| Boys Town North Florida’s Gina Rogers Gets Opportunity to Speak Before Florida Legislature’s Children and Youth Cabinet | https://www.boystown.org/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/Pages/Gina-Rogers-Gets-Opportunity-to-Speak.aspx | Boys Town North Florida’s Gina Rogers Gets Opportunity to Speak Before Florida Legislature’s Children and Youth Cabinet | <p>Boys Town North Florida Development Specialist Gina Rogers takes pride in helping children and families. She recently had the opportunity to do both in speaking before the Florida Legislature's Children and Youth Cabinet.</p><p>Rogers began at Boys Town North Florida in January 2019 as an undergraduate intern while earning her bachelor's degree in social work. Since that initial role, she has served as the site's volunteer coordinator, as well as completing a second internship, this one employment-based, in the Boys Town Foster Family Services Program®. After completing her master's degree in social work in April 2021, she stepped into her current role.</p><p>In December of 2021, Rogers was elected Heart Gallery Big Bend President. The Heart Gallery Big Bend is a volunteer-run organization that aims to increase awareness in children seeking adoption by partnering with local photographers and telling these children's stories. </p><p>It was her involvement with Boys Town and that organization that gave her the opportunity to speak before the Florida Legislature's Children and Youth Cabinet.</p><p>“It was quite exhilarating to represent both the Heart Gallery and Boys Town North Florida in speaking before the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet," Rogers said. “My goal was to further educate the panel about the many children in our state and local areas desperately in need of permanent, loving families. It was an honor to speak before the panel and recognize members such as Shevaun Harris, the Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary, who visited Boys Town North Florida earlier in the year."</p><p>Rogers said her presentation felt exceptionally important because she was able to so do during National Adoption Month. </p><p>“I can't express how grateful I am to have had the privilege to represent Boys Town, The Heart Gallery, and the children we serve at the meeting," Rogers said. “After having experience in both the Boys Town Family Home ProgramSM, as well as the Foster Family Services Program, there is a significant overlap between children Boys Town serves and those the Heart Gallery represents. Having the opportunity to be any part of a child's journey to healing is rewarding. I hope to continue serving children and bringing them closer to their forever families."</p><p>Rogers said her ability to form a partnership with the Heart Gallery was also rewarding.</p><p>“This opportunity also was very impactful for the Heart Gallery to expand its reach and make individuals in the community aware of the many children needing permanency," she said.<br></p> | 2022-01-20T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Gina Rogers" src="/locations/washington-dc/PublishingImages/Gina_Rogers.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | | text/html; charset=utf-8
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| Staff Highlight: Allyson Adams | https://www.boystown.org/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/Pages/Staff-Highlight-Allyson-Adams.aspx | Staff Highlight: Allyson Adams | <p>Allyson Adams is a dependable and outgoing Foster Family Services Consultant at Boys Town North Florida, serving our children and families for five years. Allyson has worked and interned in several programs at our site since May 2016. Upon getting started with Boys Town through an internship in the Foster Family Services program, Allyson learned her passion for serving children in the foster care system, a population of youth she didn't expect to serve. Now she is more passionate than ever to help. </p><p>Upon completing her internship, Allyson secured a position as a Care Coordination Consultant in September 2016. Allyson credits this experience as her true beginning as a social worker, describing her team of co-workers as pivotal in helping her “learn the ropes." Through this experience, Allyson increased her confidence in providing services to families and utilizing the Boys Town model. Over time, Allyson went from looking to her role models for guidance to becoming a Senior Consultant in the program, to helping others get acquainted the same way others helped her. While working in the Care Coordination Program, Allyson completed the training to become a secondary Common Sense Parenting instructor. Through this training, Allyson can step in to lead a class or series of classes teaching the Common Sense Parenting® curriculum. </p><p>In the Summer of 2020, Boys Town North Florida had a vacancy in the Foster Family Services Program. Allyson knew she had to act fast and take advantage of the opportunity to return to the program where she began. After transitioning to this new role, she was challenged to utilize her skills to engage the clients and families in a nearly entirely virtual format. Although initially finding it difficult to build relationships with youth and foster parents through a screen, Allyson persisted, and was successful in her efforts. Though starting the position in a difficult time, she feels the work is beyond rewarding and celebrates every win with her clients and families.</p><p>Allyson has a great family outside of work consisting of three loving dogs, her partner, and their two children. Allyson also has a passion for riding horses and states her long-term dream is to administer equestrian psychotherapy. Over the past several years, Allyson has been working toward her state of Florida Social Work licensure and, in August 2021, completed and passed the final exam. Allyson's full title is now Allyson Adams, MSW, LCSW. Boys Town North Florida is so proud of Allyson and all of her fantastic accomplishments. We are lucky to have her on our team!<br></p><p><br><br></p> | 2021-12-08T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Boys Town North Florida - Allyson Adams" src="/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Allyson_Adams.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | | text/html; charset=utf-8
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| Siblings Find Their Forever Home | https://www.boystown.org/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/Pages/Siblings-Find-Their-Forever-Home-.aspx | Siblings Find Their Forever Home | <p>Wednesday, August 25<sup>th</sup> is a day siblings Glenn and Glenesha (GiGi) won't soon forget. Residing at Boys Town for several years, this was the day they celebrated achieving their goal of finding their forever home. </p><p>Glen and GiGi first arrived at Boys Town North Florida's Foster Families Services Program in May 2019, transitioning from their time spent within the residential Family Home Program. While living in the Family Home Program, Glen lived with Richard and Tamara Leach, the home's Family-Teachers®. Richard and Tamara are incredibly loving and caring. They often organized time for Glen and GiGi to have dinner at one another's homes and spend quality time together as siblings. As the bond grew between the Leaches and the siblings, and as the couple transitioned out of the Family Home program and into the Boys Town Foster Family Services Program®, they requested to continue caring for the siblings, now in their own home. Glen and GiGi lived in the Leach's home as a part of the Foster Family Services program for just more than a year before officially being adopted by Richard and Tamara as their forever family in August.</p><p>“It is a joy to have seen these two youth come to the Boys Town North Florida Family Home Program, still dealing with traumas from the past and the hurt and separation from their birth family, and to see them nurtured in Tamara and Richard's loving care, first as Family-Teachers, then as Foster Family Services treatment foster parents and now as a permanent family," said Scott Higbee, LCSW. “This is how Boys Town changes the way we care for our children and families." <br></p><p><br><br></p> | 2021-12-08T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Boys Town Siblings find their forever home" src="/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/ForeverHome.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | | text/html; charset=utf-8
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| Boys Town National Alumni Services and North Florida Partner to Answer the Call "Home" for Alumni | https://www.boystown.org/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/Pages/Answer-the-Call-Home-for-Alumni.aspx | Boys Town National Alumni Services and North Florida Partner to Answer the Call "Home" for Alumni | <p>The transition to adulthood and self-sufficiency can be challenging for any young person. For youth in the child welfare system, this transition can be even more challenging. Demonstrating Boys Town's commitment to youth, National Alumni Services and Boys Town North Florida partnered to provide support to Stanley Williams, a Boys Town North Florida alumni.<br></p><p>In 2019, Stanley successfully completed the residential program and transitioned into the independent living program. He enrolled into a local community college in Tallahassee, Florida, and earned several industry certifications, leading him into an online program at the university.</p><p>Over the years, Executive Director Marcus Lampkin has served as the primary contact for North Florida youth who have found themselves without any other options, requiring them to call “home" for support. “Unlike other college students who typically have supportive relationships and connections, kids who transition from the child welfare system after turning eighteen rarely have the same support systems or 'safety nets,'" said Lampkin. “This is not the case for our Boys Town alumni. In fact, we take pride in instilling in our youth that we are a family, and should they find themselves in need of a 'hand up' as they transition into adulthood, we are here to support them."</p><p>Earlier this year, Stanley experienced a major bump in the road. He lost his housing of two years and found himself homeless. After a two-week period, Stanley reached out and called “home" to ask for help. Loma Garland, an Administrative Assistant at Boys Town North Florida, spoke to Stanley and immediately forwarded his call to Lampkin.</p><p>Stanley explained to Lampkin that he had finally built up the nerves to call and ask for help after a few nights living on the streets while continuing to work and register for online courses for the upcoming semester. He further explained that feeling defeated and having nowhere else to turn, he decided to reach out for help. Lampkin immediately went to locate Stanley, and using local resources set aside for such incidents, placed him in temporary housing.</p><p>Understanding the need for additional supports, Lampkin reached out to Tony Jones, Vice President of After Care Services. Without hesitation, Tony connected Lampkin with national resources, providing additional financial support for Stanley's temporary housing until he transitioned into his new apartment. The partnership between Boys Town's National Alumni Services and Boys Town North Florida, in conjunction with local supports was instrumental and truly a blessing to meet Stanley's needs.<br></p><p></p> | 2021-11-18T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="alumni" src="/locations/north-florida/PublishingImages/Alumni.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />
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| Former Boys Town North Florida Youth Graduates Early | https://www.boystown.org/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/Pages/Former-Boys-Town-North-Florida-Youth-Graduates-Early.aspx | Former Boys Town North Florida Youth Graduates Early | <p><span style="background-color:transparent;">As the saying goes, it's not how you start but how you finish. This saying rings true for Jeal'Dealiar.</span></p><p>Born addicted to crack cocaine and living with a parent who frequently used substances, the beginning of her life appeared to be a negative one. “The negative behaviors began in 2010 when my father passed away," said Jeal'Dealiar. “This loss was very devastating." As a result, she began to cope with this loss by rejecting love from family that was there to protect and care for her.</p><p>In 2015, Jeal'Dealiar and her brother were removed from their mother's care and placed with relatives, where she displayed anger and frustration by lashing out on the family that took her in. Because of her anger, Jeal'Dealiar was placed into the Family Home program where she learned how to cope with life's negativity and disappointments. The eight months that she spent in the program prepared her to return home with her relatives that loved her so much.</p><p>Once Jeal'Dealiar was back with her relatives, they were referred to the In-Home Family Services program. The family was assigned to consultant Monica Smart-Gainous, who worked with the family for ten weeks to teach parenting skills, link them to resources, and be a support to identify new ways to cope and address negative behaviors displayed by Jeal'Dealiar.</p><p>The family began to see a positive change. There were a few bumps in the road, but negative behaviors slowly began to fade as Jeal'Dealiar began to change her way of thinking. Her behaviors of lashing out at family began to decrease and her grades and behaviors at school improved.</p><p>Jeal'Dealiar truly proves that it's not how you start but how you finish. Not only did she graduate high school, but she graduated a year early from Success Academy in Tallahassee. She is currently employed, has her own apartment, and is striving to be the best person she can be. She plans to attend Tallahassee Community College in January 2022 to study Emergency Services to ultimately become a firefighter.</p><p><em>There is no such thing as a bad child, change the environment and you're likely to change the behavior. <br></em>– Father Flanagan<br></p> | 2021-11-16T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Youth Success" src="/locations/north-florida/PublishingImages/Youth-Success.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | | text/html; charset=utf-8
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| Boys Town North Florida Hosts Spirit Week for Employees | https://www.boystown.org/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/Pages/Boys-Town-North-Florida-Hosts-Spirit-Week-for-Employees.aspx | Boys Town North Florida Hosts Spirit Week for Employees | <p><span style="background-color:transparent;">Boys Town North Florida prides itself on the positive peer-to-peer culture that has cultivated over many years. Staff members often comment on how they feel they are part of a team and are supported.</span></p><p>Since the onset of COVID-19 in March 2020, it has been difficult for Boys Town North Florida to allow experiences for employees to collaborate and mingle like they did before the pandemic. Over the last year, there were changes in staff and many newcomers that couldn't experience many classic events like the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, quarterly birthday potlucks, and all-staff holiday breakfast.<br></p><p>The Employee Recognition Committee decided, due to a better COVID climate, to bring the culture back to North Florida and host a Staff Appreciation Spirit Week! Each activity was cautiously planned to allow for in-person, virtual, or asynchronous participation. The events allowed staff members the opportunity to meet and see one another and enjoy treats and activities to thank everyone for their hard work, especially their efforts through the pandemic.</p><p>Spirit Week kicked off with all staff wearing Boys Town merchandise and enjoying morning treats, such as coffee, tea, and snack bars. Treats were brought to the administrative office and delivered to campus for all staff to enjoy.</p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;"><img src="/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Spirit-Week-2.jpg" alt="Spirit Week" class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin:5px 10px;width:300px;height:333px;" />On Tuesday, the Employee Recognition Committee planned a Jersey Mike's subs lunch for all staff and a letter from Executive Director Marcus Lampkin, thanking everyone for being a great employee. Individuals had the option to eat together or grab their lunch to-go to eat where they were comfortable.</span></p><p>Wednesday was college and university representation day. Staff were encouraged to wear their favorite gear for the school of their choice and decorate their office. In the afternoon, there was an ice cream social event where each employee received succulents as a reminder of their resiliency.</p><p>Self-care was the theme for Thursday with a guided meditation from former staff member, Tavarus Sherrod. Tavarus taught employees about the importance of breathwork and having a pleasant mental scene to retreat to as a sanctuary of relaxation.</p><p>To wrap up Spirit Week, employees went to the movie theatre to see <em>Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings</em>, which received the most votes from staff to see.</p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;">Overall, everyone enjoyed Spirit Week and appreciated the chance to get to know everyone and feel celebrated. The Employee Recognition Committee considered the week a huge success and can't wait for the holiday season to hopefully arrange more activities to celebrate the culture at the North Florida site.</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="background-color:transparent;"><img src="/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Spirit-Week-3.jpg" alt="Spirit Week" class="ms-rtePosition-4" style="margin:5px;width:700px;height:434px;" /><br></span></p> | 2021-11-08T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Spirit Week" src="/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Spirit-Week-1.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | | text/html; charset=utf-8
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| Fourth Annual ‘Raise the Roof’ for Boys Town North Florida Fundraising Event Secures $45,000 in Two Hours | https://www.boystown.org/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/Pages/Raise-the-Roof.aspx | Fourth Annual ‘Raise the Roof’ for Boys Town North Florida Fundraising Event Secures $45,000 in Two Hours | <p><em style="background-color:transparent;">This article was originally posted on </em><a href="https://tadlockroofing.com/fourth-annual-raise-the-roof-for-boys-town-north-florida-fundraising-event-secures-45000-in-two-hours/" style="background-color:transparent;"><em>tadlockroofing.com</em></a><em style="background-color:transparent;"> on October 22, 2021.</em><em style="background-color:transparent;"> </em></p><p>The ongoing stress, fear, grief, and uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic has weighed heavily on children and teens, creating a growing number of at-risk children and families. Boys Town North Florida's mission is to save children and heal families. On Thursday, October 21 the non-profit organization held the fourth annual 'Raise the Roof' for Boys Town fundraising event and secured $45,000 in two hours.</p><p>To put these numbers into perspective, $500 supports one (1) child living on the Boys Town campus for one (1) month, so the total amount collected is going to support all 40 children living on-site for more than two (2) months.</p><p>Since the fundraising event's inception, local roofing contractor, Tadlock Roofing, has served as the presenting sponsor. This year, Tadlock Roofing called upon local allies to raise over $8,000 and the company donated an additional $5,000. Tadlock Roofing Founder and President, Dale Tadlock, and his family know first-hand the support Boys Town North Florida provides for a family in need of professional guidance.</p><p>“As a family, we have dedicated our lives to raising our three biological and four adopted children. There was a time, in his teens when our adopted son was facing behavioral issues and we sought professional help from Boys Town North Florida," says Tadlock. “We are forever grateful for the healing their team did for our son and our family."</p><p>Boys Town North Florida is changing the way America cares for children, families, and communities by providing and promoting an Integrated Continuum of Care that instills Boys Town values to strengthen body, mind, and spirit. For 100 years, Boys Town has given thousands of at-risk children the love, support, and education they need to succeed.</p><p>“Boys Town North Florida has a beautiful community of supporters who went above and beyond to ensure we met and then exceeded our $40,000 goal last night," says Boys Town North Florida Executive Director, Margaret Farris. “Thank you Tadlock Roofing and our entire Boys Town family for your commitment to helping the most vulnerable children in our community."<br></p><p><strong>Check out the article on </strong><a href="https://tadlockroofing.com/fourth-annual-raise-the-roof-for-boys-town-north-florida-fundraising-event-secures-45000-in-two-hours/"><strong>tadlockroofing.com</strong></a><strong> to see pictures from the event!</strong></p> | 2021-11-04T05:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Tadlock" src="/blog/PublishingImages/Tadlock.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | | text/html; charset=utf-8
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