximately 700 backpacks with needed school supplies.
We always appreciate the Safe Children Coalition's constant efforts in the community, and we also appreciate that Publix's values include charity and education. Publix organizes the donation of school supplies every school year, donates to other organizations doing the same thing, and gives college scholarships.
Want ways to help?
On your next trip to Publix, look for the School Tools for Cool Kids bins. Customers and associates can purchase pre-assembled school supply bags, purchase individual school supplies and/or drop off school supplies in the designated bins. Each Publix store works with community agencies to ensure the school supplies stay in the local communities where they were donated.
Check with local civic community groups, such as Rotary or Kiwanis Club, to see which service projects/efforts they may be supporting for back-to-school.
In some communities, schools and teachers may post school supply lists for items that they are in need of for the school year.
The Back-to-School season has already passed, but schools are always looking for volunteers to help them throughout the year. Sometimes it's with jobs you might not think of! If you would like to give of your time and energy for a local school, visit these websites (or look your county's school system up on the web to find out how you can volunteer):
Sarasota County, FL: SarasotaCountySchools.net
Manatee County, FL: Manatee.k12.fl.us
DeSoto County, FL: DeSotoSchools.com
Education is so important for our children, especially children at risk, which is what makes these programs so great. They offer more than just pencils and backpacks; they offer education and empowerment.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Why Not Become a Foster Parent?
The worst thought in a child's mind is not belonging anywhere. Foster care was an early 20th century solution to forgotten children in orphan institutions, and it has since become the primary vehicle for caring for children in need. Although it is not a perfect system, a family is still the best environment for a child.
Here in Florida, the need for foster parents is constant. The Florida Department of Children and Families hopes to recruit more than 1,200 foster parents this year to meet the needs of children in the system.
“Our need is to recruit foster homes for teens, infants, sibling groups, and of course we're always looking for homes for our adoptive children who are ten and older who are sometimes harder to adopt," Andrea Mertyris of the Safe Children Coalition told ABC News 7 in June.
MySuncoast.com ran an article in June highlighting the need for foster and adoptive parents in Florida.
Why not become a foster parent?
Here in Florida, the need for foster parents is constant. The Florida Department of Children and Families hopes to recruit more than 1,200 foster parents this year to meet the needs of children in the system.
“Our need is to recruit foster homes for teens, infants, sibling groups, and of course we're always looking for homes for our adoptive children who are ten and older who are sometimes harder to adopt," Andrea Mertyris of the Safe Children Coalition told ABC News 7 in June.
MySuncoast.com ran an article in June highlighting the need for foster and adoptive parents in Florida.
Although hundreds of foster parents are recruited each year, DCF says that there are always more children in need than these homes can accomodate. Foster homes sometimes try to take in more children with a special waiver from the state, but that means we end up with a problem with few foster homes shouldering the burden of many children. The only thing that will solve this problem is more foster homes.
Officials with the Department of Children and Families say finding foster parents isn't an easy task. It takes a very special person with a true calling to open their home to a child in need, but they say by raising awareness about fostering, maybe more people will realize they have what it takes.
Why not become a foster parent?
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Reason for Alarm: Abuse and Neglect in the 12th Circuit
What is happening to our children in the 12th Circuit of Florida (Sarasota, Manatee, and Desoto counties)?
You sure you want to know? Knowledge requires action. Here are the facts:
In the 12th Circuit, almost 10,000 investigations of alleged abuse and neglect were conducted over the past 10 years. Picture each little boy or girl involved. How many were verified? Let’s look at the last 15 months: there have been over 1,800 verified findings of abuse and neglect just within our neighborhoods. Can we ever look up and down our streets the same way again?
So what happens to these children? In the current fiscal year (2011-2012), nearly 1,400 children have needed services from child welfare workers, with 854 in out-of-home care. Most live with friends and relatives, but over 300 lived in licensed foster care and group care homes.
Try not to get lost in the numbers. These are real children who exist in our community. They represent every race, ethnicity and socioeconomic level. Some enter the world and spend weeks in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, born with drug and/or alcohol addictions. Others are pre-teens or teens who suffer from physical, psychological and/or emotional abuse. All are victims of trauma. All have scars. All of them just want to be loved and feel secure. These children live in your neighborhood, go to your child’s school, and attend your churches.
The need never stops. About the same rate that children enter the system, they exit and others come in to take their places. For instance, in the current fiscal year, 675 children entered services and 731 exited. In one month (December 2011), over 100 children entered state care, most of them under the age of six. An army of workers are needed to care for these children. There are 69 authorized case managers overseen by Safe Children Coalition (SCC), a division of the YMCA and the lead agency for the Circuit. This does not account for the investigators, support services, volunteers, foster parents, grandparents, other relatives, or responsible friends.
But even the positives highlight the negatives. It's just as bad at the end of the day than when we started. We're not gaining ground. Over $24,000,000 has been allocated through the Department of Children and Families, a State of Florida agency—just for the 12th Circuit. Since 2005, almost 900 children have been adopted to forever families within the Circuit. On average, of the children who are removed from their homes and are then reunified with their families, 80% return home within 12 months. Currently, about 200 young people are being assisted in moving toward adult independence. These are good things, but they remind us that there is a deep problem that we have only just begun to alleviate.
Consider seriously this perspective: three children per day are verified as victims of abuse and neglect right here in our community. Pause a moment. Let that sink in: three per day...three per day. That’s three per day, every day. Day in and day out. Every month, every year. It never stops. And it’s getting worse.
But before you judge the parents, we have to try to understand the abusers as well as the children. What are the factors that cause these families to be at risk? Why have so many family structures broken down? What are we going to do to make a difference? This is the heart of what BAANK is trying to figure out.
(Thanks to Maureen Coble at Safe Children’s Coalition for the data found in this article.)
You sure you want to know? Knowledge requires action. Here are the facts:
In the 12th Circuit, almost 10,000 investigations of alleged abuse and neglect were conducted over the past 10 years. Picture each little boy or girl involved. How many were verified? Let’s look at the last 15 months: there have been over 1,800 verified findings of abuse and neglect just within our neighborhoods. Can we ever look up and down our streets the same way again?
So what happens to these children? In the current fiscal year (2011-2012), nearly 1,400 children have needed services from child welfare workers, with 854 in out-of-home care. Most live with friends and relatives, but over 300 lived in licensed foster care and group care homes.
Try not to get lost in the numbers. These are real children who exist in our community. They represent every race, ethnicity and socioeconomic level. Some enter the world and spend weeks in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, born with drug and/or alcohol addictions. Others are pre-teens or teens who suffer from physical, psychological and/or emotional abuse. All are victims of trauma. All have scars. All of them just want to be loved and feel secure. These children live in your neighborhood, go to your child’s school, and attend your churches.
The need never stops. About the same rate that children enter the system, they exit and others come in to take their places. For instance, in the current fiscal year, 675 children entered services and 731 exited. In one month (December 2011), over 100 children entered state care, most of them under the age of six. An army of workers are needed to care for these children. There are 69 authorized case managers overseen by Safe Children Coalition (SCC), a division of the YMCA and the lead agency for the Circuit. This does not account for the investigators, support services, volunteers, foster parents, grandparents, other relatives, or responsible friends.
But even the positives highlight the negatives. It's just as bad at the end of the day than when we started. We're not gaining ground. Over $24,000,000 has been allocated through the Department of Children and Families, a State of Florida agency—just for the 12th Circuit. Since 2005, almost 900 children have been adopted to forever families within the Circuit. On average, of the children who are removed from their homes and are then reunified with their families, 80% return home within 12 months. Currently, about 200 young people are being assisted in moving toward adult independence. These are good things, but they remind us that there is a deep problem that we have only just begun to alleviate.
Consider seriously this perspective: three children per day are verified as victims of abuse and neglect right here in our community. Pause a moment. Let that sink in: three per day...three per day. That’s three per day, every day. Day in and day out. Every month, every year. It never stops. And it’s getting worse.
But before you judge the parents, we have to try to understand the abusers as well as the children. What are the factors that cause these families to be at risk? Why have so many family structures broken down? What are we going to do to make a difference? This is the heart of what BAANK is trying to figure out.
(Thanks to Maureen Coble at Safe Children’s Coalition for the data found in this article.)
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