CEO Update
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” – Anne Frank Dear Friend of FKCS, Reflecting on this quote by Anne Frank, I often wonder if our thank you cards and appreciative gestures have been sufficient…
FKCS Hosts Free Spring Break 2021 Camp
The Florida Keys Children’s Shelter has announced that there are limited spaces available for their upcoming free overnight spring camp program. The Jelsema Journey camp is a program for at-risk Monroe County youth, ages 10-17, offered March 20-27 at the Melvin M. Jelsema Center in Tavernier. “We’re happy to…
FKCS Holiday Wish List
Make some wishes come true this Holiday Season!
Jelsema Learning Center Re-Boot Program
Florida Keys Children’s Shelter is delighted to announce our new JLC School Re-Boot Program, specifically designed to help students with the challenges of going back to school this year. Please help us spread the word about this unique – and completely free! – service to…
FKCS Presents “Best Keys Eats” Winner Award
The Florida Keys Children’s Shelter, serving more than 500 youths and families annually throughout the Keys, presented owners, Mike and Heather Barnes of Mangia Pasta Café, with the winning “Best Keys Eats 2020” virtual chefs’ challenge award. Last month’s inaugural cooking competition involved chefs and…
Mangia Mangia Pasta Café Wins Florida Keys Children’s Shelter Virtual Chefs Challenge
Mangia Mangia Pasta Café in Key West eclipsed three other finalists to win the inaugural “Best Keys Eats 2020” virtual chefs challenge to benefit the nonprofit Florida Keys Children’s Shelter. Mangia Mangia, owned by Mike and Heather Barnes, took top honors with a dish they…
Ocean Reef Donors Help Fund Coaching Program
The Ocean Reef Community Foundation has granted the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter $48,000 to help fund a Recreation Coach, Life Skills Coach, and Education Coach, all three employed full-time at the 19-bed Youth Center in Plantation Key. “Our strategic plan created by our Executive Council…
As seen in the Pensacola News Journal
Support Florida youth centers to give kids a chance By Cassidy Camp, Guest columnist March 7, 2018 There is a stigma surrounding youth in shelters – one that assumes at-risk youth are all ungovernable and that they are at fault for whatever brought them to…
Local Celebrities Have a Ball at Our 16th Annual Gala
The totals are in, and including the Mayor’s Ball held at Casa Marina on January 13, the nine annual events held during Mayor Craig Cates’ term have raised nearly a quarter million dollars for the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter. The primary underwriter of the event…
5th Annual Le Tour de Keys Scheduled for April 6
On Friday, April 6, 2018, cyclists will “ride for the kids” the entire 126 miles from North Key Largo to Mile Marker Zero in Key West. The fifth annual event honors the work of the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter, which serves over 500 youth per…
County Commissioners Grant Funds to Stop Substance Abuse
The Florida Keys Children’s Shelter is grateful to the Monroe County Substance Abuse Policy Advisory Board for awarding us the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grant. We’re honored to have been entrusted to bring the highly respected All StarsTM program to our Monroe County Schools….