Fys Newsletter Novemberdecember 2011

Winter 2011
Florida Youth SHINE

Board of Directors
NEWS
A Message from our Chair

Jesse Wilson
Jesse Wilson
Statewide Chair Jacksonville

Brian Smith
1 Vice Chair - Membership Pensacola

April White
st
As we move into a new year with new resolutions not only as a collective group but as individuals I wanted to share a few words of encouragement in the form of a poem. I truly enjoy being part of this unique family and hope each of you do as well. I am wishing each of you a happy new year as we build on our successes from 2011 and learn from goals we did not achieve. Give to the winds your fears Relieve to the ocean regret For til your soul sails away It must be guided, set by set Keep on pursuing All that is true Frame each day and frame each night May the fight never be lost and shall your wildest dreams come true And if you shall fail, do not dismay Quicker than a year is each new day Lets have courage in places of common vulnerability And humbleness in moments of great success Lets not settle at seeing the best in someone But triumph in bringing it out Trust in something, market love And always look within To find yourself and be yourself Even when the world is watching
2 Vice Chair - Legislation Pinellas/Pasco

Danielle McMahan
nd
Fundraising Co-Chair Hillsborough

Manny Oliver
Fundraising Co-Chair Palm Beach

David Gagne
Secretary Broward
Lindsay Baach
FYS Youth Coordinator Ft. Lauderdale
Happy New Year!
How to Donate
Florida Youth SHINE is funded and supported by Floridas Children First (FCF). Donations of any size can be made to FCF on behalf of FYS and will contribute to the continued growth and success of our program. To donate go to www.floridaschildrenfirst.org.
Floridas Children First, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) under the Internal Revenue Code and your gift is fully tax deductible within the limits of the law. Please consult your tax advisor. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
www.floridayouthshine.org 1801 N. University Drive, Suite 3B, Coral Springs, Florida 33071 P: (954) 796-0860 Lindsay Baach C: (954) 857-9597 E: lindsay@floridayouthshine.org
Winter 2011
Florida Youth SHINE
NEWS
2011 Year in Review

As we reflect on the incredible year Florida Youth SHINE had across the state in 2011, we remember that it all began with our chapter expansion initiative in 2010. After welcoming 8 new chapters over 100 new members into our family, we spent this year getting all of our new members involved in so many of our different projects. Here is our year in review:
January
20 members from across the state meet with the newly appointed Secretary of the Department of Children and Families, David Wilkins. During our lunch meeting we had the opportunity meet the Secretary and share bits of our stories with him and introduced him to the teens and young adults (the youth) that the Department is charged with caring for.
March
Statewide Chair, Derrick Riggins, joined FCFs Executive Director, Christina Spudeas, in Tallahassee for much of the 2011 Legislative Session representing all of us at the Capitol and speaking on our behalf in favor of SB 1902 (Independent Living).
April
Twenty five FYS members from across the state took to the Capitol during Childrens Week 2011 spending time learning about where our legislative priorities stood, developing/practicing our talking points, and preparing to run our own advocacy training session before spending 3 days walking the halls of the Capitol speaking with two dozen legislators on the importance of the Independent Living bills making their way through the House and Senate. Though our efforts didnt lead to the passing of the IL Redesign in 2011, we made a big impression on many of the key players in the legislative process.
May
In 2010 we made such a big impression on Circuit 19 Judge Larry Schack (Port St. Lucie) at the Dependency Summit, FYS and FCF were invited to his circuit to share our So You Came to Take Us Away: Now What? panel during their 2 day conference. During this panel members were joined by foster parents and CPIs to share their experiences in the removal process and why it is important for youth to be handled with care during this most stressful time. Over 400 dependency professionals were in attendance.
www.floridayouthshine.org 1801 N. University Drive, Suite 3B, Coral Springs, Florida 33071 P: (954) 796-0860 Lindsay Baach C: (954) 857-9597 E: lindsay@floridayouthshine.org
Winter 2011
Florida Youth SHINE

June
NEWS
First, we spent 2 days at the NextGen teen conference for foster and adoptive children leading ice breakers and running 3 workshops (advocacy training, normalcy, and the trauma of removal) for the 125 teens in attendance. Then, we headed over to our June quarterly meeting where we elected our 2011-2012 Board of Directors: Statewide Chair: Jesse Wilson (Jacksonville) 1st Vice Chair of Membership: Brian Smith (Pensacola) 2nd Vice Chair of Legislation: April White (Pinellas/Pasco) Fundraising Chairs: Danielle McMahan (Hillsborough) & Manny Oliver (Palm Beach) Secretary: David Gagne (Broward)
July
Palm Beach and Broward members participated in the first ever Tracy MacPharlin Initiative training to increase the number of pro-bono attorneys for youth in care in Broward County.
September
24 members came together in Orlando for DCFs Pathways to Independence conference and participated in two workshops with FCF. Call for Help, Just Not 911: Asked the audience to think before they call 911 when a youth in care acts out in order to prevent youth in care from crossing over to the DJJ system. Kids Cant have too Many People Who Love Them: Stressed the importance of post-adoption communication with a childs biological family. In addition, FYS also had the opportunity to speak with Secretary Wilkins to share some of the concerns commonly brought up in our chapter meetings (sibling visitations, normalcy, obtaining their drivers license, etc.).
November
Pinellas/Pasco members participated in a FCF hosted training in Ft. Myers with over 40 dependency workings present to discuss the needs of the teens and young adults in the Independent Living program. Members shared their experiences navigating the Road to Independence and the powerful impact case managers have on the success of the young adults exiting care.
December
Six FYS members joined together in Tallahassee during Committee Week to walk the halls of the Capitol garnering support for SB 434(Rich) and HB 417(Glorioso) on Independent Living. This was FYSs second trip to the Capitol for Committee Week and the first opportunity for FYS members to testify before the Senate Committee for Children, Families, and Elderly Affairs. FYSs testimony was well received by the Senators and SB 434 passed with a unanimous vote and is headed to the Senate floor to be heard very early on during the 2012 session. We are very excited to watch these bills in 2012. www.floridayouthshine.org 1801 N. University Drive, Suite 3B, Coral Springs, Florida 33071 P: (954) 796-0860 Lindsay Baach C: (954) 857-9597 E: lindsay@floridayouthshine.org

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Fys Newsletter Novemberdecember 2011

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Winter 2011

Florida Youth SHINE

A Message from our Chair

Statewide Chair Jacksonville

1 Vice Chair - Membership Pensacola

2 Vice Chair - Legislation Pinellas/Pasco

Fundraising Co-Chair Hillsborough

Fundraising Co-Chair Palm Beach

FYS Youth Coordinator Ft. Lauderdale

Happy New Year!

Florida Youth SHINE

2011 Year in Review

Florida Youth SHINE

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