Creating Positive Change for Abused, Abandoned and Neglected Children

SUNCOAST FOR CHILDREN Creating Positive Change for Abused, Abandoned and Neglected Children VOICES

Mission Statement • Suncoast Voices for Children provides financial assistance and community resources to meet the needs of abused and neglected children.

“ Each day that you fail to advocate,Each day that you ignore an act of discrimination,Each day you accept another injustice,You accept a society that is going to kill your children.” - William L.E. Dussault

Why are children removed from their homes? • The parents are usually not functioning on the level that they need to be to raise a healthy child. • More often than not, there are substance abuse issues with the parents. • Frequently there are mental health issues with the families.

By the Numbers • There are over 3,000 children who have been removed from their homes and placed in foster care in Pinellas and Pasco counties • 27% of the children removed from their homes never return home • Approximately 50% of children removed from their birth parents are 6 and under

On Jamal’s 9th birthday, his Guardian ad Litem brought him a birthday cake provided by Suncoast Voices for Children. When he saw the cake, Jamal burst into tears of joy! He never thought he would have a cake with his name on it. When children have so little, the smallest gesture of kindness becomes a memorable moment in their life.

The “Social Effect” • Children who grow up in foster care have no “forever families.” • They frequently change homes and change schools. • For each change in school, a child may drop a letter grade, failing after four moves. • There is no funding for scouting, sports, school field trips and other childhood activities.

Suncoast Voices for Children encourages foster children to participate in the same activities that are available to other children. However, the costs of participating in activities such as scouting put these activities beyond the reach of these children. Suncoast Voices for Children provides the encouragement and pays the costs for foster children to have the advantages offered by these programs.

The “Physical Effect” • Children who are removed from their homes have only the clothes on their backs. • The “luggage” of foster care is a “Hefty Bag.” • Physical abuse is common with foster children, sometimes causing brain damage. • Medical and Dental care is often substandard, also leading to difficulties in school. • “Bouncing Children” are those who do not have a permanent placement. They can enter a temporary home in the evening by 9 and must be out the following morning by 7.

Jonelle was severely introverted after years of abuse. Her case manager felt that participation in a children’s community theater would help. Suncoast Voices for Children paid for Jonelle to participate and the foster mom reports a big improvement in her behavior and her grades in school.

The “Psychological Effect” • Children in foster care always feel that they have done wrong. • They feel embarrassed to let people know that they are in foster care. • They feel unloved, setting them up for sexual abuse. • 40% of foster children are diagnosed with ADHD, but as high as 50% of these children are suffering from PTSD.

Daniella and Deirde came into foster care from an extremely abusive situation. They are having therapy to recover from their traumatic experiences. The therapist recommended an activity to give them self confidence. The girls had always dreamed of dancing. Suncoast Voices for Children provided the girls with dance lessons. The girls really blossomed from this experience. Their dream came true when they participated in the school dance recital.

Turning Failure into Success • Suncoast Voices for Children is a 501c3 organization, set up to meet the needs of children in the system, as well as keeping children out of the system through prevention. • We raise support for one on one tutoring, clothing for the children, the purchase of beds to keep children out of the system, monies for camps and the “extras” that they are denied, eyeglasses and dentistry, to name a few things. • When children have so little, the smallest gesture brings them joy.

Yolanda was removed from her parents and placed with her paternal grandfather. She is 12 years old. This is the first real home Yolanda has ever had. Yolanda wanted to learn to cook so she could help her grandfather and do something to repay him. Suncoast Voices provided funds for Yolanda to go to Cooking Camp this summer. We hear that she makes great chocolate chip cookies!

How Can You Help? • Volunteer your time and skills to help with our mission. • Become an Angel on Call. • Request your civic or social group to sponsor an Angel Tree at the holidays. • Send a check or make a donation at www.suncoastchildren.org • Encourage your employer to match your donation.

Prevent • Protect • provide SUNCOAST FOR CHILDREN VOICES It’s what we do

Names have been changed to protect the identity of children in foster care. Thank You for Caring SuncoastVoices for Children Foundation, Inc.8550 Ulmerton Road, Suite 255Largo, FL 33771 Phone: 727-582-3668, Fax: 727-582-3888 Email: info@suncoastchildren.org http://www.suncoastchildren.org

Creating Positive Change for Abused, Abandoned and Neglected Children