What does kindness and compassion mean to you?

Ellyn Okrent, C.E.O.

With a captive audience of more than 500 parents and extended family members who know and trust the staff at Florence Fuller Child Development Centers, we are excited to introduce a new initiative to enhance our family support services program. With abundant kindness and compassion we are creating our FAMILY NET Program.

This program is being created to remove the barriers often imposed on families needing to go to multiple places to get the services an overburdened and stressed family may need. When services are coordinated under one roof where parents already feel safe and welcome, the likelihood of success is much, much  greater.

Family Net will be created in partnership with many local nonprofits who will be invited to work with us at our East and West Campus. Support services to be provided include, but not limited to: counseling, parent training and support, child development education, financial planning, assistance with accessing economic assistance, food and housing, assistance with resume writing and job searching and assistance with GED classes.

We have hired a full time social worker who will begin to bring a variety of programs to the families and we are exploring new grant and funding opportunities to grow and sustain this winning collaborative effort. We are currently negotiating inter-agency agreements, so stay tuned for the next newsletter at which time we will be able to share who our new partners are.  

We hope you are as excited about this program as we are. The children at Florence Fuller Child Development Centers receive the best care, early education and after school / summer camp programing. They are being provided with amazing opportunities because of the wonderful support, kindness, love and compassion from donors , volunteers and community leaders like you. Because of your BIG HEARTS, the children served here have a chance to break the poverty cycle. With your support, we can ensure that when they leave each day, they go to safe and enriching homes, with strong and competent families who positively contribute to the community we all live in.

L-R: Melisa DiMaggio, Jack and Susan Hayes volunteered to build cribs for the babies.

It's a true blessing to find people who have a kind and compassionate heart. Even better when these people are  FFCDC volunteers! For their BIG HEARTS, we would like to thank each of our volunteers for choosing Florence Fuller Child Development Centers to give their precious time, energy and skills.  It is through the generous and priceless donation of time and compassionate effort that we are able to better provide the quality education every child deserves. Without the hard work of these amazing people, Florence Fuller would not be what it is today. Each volunteer contributes crucial energy and hours to keep our agency operating as smoothly as possible.

We need YOU to join this very special group of people!  Everyday, they show their unique compassion by teaching the children special skills and they help maintain and beautify our campuses. Volunteers are always needed for classroom assistance, at the thrift store, in the administrative office providing technology or clerical help, serving on leadership committees and helping at fundraising special events. Whether you only have a little time to spare each week or a lot, any amount of time you can give is valuable! If you have passion for making a difference and or a special talent that you would like to offer, please contact Debbie Wenger at 561.391.7274 ext., 127 or dwenger@ffcdc.org 

L-R: Calvin Wolcott (tutor) and Alicia (afterschool) working hard.

L- R: Jen Altieri (volunteer) and Layla

Bobby Campbell, 2013 Biggest Heart Honoree

There's already lots of community buzz about the 12th Annual Men with Caring Hearts (MWCH) awards luncheon, which will take place April 26 at Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton. The event, which will benefit Florence Fuller Child Development Centers, gives nonprofit organizations an opportunity to provide recognition and thanks to male volunteers who have given time, talent, energy and resources to improve the community. This year's event chairs are philanthropist Eda Knopf, and FFCDC alumnus Julissa Caballero.

Robert "Bobby" Campbell is this year's Biggest Heart honoree, a title bestowed to a philanthropic leader whose selfless dedication has positively impacted individuals and the community at large. Harvey Sandler has been named the Lifetime  

Harvey Sandler, 2013 Lifetime Achievement Honoree  and wife Phyllis

In addition to the Biggest Heart and the Lifetime Achievement honorees, all Palm Beach County nonprofit organizations are invited to pay tribute to one man who has made a significant difference to their organization for the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award. Participating agencies are also encouraged to nominate a male between the ages 16-21 for the Youth in Philanthropy Award, which will include a scholarship and new notebook computer.  

For more information, call Jennifer Berman at 561-391-7274, ext. 128 or visit ffcdc.org.

 For more information, visit www.bocafoundation.org or call Jennifer Berman, 561 391-7274, ext 128 

  Buy a Heart to Support FFCDC Programs 

Become a part of Florence Fuller Child Big Hearts Helping Little Ones Project.                                                             

A special child made 6'x6' HEART tile can be purchased individually or in clusters - your name, companies name and/or personal message will become a part of the heart collection for thousands to see in our main lobby. 

 

100% of all purchases will go directly toward improving the lives of more than 625 economically challenged children and families.  

         

                     Call Jennifer Berman, 561 391-7274, ex. 128 to purchase your heart today.       

               

                                            Put a smile on his face today!  

• Sponsor a child with an educational  scholarship
• Become a tutor
• Attend and sponsor an event
• Provide needed school supplies
• Adopt a class
• Become an Ambassador 

For more information contact,  

561- 391-7274, ext., 127