| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Monica Smart-Gainous Recognized for Community Service
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Monica Smart-Gainous Recognized for Community Service
| <p>Monica Smart-Gainous, Boys Town North Florida In-Home Family Services (IHFS) Consultant, was the recipient of this year's Alpha Spirit of Community Service Award at the 25<sup>th</sup> Anniversary celebration for the Brothers of the Pi Psi Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. </p><p>This award recognizes stellar citizens within the Gadsden and Decatur community who display leadership, service, education and empowerment. The recipient is someone who goes over and beyond the call of duty when serving their community. </p><p>Children, economic empowerment, health, human rights and social services are just a few of the causes that Monica champions for and she makes a direct impact on these sectors in her role as an IHFS Consultant at Boys Town North Florida. </p><p>"Monica is extremely deserving of such a prestigious award due to her consistent advocacy of the children and families she serves not only while working with Boys Town, but on her own time within the community. We hold Monica in such high regards due to her non-stop efforts to ensure the quality of services provided by Boys Town remain at the forefront of everything we do," said Tavarus Sherrod, Director IHFS, Boys Town North Florida. "She is a true example of how building relationships with the communities and families we serve never go unnoticed, especially if you put your heart and soul into the mission of changing the way America cares for children and families." </p><p>Monica is also involved in several other affiliations in the community such as Gadsden County Democratic Executive Committee, Gadsden County Chapter of the NAACP, Gadsden Coalition for Change, Sow a Seed Foundation, Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center and Gadsden County Second Chance Re-Entry. </p><p>In addition, Monica is the lead organizer of the Eva Gunn Gainous Leonard "Woman of Distinction" program which recognizes a woman from the Gadsden County community for their efforts and deeds to improve Gadsden County. </p><p>"Whether it be within the school system, community or through religious affiliations, Monica is always on the scene. Not just on the scene spectating, she puts her boots on the ground and goes to work," said Octavius R. Jackson, Chapter President, Pi Psi Lambda Chapter. </p><p>Join us in congratulating Monica on her much deserved recognition for her tireless dedication and outreach to the Gadsden County community and her direct impact on the children and families of Boys Town North Florida. <br></p> | 2019-06-17T05:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Monica Smart" src="/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Pages/Forms/EditForm/Monica-Smart-Gainous-banner.jpg" width="2873" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />
<img alt="Monica Smart" height="551" src="/locations/nebraska/PublishingImages/Monica-Smart-Gainous.Award.jpg" width="400" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | North Florida;# | | | |
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Local foster family shares their story about foster care experience
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Local foster family shares their story about foster care experience
| <p><em>This article is written by Brittany Barnett. </em><a href="https://www.wtxl.com/news/local-news/local-foster-family-shares-their-story-about-foster-care-experience?fbclid=IwAR3eb6KIEo4aKVoxOZryl-6_CqDDzorE-bT_dmlX8kYW8hI9GFC22VHr5o0" target="_blank"><em>It was published to WXTL Tallahassee on May 29, 2019.</em></a><em> </em></p><p>QUINCY, Fla. — There's a huge need for foster families in our community. </p><p>According to Boys Town North Florida, just last year, the agency had to refuse over 300 child placements due to the lack of foster homes available. </p><p>Brittany Barnett sat down with a family that has been fostering children for six years and is forever changed by the process. </p><p>"I love them to death. I wouldn't let them go for nothing, for no one. This is home to them and I want them to stay," said Calvin Ellis, a foster parent. </p><p>Six years ago, a family out in Quincy decided to take a chance and open up their doors to foster children. Three kids later, they can both say they are forever changed. </p><p>"Foster care has really changed me as a person and as a mother, even spiritually," said Darlene Cunningham, a foster parent. </p><p>It's an experience they wouldn't trade for the world, but it hasn't been without struggle. </p><p>The couple is currently fostering children ages 10, 12 and 13 years old, all from Boys Town North Florida's foster program. </p><p>Cunningham owes a lot of her success as a foster parent to Boys Town North Florida. She is especially thankful for the 24/7 support the agency provides. </p><p>"We had one situation where we were like, 'Okay, we are new at this. We aren't sure.' So we called our consultant. Within 15 minutes our consultant was here," said Cunningham. </p><p>Despite the ups and downs, Cunningham knows she would not be the same person if it wasn't for stepping out of her comfort zone to care for others. </p><p>"Doing foster care and really seeing the different things kids go through really opened by heart," said Cunningham. </p><p>The foster family is taking it one step further and plan on adopting two of their current foster children.</p> | 2019-05-31T05:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Foster Family Story North Florida Boys Town" src="/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/NF_Story.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | North Florida;# | | | |
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Boys Town North Florida Bonds in a Groovy Way
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Boys Town North Florida Bonds in a Groovy Way
| <p>Desmond Crayton started a new role at Boys Town North Florida in August 2018 as Director of the Family Home Program. One of the first goals Desmond wanted to accomplish in his new position was to increase the relationship building among all Boys Town North Florida staff and to create thriving, integrated programs.</p><p>"I wanted to create opportunities for our Administrative staff to become more invested in our cornerstone Family Home Program staff and to give them more occasions to come together and connect," said Desmond.</p><p>To achieve this objective, Desmond came up with the idea to have each home on campus sponsor a community-wide event every quarter. </p><p><img src="/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Pages/Boys-Town-North-Florida-Bonds-in-a-Groovy-Way/donuts.jpg" alt="donuts.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin:5px 10px;" />The most recent event was put on by Family-Teachers, Richard and Tamara Leach. Their idea was to create a 70's theme block party, which is reminiscent to their own childhood. </p><p>"When I was growing up, neighbors knew one another, and all adults looked out for the welfare of the children in the neighborhood," said Richard. "We would have parties outside on the street where everyone would grill out, and share food with one another. We felt like that could be something we do in our own Family Home community."</p><p>The event consisted of Family-Teachers grilling out in the circle in the middle of the campus; children playing fun games, such as trying to eat donuts strung from a tree with no hands and of course old-school 70's music blasting to keep everyone "grooving and dancing". </p><p>The event was a great way for staff and children of Boys Town North Florida to come together and have some fun while simply enjoying each other's company. </p><p>"This event was a reminder of how fun spending time outside of work with our children and staff can be," said Bethany Lacey, Senior Director Program Operations. "I enjoyed getting to watch my own children run around outside and play with all my Boys Town kids. What a blast it is to see kids and staff alike laughing and playing and having a good time!"<br></p> | 2019-05-22T05:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Grilling" src="/blog/PublishingImages/griling.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | North Florida;# | | | |
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Computer Donations Benefit Boys Town North Florida Families
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Computer Donations Benefit Boys Town North Florida Families
| <p>It takes a village to raise a child is a common phrase at Boys Town but what can also take a village is getting a computer in the hands of someone who desperately needs one. </p><p>In October 2018 Kasey Parsh, Administrative Assistant, Boys Town North Florida, became aware of the hardships of some families in the In-Home Family Services<sup>® </sup>program who were without computers. For one family, a mother was going back to school and needed a computer to participate in her online courses. Another family needed one for their seventeen-year-old son who was diagnosed with skin cancer and needed to home school to reduce exposure to sunlight. </p><p>Kasey could see the difficulties that were placed on these families due to their lack of a computer. To help these individuals achieve academic success, Kasey decided to approach Chris Corbin who is the Property Specialist for the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Since Boys Town is a nonprofit they have opportunities to receive surplus items from the state of Florida, including computers.</p><p>Through Mr. Corbin, Kasey was able to choose from a surplus of computers that they had available, but he did advise that the computers come with some limitations since the hard drives are wiped clean of their operating systems as part of decommissioning. </p><p>Thanks to Mr. Corbin and the State of Florida, Kasey was able to gather not just one but seven laptops to help Boys Town families. To get the laptops up and running, Kasey needed to get new operating systems and hard drives. To help with this task, Kasey reached out to Matthew Strand, Founder and CEO of That's Rite an on-call IT Network Repair Company. </p><p>After hearing the need of the families, Matthew and his IT specialists began working on these computers to get them operating. That's Rite generously donated the first hard drive that was needed, but Kasey was still on the hunt for several more hard drives for the remaining computers. </p><p>Mr. Corbin, who originally gave these computers to Kasey, was not aware that they were <em>all</em> missing hard drives, so he made an exemplary gesture by personally purchasing the hard drives that were needed for this project to come to fruition. The IT specialist at That's Rite even donated extra time to work with Kasey so she could properly install all these hard drives. </p><p>Thanks to a lot of time and generosity from Chris Corbin, Matthew Strand, That's Rite employees and The State of Florida these individuals will be able to keep on track with their academics. The remaining five laptops will assist other families in need. </p><p>"This is a perfect example of how bringing different people together for a common goal of helping others can create a beautiful and potentially long lasting partnership shared by the mission at Boys Town of changing the way America cares for children, families and communities," said Kasey. <br></p> | 2019-05-22T05:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Computer story" src="/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Computer-Story.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | North Florida;# | | | |
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
North Florida Executive Director Receives Core Values Champion Award
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
North Florida Executive Director Receives Core Values Champion Award
| <p>Earlier this year, Boys Town North Florida Executive Director, Marcus Lampkin, was chosen by Florida's Big Bend Community Based Care (BBCBC) as the 2018 Core Values Champion of the Year. </p><p>BBCBC serves as northwest Florida's network management agency for child welfare, substance abuse and behavioral health services. Their purpose is to provide high quality services to children and families through the network of their accredited providers, Boys Town being one of those providers. </p><p>Marcus was selected as the recipient of this award for circuit 2 which is comprised of six counties: Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty, Wakulla and Franklin. </p><p>"We are truly honored to recognize Marcus with this award, who has been an advocate for children in our community for years, as well as an outstanding leader," said Pam East, Chief Operations Officer of BBCBC. </p><p>Marcus oversees the administrative and programmatic operations for the Treatment Family Home, In-Home Family Services and Foster Family Services at the Boys Town North Florida site. He shows great commitment and is dedicated to doing what is in the best interest of children.</p><p>"I am deeply honored to be recognized for the values we represent each day in the service of bringing hope and healing to the children and families we serve," said Marcus. </p><p>Join us in congratulating Marcus on this much deserved award for his commitment to the Boys Town mission and serving the community. <br></p> | 2019-05-17T05:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Core Values Award" src="/blog/PublishingImages/corevaluesaward.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | North Florida;# | | | |
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Salvation Army Supports Spiritual Growth of North Florida Youth
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Salvation Army Supports Spiritual Growth of North Florida Youth
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</div><p>Throughout the summer of 2018, the Salvation Army of Tallahassee partnered with Boys Town North Florida to support the spiritual growth and development of the children in Boys Town's Family Home Program. </p><p>"Much like Boys Town, The Salvation Army has a long history and legacy of helping needy individuals within their community," said Bethany Lacey, Sr. Director of Program Operations, Boys Town North Florida. "So it was really exciting to me when Lt. Amber Meo approached me about partnering to help meet the spiritual needs of our children in a safe and fun environment through our resource center at ART Town." </p><p>All summer they've provided opportunities for kids to explore their faith through weekly devotions and bible study. The summer enrichment opportunities culminated in a week-long Vacation Bible School (VBS). </p><p>The overall theme of the VBS was "Shipwrecked" with a mission to anchor kids in the truth that Jesus carries them through life's storms. This point was reinforced by crafts, snacks, bible stories and games that are all centered on the fact that Jesus carries us through life's hardships. </p><p>"I was excited to come out and work with the Boys Town youth this summer and give back to these wonderful kids. I realized after working with them how much I received in return from getting to interact with such amazing young people," said Alison Hamilton, Youth Outreach Coordinator, Salvation Army of Tallahassee. </p><p>This summer program was a wonderful way for kids to do something productive and worthwhile during their break from school routine. It was also great preparation for the challenges that a new school year can bring.</p> | 2019-03-19T05:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Salvation Army - Boys Town North Florida" height="511" src="/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/MainPhoto.jpg" width="380" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | North Florida;# | | | |
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Local roofer secures $20,000 for Boys Town North Florida
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Local roofer secures $20,000 for Boys Town North Florida
| <p><em>This article is written by Megan Nixon. </em><a href="https://www.tallahassee.com/story/life/causes/2019/03/09/local-roofer-secures-20-000-boys-town-north-florida/3117716002/"><em>It was published to Tallahassee.com on March 9, 2019.</em></a><em> </em></p><p>It's a bird. It's a plane. No, it's Dale Tadlock of Tadlock Roofing and this year he's flying for families during the Second Annual Spirit of a Child Celebration.</p><p>This past Giving Tuesday, Tadlock Roofing set a goal to raise $10,000 in 24 hours for Boys Town North Florida and staying true to the spirit of a child theme, Tadlock agreed to match up to $10,000 raised and fly for families at The Florida Aviation Center (a bucket list item for Tadlock).</p><p>Tadlock presented Boys Town North Florida Executive Director, Marcus Lampkin, with a $10,000 check Saturday and took to the skies, for the first time as "pilot" to celebrate the children of Boys Town North Florida. More than 50 children of Boys Town witnessed Tadlock fly a plane for the first time.</p><p>"I have never flown a plane and can't think of a better time than now to learn, with the help of the Florida Aviation Center, of course," Tadlock said.</p><p>The Giving Tuesday partnership between Tadlock Roofing and Boys Town North Florida began in 2017. Tadlock set a goal to raise $10,000 for the non-profit organization in 24 hours on Giving Tuesday and if that goal was met, Tadlock Roofing would match up to $10,000, securing $20,000 for the organization. To make it more interesting, Dale Tadlock agreed to jump out a plane (with a parachute) to celebrate the accomplishment in 2018.</p><p>To put these numbers into perspective, $500 supports one child living on the Boys Town campus for one month, so the total amount collected, including the match, is going to support all 40 children living on-site for one month.</p><p>"Boys Town North Florida has a beautiful community of supporters who went above and beyond to ensure our $10,000 matching goal was met," said Boys Town North Florida Executive Director, Marcus Lampkin. "Thank you Tadlock Roofing and our entire Boys Town Family for your commitment to helping the most vulnerable children in our community."<br></p> | 2019-03-14T05:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Tadlock" src="/blog/PublishingImages/Banners/Tadlock.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | North Florida;# | | | |
