Cleft of the Rock Foundation, Inc. wishes you a
June 2019 Newsletter
Don't forget to make your shoe donations for our annual shoe drive!
We look forward to your donations this year.
Voices of the Village

Wisdom is defined as the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense and insight. We will utilize "Voices of the Village" to showcase wisdom from wise and wonderful parents.

Mothering is being happy knowing that you gave part of your life and may have sacrificed things like furthering your education and entertainment to raise good, respecting, and hard working children. You get to feel happy being a parent to good children who followed the example you led them by.

- Gloria Melendez





Thursday, June 6, 2019
Fathers and Families Event

This event is in celebration of Father's Day, so come out with the family for an evening full of fun and adventure.
We are collecting shoes for our shoe drive at this event, so be sure to bring your donations!

Date: Thursday, June 6th, 2019
Location: Xtreme Action Park
Time: 5-10 PM
5300 Powerline Rd Suite 210,
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309


Mother/Daughter Tea Party

Check out the photos from this fabulous event on our Facebook page:





I was Raised by the Village!
Michaelangelo Bullard
Nassau Christian Academy
9-Week Parenting on Purpose Video Series by Dr. Bob Barnes
 
 
We all know that children don’t come with instruction manuals, and with today’s barrage of seemingly opposing information and uncharted societal issues, parenting can seem overwhelming. The 9-week Parenting on Purpose Video Series seeks to help parents make sense of all the information, through proven and practical parenting solutions created by Dr. Bob Barnes. Dr. Barnes has a doctorate in counseling and received his education at Maryville College and Florida Atlantic University and he presents seminars and conferences on Parenting and Marriage throughout North America.

Parenting on Purpose Weekend Retreat

We are looking forward to hosting the Parenting on Purpose Video Series in a weekend retreat. It will be an opportunity for parents to immerse themselves in the series and connect with other parents. It will be hosted just a short drive away, so it's easy to get to. Childcare will be available so we encourage parents to bring their children and make this a fun family get away. We will also be offering surprise give-aways. The retreat will be Friday- Sunday. We look forward to seeing you there. More information coming soon.

9- Week Video Series

Location: Deerfield Beach, FL
Date: June 3rd- July 29th, 2019

Location: Coconut Creek, FL
Date: June 11th- August 6th, 2019

Weekend Retreat Parenting on Purpose Series
Date: October 4th-6th, 2019
Location: TBD

Every Family Has a Story



I believe an organization like Cleft of the Rock Foundation is vital in our society. I'm thankful that the founder, Latina Newsome, uses her passion to encourage and empower men and women to come together and learn to live as families and teach us how we can be better parents to the generations to come.

I met Latina in January 2016. Little did I know that my life was going to change so dramatically that year. I was a wife, heavily involved in my church. My husband and I were a bit out of balance when it came with our family time. As I shared with Latina, she gave me words of wisdom regarding being more balanced with my family time especially my time with my husband. I think sometimes we can get so involved with life that we lose perspective. Each morning I would get encouraged and coached on how I could be a better wife and employee. Latina even took the time to pray with me. 

I remember each week yet she would joke around with me and ask are we pregnant yet?? I would say no. She would say well what are you waiting for!! LOL! I was finally able to share with her on May 5, 2016 when I came to work and she asked me are we pregnant yet, that I wasn't sure, but I have a test and I went to the bathroom, came back to report that the test said "Error". We laughed and I went back to test again after drinking more water. This time I came back and I waved to her to come to one of the private rooms. I showed Latina the positive test and we cried and she prayed over me. 

She played a pivotal role for me in that time of my life because there was such imbalance. I didn't know how to really prioritize the basic things of life because I hadn't had a mother for over 20 years. So what many would think is normal, for me, was new. Learning about ovulation, and being intentional with my time alone with my husband and putting him first instead of ministry, my sister, whom I raised, and even my friends.

I didn't have the best pregnancy, and Latina remained with me through it all. She would remind me to pray with my husband and not to allow the stress of my job to hinder my pregnancy. Thankfully she spoke wisdom to me at that time, and I eventually had to take a leave of absence from work, which was all worth it to bring my daughter, Victoria Kathleen King, into the world healthy on 12/26/2016. 

When Latina started the foundation I was extremely happy because I realized it would be pivotal to us as we try to raise our daughter in the right way. 

In May of 2017 she extended an invitation to be apart of Cleft of the Rock Foundation. Our first meeting was August 12, 2017. I can honestly say my husband and I are still glad that we attended and were and are still open to learning and sharing.  
We have learned to learn to parent intentionally with our daughter. 
To put aside slots of time for her and our family whether it's at dinner time or in the morning. 
How to speak with Victoria and allow her to speak in her own little language teaching her how to communicate and how to express herself. 

I know we have ways to go but the milestones our daughter is reaching is due to us parenting intentionally. My husband and I honestly didn't know anything about this until we started attending the Cleft of the Rock Foundation, Conversations on Parenting meetings. 

This organization is vital for parents and communities so we can raise strong pillars for our society the next generation. We are preparing to attend the 9 week Parenting on Purpose series with Cleft of the Rock Foundation, and we cannot wait.  

Earl and Carmelisa King
Parenting on Purpose Support Sessions

Cleft of The Rock is committed to supporting each family we encounter. We recognize that in these times, it’s incredibly difficult to plan ahead or fit self-improvement as parents into our already jam-packed schedules. From hour-long commutes, to our kids’ extra-curricular activities, to overtime, or a million other time-consumers, it can seem impossible to keep your head above water much less commit to getting somewhere, even if you will leave that somewhere fulfilled, refreshed and better equipped to parent deliberately. 

We have good news! We’re introducing our Parenting On Purpose Support sessions (POPS), every Tuesday evening. The great news is you can dial in or join by Video chat from wherever you are! Jump in to let off steam, chime in, or just listen to the topic of the week...whatever you need.

POP or COP Alumni, stay tuned for details on how to join in!
Conversations on Parenting 

Click on the form below to register for an upcoming  Conversations on Parenting meeting.

June 29th (North Miami Beach, FL)


SPACE IS LIMITED, SO REGISTER TODAY!


Book of the Month


The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Ages 4+ 31 pages
Lesson Learned:
  • Generosity
  • Compassion
  • Selflessness

COTR, Inc. recommends that you purchase this short story and read it as a family with your children.

Complete your online purchases through  smile.amazon.com  to support Cleft Of The Rock Foundation.
Calling All Volunteers
Helping doesn't have to be complicated. Just use what you know how to do to help. That's called volunteering! We are in need of new volunteers and would greatly appreciate your time, in any way that you can contribute. If you have teenagers and they need hours for school, any time they volunteer with us can count towards their goal. If you would like to volunteer, simply click on the link below to fill out the form and we will contact you:

Thank you for your continued support!
Visit our website to make a $20 donation and receive a "Not Your Basic Parent" t-shirt. Help us spread awareness on who we are and what we do by sporting your t-shirt to work, the grocery store, your children's events, and more. Make your donation and then send us an email with your t-shirt size and we will get it to you.
Partners in Parent Education Program
The mission of Cleft of the Rock Foundation is to help abused and abandoned children and struggling families improve their circumstances through education, life-coaching, proper shelter, nourishment and work. Through the Partners in Parent Education Program, you can partner with us to raise awareness of the need for parent education, be able to offer more parent education opportunities to more families, and to build communities where families are strong and children are safe through the love and support of deliberate parenting.

We have a Major Gift Society Giving Circle that consists of 5 different levels to meet your budget and your desire to partner. These are yearly amounts that are tax deductible.

Please click on the link to join your circle, and become our partner. We are excited about the success we are having so far with the initiatives that we are engaged in, and we welcome your partnership. 

Cleft of the Rock Foundation | 954-736-8236 | info@cleftoftherockfoundation.org| www.cleftoftherockfoundation.org