For the January general meeting, Guardian At Litem will be joining us to educate us about this very important program. For information prior to the meeting, please visit their website, http://www.guardianadlitem.org/.
I also thought I would post this editorial from today's St. Petersburg Times.
Kids in foster care needn't fly solo Nov. 23
Guardian ad litem is lifeline for child
A recent story stated that children are appointed a guardian ad litem "to represent the child's 'best interest' when it comes to where they will live." Guardians ad litem do make those types of recommendations, but it is important to recognize that they do so much more. I am a pro bono attorney, who, like a number of others, volunteers through the 6th Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program. I have been involved with the program for the past eight years. I cannot say enough about the difference it makes in the lives of our children.
Three years ago, our local GAL Program established a Transitioning Youth Project, where lay and attorney volunteers were recruited and trained to work with youth 13 to 18 who faced aging out of foster care. We completed the GAL Program's "Fostering Independence" training. I am now a trained guardian ad litem attorney, and along with other volunteers and staff, advocate for the best interests and legal rights of these teens in foster care.
In this time of state budget deficits, the importance of the Guardian ad Litem Program cannot be understated. If anyone is interested in joining us to volunteer to help these teenagers, please call (727) 464-6528 or visit www.guardianadlitem6.org to learn more about the program and the role you can play in making a difference in these children's lives.
John E. Tuthill, St. Petersburg
Showing posts with label Junior League Clearwater-Dunedin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Junior League Clearwater-Dunedin. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Choice, Not Chance- Planning Tampa Bay's Future
As many of you know, by profession, I am an urban planner which reflects my strong interest in our community's fabric and future. We are in a special time, and have the opportunity to provide input for decisions that will affect us (personally and in League) for years to come.
Here is a description of ONE BAY and an invitation for your participation. I plan on attending and hope you will join me.
Our region’s future should be a matter of choice – not chance.
The future of the Tampa Bay doesn’t belong to any one entity. Rather, it is the responsibility of all of us to guide the type of future we want.
With this spirit, the ONE BAY effort was formed to reach out and provide a forum to work collectively toward a better future.
ONE BAY is a diverse partnership of private and public leaders from environmental, planning, business and economic development all aligned to facilitate a regional visioning process with the goal to achieve a sustainable, high-quality community now and into the future.
A process was established to collect input through a series of workshops. The next phase was to compile all the data and input received into alternative scenarios in order for our existing cities and communities to handle projected future growth in population and jobs over the next 50 years. Starting May, 2008, ONE BAY presented these alternative scenarios to the public for feedback. ONE BAY wants as many citizens of the Tampa Bay region to add their voices to this process so as to allow them to choose the future they wish for their communities.
ONE BAY recognizes the unique diversity of each of our communities and neighborhoods. The scenarios incorporate feedback that has been received from thousands of citizens. The outcome data and research will be offered to counties, planning commissions and government bodies to be used as deemed appropriate.
What the future of Tampa Bay looks like is the responsibility of each and every one of us. By coming together and working collectively, we assure that the future we achieve is one we can all support.
Our region’s future should be a matter of choice – not chance.
The future of the Tampa Bay doesn’t belong to any one entity. Rather, it is the responsibility of all of us to guide the type of future we want.
With this spirit, the ONE BAY effort was formed to reach out and provide a forum to work collectively toward a better future.
ONE BAY is a diverse partnership of private and public leaders from environmental, planning, business and economic development all aligned to facilitate a regional visioning process with the goal to achieve a sustainable, high-quality community now and into the future.
A process was established to collect input through a series of workshops. The next phase was to compile all the data and input received into alternative scenarios in order for our existing cities and communities to handle projected future growth in population and jobs over the next 50 years. Starting May, 2008, ONE BAY presented these alternative scenarios to the public for feedback. ONE BAY wants as many citizens of the Tampa Bay region to add their voices to this process so as to allow them to choose the future they wish for their communities.
ONE BAY recognizes the unique diversity of each of our communities and neighborhoods. The scenarios incorporate feedback that has been received from thousands of citizens. The outcome data and research will be offered to counties, planning commissions and government bodies to be used as deemed appropriate.
What the future of Tampa Bay looks like is the responsibility of each and every one of us. By coming together and working collectively, we assure that the future we achieve is one we can all support.
ONE BAY Town Hall Meeting
A regional visioning summit for the nonprofit community.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 ●9:00am to 10:30am
~ A continental breakfast will be served ~
IBM Conference Center, 5th Floor 3031 N. Rocky Point Road West, Tampa
During this special session for nonprofit organizations, you will learn how our communitymay look in 2050. This is an opportunity to see firsthand the cumulative effects population and employment growth will have on our region.
It is a chance to share your ideas — and that of the communities you serve — on how to best shape our quality of life, preserve precious environmental lands, and balance vibrant downtowns, historic centers, and cherished neighborhoods for generations to come. We want you to be heard.
Please provide attendee names by July 31 to: info@myOneBay.com
For more information about ONE BAY, visit www.myOneBay.com.
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