Foundation for Foster Children

The Foundation for Foster Children is excited to announce its newest initiative, the BEST program.  BEST stands for Building Educational Support Together.   This pilot project will fund in-home tutoring for children in licensed foster care in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties in the third and sixth grade who are not performing at grade level.

The long term goal of the program is to increase the number of foster children graduating from high school, entering college and finding gainful employment – to move the needle on the appalling current statistics .  Short term goals include having 75% of the enrolled children improve their academic performance, specifically by obtaining a C average and a minimum of a 2 on the FCAT in 2012.

Working with partners such as Dept. of Children and Families, case management organizations, Guardian ad litems, educational liaisons and the juvenile courts, Foundation board members have put together a collaborative program that will begin July 15, 2011 and continue for one year.

The Universal Orlando Foundation recently awarded a $25,000 grant to the BEST program.

The 2nd Annual PANERA BREAD Blue Ribbon Bagel Campaign was held on Friday May 6th.

The reason? To honor National Foster Care Month and help raise money for the Foundation for Foster Children, to help provide for the unmet needs of over 1500 kids in foster care throughout Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. 100 percent of the proceeds from every ribbon bagel sale benefited the Foundation, which helps to bring normalcy to foster kids through everything from birthday presents to part-time jobs, summer camps and tutoring support.

It’s rare for a business to donate all of its proceeds to a cause —but Panera has been one of the biggest supporters of foster kids in the region, often by helping them find employment at one of the Panera stores.

May is National Foster Care Month; a time to shine a light on the growing needs of our youth in foster care. All children deserve a safe, happy life with nurturing adults by their side. But foster youth especially need this love and support as their own families are in crisis and unable to care for them. “This vulnerable population needs our guidance and we are so excited to be able to make a positive impact and perhaps even change the life of a child,” saysAnnette Ford, with the Central Florida Panera franchise.

Almost 6000 blueberry ribbon bagels were sold and all 31 Central Florida and East Coast Panera Bread Market Cafés participated in the ribbon bagel campaign.

“It not only raised financial resources to help us support our community’s youngest victims of abuse and neglect, but much needed awareness”, says FFC President, Michelle Carlton. Through the efforts of the Foundation, Panera is providing training and employment opportunities for foster youth and building brighter futures. “Panera is a great advocate and supporter of these youth!” says Carlton.

Sincere appreciation to Panera Bread, our collaborators and WFTV 9, Clear Channel Outdoor, Winter Park Magazine and several Central Florida radio stations for media awareness in support of Panera Blue Ribbon Bagel Day.  And our many thanks to all of you and the community who supported the Foundation and our mission through the purchase of blue ribbon bagels!

Danielle and Melanie – Youth who have been employed with Panera Bread for over 2 years

Winter Park Panera Café – Team members share the spirit of blue selling Blue Ribbon Bagels!

Books! Pandas! and More! Oh My!

The Foundation for Foster Children is grateful for the generous support provided by the Central Florida Christian Chamber and FunSpot International Drive for hosting several hundred foster children and their families recently.

Among the nonprofit child welfare agencies represented, Foundation volunteers were on hand sharing program information, family resources, new reading books, stuffed animals and activities for each child to take home and enjoy.

“It was a touching occasion to those of us who personally enjoyed meeting every child as they chose a new book or snuggled with a stuffed Panda. To see the bright smiles on the kids faces and hear their words of gratitude was priceless” says Heidi Jordan, FFC Executive Director.  “By engaging chamber members, businesses and the public at large the event helped bring awareness to the need for normalcy and nurturing which every child deserves.  This was meaningful experience for all who participated”.

The Foundation continues to look forward to building relationships with Chamber members and the dedicated individuals representing the agencies that were involved and volunteered at such a wonderful family event at FunSpot.  Based upon the high energy and large turn-out of families, the event was a success largely due to generous sponsors such as 4Rivers BBQ, Florida Hospital and FunSpot.

Thanks to everyone in the community who supported us and shared your time, talent and resources with our local foster families and agencies during National Foster Care Month!

As a way to provide a night of normalcy to foster kids Prom for Dreams teamed up with the Foundation for Foster Children, to collect donations of prom dresses, accessories, hair styling salon certificates, dinner certificates, tuxedo rentals and monetary donations.

Caitlin Connolly, director and founder, holds an annual Prom for Dreams Boutique, where foster teens can choose their clothes for the big night, get fitted for a tux, collect gift certificates for hair styling and dinner and select accessories.

“The fun of the prom isn’t just about one night,” Connolly says. “It’s about the experience of a normal teenager as they hunt for that special dress and spend time preparing… I want these individuals to know that they are worth something and that Orlando cares.”

For more information on the program, go to PromForDreams.org.

Caitlin Connelly with ‘Prom for Dreams’ assists Juleeca with a prom dress selection.  ‘Prom for Dreams’ supports teens in foster care and creates lifetime memories as they enjoy their High School Proms and formals.

The Foundation for Foster Children recently hosted a book fair for foster children as part of Devereux’s recent ‘Kids Fishing Festival’.

Foundation volunteers provided information and books for foster children as part of their summer reading.  Community partner, Borders donates new books to FFC book fairs so children are able to personally experience the joy of reading and have several books to keep of their own.

Over 150 foster youth and their families attended the event held at Bill Frederick Park and participated in a variety of learning activities including casting, conservation, knots and safety and of course fishing! Each child received a new fishing rod and tackle box.

The Foundation is grateful to have such a great collaborative partnership with Devereux in providing opportunities for foster children that nurture their abilities to succeed.

Providing comfort for abused, neglected and abandoned children

Thanks to the Central Florida Women’s League Foundation, Inc. abused and neglected children entering the foster care system will receive some comfort when they receive a brand new backpack packed full of personal items and necessities to give them reassurance that someone cares.

The backpack community service project is just one of several ways the CFWL has supported the Foundation for Foster Children.  Executive Director, Heidi Jordan said that “The opportunity to share the Foundation’s mission and programs to the CFWL membership has truly benefited youth in foster care.  As a grassroots organization, we feel it is very important to bring awareness to the unmet needs of our local foster children. Community Based Care statistics show that on average over 60 children enter the foster care system in just the tri-county area alone.  The Central Florida Women’s League has been a great friend assisting with resources and outreach”, states Jordan.

The Central Florida Women’s League (CFWL), founded in 1988, and is a group of approximately 120 women committed to advancing opportunities for cultural, civic and charitable involvement in the Central Florida community.

When neglected, abandoned and abused children enter the foster care system, unfortunately most come with very little belongings besides the clothes on their backs.  If they have a few items, then they are typically transferred in a trash bag.  What ever these children have left of their self-worth should not be carried in a garbage bag.  They deserve better.

Therefore, one of the goals of the Foundation for Foster Children is to help provide emergency duffel bags to local case management organizations where children in foster care can have something of their own.

In many cases the community steps forward and assists with this undertaking.  Such is the case with Park Maitland Brownie where over 30 Brownies came together to help give these children some comfort in their time of need.  They decided to make fleece blankets as a their first project and then came together again to carefully place the blankets and other basic necessities in backpacks that are distributed by the Foundation to children entering foster care.

“I just want to thank you so much for making this opportunity such a meaningful experience for “my” brownies. The girls felt like they personally made a difference. They didn’t just go buy something to contribute. They gave up their time and spent energy reaching a goal. I have had multiple parents reach out to share the positive impact this meeting had for their daughter” states troop leader Jenie Kolar.

Park Maitland Brownies TROOP 51

You too can help and create a positive affect in a child’s life.  Please consider donating basic items to these children in need.  Many often need school supplies, personal hygiene products, socks, undergarments, a journal, photo album, a soft toy or blanket. New duffels, suitcases or backpacks of any kind are needed.

Your ‘Adopt A Duffle/Backpack’ campaign helps provide these special children with something they can keep permanently in order to carry some of their valuable personal possessions through difficult circumstances.

For more information about how you or your company, youth group, civic organization, association or school can get involved please contact: info@foundationforfosterchildren.org