Dear Friends,
In this E-Newsletter we are sharing how with your help we are continuing our proud 47 year tradition of serving children, youth and families in crisis in our community. Also, we are celebrating the successes of some very special graduates, thanking our amazing community partners, volunteers and more.
|
|
Congratulations Class of 2021 |
|
Congratulations to our graduating seniors! You have demonstrated that goals and dreams can be reached with determination, opportunities and support. All of us at Crosswind are super proud of your major accomplishments and we wish you the very best!
Lydia, a participant in the Independent Living Program, received her Associates in Arts, Magna Cum Laude from Polk State College. Lydia’s future plan is to attend UCF and receive her Bachelors in Social Work.
Bethany, a past participant of the Civil Citation Program and a dedicated volunteer with Elusen Inc., at Crosswinds, and received her Bachelors of Science degree in Social Science Education from the University of Central Florida. Bethany’s future plans are to teach for a few years and then obtain her Master’s degree in Education Leadership.
Seth, a past participant of the Transitional Living Program, received his Bachelors of Arts in Economics from the University of Florida (UF) and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Economics from UF.
|
|
L to R: Keshawn Mallory, TLP Youth and
Lawrence McCalla, Counselor
|
|
Congratulations to Keshawn Mallory, the recent recipient of the Amy’s Fund Scholarship for young adults seeking further education and the Opportunity Fund Award to aid him in his transition from the Transitional Living Program (TLP).
We are all proud of Keshawn for reaching the Associate Level in the Transitional Living Program. He has been a wonderful advocate for his peers and will be mentoring future TLP youth. As Keshawn transitions we wish him all the very best in his future education at Eastern Florida State College and beyond.
Amy’s Fund is an endowment that was established in 2004 by Dr. and Mrs. Robert Lehton in memory of their beloved daughter, Amy Gellert.
|
|
Congratulations to Crosswinds’ SNAP team for being recognized with the “Consider It Done” award at this year’s SNAP LEAD conference! The award recognized the team’s determination to accomplish their goals to the best of their ability, during a challenging year and a half.
Stop Now And Plan (SNAP®), is an evidence-based behavioral model that provides a framework for teaching children struggling with disruptive behavior issues, and their parents, effective emotional regulation, self-control and problem-solving skills. The primary goal of SNAP is to keep children in school and out of trouble by helping them make better choices “in the moment.”
|
|
L to R: Katelyn Stiles and Katelyn Barber |
|
Thank You for Making a Difference |
|
Saint John the Evangelist Open Table Ministry and Crosswinds Youth Services have joined forces to address the issue of youth homelessness in Brevard County. The Open Table Model demonstrates the value of community, collaboration, purpose and targeted action planning.
Crosswinds and in particular the Transitional Living Program would like to express our deepest gratitude to the members of the Open Table Ministry of St. John and its parishioners, who have donated so much time, valuable talent and even some treasures in support of our Homeless Youth program. This partnership has not only had a dramatic impact on the youth themselves but on Crosswinds approach to supporting homeless youth.
The dedicated volunteer members of Open Table bring to our youth the relationships that they are lacking in their lives. They act as role models for them and help them navigate those first few steps in the vast possibilities of their adult lives. Simply by caring, they show them that they have value and that they can move on from their past and create something unique and beautiful with their lives.
Some of the memorable initiatives that were inspired by our Open Table volunteers include:
- A drive through graduation ceremony for our high school graduates
- Household donations to furnish all the homes in the TLP program
- TLP homes decorated for Christmas
- Parade of Homes Christmas Tour on Zoom
- A neighborhood barbeque to celebrate being COVID-free during the pandemic
- Generous monetary donations
- And so much more
|
For more information on the Transitional Living Program please contact Peter Phillips, TLP Coordinator at 321-452-0800 Ext. 185. |
|
Members of Open Table Ministry of St. John |
Members of Open Table Ministry of St. John
and TLP Youth
|
|
Recap of the 23rd Annual
Great Brevard Duck Race
|
|
We are beyond thrilled to announce that thanks to you, we surpassed our goal for the 23rd Annual Great Brevard Virtual Duck Race - 11,148 ducks were adopted and over $120,000 raised!
The proceeds raised will help us continue to work diligently to provide essential services for children, youth and families in crisis.
We wish to express our gratitude to our Sponsors, Duck Teams and Duck Adopters, Volunteers, Board and Staff!
We so appreciate the generosity and the very enthusiastic participation that you gave in making this event a tremendous success.
We look forward to our continued amazing partnership!
|
|
Clockwise from left to right: Sheriff Ivey, Mindy with Lite Rock 99.3, Scott DeMasso (owner of Space Coast Honda), Florida Business Bank Team, Construction Engineering Team, and
David Smith (General Manager) with Seaport Canaveral
|
|
A Very Special Thank You to Our
Top Duck Sponsors
|
|
|
|
A BIG thank you to all of our ducktacular duck teams that led the way in getting over 11,000 ducks adopted – we couldn’t have done it without you!
A huge congratulations to these Top Duck Teams for getting the most ducks adopted throughout the community. Each top duck team received a distinctive duck trophy.
|
|
L to R: Katrina Hancock, Laurie Capelli, President of CCU, and Jackie Barnes |
|
Top Bank is Community Credit Union. This enthusiastic team led by Laurie Cappelli, got 1,451 ducks adopted! Also, congratulations to Katrina Hancock for leading the way in duck adoptions along with Jackie Barnes for placing 2nd place for the CCU team. -- The grand prize and two other winners adopted their lucky ducks from CCU!
|
|
L to R: Aaron Frisbee and Lisa Cullen, CFC |
|
Top Community Team is the Brevard County Tax Collector’s Office (Team known as the Quack Collector). This incredible team led by Lisa Cullen got 400 ducks adopted!
|
|
TLP Youth, Open Table Volunteers, and TLP Staff |
|
Top Team at Crosswinds is the Transitions Team. This awesome team with the help of the youth in the Transitional Living Program and volunteers of the Open Table group got 444 ducks adopted!
|
|
Marycarol Lyons, CYS Staff |
|
Also, congratulations to Marycarol Lyons for placing 2nd place for the Ducks for Youth team at Crosswinds!
|
|
L to R: Bonnie Galloway, Grand Prize Winner of a 2-year free lease on a 2021 Honda Civic and
Scott DeMasso, Owner of Space Coast Honda
|
|
We are asking if you would please help in our annual Back to School Drive for the 2021-2022 school year to support the youth served by Crosswinds programs. Your efforts will help ensure that children and youth will be ready for the new school year.
How You Can Help
- Please take a look at our supply needs below and items can be dropped off at Crosswinds starting July 12th – July 30th, at 1407 Dixon Blvd., Cocoa, Building C, in the lobby from 8:30 am – 4 pm Monday – Friday.
-
Make a donation toward the purchase of school supplies online on our website at www.crosswindsyouthservices.org by clicking the donate button.
-
Shop for school supplies online on Amazon by clicking this link CYS Wish List
|
|
Amazon Smile
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets you enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features on Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to Crosswinds.
We would very much appreciate it if you designate Crosswinds Youth Services, Inc. as your organization of choice.
|
|
|
Crosswinds Youth Services, Inc.
321-452-0800
www.crosswindsyouthservices.org
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR CROSSWINDS YOUTH SERVICES, INC., A FLORIDA BASED NONPROFIT CORPORATION (REGISTRATION NUMBER: CH70) MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE, OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE www.800helpfla.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
