Foundation for Foster Children

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

The Foundation for Foster Children appreciates the community’s support making all of these events a big success including FFC Volunteers, Collaborators and Case Management Organization partners who helped volunteer at National Foster Care month events.

Be sure to sign up to receive the Foundation’s electronic newsletter and Facebook page so you can stay informed on activities, events and programs that benefit local children in foster care who reside in Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties.

Go to www.FoundationforFosterChildren.org to learn more about how you can get involved.

Volunteers provide FFC with a tremendous amount of support – Here are two of our very best! Caitlin Connelly and Julie Skidelsky

The Foundation for Foster Children recently hosted and participated in several events that took place during May in recognition of National Foster Care Month and to acknowledge the families who have opened their hearts and homes to nurture and bring normalcy for local foster children.

Highlights include events held with several of FFC’s community businesses partnerships.

4th Annual Foundation for Foster Children ‘BE COOL’ Event

Aquatica SeaWorld’s Water Park partnered with the Foundation for Foster Children and provided access to children in foster care from Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties and their foster families.

Sea World was our host this year and provided all the families with a fun-filled day at Aquatica along with lunch! The Foundation organizes this event and provided towels, water bottles and snacks to the families. Many of these children had not had an experience like this before. Several siblings separated upon entering the system were reunited for a day of re-bonding and sharing a fun and emotional experience of family togetherness.

Community partner, Panera Bread donated IC Drink coupons to all foster youth and vouchers to all foster parents and volunteers.

The Foundation is very grateful for the ongoing support generous partners throughout the year. These opportunities provide normalcy for children in foster care, while supporting foster parents with limited resources.

It really takes community involvement to create lifelong connections for our children in foster care,” says Michelle Carlton, President of the Foundation.

Just wanted to share with you the great news that Panera just shared with the Foundation for Foster Children on the success of our kick-off to National Foster Care Month with Panera’s Blueberry Ribbon Bagels last week! It not only raised financial resources to help us support our community’s youngest victims of abuse and neglect with the sale of almost 6,000 bagels, but  much needed awareness.  A picture is attached that shows 2 foster youth who are now employed with Panera thanks to our efforts to connect these children to employment opportunities and a brighter future. Panera is a great advocate and supporter of these youth!

Try a Blueberry Ribbon Bagel and help a foster child. 100% of the proceeds from every Blue Ribbon Bagel sold will be donated to the Foundation for Foster Children.

Many thanks to the Young Agents Council for their generous Back to School back pack drive for the Foundation for Foster Children. This is the third year in a row that they have promoted a back to school supplies/backpack campaign for foster youth. The Foundation is grateful for their continued partnership! Read More »

Anne Messer and Robyn Carvajal, members of the General Federation of Women's Clubs - ‘One Voice for Children’ show off their tile handiwork

At the Fall conference of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (Florida), held a ‘One voice for Children’ workshop where participants created handcrafted trivets that will be provided within the Foundation’s ‘House Warming Baskets’ program for youth who have aged out of foster care.

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