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New CEO shares thoughts, inspirations and plans for the futureI have had to write numerous columns during my career that were meant to motivate and inspire others. Many times I was literally grasping for some spark of imagination, inspiration and creativity. I usually ended up discovering that through the act of writing for others, I could in turn often inspire myself.
I have needed to keep myself inspired of late. I have just closed one important chapter of my life, leaving the Department of Children and Families. While in the process of closing that chapter, I was also rushing toward a new, unwritten one. This new chapter will, I hope, be one of the most rewarding eras of my life. This new chapter is working at United for Families. My almost manic flipping back and forth between the excitement of moving to my new job, while still managing to treat an agency that had been such a big part of my life for 16 years with care and reverence, was tough. I wanted to make sure that all my final assignments were done to perfection, and that I left everything in the best shape I could. Then came Wilma. After Wilma everything slowed down and seemed to slip into its own slot, much like a toddler's puzzle.
No, this is not going to be an article about following your fate and everything turning out the way it is meant to turn out. It is also not an article about hurricanes. This is going to be an article about Wilfred Grenfell. I can only assume that you are thinking, "Wilfred who?" Well, I found Wilfred when I began to search for inspiration for this article.
Sir Wilfred Grenfell is a legend in Newfoundland and Labrador. Grenfell left England to research the lives of the fishermen of Labrador in 1892. What Grenfell discovered when he went to Labrador was abject poverty and destitution, and he decided he would do whatever it took to change that situation. He fundraised, built hospitals and schools, and ultimately he literally changed the lives of thousands of people. Wilfred said, "The service we render others is the rent we pay for our room on Earth."
Each of us needs to determine just how much rent we intend to pay for our room on Earth, and in this business we know we are paying rent heavily. I want to assure each of you that I, too, intend to pay a great deal of "rent" by helping to develop a system of care for the children and families in our community of which we can all be proud. To do this I will need your help. Please tell me your thoughts, your ideas and your concerns. Let's always communicate openly and honestly. This is how we will best be able to work together. At the end of the day we will have transformed our world and provided "true service to others."
I am looking forward to our time together and the many, many things we will accomplish.
Christine
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UFF News
- The Mobile Crisis Intervention Unit rolls into the community this month to bring services to at-risk families.
The program, which sends teams of couselors and case managers to homes under investigation for child abuse or neglect, is a partnership between UFF and New Horizons.
- United for Families' first agency fundraising event is planned for October 2006 and features a masquerade ball, raffle and silent auction.
- Candy Grams go on sale Dec. 5 at the UFF administrative offices and service centers. The grams are $1 each. Buy one for a friend and personalize it, and UFF directors will hand deliver it the week before Christmas. It's a fun way to spread holiday cheer and to help UFF earn a little "seed" money for future fundraising events.
- UFF will host an open house of its newly renovated administrative offices February 14.
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Foster Parent News- All foster homes who registered to participate in this year's Adopt a Family have holiday sponsors. More than 75 businesses, churchs, social groups and individuals have come forward to help.
- The St. Lucie County Foster Family Christmas party is from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Club Med. Call David Hall at 201-9701 for more information.
- The Junior League of Indian River County will once again host the Christmas party for foster families in Vero Beach and Sebastian. The party is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Heritage Center in Vero Beach.
- Martin County foster families are invited to a night of holiday cheer Dec. 22. The party is from 7-8:30 p.m. at Chuck E. Cheese.
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Community News
- The Okeechobee Toys 4 Tots will host a Christmas party and gift distribution for all Okeechobee clients of United for Families from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 17 at the Recreation Outreach Center, First Baptist Church, Okeechobee. UFF sent invitations to all homes, including foster families.
- Holiday Kicks and UFF present Blue Suede Shoes and You! from 4-7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Club Med. Cost is $10. All donations will be used to purchase shoes for needy children. Holiday Kicks is a volunteer program operated by Kari Pebley and Safe Harbor Financial, in Port St. Lucie.
- My Aunt's House, an Okeechobee clothes closet available to foster parents and the community, is hosting a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the American Legion. Buy in is $75 and will benefit the closet.
- More than 40 corporations and local businesses are sponsoring toy drives for children in the protective services of United for Families. The combined drives are expected to produce approximately 3,500 gifts for children in both in-home and out-of-home services.
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