"Unless we think of others and do something for them, we miss one of the greatest sources of happiness." -- Ray Lyman Wilbur
In this season of Thanksgiving, we pause from our busy schedules to remember those who give us so much. There are many special people who give us a reason to smile every day. These people contribute to our important work in several different ways. Whether it is a donation of time and energy, or an item such as clothing or a toy, or a financial contribution, it all matters very much! Thank you! Your support has and is making the world safer for a child. Thank you for the uplifting encouragement. May you and your family have a wonderful Holiday Season!
Gratefully yours,
Janey Rhyan Miller
Chief Development Officer
Florida Keys Children's Shelter
Letter from our President and CEO
Reflection and Celebration: 1989 to 2009
There are many ways to measure the success of an organization - longevity, accolades, numbers served, contract requirements, and new program acquisition among them. So let's take a look at where we've been and how we are doing:
Longevity
Over Twenty years ago a dedicated group of local community members set out to right a wrong. Without a local organization to care for children removed from their families due to allegations of abuse or neglect, children were held in the county jails. These men and women started the slow and often frustrating process of giving birth to a not-for-profit organization. They raised money. They built a building. They are the strong foundation upon which this organization was allowed to grow and, hopefully flourish. We thank them for their foresight, their perseverance, their compassion for the most vulnerable of our young people.
Twenty years is not a long time compared to organizations that have been around one hundred years. But in this day and age, with the constant erosion of the government funding that forms the major underwriting of these programs, each additional year of service stands as a testament to the tenacity of the community to care for its children. This public-private (government-donor) partnership is tenuous at best, buffeted each year by legislative philosophy, the state of government coffers, political will, the economy and the attention of the public. It takes strong, steadfast supporters who believe in the work - every moment of every day, year in and year out. We have such friends - you know who you are - and you, too, are the foundation of everything we do. We thank you for making sure this great effort continues to be the best it can be.
Accolades, Numbers, Contracts and Programs
It is not humanly possible for every day to be a perfect day. But, every once in a while in the history of an organization, we achieve something extraordinary and others notice. And each success opens a new door to further growth and achievement. Here are a few: Florida Network Agency of the Year (1999), opened Poinciana Emergency Home for young children (2001), opened Poinciana Group Home (2003), achieved national accreditation (2004), opened Project Lighthouse Street Outreach Program (2005), became a Johns Hopkins University Listening Post Project Partner (2006), achieved 4-star rating from Charity Navigator (2008), Re-Accreditation (2008), HGTV Dream Home partnership (2008), and Florida Network Top Performer Award for meeting 100% of contractual requirements (2009), became an AmeriCorp service site (2009). In twenty years we have served over 22,000 children, youth and families in our varied programs. Not too bad for one of the smallest, rural and most isolated agencies in Florida!
While all of the above makes us immensely proud, it is not how we measure success. We measure our successes, and our failures, through the eyes of each child, each young person, each family member. Through the tears, the laughter, the challenges faced by struggling young people and their families. Life, as we see it on a daily basis, is sometimes messy, and for some folks it is down-right scary. Human beings are capable of such beauty, compassion and achievement. And human beings are also capable of making foolish decisions and harmful choices. Our job is not to judge, but to help, and to help as many times as it takes for each child, each young person, each family to heal and move forward in a positive way. Now THAT is success worth celebrating!
Kathy Tuell
President and CEO
Understanding the Need for FKCS and How You Can Complete the Puzzle
Even in the best of times some families struggle with overwhelming issues that make creating and sustaining healthy, nurturing relationships between parents and children difficult at best, and harmful at worst. Imagine those same families under increased stress because of increasing unemployment, loss of safe places to live, and uncertain futures. If these times are difficult for adults, imagine how hard it is for young people who see no future, have no support system, and see hardship, unhappiness and failure all around them.
The Florida Keys Children's Shelter works with young people and their families through counseling to encourage families to stay together and work through relationship issues. When necessary, FKCS provides 24-hour care for children and youth who, for whatever reason, have no other safe place to live. For the homeless youth in our communities, FKCS provides basic health and safety information and referral, and encourages positive personal decision-making, and offers opportunities to re-engage with family and home communities.
We do this work through a public-private partnership between various levels of government funding and private support from community members like you. Together, we take care of our communities' most vulnerable children and youth. Together we provide:
* The people who work tirelessly in three residential programs, a community-based counseling program and a street outreach center.
* The programming that meets the highest levels of licensing, accrediting, financial management and behavioral intervention requirements expected by you - the community - and those who fund us.
* The places within which this work is done - the buildings, vehicles, appliances, technology and daily objects required to sustain each child in each program, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year - weekends and holidays - no matter when the child needs us.
You can support this work in many ways!
Donations are always needed and gratefully accepted. You may choose to make a financial donation online at www.fkcs.org. When doing this there are several options to choose from and there are easy to follow prompts. Whether it is online or not, you may select to make monthly or annual contributions. Joining our Dream Keepers' Circle of Friends is a wonderful way to support our programs.
Dream Keepers are contributors that make a difference in our kids' lives every month through an ongoing monthly contribution. We invite and encourage you to join this special group of partners with purpose.
Please support this extraordinary work. You truly are the piece of the puzzle that we cannot do without!
Partners with Purpose - Remembering Our Friends
Many, many people have partnered with FKCS over the past twenty years. These special partners have made a deliberate decision to invest in children, teens and families in the Keys. They are our Partners with Purpose. These are the individuals and business leaders who year after year continue to support our programs. It may be through volunteering, either in a program or in the planning and executing an event; and many times, it is through giving of their personal resources so the children of Monroe County can live a better life.
Over the last several months, we have had to say "good-bye" to three of our distinguished partners. Each of these individuals was a "giant" of the behalf of children and for the Florida Keys Children's Shelter. From the very beginning they personally understood the need for FKCS and labored to make it a reality - giving of their time, energy and finances so children would have a safe place to be.
We will miss these outstanding individuals and we are very honored to have had the sincere pleasure of their meaningful partnership. We offer our concern and heartfelt sympathies to their families and friends. And we join with them in remembering and celebrating their exceptional commitments to making the world a better place.
"Sis" Caroline Stuart Kelm | Edward Vincent Lett | Ronald George Herron
"I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."
-- Etienne de Grellet
Fitting words for our extraordinary friends
Celebrating...You!
We were all kids once. We all had different lives -- some good - some bad. Now, we have made it to our adult years. Your story is yours, but no matter what it was, you made it! Please help us to help other kids make it to their adult years by making a donation today. Your donation can be a celebration of a happy childhood or a celebration of making it through a tough childhood.
This is why we do this work and boldly ask for your help!
The Florida Keys Children's Shelter Receives Top Honor
On November 6, 2009, The Florida Network of Youth and Family Services presented FKCS with the prestigious "Top Performer Award." This award is given as recognition and appreciation of outstanding achievement and distinguished performance. FKCS earned this honor by meeting and exceeding on program benchmarks. These benchmarks are set by the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services.
What is the Florida Network and how does it help kids?
The Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, Inc. is a not for profit statewide association representing agencies that serve homeless, runaway and troubled youth ages 10 and older and their families. The Network is committed to promoting policies and practices that hold our member agencies accountable for preventing delinquency and child abuse through the strengthening of youth and families.
The Network offers many services including: advocacy for youth, public policy development, public education, data collection and research, and training and technical assistance.
In addition, the 21 private, non-profit community agencies of the Florida Network operate 28 youth crisis shelters as part of a continuum of services for children ages 10 to 17 years of age and their parents. An additional eleven (11) non-profit community-based providers/agencies provide only non-residential services in seven of the largest urban counties in the state.
Miami Seaquarium Gives Back Program has been Extended!
Great News! The Miami Seaquarium Gives Back program has been extended! You get 20% off the ticket price and FKCS gets $5.00 back for every guest using our coupon. The FKCS special number is 216. Coupons are now valid through December 24, 3009 and can be used during "Winter Nights & Lights." Miami Seaquarium will transform into a Winter Wonderland for its annual Winter Nights & Lights Celebration beginning December 19. Enjoy nightly snowfall, a Kids Winterfest, extended park hours and Holiday themed shows and exhibits, Winter Nights & Lights, will light up the Holidays with colorfully illuminated sculptures of reef fish, flamingos, dolphins, seals, sea lions, killer whales and other marine friends.
(Click here to download PDF coupon)
Please note that the expired coupons will be accepted. If you have any questions, feel free to email Janey Miller at janeymiller@fkcs.org
New Day, A New Mayor, A New Year, and A New Date!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
The Eighth Annual Mayor's Ball
Featuring The Bubba System Band
Casa Marina Resort and Beach Club, Key West
Call today to make your reservation. All guests who purchase tickets on or before December 10, 2009 will be registered in our Grand Prize Drawing. It is a win/win! You win by knowing you're helping our kids during the holidays with your tax-deductible contribution and our kids win by having the support of others when they need it most!
2009 Year In Pictures
Click here for a PowerPoint presentation of a year in pictures, through the eyes of FKCS.
