**MAKE SURE YOU PAUSE THE PAGE SONG BEFORE VIEWING!!!!! Thanks to Rick of MMR we have some footage! So cool.
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In Monroe County Florida where 80,000 people reside there are two facilities that receive children who have been removed from their home because of abuse, abandonment, neglect and other situations, or children who are awaiting foster placement or adoption. One facility located in Plantation Key has 18 beds, and the 2nd facility in Key West has 10. Okay people can you say NOT ENOUGH FU;$ING RESOURCES DOWN HERE?
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Here is a picture of the front of the Shelter in Tavernier. It is very clean and maintained. I try and stay in the loop with the director about how things are going and to keep her up to date on my event. Here is an exchange of words.
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Howdy,
Today we have 11 kids in the shelter in Tavernier, and six in the residential group home in Key West. Our emergency home in Key West is empty while the house parents recover from some health problems. I frequently am asked about what "specific" things someone can donate besides money. Some kids come into shelter with 27 garbage bags filled with every item they have ever owned. Others come in with no shoes, pajamas or underwear. So the most helpful things might be gift certificates to places like Sears, Kmart, Payless -- so that we can get whatever each child needs as they come into shelter throughout the year. Every so often we have to replace all the linens -- sheet sets, towels, mattress pads, etc.; Kitchenware (service for 20 in Tavernier! Plastic not ceramic or glass); And right now we could use new professional cookware and bake ware in Tavernier -- of all shapes and sizes, including a professional stand mixer.
The rooms have been painted and the new furniture installed in Tavernier. This week we are installing a new fire alarm system ($12,000). Last week it was air conditioning parts replacement ($7,000). It goes on and on!
When children are abused or neglected their opportunities for developing to thier full potential are severely limited. The programs at the Florida Keys Children's Shelter protects the children and perhaps give them a chance for a better life.
Being governmentally funded resources are always under the microscope for cutting funds and or just giving the basics. It costs the Shelter $165.00 a day per bed for a child to be sheltered and the state only gives $110.00 of that. It is what it is. What the shelter is left to cover and what expenses do not get funded for is fortunately raised through community efforts and fund raisers like the "Run for Shelter".
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Project Lighthouse in Key West is an outreach program offered by FKCS. Project Lighthouse is an outreach program located in Key West which uses a different approach emphasizing on the travel aspect of a youth’s experience. Runaway and homeless youth are often hard to help. They are usually very suspicious of programs that try to “rescue” or “save” them, fearing that someone will start preaching to them or try to force them to return to homes where they either were abused or unhappy. Young people who are received at this center are called “travelers” and they are invited to drop in to the center to work on art, sculpture projects or to play and experiment with their musical talents on the various instruments provided at the center. If they want to go home the are given help to get there. If they choose to stay in Key West, they are given referrals to local social service agencies or help to get them off the streets and get work so they can support themselves. If they choose to move on, they are given help to make realistic plans which will enable them to arrive at their next destination safely. Most importantly, a lot of the young people who visit the center are unknown and unidentified. The volunteers at the center make efforts to identify and provide the young adult with identification so that they can be tracked in the future or in the event of perhaps an unfortunate circumstance resulting after their departure to other areas of the county or the country.
Television
Public Service Announcement Produced! "Who can estimate the worth of giving a little girl who has been abused and neglected a safe place to stay? Who can put a price on the tough love that helps a troubled teenager turn his life around?" This is the new Public Service Announcement about the Florida Keys Children's Shelter that began airing this past November to give the public an awareness of what the purpose and mission of FKCS is.
About me:
THANK YOU JORGE AND CAROLINA FOR SUPPORTING, BEING A PART OF, AND TAKING THE TIME TO WRITE ABOUT THE GREAT TIME. KEEP KICKING &^% WITH THE MAG...ITS TIGHT WORK. GOD BLESS AND BEST WISHES FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
HI FRIENDS. IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE SHELTER YOU CAN GIVE ONE THE DAY OF THE RIDE OR YOU CAN GO TO WWW.FKCS.ORG. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU INDICATE SOMEWHERE ON THE DONATION RUN FOR SHELTER.
To all the members of MMR a.k.a. Miami Motorcycle Riders, I couldn't have gotten this far without your help and support. I am so grateful for all my friends and fellow members who have been giving their time and energy to help out. Jorge, Cedric!!, JJ!!, D.J. Bert, Gersy!!, Daniel!!, Lourdes!, Bill, Pete, on and on...you guys are real and I appreciate you. When you say your going to do something you have. That is priceless......
Wow, what a surprise. It was worth the wait. Thank you for your faith and the $110.00 worth of gift certificates for the prize give away. You know who you are.
Pablo it was great meeting you. Thanks to Heaven Cycle for your support and $25.00 gift card for the prize give away! And....JJ! thanks for the lead. Its always great to say I was referred by a friend which is good for everyone!
D.J. Bert your commitment from the beginning of this event being born tells me alot about you and our ongoing friendship. Your support all last year, and talent to be shared at the party will be unforgetable and I bet great things will come your way. You know what they say.....What goes around comes around.....hugs and love, Chopper Chic! See you Saturday at the seafood fesitval!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Make sure you stop by while you wait to take off for the ride (its right next door to the Carribean Club, or on your way home...............MM 101 M.D. CYCLES, Key Largo! Amy and Morgan, thanks so much for your support and donating a Free Eight Hour Rental for a prize give away.
