Another day of Giving by The JRX Foundation. This time we went back to The SOS Children’s Village in Coconut Creek Florida. I had three Turkeys left from one amazing sponsor that gave us 30 this morning. those had to go to assorted Outreach Centers and Shelters.
But I always save a few for the places like The SOS Children’s Village I knew I was coming here today with some clothes that were donated by some amazing people a few weeks ago. So this time I loaded up the Trans Am and well we made a little run ourselves
As always this was our pleasure to be able to do this, these are some amazing kids. And the foster parents that raise them are amazing people themselves. Just the faces they make when they see the Trans Am not to mention when they see what we have brought them are priceless..
What is the SOS Children’s Village ?
SOS Children’s Villages – Florida is a foster care neighborhood in Coconut Creek. Our tree-lined street has twelve houses, which are home to up to seventy-five boys and girls. Our promise of “Healing, Hope and Home for Every Child” assures our children growing up in the Village a safe and secure home. We create a nurturing and vibrant environment with an array of services to help them overcome their past traumas and build a successful future.
How do the children come to SOS?
Our children have been removed from their homes and families by the courts because of abandonment, abuse and neglect. Caseworkers from ChildNet, the agency overseeing foster care in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, make a determination on appropriate foster care placement. Our main priority is keeping sibling groups together.
How is SOS unique?
One of the biggest factors which sets us apart from other foster care situations, is that the Village allows brothers and sisters, who are typically separated while in foster care, to reunite and maintain their family connection. By staying together, our children can grow up alongside each other which provides comfort and minimizes the trauma of being placed in care.
At SOS we have a 100% high school graduation rate which is directly attributed to the emphasis we place on education and the twice weekly tutoring in reading and math provided to all our children. We are especially proud of this outcome as the national average high school graduation rate for children in foster care is below 50%.
How long do children stay at SOS?
The state of Florida strives to ensure that “no child grows up in foster care.” For this reason, the average stay at SOS is approximately two years. During this time, ChildNet is working on a plan to either reunify children with their biological family or find an adoptive home.
What happens when the children turn 18?SOS was the first organization in Broward County to provide a “Next Steps” program to help our young adults transition out of foster care after they turn eighteen. Because of these services, our alumni continue to have a family to turn to and a home to visit no matter how old they are. Services include support with securing affordable housing, employment, financial literacy, and assistance with college applications and visits. Through a program expansion grant from the Jim Moran Foundation, we have been able to provide these services to other young people in the community who had been in foster care outside of SOS.
So..
As you can see this place does so many great things, and its up to people like Us. To keep them supplied and in business to they can keep doing what they do..
