| You made great things happen in 2022! | https://www.boystown.org/locations/south-florida/news-and-events/Pages/You-made-great-things-happen-in-2022.aspx | You made great things happen in 2022! | <p><b></b><span style="background-color:transparent;"><b>Thanks to our donors and friends, Boys Town was able to make a positive impact in the lives of children and families who sought help from us in 2022.</b></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="background-color:transparent;"><a href="/locations/south-florida/news-and-events/Documents/SoFL_2022ImpactReport_Web.pdf"><img src="/locations/south-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Pages/You-made-great-things-happen-in-2022/SoFL_2022ImpactReport_Web.jpg" alt="SoFL_2022ImpactReport_Web.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-4" style="margin:5px;" /></a><br></span></p><p style="text-align:center;">
<a class="btn theme-11" href="/locations/south-florida/news-and-events/Documents/SoFL_2022ImpactReport_Web.pdf">Read our 2022 Impact Report</a></p><br><br> | 2023-03-03T06:00:00Z | News | | | text/html; charset=utf-8
NewsEvent | | | |
| Letter from Executive Director, Bethany Lacey | https://www.boystown.org/locations/south-florida/news-and-events/Pages/Letter-from-Executive-Director-Bethany-Lacey.aspx | Letter from Executive Director, Bethany Lacey | <p></p><p>I hope your 2023 has started on a positive note! </p><p>While we are grateful for the accomplishments of last year with more than 3,000 children served, we recognize the community's need to expand behavioral and mental health services. To continue our prevention and early intervention services, I would like to share the Baker Act exams historic new highs among children in Florida. </p><p>A new report* shows more than 38,000 exams were done on kids during 2020-2021. This is an increase of 77% just in the last decade. This data further supports what we already know; that children and families in our community are desperate for help, healing, and hope.</p><p>Boys Town South Florida is positioned to respond to this crisis. We are looking forward in 2023 to growing our programs and expanding our reach so we can increase our capabilities to serve even more at-risk children and families. We have expanded our Pediatric Behavioral Health Clinic and added more Psychologists who are English/Spanish bilingual. We are hoping to expand our school-based interventions through the LIFT Together with Boys Town<sup>SM</sup> and Primary Project Program to ensure every student and their families are set up for educational success to include their social/emotional wellbeing. </p><p>We are also hoping to expand our services in Broward County to ensure we are prepared to meet that need. We can't do it alone, we rely on our supporters, donors and community partners to effect positive change and enable us to help more families. We welcome an opportunity to share more about what we are doing through our community-based programs to be a change agent in our community and ask you to consider joining us by supporting our Mission. </p><p>Sincerely,<br></p><p> </p><p>Bethany Lacey<br><span style="background-color:transparent;">Executive Director</span></p><p>*Citation: </p><p>Christy, A., Jenkins, K., Rhode, S., Barnes, A., Bogovic, S., Deaton, L., and Dion, C. (2022). Baker Act <br> Reporting Center Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Report. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Department of <br> Mental Health Law and Policy, Baker Act Reporting Center.<br></p><p></p> | 2023-01-20T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="" src="/locations/south-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Bethany-Lacey-Photo.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | | text/html; charset=utf-8
NewsEvent | | | |
| Welcome to the Board of Directors, Justine Morgan | https://www.boystown.org/locations/south-florida/news-and-events/Pages/Welcome-to-the-Board-of-Directors-Justine-Morgan.aspx | Welcome to the Board of Directors, Justine Morgan | <p><span style="background-color:transparent;">Justine Morgan is a native Floridian whose drive and passion shine through in her community efforts. Justine serves on the Advisory Council at Arc Broward and Canine Assisted Therapies, and she joined the Boys Town South Florida board of directors in December 2022. She appreciates the unique comprehensive approach Boys Town offers by focusing on the child at hand, but also including their entire family and involving in various spheres such as in the school, the home, and in the community. As Justine explains it well, “If we want strong and resilient communities, we need to invest in families."</span></p><p>Boys Town South Florida is beyond fortunate to have Justine join our Board of Directors and is excited to jointly expand the organization's presence and elevate awareness of the preventive and early intervention services offered in Broward County. <br></p><p>Justine has a background in Business Administration in Marketing and Management from Florida Atlantic University. She is the Vice President, Capital and Community Relations for Habitat for Humanity of Broward, where she is responsible for developing the private and public partnerships critical to leading Broward County through the affordable housing crisis. <br></p><p>Fun Facts about Justine:</p><ul><li><span style="background-color:transparent;">H</span><span style="background-color:transparent;">as </span><span style="background-color:transparent;">a six-year-old mastiff named Chewy that weighs more than her</span></li><li>For fun, she rides horses and trains in hunter/jumper discipline </li><li>Loves reading and learning about the Civil War and visiting historic battlefields<br></li></ul><p>Favorite Quote: “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." (Charles R. Swindoll, Pastor, Author, Educator)<br><br></p> | 2023-01-20T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="" src="/locations/south-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Justine-Morgan.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | | text/html; charset=utf-8
NewsEvent | | | |
| Spotlight: In-Home Family Services | https://www.boystown.org/locations/south-florida/news-and-events/Pages/Spotlight-In-Home-Family-Services.aspx | Spotlight: In-Home Family Services | <p></p><p>Adriana was a troubled teenager that had fits of rage that would exacerbate to the point of having her parents Baker Act their daughter on two separate occasions. Hospital staff informed Adriana's parents that the uncontrolled eruptions of anger were used as a form of manipulation. But also, a behavior that was learned from her parents since both worsen the situation by demonstrating their frustration to Adriana. It was a vicious cycle of anger where Adriana's behavior would trigger a stress response in her parents, in which they would react in outrage which then would lead Adriana to increase her stance of defiance even more. <br><span style="background-color:transparent;"><br>It was a nonstop cycle of miscommunication and unchecked negative reactions between Adriana and her parents. When Claudia, our In-Home Family Services Consultant stepped in, she implemented the Boys Town's Model which focuses on helping the child by also engaging the whole family, including parental empowerment, and parenting skills to help provide clear expectations and positive discipline approach. By identifying resources that ease the family's specific stressors, the family was then able to build on their strengths to have a better foundation. The whole family started to see a positive change through the following methods:</span><br></p><ul><li>Implementing strategies that reinforced Adriana's positive behavior </li><li>Effective communication techniques that avoided disruptions on both sides </li><li>Developing habits of self-reflection to evaluate if past experience is impacting parenting skills</li><li>Building healthy coping skills </li></ul><p> <br>All these learned skills and guidance from the Family Consultant were critical for the parents and daughter to work on improving their relationships with one another. After a few weeks of the program, Adriana started to attend school regularly, being able to express herself in a calm manner, and learning to remove herself from stressful situations to reflect on the discussion at hand.</p><p>Today, Adriana has even picked up basketball as a hobby, which brought her closer to her father as they go outside to burn off some steam. Our evidence-based In-Home Family Services, delivered by our staff in partnership with the family, not only helped Adriana learn about self-control and coping skills, but it also gave her parents the tools needed to become better communicators, emotionally supportive of their daughter with healthy family routines. Adriana's transformation is evidence of a positive change that took place within the whole family. <br></p><p><br></p> | 2023-01-20T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="" src="/locations/south-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/IHFS.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | | text/html; charset=utf-8
NewsEvent | | | |
| Thank you for Teaching Love with Boys Town | https://www.boystown.org/locations/south-florida/news-and-events/Pages/Thank-you-for-Teaching-Love-with-Boys-Town.aspx | Thank you for Teaching Love with Boys Town | <p>On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, we kicked off our <em>Teach Love Giving Tuesday Campaign</em> with cheering, maracas, cow bells and all the enthusiasm in the world. Our youngest champion, Zoey Lacey, started right away and was able to raise 1/3 of her goal within the hour after kick-off! From there, the momentum just continued to build and together we have been able to raise a total of $18,268.00! This would not have been possible without our champions and their family members, co-workers, civic groups and church members, etc., who decided to support the mission the champions stand for. We at Boys Town South Florida can see how palpable the generosity has been in the past Giving Tuesday seasons, and we are grateful. Your donations go directly to preventative and early intervention services and programs we deliver to children and families of South Florida. Thanks for Teaching Love with Boys Town! </p> | 2023-01-20T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="" src="/locations/south-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Teach-Love-Newsletter.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | | text/html; charset=utf-8
NewsEvent | | | |
| South FL Torres Family Success Story | https://www.boystown.org/locations/south-florida/news-and-events/Pages/South-FL-Torres-Family-Success-Story.aspx | South FL Torres Family Success Story | <p><strong style="background-color:transparent;">Boys Town South Florida and Palm Beach County Community Helps Local Family Realize Christmas Miracle</strong></p><p>For Nelson Torres and his family, facing a challenge is nothing new. But sometimes those challenges are just too much to face alone.<br></p><p>Thanks to Boys Town South Florida and Care Coordination Consultant Brittany Paxton, the Torres family has a partner on the road to recovery.<br></p><p>Like so many across the country, Nelson lost his job during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the family lost their savings and dreams to one day purchase their own home. They had to bounce from hotels to family members' homes before finding a house, which they rented.<br></p><p>Nelson was able to find work, and he moved from a custodial position to that of a veterinary technician. He enjoys his job but works long hours compounded because without a vehicle, he must walk to and from work each day. Even with his job, it was difficult to make ends meet.<br></p><p>This past September, the family's landlord chose not to accept their attempt to budget and pay their rent and is now pursuing eviction. This development is devastating to Nelson and his wife, Raysa, especially considering their circumstances.<br></p><p>The couple is raising four children – their two daughters, a son, and their niece. Raysa and two of the children suffer with a devastating medical condition called Neurofibromatosis type 2, which causes tumors to grow along the nerves of the body. These tumors must be surgically removed and often lead to other serious issues such as hearing loss and facial weakness or paralysis. People with Neurofibromatosis type 2 may end up needing a wheelchair or another device to support their mobility.<br></p><p>Raysa lost her hearing after her last surgery. Due to the ongoing nature of the illness, she was unable to work. The parents have also had to watch their two children with the disease endure multiple surgeries. There have been brain surgeries and major spinal surgeries to remove tumors. The complications led to the children switching from a typical school setting to home school, where Raysa oversees their education. To get to their medical appointments and procedures, the family must arrange transport through Medicaid, which does not always work out as planned. For the oldest child's last surgery (an operation to remove tumors from her brain), the medical transport fell through, and the family was forced to spend a considerable amount of money on an Uber ride. <br></p><p>The family seemed to be facing a monumental battle. The stress Nelson and Raysa were under was unbelievable.<br></p><p>That's when they turned to Boys Town South Florida for help and Paxton was assigned to work with the family.<br></p><p>“I quickly learned just how special this family was," Paxton said. “No matter what they are going through, these family members supported and looked out for one another."<br></p><p>Raysa and Nelson would gush about their children and the things that make them special. They championed their goals and interests. The love they have for one another was palpable. Brittany quickly realized how critical their need was for a stable home and a reliable vehicle. A home would provide them safety, comfort, and health. A car would ensure they are able to get to their medical appointments, hospital stays, school, and work.<br></p><p>For a family that has been through so much, taking this burden off them would be the very least of what they deserve.<br></p><p>Paxton nominated the family for the Palm Beach Post's Season to Share campaign. Money raised by the newspaper goes to help selected struggling families and the organizations in their community that serve them. The family was selected to be featured and their story was published. An outpouring of community support came in.<br></p><p>Through generous community donors the family received stable housing, a car, and $31,000 in monetary gifts. Boys Town South Florida was also a recipient of a $5,000 award to support its Mission.<br></p><p> “We are so thankful for the Palm Beach County Post's Season to Share campaign and the Palm Beach County community who pulled together to help this amazing family have a Christmas miracle," said Boys Town South Florida Executive Director Bethany Lacey.</p><p><img src="/locations/south-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Torres-Family4.jpg" alt="" style="margin:5px;" /><br><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p> | 2023-01-11T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="" src="/locations/south-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Torres-Family1.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | | text/html; charset=utf-8
NewsEvent | | | |
| Grateful Give efforts | https://www.boystown.org/locations/south-florida/news-and-events/Pages/Grateful-Give-efforts.aspx | Grateful Give efforts | <p><span style="background-color:transparent;">Our hearts are grateful for this amazing group of volunteers and staff who came together through our Thanksgiving Grateful Give effort to bag food items, write encouraging messages and distribute Thanksgiving bags of food to 120 families we serve. A special thank you to:</span></p><p></p><ul><li>Family Church West for donating food items and gift cards</li><li>The Weiss School in Palm Beach Gardens for providing food for more than 20 families</li><li>100+ Women Who Care Jupiter-Tequesta chapter, for donating dessert food items for 25+ families</li><li>2 individual donors who donated $1,000 each</li><li>Florida Crystals Corporation for donating fabric bags, sugar and rice for all the families</li><li>Our Board Chair Jaime Holland for securing a $1,500 donation from Florida Power & Light to support 30 families </li><li>Publix for giving a $200.00 gift card</li><li>Board Members Susan and David Yeager for volunteering with us on Saturday</li><li>All our amazing staff who came out and helped<br></li></ul><p></p><p>About 1/3 of the families who signed up to receive food do not have transportation, and we coordinated the food distribution with our amazing program staff members who drove to their clients' homes to bring their Thanksgiving food bags, a turkey and a bag of potatoes.</p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;">Thank you!</span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;"><img src="/locations/south-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Pages/Grateful-Give-efforts/Grateful-give-food.jpg" alt="Grateful-give-food.jpg" style="margin:5px;" /><br></span></p> | 2022-12-01T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Grateful Give" src="/locations/PublishingImages/Grateful-Give-efforts.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | | text/html; charset=utf-8
NewsEvent | | | |
