Note from the Executive Director
In our last update we thanked you for your support during Give Day Tampa Bay. We also asked that you help raise awareness of the over 1,000 children in care without a Guardian ad Litem volunteer safeguarding them. To that end, we are adding a new e-newsletter feature this month called One Voice, One Child. This feature will highlight how one person made a difference in the life of one child. Meet Christian and learn his story here. We hope that you will help us multiply the power of one by sharing our story with your friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

Don't forget to mark your calendars for our 1st Annual SuperHero 5K on September 26.  Sponsorship opportunities are available. More information can also be found on our website.
Upcoming Events
Truly Amazing Pinellas Resource Race 
June 5; 8:00 AM-5:00 PM 
Ready for Life; 4000 Gateway Centre Blvd, Pinellas Park

Youth age 16-23 learn over 200 life skills and local resources through hands on activities-amazing race style. The finish line party will be from 3:00-5:00 PM at Quaker Steak and Lube.
RSVP: [email protected] 

 

Bingo FUNdraiser

June 8; 7:30 PM

Hamburger Mary's; 28910 US Hwy 19, Clearwater
Eat, drink, and be Mary-have fun with friends or colleagues and raise money for a good cause at the same time. We have some amazing gift baskets as prizes and there will also be a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds will support children's needs.

Reservations Strongly Suggested: 727-400-6996

$10/person 

 

Pasco Beach Day at Gulf Harbors Beach 
June 13; 11:00 AM-3:30 PM
Gulf Harbors Civic Center; Corner of Flora Mar and Top Sail (in Gulf Harbors subdivision), New Port Richey 
GAL Peggy Miller is hosting a fun day in the sun for GAL children and their Guardian and/or foster parents. Pizza and drinks will be provided as well as sand toys and other activities. Children must be accompanied by an adult and everyone must enter at the same time in order to be accompanied to the private beach. The capacity for this event is limited so sign up today!

Questions: Contact Peggy Miller, 727-992-8846

RSVP: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f084fada92aa2fb6-pasco 

 

Games Galore Summer Fun 
July 18; 12:00 PM

Stop N Play, 10933 US Hwy 19, Port Richey
Beat the summer heat and join us for fun at Pasco County's largest game room and family entertainment center. Fun passes are limited and on a first come first served basis. Fun passes include: tokens, redemption tickets, golf pass, and two food items. Children must be accompanied by their GAL and/or foster parent or caregiver.

Questions: Fran Scerbo, [email protected]
RSVP: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F084FADA92AA2FB6-games 

 

Let's Play Ball!

Various Dates June-September

Brighthouse Field; 601 N. Old Coachman Road, Clearwater

The Clearwater Threshers are a Minor League baseball team based in Clearwater and we have received a generous donation of four (4) tickets per local game for this entire season!  Now is your chance if you haven't attended a game yet and there are many food specials, give-a-ways and fireworks throughout the season.  Special thanks again to Guardian ad Litem LoriJean McNally and Millennium Commercial Cleaning Services, Inc. for donating these season tickets to us for the fourth year in a row!  

Please visit the team's website at www.Threshersbaseball.com

to see the game schedule and special promotional days. Tickets are available for both Pasco and Pinellas GAL children, GALs, and caregivers or foster families.  Please contact either Dawn Friejo at (727) 464-6528 in Pinellas or Jean Walder at (727) 834-3493 in Pasco to reserve your tickets.     

 

Save the Date: 1st Annual SuperHero 5K, Walk and Stroller Roll
September 26, 7:00 AM

War Veteran's Memorial Park;9600 Bay Pines Boulevard, St. Petersburg

Every child needs a hero but abused children need superheroes. This event will raise community awareness of the 3,000 children in Pinellas and Pasco Counties who have been removed from their homes by no fault of their own. We will also use money raised to make a difference in the lives of children in foster care here in our local community. The event will kick off at 7:00 a.m. with the 5K Run and we will also have a 1 mile fun run for children.  Awards will be given for top qualifiers and all participants will receive a medal. Superhero costumes are encouraged-grab a group of friends or colleagues and form a team to multiply the fun. Registration information will be posted shortly. Sponsorship information can be found here.  

 

Save the Date: Painting with a Twist FUNdraiser

September 27, 1:00-4:00 PM
Painting with a Twist; 8351 State Road 54, Trinity Bring a few friends, your drink of choice and paint with a purpose. You will leave with your very own individualized masterpiece. Registration information will be posted shortly.
$45/person  

 
Resources Available

Write Start: Backpack and School Supplies Available 

School is barely over but the Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay is already getting ready for back to school. Backpacks with grade specific school supplies are available for request for school age children in the Guardian ad Litem Program from VPK-12 th grade on a first come first served basis.
Please complete the request form no later than June 15th to be considered. Pinellas backpacks will be available for pick up at the ICOT Office on August 5th. Pasco backpacks will be available for pick up at the New Port Richey Office on August 7th.  

 

 

Operation Coexist Rock Camp

Operation Coexist is working in a collaborative effort with Noisemaker's school to create an interactive and fun learning environment for students of all skill levels. Camps run weekly and instruments are provided. Thanks to a special partnership, Operation Coexist is offering this camp to kids in care free of charge. Camp will conclude with an end of summer Student Showcase where students are given the opportunity to perform on a big stage for friends, family and the community!
Senior applications due June 30th.

Apply:https://www.operationcoexist.org/rock-camp/  

 

Summer Break Spot 

When school is out, the Summer BreakSpot is in! The Summer BreakSpot fills the nutrition gap during the summer by serving breakfast and lunch to children 18 years and younger so they can return to school healthy, happy and ready to learn. Find a feeding location now.  

 

Did You Know? Teens in Extended Foster Care Edition

Teens enrolled in extended foster care are technically classified as homeless and unaccompanied. Therefore, under the McKinney-Vento Act they have certain rights. One major right is to remain in the school they were enrolled in the day before they became homeless - regardless of the district they are moved to. Transportation will be provided to maintain their enrollment at their home school. There are also other support services available to the child including backpacks and school supplies as well as all graduation fees. Other needs may be covered as they come up. For more information, contact the
Pinellas Homeless Education Assistance Team:
http://web.pcsb.org/homeless/files/Homeless%20pamphlet10-11.pdf or the Pasco Students in Transition Team: http://www.pascohomelesscoalition.org/about-us/our-programs/.

 
Water Safety for Kids  

It's that time of year-and teaching children water safety is a key part of reducing drownings. In 2014, 73 Florida children died due to drowning, and Florida loses more children under the age of five to drowning than any other state in the nation. These deaths are 100% preventable. Free coloring sheets, activities, videos, and more are available online. Water safety programs are also available free of charge to groups. 
http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/child-welfare/water-safety-for-kids 

 

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Across the United States, almost 7.8 million children are living in homes where grandparents or other relatives are the householders, with more than 5.8 million children living in grandparents' homes and nearly 2 million children living in other relatives' homes. These families are often called "grandfamilies."Find resources for grandfamilies-including programs, benefits, and assistance.

http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Grandparents.shtml 


Children's Needs Requests
The Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay supports requests from Guardian ad Litem volunteers to provide for
emergency needs as well as normalcy requests to assist the participation of GAL children in age appropriate extracurricular activities. Contact your CAC to submit a request.
 

    
Children Who Have a Guardian ad Litem
Do Better in School
Have Fewer Placement Changes
Receive More Services
More Likely to be Adopted
Spend Less Time in Foster Care
Are 50% Less Likely to Return to Care 

Support the 
Guardian ad Litem Foundation 
of Tampa Bay
 
 
Our Mission
To provide advocacy and support for abused, abandoned, or neglected children in the Guardian ad Litem Program of Pinellas and Pasco Counties. 
Our Vision
We envision a world where every child has a safe and permanent home with the opportunity to thrive.
Duke Energy Foundation Supports Safe & Sound Program

 
Beds, mattresses, bedding, car seats, and clothing are the items of greatest need most often requested by Guardian ad Litem volunteers working to ensure children are stabilized from crisis situations. These items are necessary to ensure that children removed from their homes are able to be placed quickly in a safe and caring environment. The Duke Energy Foundation is working with the Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay to help meet the basic needs of abused and neglected children in the child welfare system in Pinellas and Pasco Counties. Thank you Duke Energy Foundation!  
Learn more here.
Learning to Ride
(and Learning to Let Go!)

Guardian ad Litem, Dawn Freijo, recently had the joy of participating in a right of passage for two children she advocates for-helping them learn how to ride a bike. Thanks to a generous donation from Outback Steakhouse and the Heart Gallery of Pinellas and Pasco Counties , two children not only received bikes but received a little piece of normalcy while learning a skill they will never forget.
Read more here.
 
Quick Links
Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay
Guardian ad Litem Program of Pinellas and Pasco
Eckerd Community Alternatives
Camelot Community Care
Directions for Living
Lutheran Family Services
Youth & Family Alternatives

Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay | 727.742.2869 | [email protected] | http://www.galf6.org
14250 49th St N
Suite 4000
Clearwater, FL 33762