Our mission is to provide advocacy and support to 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.
November 2018
From the Executive Director
Dear Guardian Volunteers and Supporters,
 
November is an exciting time at the Foundation. The holiday gift drive in is in full swing and it's the beginning of many festivities that help close out another year. One of the things we always look forward to celebrating if "Forever Families" because November is National Adoption Month. Each year, we give an adoption advocate award in honor of an unsung hero who exemplifies advocacy for adoption and this year, one of our very own, Conni Galbraith (a longtime Child Advocacy Manager) is the recipient! Keep Reading...
Come join us at one of our upcoming workshops to learn about our new Children's Needs Request Process and how you can make a direct request to the Foundation.
In Service Credit Provided.

Clearwater - November 14 11am-1pm
NPR - November 27 11am - 1pm
Dade City - November 27 4pm-6pm

Please register for your preferred date and location here:
UPCOMING EVENTS
Yuletide Skies
Saturday, November 17, 10:30 AM
St. Petersburg College Planetarium: 6605 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg
Dr. Craig Joseph will host the "Yuletide Skies" show for us! The planetarium will be decorated for the holiday season and you will be taken back in time 2000 years to see the astronomical events that may have inspired the Biblical account of the “Christmas Star." This is for children 5+.
Register here .
Holiday Magic Workshops
Pinellas Thursday, December 13, 3 PM - 6 PM
ICOT Office 14102 58th St. N Clearwater

Pasco Saturday, December 15,
10 AM -12 PM
Elks Club 9135 Denton Ave.
Hudson

For those GALS who have put in a wish list, we will be sending out an email in the coming days, letting you know where and when you can expect to pick up your gifts. We have attempted (to the best of our ability) to find the right donor for your child/ren based upon the pickup date(s) you specified in your application and your requests as certain donors have certain requirements.
RESOURCES
National CASA Webinars
Advocating for Youth Who are Dually Involved with Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Systems
Wednesday, November 14, 2:00 PM
Co-presented with Macon Stewart, Georgetown Center for Juvenile Justice Reform. Register here.

Families First Prevention Services Act and Congregate Care
Monday, December 10, 4:00 PM
Co-presented with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Register here.

Adoption Related Services of Pinellas
ARSP is a non-profit mental health agency whose primary focus is keeping families together, whatever type of family it may be. They provide in-home counseling, targeted case management, psychiatric services, comprehensive behavioral health assessments and parenting education and support. ARSP serves Pinellas and Pasco Counties. GALS can directly refer kids to ARSP by filling out a referral form here . For questions about services, please call 727-657-7761.
We are still looking for donations for our holiday toy workshops in both Pasco County and Pinellas County. For more information or to get a wish list of popular items, please contact Tawnee Walling .
CHAMPIONS FOR OUR CHILDREN
Congratulations to our SuperHero Award Winners

Stefaine Castro and Michael Chambers

Stefaine Castro: Stefaine was nominated by one of her employees, Kristen F. In her nomination, Kristen states, "Stefaine is hard working, empathetic, and a joy to be around. Stefaine helps her case management team get through their day by encouraging us to work hard and meet our agency's goals...As a child welfare case manager, she has given up a lot of her own personal life to care for children who are not her own. She visits the child and makes sure they have everything they need to ensure they are safe."

Michael Chambers: Michael was nominated by a fellow GAL, Taylor G. In her nomination, Taylor states, "Michael goes above and beyond for GAL children. I have seen how much he does to support one of his teens who is now in extended foster care. No matter how tough things get for this teen, he is always there for him. Even when this teen pushes everyone away Michael never gives up. I don't think many people could handle the level of commitment that Michael has made to this teenager, and I know it has changed this teen's life for the better."

Thank you to Kristen and Taylor for nominating these SuperHeroes! And thank you to Stefaine, Michael and all our nominees for their service to children in the dependency system here in Pasco and Pinellas Counties.
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPERHERO 5K SPONSORS

Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay | 727.464.6528 | Website
14250 49th St, Suite 4000 Clearwater, FL 33712