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Note from the Executive Director
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In our last update,
we are added a new feature called One Voice, One Child highlighting how one person made a difference in the life of one child. This month we share the story of Trinity and Destiny and how a husband and wife GAL team ensured normalcy while in care and that all the supports were in place for a successful reunification. We hope that you will help encourage your friends, neighbors, and colleagues to join the "I am for a Child" movement by sharing these success stories. The children are waiting and they need you NOW. Today in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, we still have 1,064 children without a Guardian ad Litem volunteer to serve as their voice in court.
Registration is now open for our 1st Annual SuperHero 5K on September 26. Join us and help spread the word about this fun event to raise community awareness of the needs of children in care.
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Angels Against Abuse Annual Mad Hatter Tea Party
September 19, 2:00-5:00 PM
The Coliseum; St. Petersburg
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!
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.
1st Annual SuperHero 5K, Walk and Stroller Roll
September 26, 7:00 AM
War Veteran's Memorial Park;
9600 Bay Pines Blvd, St. Petersburg
You can make a difference and be a SuperHero to a child while having fun too! The race course includes on and off road paths, extensive tree canopies, relics honoring heros of Pinellas County (fallen service members), and portions of the course overlooks the beautiful Boca Ciega Bay. We will kick off at 7:30 a.m. with a 5k Run and 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.
Register today: http://bit.ly/1gtHDjj
Can't attend but want to help? We are still seeking sponsorships. More information can be found here.
Painting with a Twist FUNdraiser
September 27, 1:00-4:00 PM
Painting with a Twist; 8351 State Road 54, Trinity
Painting with a Twist Trinity is partnering with the Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay to support the needs of children  in foster care. A talented team of instructors guides you step by step through the featured painting while you unwind and unleash your creative side. Bring a friend, your
favorite non-alcoholic beverage (wine will be available), some snacks- and leave with the finished masterpiece you see here. $10 of every reservation will be donated back to the Foundation. A 50/50 raffle, drawings for door prizes, and other surprises will make this a fun-filled afternoon.
Register (Enter GAL as your promotion code): http://www.paintingwithatwist.com/events/viewevent.aspx?eventID=409324
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Resources for Parents: Daystar Life Center
Daystar Life Center was founded in 1982 "of people helping people." Daystar assists adult individuals and families with basic necessities and emergency assistance including: rent/utilities, obtaining identification, transportation, and tax services. They take walk-ins daily from 8:30 AM-3:00 PM. More information can be found on their website here.
Cuts for Kids
A generous donor has pledged assistance for children in need of haircut services so they can start the school year looking their best. Email
[email protected] for more information.
Pasco & Pinellas County Foster & Adoptive Parent Associations
Did you know there is a resource available for the foster and adoptive parents of the children you advocate for? Foster and adoptive parent associations in each county provide training, networking, and monthly meetings to assist families. Membership events include back to school supplies, year round gifts in kind, birthday gifts, and a holiday gift program as well.
Pinellas:
http://www.pcfapa.org/index.html
Pasco:
http://pascofapa.com/
GAL Volunteer Training Resources
The Florida Guardian ad Litem Program offers a number of online videos and training to support volunteers' advocacy. The newest online training explains everything a GAL Volunteer needs to know about the courtroom process: courtroom rules, practice and procedure
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Learn more:
http://guardianadlitem.org/training-advocacy-resources/volunteer-training/
Children's Needs Requests
The Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay supports requests from Guardian ad Litem volunteers to provide for
emergency needs, tutoring, and normalcy requests to assist the participation of GAL children in age appropriate extracurricular activities. Contact your CAC to submit a
request.
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Children Who Have a Guardian ad Litem
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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
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Support the
Guardian ad Litem Foundation
of Tampa Bay
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| To provide advocacy and support for abused, abandoned, or neglected children in the Guardian ad Litem Program of Pinellas and Pasco Counties. |
| We envision a world where every child has a safe and permanent home with the opportunity to thrive. |
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Raymond James Financial Supports "Write Start" Program
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The Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay promotes improved educational outcomes for foster youth through the Write Start Program which includes a variety of activities: financial support for tutoring and
other educational enrichment opportunities, training to support Guardian ad Litem volunteers to become
educational advocates to ensure more students receive individualized education plans that identify supports and services children need to succeed, and
basic resources to support student success (i.e. laptops, tablets, school supplies, calculators, etc.). Last week, we also distributed almost 500 high quality backpacks with school supplies specific to children's grade and school.
Everybody has a role in improving the educational outcomes of youth in care and we are pleased to partner this year with
Raymond James
in this endeavor. For over 53 years, Raymond James has been a leader in philanthropy and community support.
Thank you to Raymond James!
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Bingo at Hamburger Mary's Clearwater a Success
Thanks to everyone who came out to eat, drink, and be Mary in June while raising money to help support kids in care. We packed the house and fun was had by all. We even had some new folks learn more about child advocacy that are interested in becoming volunteers! Thanks to all of your support, we raised almost $5,000 to support children's needs in one evening.
Hamburger Mary's Clearwater also generously donated $3,000 to support the cause because our charity raised the most dollars of any organization in June. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a big success. Next time you are hungry, help us support local businesses that support our mission. You can find more info on hours, menu, etc
here.
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youth 2-13 years old includes face painting, games, hula hooping, photo booths, and more. Seats are limited; register by August 28th.
