13 Oct Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation, Inc.

Posted at 20:54h in 2024, Family, Nonprofit, Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation, Inc. by

Northwest florida guardian ad litem foundation, inc.

Cases for Kids

Grant Year: 2024 | Focus Area: Family | Grant Amount: $100,670 | Grant Status: In progress

The Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem (NWF GAL) Foundation began in 2011, and was founded by NWF GAL volunteers who saw a gap in the social service needs of local foster children. At times, the needs of these children exceed what the state, foster family, or relative can do financially, and NWF GAL Foundation steps in to provide support. The NWF GAL’s mission is to advocate for and provide for the needs of abused, abandoned, and neglected children while supporting the volunteer advocates in the Guardian ad Litem Program. The NWF GAL serves nearly 1,400 foster children who are appointed to their office by the First Judicial Circuit Court of Florida (comprised of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties). Staff and volunteers advocate for the needs of children, giving them a voice and ensuring their best interests are met. The children served are aged 0-18 years and include those who have aged out of foster care up to age 22. NWF GAL has developed additional programs serving foster children appointed to the GAL program including Camp for Kids, Hope for the Holidays, and Cases for Kids in Okaloosa and Walton Counties.

OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT

The Cases for Kids program provides a foster child with normalcy and dignity. In the State of Florida, children move an average of three times while in foster care and some have moved up to 11 times. Children should not feel disposable, invisible like no one cares, and move from one group or foster home to another with his or her belongings in a trash bag. Cases for Kids becomes a tangible reminder that someone cared enough to create something just for them and that they will have each time they move. NWF GAL volunteers deliver bags to children during the first visit, building a relationship and sending the message that the children matter, and someone cares about them. The duffle bag contents are customized to the age of the child and filled with toiletries, a blanket, a flashlight, a stuffed animal, a book, and a card with encouraging hand-written messages. The children can read the notes whenever they need to be reminded that their situation is not permanent and there is hope. IMPACT 100 funds will be used to eliminate the use of trash bags by purchasing 735 rolling duffle bags, age-appropriate contents, and personalized luggage tags for children 0-18 years old represented by the NWF GAL Office in Escambia County.

EXPECTED IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY

Escambia County has the largest number of children in foster care in the First Judicial Circuit. In the first six months of 2024, 614 children in Escambia County were represented by court-appointed volunteer child advocates and the Guardian ad Litem Office as a result of being removed from their homes. In 2023, over 700 children were involved in the same situation. In the middle of this emotional crisis, children are handed a garbage bag and told to gather their belongings, and at times leave everything behind. This seemingly small indignity can be profound and can exacerbate, or confirm in a child's mind, the feelings of instability, powerlessness and even worthlessness. The NWF GAL program does not want any child going through foster care to feel they are not cared for or thrown away. Children deserve to pack their belongings into their own bag as they move. This program will permanently remove trash bags and restore dignity and hope to the most vulnerable children in Escambia County. 

Tags: