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United for Families encourages education among foster youth; awards newest college graduatePort St. Lucie – United for Families honored Rebecca Morgan, the agency’s second Associates of Arts degree recipient in its Road to Success program, May 28, with a $1,000 incentive award.
Morgan, 21, was given the award for pursuing a higher education. The former foster child is studying social work in an effort to give back to the system she credits with her success.
“I came into foster care at 16 because both my parents were alcoholics and addicts,” said Morgan, who now works within the very system that raised her – at United for Families, helping teen foster children pursue their independence.
“Some children are blessed when they enter into care, and others are not,” she said. “I was a child who was blessed.”
Morgan said her blessings came when she entered United for Families’ Road to Success program, which teaches independent-living skills to teenagers in foster care. Morgan credits the program and its staff for helping her to become a successful adult. She now works for the program and plans to continue her education.
“I never thought about my plans for after high school graduation until I was encouraged to go to college,” Morgan said. “Road to Success gives older children who enter care the hope and confidence they need.”
United for Families began its incentive award to motivate and award foster children who graduate high school and continue their education.
Nationally, children who grow up in the foster care system are more likely to become homeless, teenage parents or imprisoned than to attend college, said Leigh Ann Gilcher, program supervisor.
“Many foster children age out of care without a family support system or an address to come home to,” Gilcher said. College, for many of them, isn’t even a thought.
United for Families, however, is trying to change these facts for teenagers through the Road to Success program. The program teaches foster youth the ABCs of adulthood – skills that include budgeting, interviewing for jobs and maintaining a household.
The incentive award is one component to the program. United for Families Board President Pat McCoy presented the award to Morgan during a board of directors meeting. Ashley Ritchie, who is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, was the first award recipient. |
United for Families recently hosted a retreat for staff with a focus on team-building and fun. From left, Maria Spalding, Lea Tate, Shannon Veilleux, Tara Jempty, Lisa Carter and Simon Nyako.
Volunteers were invited to this year's retreat as a way to say thank you for their work and to help them become better acquainted with staff. Here are a couple of regulars, Gayle Mills, left, and Marge Skillman.
Some newer volunteers also attended the event, which was held at Jaycee Park, in Fort Pierce. From left are, Jamela Johnson, Nichole Rouse and Julie Nichol, who have since participated in a number of United for Families activities.
From left, Denise Rivan, Pauline McIntosh and Margie Dotson play a friendly game of Connect Four! Other events included hula-hooping, dancing and, or course, eating.
Deborah Reyner and Chief Executive Officer Christine Demetriades get caught up during the daylong picnic. The event, now in its fourth year, is a mandatory day away from the office.
United for Families hosted its Third Annual Teeing Off Fore Kids Charity Golf Tournament May 8. Several student volunteers helped register golfers including longtime volunteer Lindsey Bordner, shown here with her boyfriend, Jack Bullers.
Rob Torsiello, who owns and operates Behavior Basics and The Secrets of Modern Parenting with his wife and partner Karin Torsiello, was the golf tournament's main sponsor. Here, Rob is first from the left, shown with members of his two golf teams.
Hometown News was the golf event's media sponsor. Here, the Hometown News team, led by Publisher Steve Erlanger, third from left, pauses for a picture before a relaxing day of golf. Hometown News has been a consistant supporter of United for Families.
Golf volunteers included, from left, Nichole Rouse, Jamela Johnson, Julie Nichol and, front, Emily Kaiser. The group assisted in an array of activities, from registering golfers, to selling raffle tickets.
Event sponsor and golfer Rob Torsiello buys an arms-length of raffle tickets from Volunteer Nichole Rouse. Torsiello is also among the founding members of United for Families' sustaining donor program.
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United for Families News
- MASTER JEWELER CHAIRS UNITED FOR FAMILIES GALA -- EN PARIS
Terry Rieger knows a gem when she sees one – and she’s given a five-diamond appraisal to United for Families for its leadership of the local child welfare system.
“I believe in the work United for Families does,” said Rieger, master jeweler and owner of Diamonds by Terry, in Stuart. “I also believe that we are all responsible for the welfare of children in this community.”
That’s why she agreed to chair United for Families’ 2009 fundraising gala – the Toyota of Stuart Le Bal Masque. The annual event raises money for the organization’s Road to Success program, which prepares teenagers for life outside the foster-care system.
Rieger first became involved with United for Families during its 2008 masque, when she donated a piece of jewelry specially made for the event. The smoky quartz necklace was a popular item in the gala’s live auction, and helped United for Families raise more than $20,000.
Rieger said she will design another piece of jewelry for this year’s event, which is scheduled for October 24 at Willoughby Golf Club. This year’s theme is “Le Bal Masque in the City of Light” and features a traditional French five-course meal. The event will travel to a new exotic location every year thereafter.
Pre-sale tickets will be available beginning August 1. Tickets are $100 a piece or $700 for a table of eight. Beginning September 1, tickets will increase to $125 per person and $800 per table. For information about United for Families, or for ticket information, please call Christina Kaiser at 398-2920 Ext. 298, or visit www.unitedforfamilies.org.
- GOLFERS RAISE MONEY TO END CHILD ABUSE
United for Families ended a multi-event celebration of National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month May 8 with the successful completion of its Teeing Off Fore Kids Charity Golf Tournament.
The third annual event was hosted at Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club, where more than 60 golfers spent the day driving, putting and chipping to raise money for children and teenagers served by the local child-welfare system.
Winners include: Andy Tate, Chase Hawthorne, Jerry Haught and Jeff Stover for first place net; and Mike Chebanoff, Mike Lloyd, Dan Seropian and Randy Ricker for first place gross.
The tournament brought to a close a series of events and media activities that began in March to increase awareness for the prevention of child abuse.
Other events included a 5K run, a dedication ceremony, a community luncheon and a month-long series of public service announcements on cable television. The 30-second ads were sponsored by the law office of Reich & Mancini.
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Caregiver News
- Daisy Ruiz, a St. Lucie County foster parent who spent much of her time collecting clothing for children in the foster-care system, lost her year-long battle with cancer May 25, 2009, with friends and family by her side. A memorial service was held for Daisy May 30. She leaves behind a husband, Joe, and three adopted children.
- Foster parents who have not yet registerd for the June 19 appreciation dinner should do so immediately. Please call Katherine at 398-2920. Caregivers who want to attend the June 21 pool party with their families can also register with Katherine.
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Community News
- United for Families and Photographics will team up this summer to help raise money for children and families served by the local child-welfare system. Photographics is part of the Coast 101.3 Florida Lifestyles Expo June 13 at the Treasure Coast Square, in Jensen Beach. A percent of all sales Photographics makes during the event will go to United for Families. The expo will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and feature rest, relaxation, home, health, beauty, fitness, finances and recreation.www.photographicsusa.com
- SportClips Haircuts and United for Families partnered June 4 for a Fathers Day Cut-a-Thon. United for Families received half the proceeds – or $7.50 – from every cut the Jensen Beach salon sold. Results of the day still are being tallied, though the day's business was steady. www.sportclips.com
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