SUMMER 2014
Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, Inc.
Adopt-A-Family Proud to Announce Matthew Constantine As New CEO
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dopt-A- Family is proud to announce that Matthew Constantine has been appointed CEO of the agency. Mr. Constantine, who has been with Adopt-A-Family since 2002, will now manage the $5.5 million budget and the day-to-day operations of the agency which serves more than 1,500 families throughout Palm Beach County each year. Mr. Constantine’s achievements during his tenure at the agency include playing an instrumental role in significantly expanding our affordable housing portfolio from 2008 to 2013, enhancing our social service and housing programs, and garnering national attention through grant awards from the Kresage Foundation, Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders, and TD Bank’s Housing for Everyone Competition.
“Helping families to realize their potential and improve their circumstances is a passion of mine,” said Mr. Constantine when asked about this new role within
the organization. “I am excited to bring some new ideas to life, and to watch our organization grow and help even more children and families. We’ve done great work over the years. I look forward to the future.”
Mr. Constantine’s predecessor, Wendy Tippett, spent 23 years with Adopt-A-Family. During her tenure as CEO, the agency expanded the services it provides to local families in crisis, including providing affordable housing in Lake Worth, and the agency’s partnership with Palm Beach County through the Philip D. Lewis Homeless Resource Center. Ms. Tippett’s dedication to, and advocacy for the homeless population, especially families, is admired by all who know her and have worked with her. In addition to his work with the agency, Mr. Constantine has served as the Vice Chairman of the Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency and was an executive member of Palm Beach County’s Continuum of Care. He received his Master’s Degree in Social Work from Barry University. Mr. Constantine resides in Lake Worth with his wife, Linnea and son, Matthew.
Ducky Derby Another Swimming Success! 10,000 yellow rubber ducks made a big difference for homeless families here in Palm Beach County. The 2nd Annual Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches Ducky Derby took place in Downtown Lake Worth on Sunday, March 16 as part of the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. For $5, anyone could “Adopt-A-Duck” and have the chance to win the $5,000 Grand Prize and other fabulous prizes. At the Derby, the “adopted” rubber ducks “swam” in a special duck pond staged near Dave’s Last Resort, a popular establishment in downtown Lake Worth. Local celebrity Greg Rice, emceed the
random plucking of the winning ducks. The $25,000 raised will help Adopt-A-Family continue to provide programs and services for local families in crisis. “What a great day,” said Matthew Constantine, CEO. “This is our second year of bringing the ducks to Lake Worth, and the excitement about the Derby is just amazing. We truly appreciate the community’s support.” Sponsors of the 2nd Annual Ducky Derby were Dave’s Last Resort, Edgewater Enterprises, LLC; Stuart & Shelby Development; Morgan Stanley Foundation; LKD Certified Public Accountants; PNC Bank; PBC Credit Union; Tauber Real Estate Services, LLC; The Lake Worth Herald; Joseph McHale and Northwestern MutualJim Larschan.
Golf Tournament a Swinging Success!
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he third Annual Better Ball Invitational, held in late April., was
committee -- Sean Bresnan, Tom Frankel, Gary Pohrer, Frank Bresnan, Joe Carron, Joe LaRocca Jr. and Jeff Preston, for planning such a fabulous day of golf! Thanks to the support of the players and tournament sponsors, a record-breaking $60,000 was raised to support programs that provide housing, rental assistance and supportive services to homeless families and families at risk of homelessness.
Tom Frankel, Sean Bresnan and Dan Stanton
Cachi Garcie Valez & Nick Coniglio played at the exclusive Pine Tree Golf Club in Boynton Beach. Eighty players enjoyed an afternoon of lunch, 18 holes of golf with carts and a forecaddie, and an awards ceremony to wrap up the festivities. Nick Coniglio and Cachi Garcie Valez were the winning team. Congratulations to the tournament
Michael Charles, Frank Bresnan, Ray Celedinas, Sean Bresnan Doug & Peggy Briggs, Joan & Tim Moran
Tournament sponsors were: Miles Nadal & MDC Partners, Inc.; Mangurian Foundation; GreenbergTraurig; AIG; Alvarez & Marsal Taxand, LLC; Frankel Enterprises; Regions, FX Bresnan Shipping, Inc; David Lambert; Sean Bresnan; Gary Pohrer – K2 Realty; North American Development Group; Stuart & Shelby Development, Inc.; Sabadell Bank Miami Foundation; Burke Ross; Celedinas Insurance Group; Club Colette; Dolente Family Foundation; Dom Telesco; Jay Marcus & GE Foundation; Jim Brecker; Rich Higginbotham; Alan Leist; Jay Sigel; Doug Briggs; Kim Raich & Sotheby’s; Larry Silverstein; Michael Charles; LaRocca & Associates; LKD Certified Public Accountants; Lincoln Financial; Mike & Mary Policano; Robert Garvy; Steve Duncker; Eleanor Davis; Alan LeFevre; Penny Heller; and Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun. Adopt-A-Family is a
Stay in Touch with AAF!
501 (c)(3) not-for-profit, charitable organization established in 1983. We are dedicated to restoring families in
Our goal is to reach more of YOU - our awesome supporters - throughout the year beyond just what you read every few months in our newsletter.
crisis to stability and self-sufficiency by providing access to all-encompassing services for families
We promise our e-mails will be limited and will have pertinent information about what’s happening with the agency and upcoming special events.
and their children.
This thank you card was presented to one of our caseworkers on her first home visit with this family. The family, who came to our program from an emergency shelter, is now safely housed and receiving needed services through our A Place Called Home housing program.
Please send an e-mail to marketing@adoptafamilypbc.org with your name, the best phone number to reach you and any changes to your mailing address.
This way, we can make sure our records are up to date! 2
Adopt-A-Family Summer 2014
STEAM Comes to Project Grow!
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dopt-A-Family is focused on exposing children in our Project Grow after-school program to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) related fields. STEAM fields are historically underrepresented by low-income, minority, and female students. Project Grow hopes to give our children the opportunity to learn about new STEAM fields, and have hands-on experience with them to broaden the children’s future career possibilities. Academic Advisor, Debra Collier, joined the staff six months ago to support academic growth, build relationships with parents, and to help coordinate STEAM related lessons in the classrooms such as Here’s how you can help support our STEAM program. Speakers (For children in grades K-3) • Health fields (orthopedic/sport; hospital or ER workers) • Veterinarian
science experiments and building activities. This was made possible due to a $150,000 grant.
Materials: • 3 - 4 working microscopes The Task Force did some research and found the best microscope would be $149.00, and $9.00 each for prepared slides sets in viewing animal, insect and plant features. • 1 camcorder (or whatever is the current equivalent)
• Field Trips: Contacts needed to schedule trips at technology-related companies (e.g., Pratt Whitney, Sikorsky, etc.). For further information or to donate, please contact Debra Collier, Academic Advisor, at (561) 253-1361 x118 or dcollier@adoptafamilypbc.org
Grant Award Save the Date 30th Annual
Tree Lighting Celebration Tuesday, December 2
In April, 2014 Adopt-A-Family was the grateful recipient of a $20,000 grant award from The BallenIsles Charities Foundation. This gives us the exciting opportunity to purchase school uniforms, school supplies, and hygiene kits for school-age children who receive agency services with their parents at the Homeless Resource Center. We appreciate this funding from The BallenIsles Charities Foundation that will provide much needed items to 200 children throughout the school year.
The Sailfish Club Palm Beach Dinner, Silent & Live Auctions
Adopt-A-Family Summer 2014
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Service Enriched Housing
Welcome new AAF staff
Adopt-A-Family is pleased to have recently received a grant award from the PNC Foundation. The award was the foundation’s response to our grant proposal to pressure clean and paint the exterior of the two Service Enriched Housing apartment buildings located next door to Adopt-A-Family’s main office in Lake Worth. The cleaning and painting was completed in the spring, and what a difference it makes! Thank you, PNC Foundation for helping us keep our buildings in excellent condition. More importantly, we want to provide a good
• Debra Collier, Academic Advisor • Melida Espinal, Navigator at HRC • Anefia Griffiths, Project Grow Program Assistant • Omari Hardy, Resident Manager • Christina Hewitt, SEH Program Manager example to the hard-working families who reside there. These families hope to become homeowners, and can learn through our actions that maintaining your home is a top priority. The PNC Foundation has helped us, our families, and the overall appearance of our neighborhood – THANK YOU!
• Robert Mair, Accounting Manager • Jessica Pagan, Permanent Supportive Housing Manager • Stephen Vaughan, Housing Specialist at HRC
Project Grow Left Our Project Grow students have been participating in a Junior Achievement program that teaches them about work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Our Kindergarten & 1st graders learned about the roles people play in our local community.
Right Many thanks to Lake Worth resident and author, Ted Brownstein for talking with our fourth and fifth grade students about the early history of Florida and the Lake Worth area. Mr. Brownstein has published Pioneers of Jewell: A Documentary History of Lake Worth’s Forgotten First Settlement (1885-1910)
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Adopt-A-Family Summer 2014
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Julissa’s Story
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efore I was in Adopt-A-Family’s Project Grow I wasn’t getting very good grades. Reading and science were difficult for me. Since I have been at Project Grow, I have learned so much. My reading is a lot better too. I think Project Grow is great because all the teachers really believe in the kids. They really believe in me. The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) projects are fun but also educational. I became a level T as an independent reader and Level U. This means I am at a 5th grade reading level even though I am only in the 3rd grade. This program also helps my parents, because they can go to work while I am learning at school. They feel confident that I am also in a safe learning environment. I have made more friends since I have been in this afterschool program and I have become more confident. Project Grow is special. I am very lucky and grateful.” —Julissa Reprinted from the Early Learning Coalition of PBC’s Spotlight on Education
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any thanks to the Palm Beach Daily News, Town of Palm Beach United Way and Palm Beach Fire Rescue for including Adopt-A-Family in this year’s Empty Your Pantry Food Drive which took place in late April in Palm Beach. We received 1,000 pounds of nonperishable food and $1,400 in cash donations. The food is being used by our staff at the Homeless Resource Center to help families in crisis, and the money was used to purchase Publix gift cards to assist families who find themselves in an emergency with no resources for food and diapers.
PRESENTS…
The 3rd Annual PHYSICIANS TALENT SHOWCASE Benefiting Adopt-A-Family & the Kretzer Piano Music Foundation Tuesday, August 19 at 7:30 pm The Harriet Himmel Theater at City Place A PRESCRIPTION FOR A GREAT EVENING! We will be showcasing local doctors with real musical talents! Your doctor may have skills you never dreamed of! The concert will feature local doctors who are musicians, vocalists, dancers, and so much more! When they all share their talent onstage, you’re going to be impressed, delighted, and possibly fall out of your seat laughing. Tickets for the Showcase are $75 each, payable to the Kretzer Piano Music Foundation, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing opportunities for children to receive music instruction who would not normally be able to do so. To purchase tickets, please call Complete Ticket Solutions at 866-449-2489. For more information about the concert, call Kretzer Piano (561) 748-0036. It’s a night you will not want to miss!
If you have named AAF in your will or trust, please let us know. We would like to recognize your generosity now. If you are thinking about including philanthropy in your long-term planning, please remember to consult with your planning professional before making any commitments to a not-for-profit. For more information, contact Cheré Brodi, Development Director at (561) 253-1361 x101
Support AAF While Shopping on Amazon
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hank you to everyone who supported the GREAT GIVE PBC on May 6! We were excited to be a part of this inaugural fund-raising event which benefitted so many local agencies. We are happy to report that more than $18,000 was donated to our agency, and that does not include the bonus pool dollars we will be receiving. Out of 330 participating agencies, we came in seventh place for the highest number of eligible donations. The money raised will be used to support our housing programs. It truly was a great day for the agency!
The AmazonSmile program is where Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organizations selected by their customers. To support Adopt-A-Family, please go to www.smile.amazon.com and register Adopt-A-Family as the charity you would like to support!
Congratulations to the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, United Way of Palm Beach County, Martin County Community Foundation, and United Way of Martin County for spearheading this unique event which raised more than $1.9 million. Adopt-A-Family Summer 2014
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Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, Inc.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. Postage
1712 Second Avenue North Lake Worth, FL 33460-3210 Phone: (561) 253-1361 www.adoptafamilypbc.org
PAID
West Palm Bch., FL Permit No. 529
Please remember Adopt-A-Family in your will.
Please Help Our Families . . . Who We Help l
Homeless families
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Income-challenged, working families at risk of becoming homeless
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Children ages Kindergarten-5th grade in need of quality after-school activities
Yes!
I would like to make a difference in the lives of homeless families and their children by contributing the following: o $25 o $50 o $100
o $500
o Donor’s Choice $ ______________
Make your tax-deductible contribution to Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches
1712 Second Avenue North Lake Worth, FL 33460 Give online at www.adoptafamilypbc.org
Name (please print): _____________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________ City: ___________________________________________________________ Phone: _____________________ E-mail: _____________________________
o Check Enclosed o Visa o Mastercard o AmEx _____________________ Account Number Exp. Date: ____________ _____________________ Signature
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION #CH2076
SUMMER 2014
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