Join Voices For Children for our second Strike Out Child Abuse, Bowling Event, Wednesday, September 15th.  Thank you to all who participated in our May event.  Attendees had such an amazing time, that we were asked to do it again! Now, we’ve made it even better.  Not only can you put together teams of 8 to bowl, you can also form teams of 2 to play billiards… or do both (special price for those who bowl and play pool).

This event was sold out in May, so complete a sign up form to reserve your place now. You can let us know exactly who will be on your team later.  This is an opportunity to socialize with friends, co- workers and teammates while helping to raise much needed funds for Voices For Children. 

Please join us for this fun evening-  form your teams early, designate a captain and contact us to reserve your spot.

Can’t form a team? No worries!  Voices will pair you up with other enthusiasts so that you can still participate.

Questions? We have answers.  Call Voices For Children at 305-324-5678.  Let’s bowl!

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. 

Olinda and Carol, two sisters formerly involved with the Guardian Program, shared their heartbreaking story of abuse, hardship, sadness, and ultimately-  success. Olinda, the oldest of nine siblings, will be graduating this year from Florida International University (FIU) with a double major in Chemistry and Physics. Carol will commence classes at FIU this fall. Veena Panjabi and Aimee Owens, co-chairs of the event said, “The testimonial we just heard is the unfortunate story of one of so many children in our community. It is only through the generous support of our friends, contributors, and volunteers, that this vicious cycle of abuse and abandonment will stop and children can have bright futures.” 

The sisters’ testimonial brought the room to tears and opened the hearts of all those in attendance, with guests pledging donations to join Voices’ Angel Society and a chance to win a $5,000 shopping spree at Neiman Marcus Coral Gables.  Adeline Cassin, who won the shopping spree, was so touched by Olinda and Carol’s story that she selflessly gifted the spree to the two sisters. Additionally, Ana Weissman was so moved by their story that she generously gifted tuition to FIU.  The Gala was successful in not only raising awareness of foster children and their stories, but also raising over $490,000 in cash and in-kind donations, including a generous commitment from Stambul LLC for $25,000 over the next five years.

Click here to view more photos from this fabulous evening.

We extend a very special thank you to our very generous sponsors Mandarin Oriental, Miami; Southern Wine and Spirits of South Florida; Cathay Pacific Airways; Berkowitz Dick Pollack & Brant; Greenberg Traurig; and Swire Properties for making the gala such an accomplishment.

Agnes, July GAL Volunteer of the Month

Initially becoming involved with the Guardian ad Litem Program over six years ago, Agnes, first heard about the vital work of GAL volunteers while reading the Neighbors for Neighbors section of The Miami Herald.  The article focused on a volunteer and his fulfilling experience as a Guardian and after reading it Agnes felt compelled to get involved. “The rest is history,” states Agnes. 

As a resident of the Miami area for 14 years, the GAL Program has given Agnes an opportunity to give back to the community while fulfilling a critical role to BE A VOICE for our community’s neediest members – our children.  The experience has been “extremely enriching for me,” says Agnes, “and has validated the strength of the mother-child bonding relationship.”

While every case and each child Agnes has encountered has been unique, there are commonalities among them that stand out to her.  The love, the dedication and the commitment from each and every mother towards their children – regardless of race, educational background, or ethnic origin – is a fundamental aspect of human nature.  In the cases with which she has been involved, Agnes comments, “The mother’s never made the case about them personally, but made it about the children.”   

When asked about a case that stands out in Agnes’s memory, she tells the story of a mother in her early twenties, who had three children each from a different father.  As is often the case with the cyclical nature of abuse, the mother had been sexually abused as a child and now her children were in trouble as prey of domestic violence.  As someone who had experience with ‘the system,’ the mother was incredibly leery of GAL involvement in the case.

“When I was finally able to sit down with her and have a heart-to-heart, she realized I was there as a neutral representative for the best interest of the child, and not ‘the system’,” recalls Agnes.  The outcome could not have been better for both the mother and the children.  Through advocacy, parental classes and appropriate court determination, the three children were able to safely remain with the mother.  Further, the mother was able to advance her earning power and ability to care for her children by completing a technical education course to enhance her career.     

Judges, attorneys, child welfare workers and parents overwhelmingly report that volunteers make a difference with the children they serve*, and this is just one case where a GAL volunteer has made a real difference. 

Agnes, thank you for your past and future commitment to BE A VOICE for the abused, abandoned and neglected children of Miami-Dade County and congratulations on being selected as the July GAL Volunteer of the Month.

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*Dr. Pat Litzelfelner (2003). CASA Consumer Satisfaction Survey. University of Kentucky.