July 2020
From the Executive Director
Dear Friend,

I don't know about you, but I sure thought that things might look different by the time we shared this update. Although things are not yet back to normal, we have much to celebrate this month. I hope you will keep reading to learn about our amazing scholarship recipients and other updates to support our children and families.

In our March newsletter, we announced our new Helping Hands Program to help caregivers in need. COVID-19 derailed it a bit, but we are now accepting applications for Helping Hands Projects to be completed in August! Please check out our Helping Hands Program here .

We've also heard from many of you that food insecurity is very real for our families right now. Please share this information about Summer Break Spots where caregivers can get free meals for children and teens: https://summerbreakspot.freshfromflorida.com/ and find additional resources for parents and caregivers here . Thanks to generous funders, we still have financial assistance available, keep reading to learn more.

We also know that many of our caregivers are wondering what is going to happen when schools reopen. Pasco County is requesting that all caregivers sign up their children for the option that works best for them. Pasco caregivers can sign up here: https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/reopening . The deadline has been extended to July 8 . Pinellas County School Board has not yet announced their plans for reopening so stay tuned; we believe their plan is likely to be similar to Pasco and allow for families to choose the option that works best for them every 9 weeks.

With gratitude,

Amy E. Foster
Executive Director
RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN, TEENS & FAMILIES
Helping Hands Applications Accepted now for August Projects!
Does your caregiver have a home project that they've been meaning to get to but just haven't been able to? Maybe we can help! Learn more about our new program  here  and see if it might be a good fit for your family's next project. Deadline for August projects is July 15th.
COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program
This program provides financial support to caregivers who have experienced economic disruption. For more information, see our website .
Our Education Form is Open!
We are resuming education requests for tutoring, laptops and other educational needs on the education form .

We are also excited to announce that we will be partnering with Berkeley Preparatory School to provide online tutoring for children in grades 2-5. These free tutoring sessions will be student led with faculty oversight and specialize in Math, Reading and Science. If you have a child in need of an educational resource, please submit a request today!
Divine Textures Hair Studio
Divine Textures Hair Studio in Gulfport is dedicated to ensuring that all foster families know how to care for the hair of all children in their home. They offer workshops on hair maintenance, product knowledge and professional hair services. For more information, please contact Shawna Chance at 727-564-7569.
Did you know that due to a lack of full participation in the Census in 2010, Florida lost $20.3 billion in revenue that could have helped our State? The Census helps to determine where federal funds are spent to provide support for critical programs and services that our community needs. Please make sure foster parents, relative and non-relative caregivers know to include the children for whom they are caring when the fill out the census! Here's the link to take the 2020 Census !
SCHOLARSHIP & CONTESTS
Speak Your Mind Contest
We want to hear teens thoughts on the current climate of racism in America. Teens can submit their entry in any form--spoken word, video, an essay, a photo collage or a piece of art.

Entries will be evaluated by a team of volunteers and cash prizes will be awarded to 3 entries! Teens can submit their entries by emailing them to Amandar@galf6.org. Entries must be submitted by 8/15/2020.  Thanks to VCA, Norm Bungard, for generously funding the Speak Your Mind Contest.
Congratulations to our 2020 Scholarship Winners! Each of these smart, strong, confident young women have worked hard to persevere through challenges, have shown great resiliency and have not only gotten excellent grades, but have been an active part of their schools and their communities.

Lippitt Perserverance Scholarship Winner
Janessa Fayard is a graduate of Countryside High School in Clearwater and will be attending St. Petersburg College with a major in Biology.

Allshouse Memorial Scholarship Winner
Selena Abbott is a graduate of Boca Ciega High School in St. Petersburg and will be attending Bethune Cookman University with a double major of English Education - ESOL and Psychology.

Perseverance Scholarship Winner
Juliette Martinez Matlock is a graduate of J.W. Mitchell High School in New Port Richey and will be attending University of North Florida with a major in Biomedical Science.

Janessa, Selena and Juliette, we know you are going to go on to do great things! Congratulations!
Nature in Art Contest
Drum Roll Please…….
Last month, we celebrated Foster Care Appreciation Month by co-hosting a drive through pick up event of fun activities families could do together. One of those activities was the Nature in Art Contest--creation of an art piece out of items found in nature. Congratulations to the Burke Family & the Blount Family for their winning submissions. We hope you enjoy your Grub Hub gift cards!
OPPORTUNITIES
TO SERVE
SuperHero 5K Virtual Committee Meeting
Monday, July 20; 12 - 1PM
Would you like to help plan the 6th Annual SuperHero 5K, Walk & Stroller Roll? We are looking for individuals to join this year’s 5k committee. If you would like to be a part of this conversation, join us!
Meeting log in details can be found here . I f you are unable to attend, but would like to be involved in future meetings, please email amandar@galf6.org .

Resource Development Committee
Tuesday, August 11; 1 - 2PM
Join us for a virtual Resource Development Committee meeting to discuss future funding and marketing opportunities. Details and meeting link here .
CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN

We are grateful to all who have made donations during this time and to Allstate Helping Hands Program and Jason Kurrack, Christine & Bruce Arians, Raymond James, Tampa Bay Rays/Rowdies Foundation, and Walmart Stores 1712 (Largo) and 2796 (Oldsmar).
We know times are hard and many of us have been hit with unexpected economic challenges, but if you are in a position to help, children need it now more than ever.

Help us make sure that every family caring for one of our children
has what they need to stay safe, well and healthy here.
We advocate for and support children, young adults, and families
impacted by abuse and neglect in Pinellas and Pasco Counties by collaborating
with community partners and the Guardian ad Litem staff and volunteers who support the children we serve.

We envision a community where every child and young adult is safe, secure and thriving. We believe every child deserves to have a permanent family and be well prepared for their future beyond foster care.
Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay | 727.464.6528 | Website
14250 49th St, Suite 4000 Clearwater, FL 33712