Chelsea Bowlin, an outreach recruitment specialist, brought a message of the need for more foster families in our region to address the number of children in foster care.
Alachua County, 207 in foster care, 52 traditional homes available.
Bradford County, 45 in foster care, 9 traditional homes available.
Partnership for Stronger Families contracts with the Department of Children and Families as the Alachua and Bradford County community-based agency. Chelsea said community based organizations are used because it keeps children in their communities and increases the chances of reunification of families. She said, reunification is the single most important initiative of the organization when appropriate.
The first consideration in identifying a foster home is a relative and then someone outside the family who is known to the child.
Chelsea talked about adopting our of the foster care system when reunification doesn't work. She said that organizations like ours, can help by supporting foster families. She suggested:
helping with transportation,
babysitting,
helping with laundry and house cleaning,
donating food and gift cards.
She said another way to help is to raise money to help families have normal family experiences.
ITEMS NEEDED AT THE TRADING POST
A reminder of items needed at the Trading Post at KHHS:
Large box of Uncrustables (strawberry and grape)
Slim Jims
Little Debbie snack cakes
Small bags of chips
Breakfast bars
Poptarts
Canned drinks
Sports drinks
100% juice-small
Waters and water flavors
KIWANIAN OF THE MONTH
President Tina S. announced Jessica Bombach is the January Kiwanian of the Month for her help with the parade and writing Santa letters. Tina said she was a new member who jumped in and got busy.
CLUB RECOGNIZED FOR MEMBERSHIP GROWTH
Our club was recognized for membership growth in two areas:
Fourth in members added (3), and,
Third in percentage of growth based on total members.
COUNCILMEMBER TONY BROWN UPDATES THE CLUB ON OUR COUNTRY DAY
Tony Brown said he is volunteering to be the contact person between the city and our club to ensure a smooth transition as the city experiences a change in the city manager position. He met with members Fred Goetzman and Karen Lake after the meeting to get a sense of what needs to be done and when.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Gainesville Club Interclub meeting Tuesday, January 23 at noon at Crafty Bastards Restaurant
Next DCM is in February and is hosted by our club. Information to follow.
Next SLP meeting is Tuesday, February 6 at 5:30 PM at the Historic Beach Pavilion
Keystone Heights Woman's Club 100-year Anniversary Open House is Saturday, January 20th from 11 AM to 2 PM
Kayak Fishing and Cornhole Tournament is Sunday, March 17th at The Boathouse at Buddy's Landing
Easter Sunrise Service is Sunday, March 31 at 6 AM at Keystone Beach
THE BOARD APPROVES NEW STORAGE FACILITY
The Board approved a new storage facility for a small monthly fee to consolidate all of the clubs' possessions. It's located downtown next door to Tresses Hair Salon.
LOOKING FOR A THEME FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE
Please be thinking about a theme for the 4th of July parade.
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