Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin Hosts 2nd Annual Foster Summit

On Tuesday, I had the privilege of facilitating a foster summit with foster stakeholders in Pinellas and Pasco counties. After our strategic plan last year, we decided to focus our efforts on foster families. Last year, we held the first foster summit to help us select our projects, and we have already implemented many of their suggestions.

This year, we had more attendance, and asked the same questions: What can the JLCD do to help in the short-term and the long-term? After we took notes (Thank you AMY), we then asked the participants to place a dot on their favorites---it's really voting by DOT-MOCRACY.

We received wonderful feedback from the stakeholder, and they would even like the summit to be more often than once a year!

Anyways, I couldn't have thought of any other place I would have rather been. It was a joy to see the impact we have already made on these organizations. We really fill a service they each need.

Thank you to all that helped make this happen--Nola Johnson, Debbie Smith, Terri Kontodiakos, Sharon Gilberg and Amy Connors.

Fostering Hope Special Event

I thought you all may be interested---


Support Fostering Hope Florida!

Looking for a great way to get together with friends and have fun while helping foster children?
Why not come to Vintage Vanities and Retro Rags?The Vintage Fashion Show with a Burlesque Twist!!

Monday, February 2, Doors Open at 6:30pm - Curtain at 7:30pm

Where? The Show Palace, 16128 US Hwy 19 N., Hudson, FL 34667

Take a musical journey through the clothing styles of yesterday. A talented and attractive cast of dancers and actors bring to life fashions seen in classic movies, television and old photos.Your evening includes kick lines, comedy, history with a wink and the exclusive Human Disco Ball!
Vintage clothes available for sale before and after the show.

Cash Bar – 50/50 drawings

Benefiting Organizations Fostering Hope Florida and Pasco County Foster-Adoptive Association
Tickets are $15 per person. For more info, call Angela Hoerner at (727) 687-0639 or Gloria West Lawson at (727) 688-5328 or visit http://www.fosteringhopeflorida.com/.

You'll have a surprisingly good time - it is well worth the money. Besides, it goes to a great cause!! Join us, won't you?

Happy Holidays!!

Holidays are a time to celebrate, and members of JLCD certainly enjoyed our share of parties. This year's General Membership Holiday Party, coordinated by the Arrangements Committee, was held at Jimmy's Fish House on Clearwater Beach. Members enjoyed fabulous treats--I particularly liked the coconut shrimp-- and reveled in our warm weather. There were also many other JLCD related parties held by individual committees, sustainers and provisionals. It was a great time to relax with our friends!

Guardian ad Litem

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

Foster Angels

For the past 4 years, the members of JLCD have generously provided holiday gifts to foster children. This year we still have 30 Foster Angel wish lists and we really need your help. Please email Abby Favali at abbyfavali@hotmail.com or Joanna Rosse at jojo7uf@gmail.com and we will email you a list.

We understand that this is much easier to get the kids off the website and we are still working on it. You can also call Abby at 727-365-4337.

If you know someone who can't take a wish list, but still wants to help, we can also take financial contributions to use toward the missing gifts.

2009 WEDU Be More Awards

Every year, WEDU gives awards to community organizations.

This year, there are a number of organizations, including the The Progress Energy Heart Gallery of Pinellas and Pasco and the Junior League of St. Petersburg, that recently submitted applications. In addition, there is a "Peoples choice" award, driven by votes from the general public. This prestigious award exhibits the connection and relationship the organzation has with the community and the people it serves. It also will honor the organization that most exemplifies the spirit of the community. The recipient of this award will receive a grant and a lot of related publicity and recognition.

The WEDU "People's Choice Poll" will be open for voting from November 19th through December 19th.

http://www.wedu.org/bemore/POLL.htm.

First JLCD Conference

For our November meeting, the Education and Training Committee (Marcy Hawk, Beth Moser
and Nicole Sofarelli) coordinated our first ever conference at the Grand Hotel in Clearwater. JLCD members enjoyed a social hour followed by experienced professionals that shared their knowledge the following break-out sessions:

1. $how me the money!

2. Extra, Extra Read All About it!

3. Building Blocks of Event Planning

I know I sure learned a lot, and depending on the feedback we receive from the surveys, another conference may be on the horizon in the Spring!

Thanks again to the Education and Training Committee!