This is something close to my heart... and close to my home. And while there is definitely a challenge, there are people already willing to help and even willing to help you make even more of a difference.
In December of 2000, 4KIDS opened SafePlace--a shelter for all of Broward County’s abused, abandoned, and neglected children when they are removed from their families and they begin their emotional journey into the foster care system.
SafePlace4KIDS provides trained, qualified, and screened staff members and volunteers who provide compassion and hope along with warm meals, beds, a shower facility, toys, books and every amenity available to help the child learn to trust and laugh again. One of the only programs of its kind in the state of Florida, SafePlace 4KIDS welcomes children, newborn to 17 years of age, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. SafePlace has cared for 13,000 children over the past 12 years.
But all that is about to change.
The state of Florida has just cut ALL funding to SafePlace-- effective July 1, 2012. Without the $400,000 it takes to run SafePlace each year—the doors are going to close and the kids will pay the price as they are left emotionally vulnerable in their time of crisis.
These are our kids…and this is our community. We can’t just stand by and not help them.
The need is now. As we've shared this story - two foundations have stepped up and offered a 2 for 1 match. The result is a triple match -- for every dollar you give, $3 will go towards helping save SafePlace! Please consider a sacrificial gift at this time to protect kids in crisis and provide a SafePlace haven for them. Thank you!