a note from
Juvenile Welfare Board “All Kids Matter”
With the holiday season upon us, we are reminded of what really matters. Family, friends, good health and neighborly goodwill. With so much to be thankful for, we must not forget that many families in our community are struggling and need our help. In this issue, I wanted to share a little perspective with you, along with what the Juvenile Welfare Board and others are doing to help. Plus, offer ways you and your family can get involved to make a difference. Did you know that a quarter of all children are living in poverty and over half of all students qualify for free or reduced lunch in Pinellas County? Did you know about 7,000 children in our county are considered “chronically hungry” and go to bed hungry each night or don’t have adequate food on the weekends? And when last year’s homeless point-in-time count was done, a third of all people counted as “homeless” in Pinellas County were children. The Juvenile Welfare Board believes all children and families matter. Our Neighborhood Family Centers serve as “hubs” to provide support services to our community’s most vulnerable and are situated so services are easily accessible. Our weekend backpack food program provides “shelf stable”, pre-packaged, nourishing meals so our county’s hungry children are fed. And our
Family Services Initiative – a partnership between JWB, 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares, Central Florida Behavioral Health Network and PEMHS – provides real-time assistance to struggling families. Families start by calling 2-1-1 where their immediate needs are assessed and assistance is provided to help them become self-sufficient. Last year, the Family Services Initiative helped over 1,600 families – a total of 4,400 individuals! The Juvenile Welfare Board invites you and your family to get involved. Whether you’re inspired to help during the holidays or make a New Year’s resolution to volunteer, our community’s children and families greatly need your time, talents and treasures. To learn more, contact the Juvenile Welfare Board at (727) 453-5600 or Communications@JWBPinellas.org. Or, if you or a family you know needs assistance, call 2-1-1. The Juvenile Welfare Board wishes you a happy, healthy holiday season, as we all work together to strengthen Pinellas County’s children and families. Because all kids matter! Dr. Marcie Biddleman Executive Director, Juvenile Welfare Board