Florida Keys Children's Shelter

Florida Keys Children's Shelter Education Initiative Planning Grant Information
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Love Out Loud Outreach at the Florida Keys Children's Shelter

New exterior painting is in the works for FKCS. After 21 years, the building needs a little color to brighten things up! As a part of the Fort Lauderdale and Florida Keys Calvary Chapel Outreach project, Love Out Loud, several gathered to begin the painting. If you would like to help with this volunteer effort, please contact Janey R. Wawerna at 305-731-4741. We will gratefully accept volunteer labor, the donation of supplies and funds to complete the painting.

Save the Date for the 2010 Black & White Ball!

Saturday, March 27, 2010
Marriott Bay Beach Resort, Key Largo

We have a lot to commemorate during this year’s Ball. We are kicking off our 21st year of serving children, teens and families by providing help, hope and healing in the Keys. And most importantly, we will dedicate the evening to the lives of the more than 22,000 children, teens, and parents served by FKCS programs - all made possible by the help of people like you! The celebration will include a Champagne Reception, Dinner, Dancing and Auction.

During the Black and White Ball, we raise money and awareness to support the many programs provided by the Florida Keys Children's Shelter (FKCS). FKCS serves children, teens and families throughout all of Monroe County. Last year alone, we served over 700 children and families.If you believe in children and happy childhoods, I must ask, will you please support our important work through joining us for an evening of fun and celebration at our upcoming Black and White Ball! This has been a tough year for many and we realize that. That is why we have reduced the tickets to $150.00 per person. We are counting on the Ball to raise our spirits and the necessary funds needed to take care of our kids! Be a part of this exciting event!We need your support now more than ever! The many and differing needs for our programs are on the rise; however, the funding is falling short of meeting our program needs. We are counting on the proceeds of the Black and White Ball to help close that ever-growing gap. There are several other ways you can help.

Wyland Paints
Friday, February 5, 2010; 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
73 High Point Road, Tavernier, Florida
"A Work in Progress"

Join us as we view a work in progress featuring outstanding artists.

As part of Project Inspiration, Wyland was onhand during an Open House at The Florida Keys Children’s Shelter on February 5, 2010.

Hailed a “Marine Michaelangelo” by USA Today, Wyland’s work is sought by millions of collectors and his galleries throughout the United States are considered a must-see on the itineraries of travelers everywhere. His equally successful Wyland Foundation, in partnership with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, is actively engaged in teaching millions of students about our oceans, rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands.

Project Inspiration was begun by Lisa Lansden, Mrs. American Dream 2009-2010, as a way to promote volunteerism and to help renovate and decorate the bedrooms at the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter thereby improving the quality of life for the children. Since beginning in August, several murals have been painted in the bedrooms with the children. Then the bathrooms and hallways began to receive attention. Many of the artists have decided to begin routine art lessons at the shelter as well.

The artists involved in Project Inspiration are Adam Scott Rote, Wyland, Brooke Spaulding, Darryl Norem, Diane Schleider, Kathleen Denis, Stacie Krupa, Pasta Pantaleo, Kelly Hostetler, and Morna Stenghold. Many other local volunteers have made a tremendous difference in Project Inspiration. They are Marcia and Chip DeClue, Dr. True Lansden, Gary Lentz, Grace Greene, Bob Michael, local news media, and staff and administration at the shelter! Once the painting portion of the effort is done Project Inspiration will continue by getting the floors of the shelter replaced.

Mayor’s Ball Benefitting FKCS

The Mayor’s Ball 2010 was the place to be on January 9, 2010. More than 170 people came together to support the important work of the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter (FKCS).

The Florida Keys Children's Shelter continued to celebrate more than 20 years of service during the Mayor’s Ball held on January 9, 2010, at the beautiful and historic Casa Marina Beach Resort. The cold weather did not deter many of Key West’s finest from joining Mayor and Mrs. Cates in an evening of dinner, dancing and fun -- benefiting the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter.
The evening was filled with excitement as the large group of guests joined in celebration. The Cates family hosted dignitaries such as, Ron Saudners, Bob Peryam, Mark Rossi, Rick Ramsey, Joseph Burke, Lawrence Tyree, Andy Griffiths and several more notable Keys’ area citizens.

During the night there was time set aside for Kathy Tuell, President and CEO of FKCS, to thank several very special friends and partners of the shelter. Tuell stated that, "the Florida Keys Children's Shelter, through the hard work and help of others, has been able to protect and care for more than 22,000 children and families in Monroe County." Tuell reminded the group of the ongoing challenges children, teens and families are facing every day in our current economic climate.

The evening was a wonderful success allowing the Florida Keys Children's Shelter to express their tremendous gratitude to all their many supporters and to secure much needed funds to continue serving Monroe County's most vulnerable citizens by offering shelter and services leading to help, hope and healing.

Following the dinner, Tuell recognized the special partnership with Key West and the Mayor by presenting Craig and Cheryl Cates with an appreciation award and flowers.
For more information on becoming involved with the Florida Keys Children's Shelter, you may contact Janey Miller, Chief Development Officer at 305-852-4642 ext. 222 or by email at janeymiller@fkcs.org.

Florida child-abuse deaths up 21% in 2008
By Amy L. Edwards and Bianca Prieto
Orlando Sentinel
Published: January 6, 2010

Tyler Rodgers died just two months shy of his second birthday — killed by a bullet fired from his father's gun.

The Ocoee toddler, who was shot in March 2008, was one of 201 children who died as a result of child abuse that year in Florida, according to an annual report released Wednesday.

Tyler is part of a startling new statistic: Child-abuse deaths in Florida spiked about 20 percent in 2008 from the previous year.

18 and Under
Hard Questions to Ask After a Cry for Help
New York Times
By PERRI KLASS, M.D.
Published: December 7, 2009

Some time ago I got an e-mail message from one of my students: She couldn’t come to class. She was having terrible problems, her life had fallen apart, she was just sitting and crying. She was sorry, but her assignment would be late...

(Read Full Review in PDF format Here)

Federal Trade Commission Report, Dec. 2009
Marketing Violent Entertainment to Children: A Sixth Follow-up Review of Industry Practices in the Motion Picture, Music Recording & Electronic Game Industries A Report to Congress

(Read Full Review in PDF format Here)

Cries for help to DCF hot line go unheeded by design
Thousands of abuse reports to a DCF hot line go unheeded every month because of a new screening process intended to keep the strained system functioning.

Sept. 16, 2:02 p.m.: A Broward sheriff's deputy calls the Florida child-abuse hot line to report that a 4-year-old had been molested by a babysitter as the sitter's boyfriend videotaped the assault. A hot-line counselor declines to forward the report to an investigator.

Oct. 6, 10:15 a.m.: A school guidance counselor reports a mother who had repeatedly missed doctor's appointments for her daughter, whose sickle-cell disease is so severe she is losing her hearing and needs a new liver. The report is rejected.

Nov. 16, time unknown: A father is attempting to break into his estranged wife's home. He says he will kill his children. That call, too, is not accepted for investigation.

These decisions, and thousands more, are the result of a little-known -- but potentially dangerous -- practice by the Department of Children & Families: Beginning last year, DCF dramatically increased the number of abuse calls considered unworthy of investigation.

In an effort to reduce workload -- and the system-wide stress that high case loads generate -- intake workers at the Tallahassee-based hot line have been screening out tens of thousands of calls.

Among the screened-out allegations: reports of kidnapping, rape, aggravated child abuse, medical neglect, malnutrition, kids roaming the streets unsupervised and domestic violence that threatens to harm the children.

Among the callers being turned away: school counselors, grandparents, circuit court judges, hospital social workers, day-care workers and juvenile-justice staffers.

The hot line rejected a call from one of the agency's own child-abuse investigators: On Oct. 15, a state child protective investigator filed a report on behalf of an infant whose babysitters' own 4-month-old suffered ``significant head injuries.''

Details of the screenings have come to light as part of a review of procedures by child-welfare managers in Broward County.

DCF administrators say the policy is a necessary triage that allows investigators to concentrate their energies on children who are most at risk.

Last year, DCF Secretary George Sheldon complained at a meeting of an avalanche of frivolous complaints, including a report from a teacher that a child came to school in mismatched sneakers and a report from another teacher about a boy whose underwear was on backward.

``I think this is still a work in progress,'' Sheldon told The Miami Herald last week. ``I think we've got to continue to refine our risk assesment, both at the hot line and in the field.''

``I think we have started this ship turning. But it ain't there yet.''

BEHIND THE SCENES

In Florida, hot-line counselors come from all walks of life. Before being allowed to answer calls -- which number about 190,000 each year -- counselors are given seven weeks of training followed by a two-week supervised ``practicum,'' said Edward Cotton, a child-welfare consultant who is helping the state revise the program.

Counselors screen calls based on detailed definitions of abuse, neglect and abandonment as spelled out in Florida statutes and a host of internal policies and procedures.

In the past year, records show, DCF has been accepting fewer child-abuse calls to the hot line for investigation.

In January 2009, DCF accepted 14,930 child-abuse reports, down from 17,999 the previous year. In February 2009, DCF accepted 14,724 reports, down from 18,427 in 2008. In September 2009, DCF accepted 14,553 reports, down from 17,709 the year before. And in October 2009, the agency generated 13,188 investigations, down from 17,345 in 2008.

Read full story here (PDF)

This Bulletin discusses the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence (NatSCEV), the most comprehensive nationwide survey of the incidence and prevalence of children’s exposure to violence to date, sponsored by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Stacking the Deck Against Kids
New York Times
By BOB HERBERT
Published: November 28, 2009

Every year at Thanksgiving, parts of the Upper West Side of Manhattan become like a paradise for children. There’s the exciting preparation of the balloons and floats for the Thanksgiving Day parade, and then, on Thursday morning, the parade itself.

The weather isn’t always kind. I’ve seen the kids out there in snow, in freezing rain, in winds that threaten to send the balloons and their handlers soaring to distant venues. It doesn’t seem to matter. The children come into the neighborhood in waves, holding the hands of adults or riding atop their shoulders, smiling, laughing, playing hide-and-seek among the police barricades. Finally, inevitably, they end up staring in absolute open-mouthed, wide-eyed awe as the mammoth, colorful helium-filled creations of their favorite characters begin making their majestic way down Central Park West.

We have an obligation and an opportunity at this special moment in history to do right by these youngsters, and all the rest of America’s kids. It’s a special moment because we’ve seen so clearly the many things that have gone haywire in the society, and while it may not be easy to articulate, we have a sense of what needs to be done.

The American economy is broken, ruined by the greed and irresponsibility of fabulously wealthy corporate chieftains and their shabby acolytes and enablers in government. While Wall Street is handing out billions in bonuses, American families are struggling with joblessness, home foreclosures and rampant debt. The economic woes are exacting a fierce toll on family life, and children are taking a big hit — emotionally, psychologically and otherwise.

One effect of the Great Recession, according to a recent series in The Times, has been a big jump in the number of runaway children, many of them living in dangerous conditions on the street.

Family homelessness is also up, and poverty is increasing. More than a third of all black children in America are poor, and that tragic percentage is expanding. The outlook for America’s working classes is bleak. A few weeks ago a New York cab driver nearly broke down in tears as he told me he’d had to apply for food stamps to continue feeding his family.

A sense of urgency may be starting to emerge. With President Obama’s jobs summit approaching, representatives from labor and progressive organizations gathered in Washington to warn of the lasting damage being inflicted on the prospects of young Americans by the continuing employment crisis.

Millions of youngsters like those who were suffused with such delight at the Thanksgiving Day parade are being buffeted by an economy that is eroding their quality of life, curtailing their educational opportunities and undermining their prospects for economic success as adults. That more attention is not being paid to this growing disaster is criminal.

Groups represented at the meeting in Washington, which was sponsored by the Economic Policy Institute, included the A.F.L.-C.I.O., the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the N.A.A.C.P., the National Council of La Raza and the Center for Community Change. Among other things, they urged the administration and Congress to provide substantial additional relief to economically distressed state and local governments, to invest in much more widespread infrastructure improvements, and to engage in some direct government creation of jobs.

All of that, in my view, would amount to just a first step. We remain stuck in an economic model that not only permits but encourages the continued existence of financial institutions that are too big to fail, which means that when one or more of them fail — as will surely happen at some point — we’ll again be rushing to “save the system” by bailing them out at taxpayers’ expense.

The system remains grotesquely unfair, with the deck stacked against working people, even as we’re desperate to have them sustain the economy with nonstop consumer purchases. Keep in mind that at the start of the recession the collective wealth of the richest 1 percent of Americans was greater than that of the bottom 90 percent combined. The economic and political clout of that bottom 90 percent has only weakened since then.

We still have a hideously dysfunctional public education system, one that has mastered the art of manufacturing dropouts and functional illiterates. We have not even begun to turn that around.

We still keep fighting tragic, futile, stupid wars, squandering lives and resources and creative energies that could be put to use right here at home, where the need for nation-building is beyond critical.

The U.S. should be a paradise for young people. We need big changes in this country, approaches that are constructive, creative and fundamentally new, if we’re going to give those smiling kids I saw on Thanksgiving Day the kind of society they deserve.

We’re excited to announce that Jermaine Crawford, known best for his portrayal of Dukie Weems on ‘The Wire’, has put together a fantastic amount of star power to promote awareness of homeless teens. Jermaine had a moral awakening after portraying a runaway teen on the hit TV show and realizing that many of the extras he worked alongside were actual runaways, people his age who didn’t seem any different or less vital than he is.

At a time of year when the streets are getting cold and darkness falls early we are thinking about the plight of young people on the streets more than ever, and we know you are too. We hope you’ll join us in sharing this video as widely as possible. Together we can help raise awareness about the invisible generation and work on bringing them back from the brink of flat lining.

Jermaine's group is raising money to increase awareness. The funds he raises currently go to the National Network for Youth to assist in Youth Advocacy. He is interested in using his exposure among young people to raise money for homeless kids all up and down the chain of service and we hope you'll be part of this exciting new campaign.

Thank you for believing in the work we do. It is vital to our children in Monroe County. Without the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter, many of these kids would literally be on the streets, day after day without hope of comfort and care.

The struggle continues...as the need for our services are on the incline locally, the national news is the same. The story is told in two recent New York Times articles written by Ian Urbina. Please take the time to read these important stories.

To read the articles in their entirety, and to view related videos, please visit the links below.

The first of the series is available at NYT's Web site here.
The second article is available here.

These stories are the hardcore truth about living on the streets. This is a tremendous issue that is hitting our nation’s young people more and more everyday. For many reasons such as, illness, job loss and other family matters these kids are running away at an alarming rate. Our current economic hard times are literally forcing these kids to live on the streets and "in the shadows." Read more and learn why our work at FKCS is so important and why your investment is so very much needed today. Thank you!

Ronald George Herron, 1949 - 2009

Ron Herron

The family and friends of Ronald George Herron, 60, are saddened to announce his untimely passing in a tragic swimming accident in Crescent Beach, Florida, on Sunday, October 11, 2009. Ron gave his life to public service and to the protection of those less fortunate. Born in Queens, West Virginia on February 26, 1949, Ron grew up in Ashtabula, Ohio. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1974. A lover of the ocean and of the outdoors, Ron moved to Key West, Florida, in 1976 where he spent the rest of his life dedicated to helping others. Starting as a child services counselor, he became the Director of Youth Services for the Monroe County juvenile court system in 1978. In 1983, Ron became Regional Program Administrator for all of Monroe County’s State Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services programs.

In 1989, Ron became the Assistant City Manager for the City of Key West, including six months as Interim City Manager. During that time, he was instrumental in initiating many major projects to protect the character of Key West, including the acquisition by the city of the Key West Bight and the creation of the AIDS Memorial at the White Street Pier.

In 1994, Ron moved to the private sector, but never forgot his commitment to public service. From 1994 to 1999 he was Executive Director of AIDS Help, Inc., Monroe County’s largest private, non-profit social service agency. From 2001 to 2005 he became Pretrial Services Director and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for Monroe County, where his work earned an award from the Florida Supreme Court.

To his many dear and lifelong friends, Ron will be remembered as a loyal, outgoing spirit, with a love of celebration, an ever-ready corny joke, and a scratch golf game. He was there to help anyone in need, treating every single person he met with courtesy and respect. In addition to his work responsibilities, Ron donated his time to numerous public service organizations. He was twice appointed by the Governor to the Lower Florida Keys Hospital District (1995-1999), served as Vice President of the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter (1995-1999), Treasurer of the Area Health Education Center (1995-1999), Chairman of the Emergency Food & Shelter Board (1995-1999), Treasurer of the Key West AIDS Memorial Committee (1995-1999), Board member of the South Florida Health Council Advisory Board (1988-1992), Board member of the Citizens’ Advisory Task Force (1998-1999), Board member of the Lower Florida Keys Health Systems Board (1998-1999), Vice President of the Key West Art & Historical Society (1991-1994), Member of the South Florida Monroe County AIDS Consortium (1994-1999), President of Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Monroe County (1982-1984), Member of Region 28 Education Coordinating Council (1987-1989), United Way Campaign Chairman (1982-1984), and Healthy Start Coalition (1993-1999).

Ron is survived by the love of his life, Ruthie Adams; his daughter Robyn Hafner, her husband Brian Burau; his grand-daughter Tasman Burau; his brother Michael Herron and his wife Deborah; his sister Kimberly Miller and her husband Scott; his sister Janet Slay; his sister-in-law Sandra Herron; many loving nieces and nephews; and a far-flung, well-loved contingent of friends.
Ron was pre-deceased by his mother Betty Herron, his father, George Herron, his brother Richard Herron, and his nephew Scott Slay.

In celebration of Ron’s life, all are invited to a memorial ceremony in Key West on Friday, 16 October 2009 at 5pm at the AIDS Memorial at the White Street Pier. Those who remember Ron are asked to bring two copies of a written memory. One copy will be added to a memory book while the other will be included in a ceremonial firebowl. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the ashes of the burned memories will be scattered from the White Street Pier.

After the Key West ceremony, Ron’s ashes will be flown from Key West to Ohio for a family memorial and final interment in the Herron family plot.

In honor of Ron’s commitment to service, we respectfully request that in lieu of flowers, a donation of your time or resources be made to better the circumstances of all.

FKCA remembers a dear friend, Ron Herron, and wishes his family and friends the greatest comfort during this very difficult time. Ron will be missed by all of us at FKCS.

Edward Vincent Lett III [Ed] of Naples, Florida passed away on Monday, August 17, 2009 in his home. Ed was born in Erie, Pennsylvania on November 24, 1945, son of the late Edward and Gwendolyn [Coolbaugh] Lett. Survivors include his beloved wife Bonney K. Lett; daughter, Shea M. Harrison [Martin] of Stuttgart, Germany and their children Alexis, Austin and Riley; daughter Melissa A. Bechtel [Chris] of Los Angeles, CA and their children Cole, Amelia and Patience; daughter, Ashley P. Huntsberry-Lett of Naples, Fl.; and sister, Marylyn A. Schaarsmith of Chesterfield, VA.

Ed’s retirement in February of 2009 capped a 41-year commitment to an industry that he loved very much. Upon graduating from Doane College in Crete, NE in 1968, he began his career at Marine Midland Bank in New York City as a trainee and junior lending officer in the industrial finance dept. He was then recruited by Maryland National Bank in 1971 as the regional vice president for the Southern Maryland counties of Howard, Prince Georges, and Calvert. Following 16 years in various management positions, and acquiring the title of senior vice president, Ed relocated to Jacksonville, Florida to pursue his passion for community banking with American National Bank. Following his four-year tenure at American National, he was then recruited by TIB Bank of the Keys, which was at the time a 191 million dollar true blue community bank located in the beautiful Florida Keys. In 1994, Ed was promoted to Chief Executive Officer, President, and also became a member of the board of directors. In the ensuing years under Ed’s guidance, TIB became the dominant community bank in the Florida Keys and began its expansion onto the mainland. Prior to Ed’s retirement in 2009, TIB obtained the position of the third largest publicly traded bank head quartered in Florida, with assets approaching two billion dollars.

Ed was an automobile enthusiast who enjoyed all facets of car ownership including collecting, restoring, and racing. He was a family man who relished time with his growing brood of grandchildren. He had a passion for travel, sailing, and golf. He was loved by many and will truly be missed.

“Life is not waiting for the storm to pass; it’s learning to dance in the rain.”

Funeral mass will be at St. Justin the Martyr Catholic Church, 105500 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida on Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter, 73 High Point Road, Tavernier, Fl. 33070, www.fkcs.org, or to The American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org.

The Florida Keys Children’s Shelter (FKCS) is proud to announce an exiting new project. FKCS was recently approved by AmeriCorps and the Southeastern Network of Youth and Family Services to join them in their SENCorps project. (Read More)

Key West center offers a safe haven for runaway, homeless kids
(Miami Herald; April 9, 2009)

By Cammy Clark

Andrea Grace Quigley was a ''lost'' 20-year-old when she hitchhiked from New Jersey to the end of the road -- Key West -- partly to escape a sad home life with a dying mom and a cancer-stricken dad, and partly to try to find herself.

With her last few dollars, she bought a movie ticket, sat in the darkened Tropic Cinema and fell asleep. When she woke, the movie was over. Tears began to flow.

''I didn't want to walk back out onto the street,'' Quigley said. ``I had no money. I couldn't call my parents, they were so desperately ill. I wanted somewhere to go, but I didn't know anyone.''

That low moment became a turning point. As she walked out of the theater, a stranger asked about the saxophone she was carrying with her backpack. The stranger was Tim Curtis, director of Project Lighthouse, a federally funded street outreach program for runaways, homeless and at-risk street youth under 21.

Project Lighthouse provided Quigley with basic necessities, equipment to record a demo CD and, most important, a safe place to figure out her next move. That was 2005. Today, Quigley is a young woman who owns a car, sells jewelry and clothing she designs and volunteers at the drop-in center that gave her a new start.

''Most everyone who comes in here is at a point in their life when they are teetering tottering on the ledge, and can go either way,'' Quigley said. ``You can go to this negative life, or go in the other direction.''

Project Lighthouse is not a shelter nor a traditional outreach program where a heavy emphasis on rules can send some youths running. It's a daytime-only, 900-square-foot oasis from the streets that functions as art studio, jam space, information center and survival goods supplier.

It opened in October 2004 and has served about 870 runaway and homeless youth from around the country, according to program director Jai Somers. Hundreds more local at-risk kids also have been helped.

There's a big need in the Southernmost City. The tropical weather and laid back reputation attracts hundreds of runaways and the homeless, especially in winter.

Project Lighthouse is modeled after a successful outreach program by the same name in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

''It was very edgy, very artistic, where kids are talked about in a dignified, respectful way,'' said Kathy Tuell, president and CEO of Florida Keys Children's Shelter, the non-profit that operates Project Lighthouse. ``It was a program that would fit in with the quirkiness of the community of Key West.''

Project Lighthouse's lure: free art supplies, musical instruments, showers, laundry facilities, toiletries, Internet access, resource information and staffers and volunteers to listen.

There are a few simple ground rules: No drugs or alcohol. No sleeping. No fighting. Be kid-friendly (no swearing or R-rated material.) And, be productive.

Somers, an artist/counselor who took over as program director a year ago, said the key with the youth they serve -- they call them ''travelers'' -- is to build trust. Often, they are suspicious. Most have had tough, troubled childhoods with limited family support.

''Today they come in and use the bathroom,'' Somers said. ``Tomorrow, they come in and do a little laundry. The next day they want to use the computer. They know they can turn to us.''

The outreach program does not remove the teens and young adults from the streets. But it does provide services that reduce the risk and hardships of having no home, including medical help, with a volunteer doctor on call and condoms available for safe sex.

'The most successful influences out there are negative -- `come here and sell crack to a tourist, or be a prostitute,' '' Quigley said. 'You don't see many aggressive positive influences like Project Lighthouse -- `come in here and be creative, paint a picture, take a shower and go find a job.' ''

Tuell said she realizes some people in Key West see this nontraditional outreach program as an enabler for the youth to continue to live in the community, panhandle in front of local businesses and sleep on the beaches and in the mangroves.

''I've had a runaway child,'' Tuell said. ``I have been the mom who cruised the street looking for that young person, terrified and panic stricken. I want to know that there are responsible folks who are at least aware and supportive and ready to help a runaway child.''

The Keys' Network of Social Service Agencies Faces an Uncertain Future
(The Citizen; December 7, 2008)

Let's make it official. I'm worried. More than usual, that is. I'm wondering if anyone else is as concerned as I am about the future health and well-being of our already meager network of local social service agencies. I think we are about to witness the "perfect storm," a trifecta of bad economic news at the federal, state and local levels, following a five-year stint of budget reductions, compounded by falling donor support.

For those of us who provide these services in residential settings, this coming storm is particularly nerve-wracking. Most of us serve multiple levels of government -- none of whom pay the "full cost" of providing the service and all of whom produce reams of codes, rules, regulations, requirements, mandates and standards by which we must do the work. Budget reductions, by the way, never come with a reduction in requirements. Name an issue and I can show you several policies, procedures, and forms related to it that must be completed.

In residential settings, the service we provide is the staff. Of course, we house (buildings, maintenance, equipment, utilities, vehicles) and support (food, clothing, bedding, medicine, daily activities). And then there is the getting and managing of money to do the work, and the oversight of all the requirements that go along with it (recruiting, training, supervising). But what we really are all about is the human interaction -- the supervision (eyes on the client), the counseling, the crisis intervention, the treatment. To be effective requires strong, committed, teachable employees, willing to work with challenging populations immersed in all the human tragedy and drama one can imagine -- and enough of those individuals to fill up three shifts a day, 365 days a year. The kind of people you'd trust with your own child, or parent, or spouse, or sibling.

Government agencies at all levels are ramping up the rhetoric about the looming budget crisis, which will require "great sacrifice" and "tough decision-making." My organization, the Florida Keys Children's Shelter, has seen a steady erosion of more than half a million dollars in funding over the past five years. Yet, by being tough as nails and flying in the face of reason, we've managed to become nationally accredited and recognized by Charity Navigator for "sound fiscal management." But I will tell you in all honesty that our hold on extraordinary performance in the face of enormous challenges is tenuous, at best. And we are not alone.

In the past month, we've all read about the troubles at the convalescent center, the drastic reduction of some services at the Guidance Clinic of the Middle Keys, and our own Monroe County Juvenile Detention Center has closed temporarily with too few staff to remain safely open. I fear that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Most local agencies have been cut to the bone already, yet we limp on, totally committed to serving our special populations and the citizens of our county. But there comes a point where safety and effectiveness are impacted by too few dollars coming in to sustain the effort. When that moment comes for any organization, the only real place to make further reductions is in personnel, and eventually there are not enough staff left to do the work as it needs to be done. And, despite the fact that we do slightly different work with slightly different parts of the population, i.e. homeless or troubled children, homeless women with or without children, domestic violence, homeless veterans, homeless men, the mentally ill, the addicted, the frail elderly or other special populations -- we work together, refer cases to each other and support the collective effort to support our most vulnerable citizens. The loss of one organization or service affects the ability of the rest of us to successfully impact those we work with.

Healthy, vibrant and effective not-for-profit organizations require sufficient funding. It is easy to see each organization's issues as singular to that organization and not as a part of an overall erosion of a social support system. The not-for-profit community is the third leg of the three-legged stool that supports society -- the private sector (business), the public sector (government) and the social sector (not-for-profits). As a community, we need to pay attention to the health and well-being of all three sectors.

We hope that during this holiday season, you will support the charities of your choice. We also hope you'll take every opportunity to vocally support strengthened funding for these critical programs at all levels of government.

Kathy Tuell is a member of the Southeastern (U.S.) Network of Youth & Family Services, and represents the eight states of the network on the National Council on Youth Policy Development. She is past president of the Florida Network of Youth & Family Services, president and CEO of the Florida Keys Children's Shelter and is the wife of Citizen Editor Tom Tuell.

The Marines and Toys for Tots delivered 12 new bicycles just in time for Christmas. The bikes were for our both the two shelters in Key West and for our 18-bed shelter in Tavernier.

Monroe Board of County Commissioners proclaims November as Runaway Prevention Proclamation at its Wednesday October 15, 2008 meeting
(Read More)

Florida Keys Children's Shelter, Monroe County Sheriff's Department to Conduct "Green Light" campaign throughout November, 2008.
(Read More)

For the Runaways and the Travelers, a Sanctuary
(Solares Hill; July 11, 2008)

For the past 10 months, 487 teens have passed through the Project Lighthouse drop-in for drop-outs. Here they can get phone and Internet access, plus basic hygiene and first-aid items for free. The primary goal of the program is to help a young person reunite with family or else find an alternative, safe arrangement through extended family or a family friend.

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Kathy Tuell, President/CEO of the Florida Keys Children's Shelter, was recently notified that FKCS was awarded the coveted 4-star rating for sound fiscal management from Charity Navigator --America's largest independent evaluator of charities.

"We are very happy to receive this 4-star award..." said Tuell, "the timing is wonderful. During the current funding climate, it is important that our supporters know that their donations are being managed in the most efficient way. Dave Bley, our CFO, has done an outstanding job in managing all our resources."

Charity Navigator helps charitable givers make intelligent giving decisions by providing in-depth, objective ratings and analysis of the financial health of America's largest charities. Charity Navigator awarded four out of a possible four stars to FKCS. In earning Charity Navigator's highest 4- star rating, The Florida Keys Children's Shelter has demonstrated exceptional financial health, outperforming most of its peers in its efforts to manage and grow its finances in the most fiscally responsible way possible.

Approximately one-forth of the charities evaluated receive the highest 4-star rating. This indicates that the Florida Keys Children's Shelter outperforms the majority of nonprofits in America with respect to fiscal responsibility. As stated by Michael Smith, Interim President of Charity Navigator, "This exceptional designation differentiates the Florida Keys Children's Shelter from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust."

Janey Miller, Chief Development Officer for FKCS said, "As we reach out to the public for financial support, it is very helpful to have this objective outside organization honor our commitment to operate in the best manner possible. A donor's trust is essential in this very important work."

The Florida Keys Children's Shelter is committed to rebuilding lives, building futures and reuniting families. Our mission is caring for children and families in crisis providing support for: Safe Kids - Strong Families - Healthy Community through shelter, counseling and outreach programs throughout Monroe County