Project Inspiration

The Florida Keys Children’s Shelter expresses their tremendous thanks and heartfelt gratitude to Dr. True and Lisa Lansden by presenting the Dream Keeper Appreciation Award for their dedication and committed support of FKCS through Project Inspiration.

Project Inspiration was begun by Lisa Lansden, Mrs.  American Dream 2009-2010, and her husband, True Lansden, as a way to promote volunteerism and to help renovate and decorate the bedrooms at the Jelsema Center for Children, the emergency shelter program in Tavernier – one of the residential programs offered by FKCS.  The goal of Project Inspiration is to help improve the surroundings of children in shelter.  Since the beginning of the project, several murals have been painted in the bedrooms and now, the bathrooms and hallways are being painted.

FKCS is very grateful to each artist that has been a part of this meaningful project.  The artists have volunteered countless hours to painting the rooms for our kids.  Each room is special and unique.  Whether it’s “surfs up” in the Surf Shack Room or an exciting boat ride in our very realistic Boat Room or even a drive across the 7-Mile Bridge, one thing is for sure – each painting brightens a child’s day!

Many of the artists have decided to begin routine art lessons at the shelter as well.

The artists involved in Project Inspiration were Adam Scott Rote, Wyland,Brooke Spaulding, Darryl Norem, Diane Schleider, Kathleen Denis, Stacie Krupa, Elena Ortega, Carmen Kelley, Veronica Gutierrez and Kelly Hostetler.

FKCS thanks many other wonderful volunteers that have made a tremendous difference in Project Inspiration.  They are Marcia DeClue and her late husband Chip, Gary Lentz, Grace Greene, Bob Michael, local news media, and our own staff at the shelter!

Once the inside painting portion of Project Inspiration is complete, the efforts will continue to include new floors and the exterior painting of the entire building.