The Children Are Waiting...
If you have paid any attention to the news recently, you know the child welfare system is overburdened and underfunded as challenges continue to strain the system in our local area. Guardian ad Litem volunteers are advocating for children with more complex histories than in the past and more children continue to come into the system at an unprecedented rate.
Did you know that currently only 57% of dependent children are represented by a voice in court through the Sixth Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program?
That's because we need more committed advocates just like YOU! We recently conducted
 a survey to learn what myths volunteers had to overcome to take the leap and become a GAL volunteer. We will be using this information in social media campaigns to help dispel ideas and fears that others may have in hopes they will join us in the fight for children.
One of the things we learned in that survey is quite a few people became volunteers because someone else asked them. They inquired to learn more because they knew a Guardian ad Litem volunteer or they read about the issues of abused children in the paper. When is the last time you shared the work you do for abused, abandoned, and neglected children with your friends and/or neighbors (
maintaining confidentiality of course!)? People are drawn to making a difference in the life of child and we know GAL volunteers are changing children's lives everyday. Don't keep your volunteer role a secret! Help us make sure every child in court has a voice to help them navigate the tumultuous process.
Do you know of a civic group, neighborhood, club, house of worship, or other place we can help spread the word of the needs of our children? Contact Tawnee Walling at [email protected] or Amy Foster at [email protected]. Our Speaker's Bureau is looking for places to speak at!
Thank you for all you do for our children! Because of you, a child isn't alone during one of the most difficult times of their life.
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Saturday, March 24, 1 - 5 PM
Stetson Law School: 1401 61st St S Great Hall Gulfport, FL
Ever wondered what it is like to go to law school? Please join us for a tour of Stetson Law School followed by a BBQ and field day! Come out and see what law school is REALLY like! Afterwards, join us for games and food and talk with law students one-on-one about their experiences!
All teens must be accompanied by an adult.
Sponsored by: Child Advocates of Stetson Law. Please RSVP
here.
PTA Family Fun Day at the Park
Sunday, March 25, 12 - 3 PM
Freedom Lake Park: 9990 46th St. N Pinellas Park
Want to get out and enjoy the sunshine? Join the Pinellas County Council PTA for a fun day. Get active, play games and enjoy being together! More information
Financial Literacy Workshop 
Wednesday, March 28, 6 - 8 PM
Icot Office:
14102 58th St. N, Clearwater
Youth Ages 14 - 21
Join us for a fun, interactive workshop where you will learn the basics of banking and how to manage your money to meet your goals (whether that is saving up for a prom dress, car or a more long term goal). Pizza will be provided.
Participation gains youth access to a shopping day for a new new interview/work outfit and optional participation in a makeover and photo shoot! Register
here.
Saturday, April 7,
9AM - 12PM
Icot Office:
14102 58th St. N Clearwater
Youth Ages 13-21
JA Career Success equips students with the knowledge required to get and keep a job in high-growth industries. Students will explore the crucial workplace skills employers seek but often find lacking in young employees. Students will also learn about valuable tools to find that perfect job, including resumes, cover letters and interviewing techniques.
Brunch items and snacks will be served.
Participation gains youth access to a shopping day for a new new interview/work outfit and optional participation in a makeover and photoshoot!
Please register
here
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 Threshers Tickets Available
Tuesday, April 10,
7PM - 10PM
Spectrum Field
601 N. Old Coachman Rd, Clearwater, FL
Clearwater Threshers vs. Jupiter Hammerheads Tickets!!! Include free food prior to game time and $1 food an drink after 8pm. Please Register here.
Wednesday, April 11, 6 - 8 PM
Icot office:
14102 58th St. N, Clearwater
Many abused and neglected children have never had a birthday party, received a birthday card or had the pleasure of making a wish while blowing out candles on top of their very own cake. You can make a huge impact on a child's life with this simple, inexpensive gift. During this event we will create handmade birthday cards and put together birthday bags--this event is for people of all ages! For the list of what goes into a birthday bag and/or to register click
here.
Bingo At Hamburger Mary's
Wednesday, May 16, 7
- 10 PM
28910 US Hwy 19 Clearwater, FL
Come join us at Hamburger Mary's Clearwater on Wednesday, May 16th to eat, drink and be Mary...while raising funds to support children's needs in foster care! Bingo is $10 for 10 games--and we have great prizes! We will have a 50/50 raffle as well so bring cash and be ready for a good time. Reservations should be made in advance by calling 727-400-6996!
Saturday, May 19, 11 AM-3 PM
Celebration Station:
24546 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater
Is your GAL teen graduating from High School this winter/spring or completing their GED? This event is for them!!! We will be gathering on Saturday, May 19th at Celebration Station where teens can enjoy the Maximum Value Package: Unlimited Go-Karts and Bumper Boats, Pizza Buffet and Bottomless Soft Drinks from 12pm - 1pm, $10 of game play and 1 game of Laser Tag FREE. We will be providing pizza and soft drinks for GALS as well.
Looking for other events or interested in finding out when our volunteer committees meet?
There are 3 tabs at the top that let you sort by Foundation, GAL Program Pasco and GAL Program Pinellas -- never miss another event again!
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Q.P.I.
The Quality Parenting Initiative, a strategy of the Youth Law Center, is an approach to strengthening foster care, refocusing on excellent parenting for all children in the child welfare system. One of the resources they provide is "The Just in Time Web Show." This excellent resource explores topics like "Communicating with Foster Children about their Foster Care Case" and "Tips for New Foster Parents." To learn more about Q.P.I. click
here. To see "The Just in Time Web Show" episode guide click
here.
 Summer Camp/Activities Application Due Now!
Rolling Acceptance. Deadline May 11, 5 PM
Do you think it would be great for your GAL child or teen to be able to attend summer camp, but they are unable to afford the fee? We can help. Please confirm that the desired camp has space still available prior to applying as camps fill up fast! We will be accepting applications on a rolling basis so get your request as soon as possible
here. Please note, once you have received confirmation of your request, please forward to
[email protected].
Eckerd Connects E-Nini-Hassee Outdoor Therapeutic School for Girls
For adolescent girls who are having emotional or behavioral difficulties, Eckerd Connects' E-Nini-Hassee Outdoor Therapeutic School for Girls delivers fully-accredited education and counseling services in a therapeutic outdoor environment that fosters personal growth. For more information and to apply click
here.
Fun things to do with your GAL Child in Pasco County!
Are you looking for something fun to do with your GAL child in Pasco County? Check out the Land O'Lakes Library Calendar! There is something for everyone from 3-D Printing to Stamp Making to Intro to Tools for Jr Wood Workers, the Makerspace has it all!!! Look here to see all the workshops available!!
Camp Mariposa
Camp Mariposa St. Petersburg is an addiction prevention and mentoring program for children affected by a family member's substance use. It offers transformational weekend camps multiple times a year. Campers participate in fun traditional camp activities, combined with education and support exercises led by mental health professionals and trained mentors. Any child ages 9-12 living in the Tampa Bay area that is impacted by a family member's substance use is welcome to attend. FREE for all eligible children. For upcoming dates and more information click here.
FREE Prom Dresses Available
Belle of the Ball Project is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization which provides homecoming and prom dresses to in-need, low-income high school girls. To see a list of shopping days look
here.
Aging Out Assistance
Did you know we provide resources for youth who are about to age out or have aged out in the last few years? Requests are reviewed individually to ensure we are meeting the specific needs of each young adult. Aren't sure if something will be covered? We are here to talk through your requests-email [email protected].
2018 Merle Allshouse Scholarship
Merle Allshouse was a committed Guardian ad Litem volunteer with a lifelong passion for social justice and a fervent champion of providing accessible learning to all. Merle passed away in the Spring of 2016 and his family wanted to honor his passion for education and service to the Guardian ad Litem Program by creating an educational fund to support youth in care. This annual scholarship will be given to one or more youth each year who is pursuing post-secondary education. Read more and download application here.
Learn to Earn Program
Learn to Earn encourages youth to set and obtain educational goals by providing rewards that teach the importance of delayed gratification. Goal setting and delayed gratification are important personal traits found in successful individuals. Youth in foster care struggle with delayed gratification because often times in their childhood, parents and other caregivers made promises that went unfulfilled. In partnership with their Guardian ad Litem volunteer, youth set an individualized 9 week goal based on their unique situation. Youth may choose to work on improving attendance, improving their GPA, or improving their behavior. The goal setting form can be found here. Guardians will receive an email within 2 business days informing them if the goal/award has been approved. The Guardian will then work with their child on the goal for the specified period of time and then can complete another short form to receive the agreed upon reward, with the preference being an experiential award (such as a trip to the aquarium or the zoo). Learn to Earn reward has $100 limit per goal per child. Special thanks to the Allshouse family and other donors for supporting our children through this program.
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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. |
CALL FOR ENTRY
Emerging or Experience Artists who are GAL Volunteers:
GALs, Simon and Glen are putting together a curated art show to support Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay. Selected artists will have the opportunity to showcase a minimum of 3 pieces and up to 10 pieces. Selected artists will be provided an opportunity to sell their art on site between September 21st, 2018 to September 28th, 2018. Selected artists are required to donate one to two pieces of their art for a silent auction in which case 100% of proceeds will go to GALF. If the selected artist sells one piece for the silent auction then 20% of all other art proceeds of the artist's sale will go to GALF. If two pieces of the same artist's art sell in the silent auction then 10% of all other art proceeds of the artist's sale will go to GALF. If an artist's silent auction item raises $1,000.00 or more, the sales proceeds of the same artist for non-auctioned items will be 100% to the artist. Artists are to submit their portfolio for review. Artists are required to clearly identify art which they will want to showcase and art they will submit for silent auction. Artists are required to provide a brief text explaining their motivation no later than April 30th 2018 noon. To submit entry please email Simon and Glen here.
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Does Your Company Offer a Matching Gift Program?
A matching gift is a charitable donation by a corporation that matches an employee's donation to an eligible nonprofit organization, most often dollar for dollar. Thousands of companies across the country have matching gift programs. To see if your company might be one of them, look here:
If your company is not on this list, check with your HR Department to see if your company matches monetary donations or volunteer time.
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