There is nothing quite like a father’s advice.  Somehow he always has the thoughts and words to know just what to say at the right time.  While biologically capable of fathering children, not all fathers are able to be dads to their children, or speak for them. Some are mentally and emotionally unfit to be parents, while others struggle constantly with substance abuse. 

As we celebrate fathers and their advice in our lives, let us today remember those that are not as fortunate to have a father figure in their life - due to abuse, abandonment and neglect. 

In honor of Father’s Day, the Voices family has compiled some words of wisdom they have received from their fathers and father-figures:

A Father’s Advice

“Stay true to your word.”

“If you’re going to hoot with the owls at night, you need to soar with the eagles in the morning.”

“Stand up straight, shake hands firmly, and always look people in the eye.”

“An education is one thing people cannot take away from you.”

“Don’t swing if it’s not in the strike zone.  If it is, swing harder.”

“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.”

“Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all.”

“Say what you mean and mean what you say.”

What advice has your father given you over the years?

We have all heard the economy is bad and the United States is in a major recession – but just how major, is major?

In a new report released today by the Brookings Institute, South Florida has suffered more during the recession than almost any other place in the country.  The report studies the 100 major metropolitan areas across the nation comparing housing markets and job loss rates.  Taking into account our shrinking economy and collapsing real estate prices, South Florida ranks low, in the bottom 20.

This is a revelation that might not be novel to us, as residents of the area.  We have seen the evidence downtown and across Miami-Dade County of vacant buildings and foreclosed homes.  We have had friends ask us to open our rolodex in an effort to find companies that are hiring.  And most recently, we have seen the Florida government attempt to tighten its budget through the reckless slashing of funds for a portion of our most needy citizens.

It is difficult in a recession to look beyond the impact the economic climate is having on one’s own family, but the impact is there and it is very real.  Those hit hardest in a recession are those that were already struggling before the economy took a nosedive.  Families that were already under pressure to provide food for their children and a roof over their head find themselves without a stable source of income and caught in cycle of abuse and neglect due to uncontrollable financial stress.

Nationally, 27% of the homeless population has spent time in Foster Care.  As the housing market in South Florida is one of the most volatile in the country, one can only imagine a higher percentage for our region.  Through your support of Voices For Children Foundation, together we can work to ensure that Miami-Dade’s foster children are given a real chance at success, even during these difficult economic times. 

Please consider a donation today to BE A VOICE for the abused, abandoned and neglected children in our community, so that they do not have to question their future.

Diane, June 2010 GAL Volunteer of the Month

Diane has lived in Miami for over 30 years.  As a long-time resident, Diane felt compelled to become involved in something greater than her own self-interest and decided to become a Guardian ad Litem (GAL).  Since 2000 she has worked on many cases, some difficult and some less challenging.  However, the children have always served to remind her of why she became a GAL and why she loves Being A Voice.

When asked to recall a memorable case, Diane tells the story of a newborn baby boy, recklessly abandoned in a dumpster.  He still had his umbilical cord attached when he was found.  The baby was placed in a foster home where the foster parent felt an immediate connection with the child.  “On my first home visit,” says Diane “she expressed the desire to adopt him.”

With every home visit Diane made, she was elated with joy to see the love the foster mother expressed for this child, who while still so young had already had such a difficult life.  She noticed the home slowly filling up with a car seat, a bouncer, toys, books and baby clothes.  “When I held the child during my visits, I was often dumbfounded,” Diane recalls, “how could a person literally throw this child away?”

Diane continued to visit with the child and foster parent while the court completed diligent searches to locate the unknown mother and father.  In observing the foster parent with the baby, Diane believed that the foster parent could give him all the necessary tools to eventually become an asset to his family and the community.  “This was the opinion I voiced to the court,” explains Diane.

Every effort was made to reunify the baby with the parents but as the department completed its diligent searches, the parents were still unknown.  The foster parent filed for adoption of the child and his adoption date was set. “The judge’s chamber was full of everyone who was involved in the case and there was not a dry eye in the room.”

Voices For Children, in conjunction with the Guardian ad Litem Program, is proud to name Diane as the June 2010 GAL Volunteer of the Month.  Her commitment to the program and strong sense of duty are exemplary, and it is the commitment of volunteers like Diane that allow our program to thrive. 

For more information on Voices For Children and the Guardian ad Litem Program, please visit www.BeAVoice.org.

Michael N. Rosenberg, VFC Board Chair, Johan Askowitz, former VFC Board member, Nelson F. Hincapie, VFC President and CEO

On Thursday, May 6, 2010, Voices For Children Foundation celebrated as Mayor Alvarez proclaimed the day Johan Askowitz Day, in honor of former Board member and longtime child advocate Johan Askowitz.  Ms. Askowitz is one of the longest-serving members of the Voices For Children Foundation’s Board of Directors, serving from 1987 to January 2010.  As a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) volunteer since July 1988, she holds an impressive record of involvement in more than fifty cases with the GAL Program, and rejoices Being a Voice for well over one-hundred children in our Miami-Dade community. 

True to her commitment to making a difference in the lives of Miami-Dade’s most vulnerable members, in 2006-2007, Johan served as Chair of Voices’ Programs and Special Projects Committee, which focuses on providing foster children with life-enhancing opportunities and meeting their immediate needs.  Through her involvement on this committee, as well as countless other committees over the years, Ms. Askowitz has brought a notable strength to the organization with her spirit, commitment to service, and devotion to children in the foster care system

Over 20 years of enthusiastic volunteer service has shown that Ms. Askowitz is committed to bringing hope, promise and opportunity to the abused, neglected and abandoned children of Miami-Dade County.  Congratulations Johan and thank you for all that you have done to Be A Voice!

PROCLAIMATION:

BE IT RESOLVED, THAT I, CARLOS ALVAREZ, MAYOR OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, CHAIRMAN DENNIS C. MOSS AND THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, ON BEHALF OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND THIS COMMUNITY, do hereby proclaim Thursday, May 6, 2010, as

Whole Foods Market in conjunction with Voices For Children Foundation is promoting Change for Change.  This new program, which will run through July 4th, allows customers to donate their $0.10 reusable bag refund to Voices For Children.  Simply shop at Whole Foods between now and July 4th, bring in your reusable bag for your groceries, and at check-out donate your refund to Change for Change and Voices For Children Foundation.

Where:  Whole Foods Market
6701 Red Road (Red Road and US 1)
Coral Gables, FL 33143