By becoming an ACE- an Advocate for Children’s Education – you will have the opportunity to work with children who are between the ages of 5 and 18, all of whom are currently within the Foster Care system of Miami-Dade County.  The children vary in grade level, IQ, and learning/language impairment.  All are currently enrolled in school, but in need of extra academic support.

In tutoring and interacting with children in the community, ACE’s demonstrate a strong desire to contribute to the academic advancement of at-risk youth, and feel comfortable acting as a positive role model, possess compassion and have a sense of humor.

Applying to Become an ACE

ACE’s are asked to donate a minimum of one hour per week to affect change for a student that will last a lifetime. 

North Dade Hours*: Monday thru Friday, between the hours of 8AM and 6PM**

South Dade Hours*: Monday thru Friday, between the hours of 4PM and 7PM

Apply here or request an application form by mail.

Questions?

Please call Lauren Gutman at 786-208-1511 or e-mail empowerastudent@voices4.org to facilitate scheduling.

*subject to change during summer months
** With the exception of the following:

K5- 2nd Grade Monday - Friday, 11:00-11:30AM (lunchtime)
Tuesdays, 8:00-9:30AM
3rd- 4th Grade Monday - Friday, 11:00AM-11:30PM (lunchtime)
Wednesdays, 8:00-9:30AM
5th-6th Grade Monday - Friday, 11:30AM-12:30PM (lunchtime)
Wednesdays, 8:00-9:30AM
7th-8th Grade Monday - Friday, 12:00-12:30PM (lunchtime)
Tuesdays, 9:00-10:30AM

Artist Carlos Rodriguez reviews sketching technique with youth at painting workshop	Shawn Marion distributes holiday gifts to foster kids
Teen warms up on the court with Miami HEAT	Artist Terje Lundaas teaches foster youth glassblowing process during glass art workshop

In 2007, Voices also added life skills workshops, offered exclusively for our youth preparing to transition out of foster care. These education workshops teach participants about nutritious foods, budgeting, cooking, meal planning for the hurricane season, how to prepare for emergencies, job interview skills, etc. and are geared towards young adults who, more often than not, have been in the child welfare system since a very young age, and will soon be living on their own.

If you have any ideas for future workshops or would like to get involved with our current Children’s Needs projects, please contact Dorothy Marin at 305.324.5678 or dmarin@voices4.org.

We currently have 2,600 children in foster care who need your help.  And by the end of the day, at least two more children will be removed from their home due to abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

DONATE NOW! Your contribution has an extraordinary purpose! You can be that one, big difference in the life of an abused child by supporting our efforts to provide advocacy to children through the Guardian Ad Litem Program as well as help us meet their social, educational, and medical needs.

SIGN UP TO BE A VOLUNTEER. You can be the hero in the life of a child. By becoming a Guardian Ad Litem volunteer, you will ensure that at least one child has a voice in court and that their best interests are being preserved.

OR

This Annual Toy Drive initiative also provides items for the many youth that are a part of the Transitioning Youth Project, or TYP.  The TYP works to ensure youth leaving the foster care system have the adult relationships, education, housing, job, and life skills they need to be successful on their own and become productive, healthy adults.  During the holiday season, these youth are given items that will help them lead healthy, independent adult lives, such as linens, the ability to purchase work appropriate clothing, or bicycles as a means of reliable transportation.

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Annual Toy Drive 2009: 21st HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE A GREAT SUCCESS

Every year as the holiday season approaches, Voices For Children holds a holiday toy drive for the foster children of Miami-Dade County.  In 2009, with the efforts of Voices board member Annabel “Bunchy” Gertner and her jolly faithful “elves,” every foster child in the dependency system received a toy, including the 600 transitioning youth who are preparing for independent life. This past year our transitioning teens received “starter kits” containing linens, towels, comforters, pillows, dishes, flatware and other household items.

Voices For Children would like to thank the countless individuals and corporations who donated toys and wrapped gifts.  In particular we would like to thank: The Continental Group; Florida Power & Light; Hasbro, Inc.; Latin Builders Association; The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald; Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; and Northern Trust.  Thank you all for your generous support.

“We are honored to host such a momentous event and to speak up for the abused, abandoned, and neglected children who go unheard every day in an overburdened foster care system,” said Nelson F. Hincapie, President & CEO, Voices For Children Foundation. “Let’s stand up for our foster children, so they can stand a chance for the future,” he added.

Residents, businesses and community organizations can become sponsors of one of these “forgotten children” represented in the life-sized cut-outs for $250. Following the march, guests are invited to stay and enjoy a Children’s Celebration at Bayside Marketplace. This family fun-filled event is comprised of various performances including Hip Hop Kidz, entertainment by Radio Disney AM 990, and a display auction of diverse art by the children in foster care. One hundred percent of the proceeds of the art are going to the child artists.

This fundraising campaign is being held by Voices For Children Foundation, the fundraising arm of the 11th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Program. The funds provided by Voices allow the GAL Program to recruit and train the volunteers who serve as the “voice” for the foster care children. When a GAL volunteer is involved, a child is less likely to move from home to home and they are 95-percent less likely to re-enter the foster care system.

This event will not be possible without the help and support from our sponsors:

Platinum Sponsors: Bilzin Sumberg;Baena Price & Axelrod LLP; The Children’s Trust; Bayside Marketplace

Gold Sponsors: Flagler Development Group; Leon Medical Centers;  Miccosukee Resort & Gaming;  Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.; Mayor Carlos Alvarez’s V initiative

Media Sponsors: Univision 23 / Telefutura 69; CBS4; Fuel Outdoor; The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald; Diario Las Americas; WLRN; Official Diamond Voice: Comcast; Official Silver Voice: Parrot Fish Studio

Voices For Children Foundation is a not for profit organization that raises funds to ensure that every abused, abandoned, and neglected child in Miami-Dade County has a court appointed Guardian Ad Litem and that financial assistance and other resources are available for their accompanying health, educational, and social needs. Guardians Ad Litem are trained, court-appointed adults who serve as the representative voice for abused, abandoned, and neglected children involved in dependency court proceedings. For more information and to sponsor a “child” visit www.voices4.org or call 305-324-5678.

For more information on artworks that are still available for bidding, please contact Paula Vargas at 305.324.5678 or pvargas@voices4.org.

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February 13, 2010 - The day before Valentine’s Day, Voices For Children’s strongest supporters arrived at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental for the much anticipated “Be A Voice, Feel The Magic Gala”. The glamorous black-tie event inspired the attendance of community leaders in the name of the children struggling through the dependency system.

Laurie Jennings, South Florida’s Channel 10 Anchor, served as the night’s Mistress of Ceremony and party sounds were provided by New York’s DJ Kucha.  Performers from the acclaimed Cirque Du Soleil displayed their amazing strength and style with high flying acrobatics and hand-to-hand balancing acts.

Continue reading about the 2010 “Be A Voice, Feel the Magic” Gala…

The 2010 Be A Voice, Feel The Magic Gala  was held on February 13, 2010 and
was sponsored by:

PRESENTING SPONSORS

Mandarin Oriental, Miami

Southern Wine and Spirits

GOLDEN FAN GUARDIAN

Cathay Pacific Airways

ORIENTAL GUARDIANS

Berkowitz Dick Pollack & Brant

Greenberg Traurig

Swire Properties, Inc.

TAI PAN GUARDIANS

Yolanda & Jeffrey Berkowitz

Florida Power & Light

The Continental Group

Veena & Ramesh Panjabi

Dr. and Mrs. Michael Rosenberg

Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.

The 2009 Be A Voice, Have a Heart Gala was held on February 14, 2009:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jDBnxUFoYI

Please check back for more information on upcoming young professionals events! If you would like more information about this initiative or are interested in taking on a leadership role, please contact Voices at 305-324-5678.

Please remember to visit our website regularly for updates on this and other exciting projects!

If you would like more information, please contact us at 305.324.5678 or at emorales@voices4.org.