Honoring the Legacy of One of the Greats
by Candice Maze, FFCR Executive Director

Along with our entire local and national juvenile court community, we are deeply saddened by the passing earlier this month of The Honorable William E. Gladstone. One of our nation's greatest juvenile court judges, Judge Gladstone was a true crusader for children and youth in Florida and the force behind many programs that help at-risk youth and abused children across the state. He is especially beloved by all of us at FFCR as one of our founders and a staunch supporter of our Citizen Review Panel Program. Last year, on FFCR's 25th Anniversary, we had the privilege of honoring Judge Gladstone with the Judicial Champion Award for his life's work as both a judge and an advocate overseeing the health and welfare of abused, neglected and delinquent children and youth across our state.

On a personal note, I was blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know Judge Gladstone from my early days as a young lawyer at the Guardian ad Litem Program and throughout the years as my career progressed. To me, and many others, he was a role model, mentor, advisor and friend. His energy, passion and enthusiasm for his work was contagious. When you talked to Judge Gladstone, he really, truly listened and, despite being rather a celebrity in our field, he always took the time to find a way to help make a connection or share some advice. He was humble and gracious - a true Southern gentleman with an irreverent sense of humor.

I and many others are better off for knowing Judge Gladstone, and he will be sorely missed. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide us in our work on behalf of the vulnerable and voiceless in our community. May his memory be a blessing to us all.
Mark your calendars! Give Miami Day is November 19, 2015

We're just weeks away from Give Miami Day, South Florida's biggest annual giving event. Hosted by The Miami Foundation, Give Miami Day is an opportunity for individuals in our community to make an impact by donating online to local nonprofits. This year we're challenging you to help us raise $10,000 in one day! The Miami Foundation, Knight Foundation and partners will maximize all gifts between $25 and $10,000 with a bonus. With a minimum donation of $25, you can help ensure that children and youth in foster care are safe and have the chance for a better future. PLEDGE your support today! 
FFCR hosts first Judicial Reception 

(Left to right) Judges William Altfield, Michael Hanzman, Bertila Soto, Alan Fine, Martin Zilber, Victoria Del Pino, Stephen Millan, Steven Lieberman, Veronica Diaz, Ariana Fajardo Orshan, Jason Bloch. Not pictured but also in attendance: Judges Mavel Ruiz, Marisa Tinkler-Mendez and Spencer Eig

On September 17, 2015, Florida Foster Care Review held its first Judicial Reception. Hosted by White & Case at their downtown Miami office, the event was an opportunity for staff, volunteers and board members to mix and mingle with our juvenile judges and those from other divisions of our court system. The event featured remarks by the 11th Judicial Circuit's Chief Judge, The Honorable Bertila Soto, who encouraged judges to take advantage of the Citizen Review Panel Program, a program that is unique to Miami-Dade County. FFCR staff also presented the dependency judges in attendance with a special gift to thank them for their steadfast partnership and commitment to our community's most vulnerable children and youth.
The 10th Annual Claws for Kids is almost here!

Today is the last day to purchase tickets online for Claws for Kids, to take place on Monday, November 2nd from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm at Joe's Stone Crab, Miami Beach. Tickets are available until Friday, October 30th at 5pm by contacting Ileana at 305.573.6665 ext. 270 or [email protected].

Claws for Kids is FFCR's signature fundraising event. It features a wine reception and is attended by 300 of Miami's civic and community leaders. Raffle drawings will include fabulous prizes such as cultural events, health and beauty treatments, leisure and travel activities, Lasik (valued at $5,000!) and a 6 to 7 night Royal Caribbean cruise for you and a guest (terms and conditions apply). See you there!

to Florida Foster Care Review!



In the Community


Job Opening: Program and Professional Development Administrator, The Children's Trust


Petition: Judges need ability to give abused children the best adoptive family


Voices of Youth Count works to give homeless youth a better future


Foster Youth Weekly, FFCR's Online Newspaper

 

Like being in the know? FFCR recently launched Foster Youth Weekly, an online paper focusing on resources useful to and supportive of youth in foster care and young adults recently in care. Check it out for employment information and more!
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Be the safety net abused and neglected children and youth need. Donate or volunteer today.

About Florida Foster Care Review 

Established in 1989 by a United Way committee, Florida Foster Care Review promotes the safety, well-being and long-term success of abused and neglected children in our community. Through special recruitment and training, volunteers review cases of youth in foster care to ensure they are safe and receiving needed services, intensively promoting positive outcomes. Together with child welfare professionals, Florida Foster Care Review also works to ensure that children and youth leaving the foster care system have someone they can call family. Through all its programs, Florida Foster Care Review tracks and analyzes outcomes in order to advocate for system changes that improve children's lives.