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Letter From the President
Leadership and Partnership Beyond the County
Lines
Follow the Money!
Dear Friends,
Ahhh...won't it be nice when those who hold the gold recognize
how "special" we are because we provide services
in the Florida Keys, and give us all the money we need? Wait,
that's that other timeline in that other universe.
Just in case you hadn't noticed, there are a lot of really
big, really impressive organizations in really powerful places
throughout the state and the country that really need all
their money and then some, to serve their really big communities.
So, what's a little organization in a little place to do?
It seems to me that we have two options:
The first option is to use our challenges as an excuse. You've
heard this before. We can't because: we're too small...too
far away: it's too hard...we're different...it's different
here. I've been in an awful lot of state, regional and national
meetings and EVERYONE says that! Whether you are too big,
or too small, to near or too far, it seems everyone has learned
how to cast their particular area/agency in that place of
needing more because they, too, are "special." When
that happens, everything boils down to the money.
No matter how you slice and dice it, by numbers, size, cost,
access to personnel, geography, heck, even climate, we push
the boundaries of every funding formula to the limit. Now
that IS special!
The second option is to use our uniqueness not as a weakness,
but as a strength. I admit, this approach suits my personality
better. There are things that we know more about, believe
more passionately, feel more directly and face daily - simply
because we do the work we do in the place we do it. I think
it is important to tell our story, at every opportunity, not
just to ensure our own success, but to improve the whole system
of care for children and families.
There is a direct relationship between this organization's
willingness to step forward and participate in state, regional
and national discussions about funding, quality assurance,
personnel or public policy towards vulnerable children and
youth, and our ability to keep the funding we do get. It is
more challenging every year - and I expect it will be even
more difficult over the next couple of years.
But this is not the end of the story. We are more committed
than ever to facing these challenges and continuing our (almost)
20-year history of caring for our community's abused, abandoned,
neglected, truant, runaway and at-risk children and youth,
and to working with our peers to provide positive outcomes
for struggling families. We are on a path to increase our
community involvement so that you better understand this basic,
vital and critical work, and to step up our efforts to build
a solid base of local contributors to support our effort.
Change is never easy, and our programs must, of necessity,
expand and contract based on the financial resources available
to them. We will adjust our efforts as necessary, but our
aim is to continue the most effective programming possible
for our community.
You know what they say: when one door closes another one
opens. We know that new and exciting opportunities lay just
around the corner and we are eagerly pursuing ideas and partnerships
that we believe will strengthen our core - quality services
to children, youth and families - and will provide a solid
foundation for the future. We hope that you will join with
us, invest in us and help ensure that we remain a healthy,
vibrant and effective organization serving our community's
most at-risk children, youth and families.
Kathy Tuell
President and CEO
Florida Keys Children's Shelter, Inc.
To learn more about the Partnership & Leadership roles
FKCS participates in, please click here
Recent News
FKCS Receives $150K Grant
The Florida Keys Children's Shelter was approved for a $150,000.00
HHS Basic Center Program grant. This three-year grant, 09/2008
through 09/2011, falls under the legislative authority of
the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. This is an increase from
$122,000.00 that FKCS had previously been awarded for the
previous three-year period.
Project Lighthouse, our Street Outreach Program,
has Moved to a New Location
 The
program is now located at 505 Southard Street, Key West. This
is a great new space and is still just off of Duval Street.
We invite you to attend an open house at Project Lighthouse,
Thursday November 6 from 3-6 p.m. Stop by and learn more about
this innovative street outreach program. To learn more about
this program please click here.
We would like to extend a sincere Thank You to the Arnette
House located in Ocala, FL. When Ike was looming in the Atlantic
Ocean and on its path through the Gulf, threatening the Florida
Keys, we had to evacuate our three residential programs inland.
FKCS would like to thank Kevin Priest, Executive Director
and Sherry Brandies, Program Director and all of the staff
at the Arnette House. In thanks to you opening your doors
to FKCS residential clients they were able to feel safe and
stay out of harm's way.
Staff Spotlight
Janey R. Miller, Chief Development Director
As the Chief Development Officer for FKCS, I have the wonderful
opportunity to help connect people who want to make a difference
in the lives of others with the projects that fit their individual
interests. When this is accomplished magic happens. Our children
and families benefit directly, and our donors and friends
know that they are the ones that made it a reality. I have
had the pleasure of doing this type of work for several years.
People often ask me "Isn't it hard to ask someone for
money?" My answer is always the same, "No, and that
is not what I do." I go on to clarify that most people
want to invest in something that is meaningful, something
that can improve the world, their community or the quality
of life for someone else, even a stranger. Investing in positive
change is appealing to most people. My real job is helping
people find the right investment for their interest, and then,
it is a win/win for both our supporter/investor and our kids
and families. Sharing the story of what we do at FKCS, and
why we must do it, is the best way to increase the participation
of our investors.
As you know and hear everyday, our current economic situation
makes it hard for many people to feel like they can support
even the most important work. When people feel concerned about
their personal finances, it becomes difficult to think about
giving money away. Completely understandable, but please think
about this - it doesn't take a big investment to impact a
child's world. Every donation helps. Although large gifts
are nice and can address many large issues, it is the daily
little needs that must be answered with one donation at a
time -- the simple necessities such as food for a child. As
a donor, if you think your donation won't make a difference
because you can only afford a small donation, think about
the other 1000 donors that might feel the same way. If we
suddenly lost the $50.00 each of them gave, because they thought
we wouldn't miss something so small -- we would loose $50,000
in an instant in what is already a tough budget year. Every
dollar matters and we need yours. That $50,000 can feed 32
children in a shelter for nearly six months.
This is just one simple example of how significant each and
every dollar is to our children and families. We have several
other projects and services that need the support of investors
like you. I would enjoy the opportunity to tell you more.
Please contact me directly by phone 305-852-4246 ext. 222
or by email janeymiller
@ fkcs.org
and I'll be happy to share our story with you personally.
We have the perfect investment for you.
Our important work would not be possible without the recent
help and financial support from so many in our community.
We would like to thank our friends and donors.
Mary Lou Buck
Virginia Gilbert
Barbara Hanson
Clifford and Barbara Hill
Dan Marino Foundation
Dale and Sandra Stringer
James A. Dooley Foundation
Marathon BPW Foundation
Keys Children's Foundation
Walter Crumbley
Karen Bowers
Seaside Woodworking Co
Douglas Bedgood
Camila Duke
Natalia Duke
John O'Duke
Chrys Neophytou
Shirley Kelley
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