Category: Fund Raising

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Project 1841 8 generations of students helping teens age out of foster care

When Marjorie Stoneman Douglas students Brianna Bango, 17, Mia Bono, 16, Amanda Bilsky, 16, and Samantha Shortz, 16, handed over a duffel bag filled with essentials and a handwritten birthday card as part of Project 1841, they knew they were giving more than supplies—they were giving hope.

From competitive dancing and sports to volunteering for Project 1841, a grassroots effort supporting teens aging out of foster care, these local girls are proving that age is no barrier to making a difference.

Across the city of Parkland, the newest members of this charitable organization, Martina Velez, 14, and Graciela Wilson, 14, make the eighth generation of volunteers—each group passing the torch as they graduate high school and welcome new members.

Together, they’re using their time and talents to support local causes and inspire others to do the same.

Founded in 2007 by then–Weston student Alexandra “Alex” Rubin and her peers, Ilana Wolpert, Alexandra Kaplan, and Alli Weiss, Project 1841 raises funds and collects donations to pack starter kits in duffel bags for youth turning 18 and aging out of the foster care system.

Prior to the duffel bags provided by Project 1841, these kids usually packed up their belongings in plastic garbage bags when setting out on their own.

Nearly two decades later, a new generation continues the tradition—packing duffel bags filled with essentials and hope.

“These girls are a blessing,” says Kaydion Watson, director of youth services at ChildNet, a nonprofit advocacy agency serving vulnerable children in Broward and Palm Beach counties. “We’re very appreciative of all they do for our foster youth.”

As director of youth services for the past six years, Watson has spent most of her 20-plus-year career working with foster youth, beginning as an independent living specialist. Committed and loving what she does, Watson says she’s happy to have a positive impact on these kids’ lives and is grateful to Project 1841 for their commitment and generosity.

“The girls of Project 1841 choose to be impactful with their time and energy and to give our kids a feeling of being valued,” she says. “We’re forever grateful for them.”

Teens in foster care “age out” of the system on their 18th birthday. Many will face challenges without the support of family or relatives or a safety net. Compared with their peers, young people who have aged out may face particular hurdles, including behavioral, mental, and physical health issues and challenges with housing instability, interrupted education, joblessness, and substance abuse.

The transition to “emancipation” can be daunting. Project 1841’s mission is to make that transition less daunting.

The name 1841 denotes three things: “18” is the age that youth age out of the foster care system, beginning their journey toward independence. “Four” signifies the original four girls who worked with ChildNet to collect donations and pack starter kits for the youth. “One” symbolizes the one cause that unites the girls—helping foster teens to transition from foster care to independent living.

According to figures provided by Project 1841, more than 120 teens age out of Broward County’s foster care system each year, and some of those teens age out when they are still in high school.

The first delivery of bags was in April 2008. Each month, ChildNet forwards to Project 1841 a list of names of youth who are aging out of foster care on their 18th birthday. Every month, the girls pack bags filled with sheets, towels, a pillow, utensils, plates, toiletries, snacks, detergent, and more, as well as a handwritten birthday card to each teen.

Brianna Bango’s mother, Maggie Cicarelli, a licensed clinical social worker and 18-year Parkland resident, says, “In this day and age, it’s particularly inspiring to see high school girls who are privileged to live in an amazing community in Parkland step up and give back to their counterparts.”

She says, “It also teaches them to be part of a community.”

The impact is tangible, but not without cost. Each bag costs about $100 to fill, and with prices rising, Cicarelli says they are always looking to host fundraisers or accept donations to support their efforts. Each generation adds its own touches to the bags, such as gift cards to fast-food restaurants or something to make the teens’ first night on their own more comfortable.

Since inception, more than 1,500 bags have been packed and delivered, thanks to the group’s fundraising efforts. Additionally, as each volunteer graduates high school, a new generation steps up to further the cause.

While Cicarelli acknowledges that the foster youth have a long journey ahead of them, and the volunteers’ efforts are “but a blip on the radar of their journey,” she knows from her professional experience as a social worker that kids who go on to do well and be successful, independent, contributing adults had someone who stepped up and showed an interest in their life.

“Sometimes a small act of kindness can make a difference in someone’s life,” she says.

All the donated items are stored at Cicarelli’s home, and once a month Project 1841 members gather to prepare the bags. ChildNet provides the group with the first names of those who will age out the following month.

Bango, a rising senior at MSD High School who hopes to apply to the BS/MD program at the University of South Florida and one day become an orthopedic doctor, says she’s motivated by her “love for our community” and a desire to make it better.

She also volunteers with Parkland Buddy Sports and created an organization that promotes health through dance called “Groove for Goodness,” which brings dancers to nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and shelters to dance alongside the residents.

“Project 1841 is for a great cause, and I think it’s important to give back,” says the straight-A student, who is the primary coordinator and in her fourth year as a volunteer.

Over the past 2½ years, Bango has forged close friendships with two of the other volunteers, Bilsky and Shortz, both lacrosse players at MSD, and the girls say they are grateful for the friendships they’ve made.

As yet undecided on where they plan to go to college, Bilsky excels in history and Shortz, who also prepares sandwiches for Our Father’s House Soup Kitchen in Pompano Beach, excels in math. Both also volunteer their time at Parkland Buddy Sports.

Shortz enjoys the physical act of packing the bags, knowing that these are necessities that will give the foster students a fresh start.

The girls all agree that being part of something greater than themselves is a good feeling. “It’s very rewarding,” says Bango.

“We all feel fortunate for what we have and grateful for the life we were given,” she says in a “There but for the grace of God, go I” moment.

A fact not lost on these young students is that the bags they are preparing are for teens similar to themselves.

Bango visited ChildNet in person to see firsthand where her contributions and donations were going. “It changed my perspective,” she says. “I saw that we are making a concrete contribution and making an impact on young people’s lives.”

After a summer of travel for Bilsky and Shortz, some SAT prep, a Cold Play concert at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and a national dance competition in New York for Bango, these teens geared up for back-to-school, college prep, and future careers.

Going forward, they bring with them more than their academic and extracurricular achievements—they carry the experience of having made a difference in someone’s life. And for the foster youth receiving their care packages, a show of support from their peers can be a small but significant gesture, and one that can be life-changing.

To help with this cause, please go to gofund.me/9161253f, and visit Project 1841.

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Run4Beigel: Memorial fund helps send at-risk children to summer camps

Scott J. Beigel was more than a geography teacher and cross-country coach at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSD). Among the 17 souls who lost their lives that fateful day in February 2018, he was a man that impacted lives. Ultimately, he was a man who saved lives by unlocking his classroom so students could find shelter.

To raise money for the Scott J. Beigel Memorial Fund, the annual Run4Beigel takes place April 10 at Pine Trails Park in Parkland. It’s where his team trained and, after their initial meeting, he told them he knew nothing about cross-country running. The team was impressed by his candor, and by his wit. When asked how they could improve, he would simply say, “Just run faster.” According to his mother, Linda Beigel Schulman, he told the team, “You teach me about cross country, and I’ll teach you about life.”

The Format

Beigel won the love and admiration of his team. To honor his memory, they took to social media and within six days of his death organized the first Run4Beigel event. It drew nearly 500 people. This year’s event features the traditional 5K Run-Walk and 1-mile Fun Run, and a 10-mile Two-Person Relay has been added that requires participants to run 5 miles each. Run4Beigel is also being done virtually and runners from around the world will be participating in his honor.

“We expanded to accommodate those who want a bigger challenge,” said Doug Eaton, race director. “The multiple events add a competitive component that never existed before, and we hope to draw friends, family, the philanthropic community, and competitive athletes from running clubs.”

Eaton says the events are a good way to get involved in a wonderful cause. “Scott was a great human being who cared so much about people,” he said. “Honoring him shows the Parkland spirit.” T-shirts will be given to all participants, and winners will receive trophies and cash prizes.

“It’s really a celebration of his life, and there’s a lot of energy because the community comes together as one in his memory,” said Beigel’s mother.

The memorial fund is rooted in Beigel’s love for summer camp. “It was something close to his heart and that’s why my husband Michael and I partnered with Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education (SCOPE),” she said. “It’s an organization that funds ‘camperships’ for at-risk, low-income children affected by gun violence, and it helps youngsters become empowered and more self-confident.”

The Full SCOPE

The organization does not run the camps, but partners are vetted to meet high standards. “The camps help the emotional needs of kids affected by gun violence by offering an environment that is acceptive and responsive to their needs,” said Executive Director Molly Hott Gallagher.

Beigel’s parents found a partner in SCOPE that was experienced in working with underserved youth and had working relationships with accredited camps. “When Linda and I met, we hit it off immediately,” said HottGallagher. “This relationship has been incredible … because of the focus on providing greater financial access so kids can attend camps they could not otherwise afford.”

SCOPE partners with more than 50 nonprofit summer camps. Last year, it provided more than 700 children with a camp experience. “Helping at-risk kids affected by gun violence was very important to Scott,” said Eaton. “Our goal this year is to raise at least $300,000 and help send 200 kids to camp.”

According to Hott Gallagher, some of the organization’s partner camps are free for all children, and SCOPE subsidizes additional costs for meals, travel, programming, and staffing. Since its inception, SCOPE has funded more than 25,000 camperships.

Applicants must be between ages 7 and 16, be enrolled in a public school or public charter school, and qualify for the Free and Reduced Price School Meals program. They must commit to stay in school. Inner-city kids exist in a world where chaos and crime are routine, and they’re more prone to exposure to gun violence. “Summer camp is very therapeutic because it gives kids a chance to be themselves and have fun,” said HottGallagher. “It’s a break from their daily routine, and it’s proven to be psychologically beneficial.”

An Insight

Beigel grew up in Dix Hills on Long Island, NY. He was a self-taught guitarist, runner, teacher, coach, friend, advisor, and jokester. He found his dream job at MSD because it allowed him to teach geography his way, not always out of a book, but about life’s experiences.

Despite his biting wit, he was a humble man who lived by the golden rule of treating others as you would like to be treated. “Scott really never knew how much people loved him,” said his mother. “The first day he was at Douglas, he called to tell me he was the worst teacher in the world. Students who had doubts about him were the ones who loved him the most. Wherever Scott went, he impacted lives.”

Beigel loved to mentor kids and to be a champion for the underdog. He volunteered to teach in Cape Town, South Africa and returned home without any baggage. He told his mother that in America kids worry about what kind of athletic shoe to buy, but over there, kids were lucky to have shoes. “Mom, I left all my clothes for them, because I knew it was something they could really use,” he said. That was the essence of Scott Beigel.

Lingering Pain

“The scar tissue from what happened four years ago hasn’t gone away, but it’s made Parkland an even tighter-knit community,” said Eaton. “We still feel the pain of that day, and in Scott’s memory, we want to make things better. It’s a way in which our community can give each other a collective hug.” The 17 will always be remembered.

For Beigel’s legacy, this quote by Mahatma Gandhi is appropriate: “Life isn’t always about grand gestures, but when living by your values, you can make a difference.”

You can follow Run4Beigel on Instagram and Facebook. To sign up, go to www.run4beigel.com.

 

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Parkland gives back, providing 1,119 backpacks for students in need

This year, Parkland’s annual Backpack Project provided 1,119 backpacks complete with back-to-school supplies for students in need, aiding a number of nonprofit organizations, including Kids in Distress, Hope South Florida, God’s Little Lambs Preschool, and SOS Children’s Villages Florida.

 

What started as a small family and friends operation eight years ago has become a community favorite. “I think the first year we ended up with 300 backpacks,” recalls Heather Khalil, founder and driving force behind the annual drive. “We helped one agency with a backpack project.”

 

Over the years, as the Backpack Project grew in popularity, Khalil ran out of room in her house to store the donated backpacks and asked volunteers to become team leaders in their neighborhoods. “More friends and neighbors asked to participate as I added projects, so I reached out to other agencies.” She now has team leaders not only in Parkland, but also in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Coral Springs, Weston, Plantation, and a growing number of other communities. “Everything grew beyond what I thought was possible.”

 

One of the unique aspects of the Backpack Project, and perhaps the reason it resonates with so many, is its personal touch, an idea that originated with Khalil and one that she brought to fruition. “I think I was the first to bring the idea to do it for specific kids so people could actually shop for an assigned child and write a note to them.”

Each year, the participating agencies provide Khalil with a list of children in need. Volunteers are then given their particular student’s name, age, size, and gender so that they can purchase appropriate backpacks, first day of school outfits, socks, underwear, toiletries, school supplies, and a book, and they can also include a note of encouragement addressed to their child.

“Many people in the community tell me the whole family shops together for ‘their’ child,” enthuses Khalil. “Volunteers often provide more than what is asked for because they really want to make a difference. I get to witness a lot of kindness and love firsthand, which is truly amazing and a blessing!”

Next up for Khalil is the Halloween Project, which provides Halloween costumes for children in the foster-care and homeless system. “Children in the foster system and homeless system do not get new costumes for Halloween. If they get anything at all, it’s usually someone’s old costume. This project offers those children the chance to choose their own brand-new costume,” explains Khalil.

Again making the experience personal for both child and volunteer, Khalil asks participating agencies to provide a list that includes each child’s name, age, gender, size, and top two costume choices. Volunteers are then assigned a specific child and are responsible for providing one of the costumes requested, a durable trick-or-treat bag, and a full-size bag of candy.

For more information or to get involved, head to Facebook. Khalil has a local group called

“Heather’s volunteer opportunities” that regularly posts new events and calls for volunteers.

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Two talented young girls learn charity at an early age

For Eden Gross and Jorie Blake Rosen — two young South Florida residents — talent and charity go hand in hand. Both girls have a penchant for philanthropy, acting, and creating music.

Ten-year-old Parkland resident Eden Gross, a fourth-grade student at Donna Klein Jewish Academy (DKJA) in Boca Raton, along with her twin brother Jordan, sits on the philanthropy board of the DKJA Philanthropic Kids in Action.

“It’s a great initiative,” says Eden’s mom, Shirley Gross. “Every school should have it. They plant the seeds for kids to understand giving and become mensches and (wo)mensches.”

The board meets every week after school to focus on giving initiatives. During school hours, they visit other classrooms to present philanthropic topics as a way to engage their fellow students.

While both Eden and Jordan love music — Jordan plays the guitar and viola — Eden is more the extrovert who loves the spotlight and recently recorded her first song titled “Shadows on the Wall,” relaying a message of strength and of overcoming your fears.

Available on all music sites, the song costs $1.29, and as part of Eden’s philanthropic efforts, a portion of all sales will go to JAFCO (Jewish Adoption and Family Care Options) and Eagles Haven, a community wellness center created for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas−Parkland community.

Eden is dedicating this series of songs to kids who struggle with mental health issues, especially during the pandemic.

“I want kids to know that they can overcome fears by seeing the light,” she says, echoing the lyrics to her song. “And we shouldn’t listen to those voices that tell us we’re not good enough. Because we are.”

“Find the light inside you so you can shine and face your fears,” she says.

“Helping others means supporting them when they need it the most,” says Eden. “Nothing makes me feel better than knowing I was able to be there for them.”

Across town in Boca Raton, 9-year-old singer and actor Jorie Blake Rosen is also making her own music, with a song titled “Make Your Own Music.”

The fourth-grader at Morikami Park Elementary School in Delray Beach lost a number of acting roles she was up for once the quarantine started.

Not one to lay on the couch or feel sorry for herself, Jorie found a new love for writing music. To cope with her feelings during quarantine, she began writing down her feelings in a journal, which eventually turned into songs.

“You can start from the bottom but can go to the top — if you work hard, you will never stop,” Jorie sings on the single. “I can give you some lessons to sing, act, and dance; I can hold your hand; this is your chance to open a new door to something you haven’t done before.”

“Think about what you want to do because you … can make your own music,” goes the refrain, encouraging kids to follow their dreams.

The song, chosen as an artist pick on Spotify, was released in March on playitforward.com, and proceeds from the download will benefit the local South Florida chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

In the first two weeks, Jorie’s song raised $2,000. “Writing music helped Jorie find her voice, and start to smile again,” says her mom, Randi Rosen.

“In addition, we believe in paying it forward,” says Randi. “Each month, Jorie picks a ‘mitzvah’ project as a way to encourage her to be grateful and to give back to her community.”

“Over the years, she has worked with charities such as the Tri-County Animal Shelter, Toys for Tots, No Kid Hungry, and Mini Mitzvahs,” says Randi.

Additionally, during 2020, Jorie performed in a number of benefit concerts to raise money for the Actors Fund.

With the release of “Make Your Own Music,” Jorie knew she wanted to affiliate with a charity.

“My mom and I discussed a number of charities,” she says. “I chose Make-A-Wish Foundation because I love everything they do and I felt it connected well to my song.”

“‘Make Your Own Music’ is about following your heart and making your dreams come true,” says Jorie. “And the Make-A-Wish Foundation helps dreams come true for children, which is something I love.”

She hopes to put out her first album by the end of the summer and will look to connect her debut album to a charity as well.

“I know I am a very lucky girl,” says Jorie. “I look up to artists like Taylor Swift who perform many benefit concerts. I’m hoping I can do a lot of that by using my own voice and talents.”

For Eden Gross’s music, go to Amazon, Apple Music, Boomplay, MediaNet, YouTube Music, iTunes, or Spotify. Visit eagleshaven.org and jafco.org.

 

For Jorie Blake Rosen’s music, visit www.playitforward.com/projects/334 or https://wish.org.

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Van carries free legal aid to Broward seniors

Like the Mystery Machine on Scooby Doo or Bruce Wayne’s famous Batmobile, a new rolling problem solver is bringing free legal aid to Broward County seniors.

Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida has launched the Mobile Justice Squad, a mobile division of its high quality free civil legal services.

The squad will provide legal services for homebound seniors or those seniors with limited mobility. Legal services offered through the MobileJustice Squad include but are not limited to health and public benefits, housing and foreclosure defense, domestic violence and financial exploitation, consumer fraud, and naturalization.

“With the Mobile Justice Squad, we are bringing our resources and services out on the road to the most vulnerable,” said Patrice Paldino, Executive Director of Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida. “This initiative is an integral part of what we can do to continue our mission to provide high quality free civil legal advice, representation, and education to those who need it.”

Alterations to the van have been made in response to COVID-19 to allow social distancing through a plexiglass shield. Attorneys will be able to screen clients, review legal issues, prepare, scan, and copy documents all in one visit, eliminating the need for clients to travel to the office or send documents through the mail.

To obtain access to the Mobile Justice Squad, individuals or community organizations should call 954-736-2400. Eligible senior citizens (60+ years old) can make an appointment and the Mobile Justice Squad will then arrive at their location.

Funding for this innovative project was generously provided by the American Bar Endowment and The Jim Moran Foundation.

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SoFlo BUZZ: Children’s Harbor plans Harbor Lights Gala: POSTPONED

 

 

 

*The Children’s Harbor Annual Harbor Lights Gala has been POSTPONED until further notice! Continue to check back to https://www.childrensharbor.org/events for more event information.*

Children’s Harbor’s annual Harbor Lights Gala, themed
“A Million Dreams,” has been rescheduled to Saturday, September 12 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, 551 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. The annual fundraiser helps ensure that siblings in foster care can stay together in a loving and nurturing home.

Festivities will include a cocktail reception, dinner, a silent auction, and a night of dancing with live musical entertainment. Black tie is optional. Tickets are $250 per person. For sponsorship and more information, contact Bibi Deen at 954- 252-3072 or email bdeen@ChildrensHarbor.org.

Established in 1996, Children’s Harbor is a nationally accredited nonprofit agency with a mission to provide a safe harbor and support to at-risk children, youth, and families — keeping brothers and sisters together, strengthening families, and rebuilding lives.

Children’s Harbor provides nurturing, family group homes for 24 siblings and 7 pregnant/parenting teens in the foster care system on their 8 acre campus in Pembroke Pines. These loving homes allow brothers and sisters, and teen mothers and their babies to stay together during a turbulent time in their young lives. Children’s Harbor also helps prevent child abuse through their Family Strengthening Program. Each year, 200 families across Broward County receive in-home counseling to improve parenting and communication skills.

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Parkland Buddy Sports Golf Classic

Parkland Buddy Sports will host its seventh annual golf tournament on Sat., May 11, at Boca Lago Country Club in Boca Raton.

“Our Parkland Buddy Sports family has been providing fun, safe programming for our special needs children, their families, and our community since our inception in 2002,” Parkland Buddy Sports president Andy Zaukas said. “This tournament is our primary source of fundraising, with the hope that our fee-free sports programming will continue to grow and succeed.”

The mission of Parkland Buddy Sports, a 501 C (3) non-profit organization, is to provide quality sports programming for children and young adults with special needs in an inclusive, empowering, challenging, and caring environment where the emphasis is on having fun, making friends, and realizing their potential. The structure of a shared experience allows participants and volunteers to create a no-limits environment void physical, social, and cultural barriers.

The sports programs consist of weekly activities and/or games. Each player is paired for the entire season with their own “Buddy,” who in most instances is a student volunteer. Through the shared encouragement of all the program’s Buddies, the players with special needs and their families are able to experience the joys of their athletic endeavors.

The 1:30pm shotgun-start golf tournament will consist of up to 144 players in teams of four. The cost per player is $125, which includes golf, tournament prizes, a gift bag, and buffet dinner in Boca Lago’s VIP dining room. Specialty holes will be available, including a hole-in-one par 3, where golfers will be shooting for prizes courtesy of Infiniti of Coconut Creek. Other specialty holes will be available. Mulligan cards will be on hand for players to purchase.

Sponsorship opportunities may be obtained at several monetary levels, ranging from $500 to $5,000. T-Sign hole sponsorships are also available for $100 per hole. The Parklander is the official magazine sponsor. Other corporate sponsors include Connect Credit Union, The Eppy Group, Holman Enterprises, and Pepsi. Trophies and prizes will be awarded to the top teams. There will be a silent auction and raffle; prizes include hotel stays, signed sports memorabilia, attraction tickets, restaurant gift certificates, and more. If you are interested in assisting the charity or golf tournament committee with your time and/or donations, call Linda Brown at 954-288-7201. For more information on Parkland Buddy Sports, visit ParklandBuddySports.org or search Facebook for Parkland Buddy Sports Inc.

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It’s Ladies Night Out at Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Last May, Parkland resident Janet McMahan chaired a Ladies Night Out to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), and she has been dancing to that beat ever since.

McMahan was introduced to type 1 diabetes eight years ago, when her son was diagnosed and eagerly got involved with the organization.

JDRF, which is headquartered in New York and has chapters throughout the U.S., as well as abroad, funds research and strives to help find ways to prevent, manage, and one day cure diabetes.

For McMahon and JDRF’s South Florida Chapter, based in Fort Lauderdale, the inaugural Ladies Night Out was a hit.

“We raised $22,000, which was more than I hoped,” McMahan, who has volunteered with the group for almost a decade, said.

The local chapter’s second annual Ladies Night Out is set for April 25, from 6 to 9 p.m., at Parkland Golf and Country Club. This year’s event will have food and drink, a DJ, and a silent auction that will feature more premium items. Tickets are $39 and all ladies of all ages are welcome.

“It is really important for young moms to attend because of the information we can make available to them about the warning signs,” McMahan said. “Unfortunately, a lot of kids do not get diagnosed early enough.”

You likely know someone who has been affected by diabetes, which can be diagnosed in people at any age. The condition leaves the body producing little to no of the hormone insulin, which it needs to process the sugar and fat from food. When insulin becomes too high, the consequences can be dangerous, even fatal, for sufferers when their blood sugar levels get too low or too high.

“You are always trying to find that balance, and there are factors that affect it, like stress hormones, and sometimes you do not know,” she said, “so it is a constant battle and there is never a minute off.”

Having a support network can make a difference. Families stay busy with JDRF events throughout the year. Every chapter has a JDRF charity walk in the spring, McMahan said, and then there is a gala in May. “I believe strongly in this particular organization,” McMahan said. “It is important to stay educated and involved so new developments can continue to benefit members of our community.”

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Moving in the Right Direction

It has been one year since the MSD shooting. We all know the toll it took on everyone and the damage left behind. We have also seen and heard the countless debates and protests both for and against gun control. A multitude of articles have been written for both sides, as well as methods of coping with the trauma from these horrific events. But what are some of the organizations that have emerged since then that give people a way to cope, to fight, and to carry on the message of NEVER AGAIN!

I’ve written articles on FAMSVARPAC (The Journey of a Thousand Miles, Nov. 2018) and a documentary video about Parkland (Bridging the Great Divide, Dec. 2018). But besides these two, who and/or what groups have come forward to help those in need, or to fight against these shootings in the future? While the list isn’t complete, it is a step in the right direction. In no particular order, we have:

PU4P Professionals United 4 Parkland. This is a group of highly qualified mental health professionals who provide many different forms of treatment for traumas such as those experienced by the shooting at MSD. Here is a link for the website: www.pu4p.org

CTR Change the Ref is an organization whose primary goal is to educate the newer generation of young people on how to best use what’s available to them to have their voices heard on the issues at hand. Manuel and Patricia Oliver whose son Joaquin, was one of the victims of the MSD shooting formed this group. The link to the website is www.changetheref.org.

Mobilizing MSD Alumni This is a national organization with more than 11,000 members, founded to help those involved in the MSD shooting. They have Outreach, Advocacy, and Community programs designed to cover all aspects of those in need. Their website is www.msdstrongalum.com.

These are a few local groups that have been formed not only to carry on the fight for better gun control and school safety but also to help those in need mentally, physically and spiritually. There are several national groups, such as DC Local Ambassadors (www.dcambs.org) founded by D.C. lawyer Elizabeth Andrews, Move On (www.front.moveon) and Everytown for Gun Safety (www.everytown.org) in case you feel the need to do more on a national level. But, as I have stated before, one of the best things we can all do, is be aware of those that surround our families, our friends, and us. Don’t be afraid to speak up or ask questions if you feel there is something not quite right. Encourage others to freely express themselves about their issues concerning these tragedies, regardless if they were directly involved. Last, but not least… don’t just depend on these and other organizations to get the job done concerning the political aspects of gun control and school safety. Write letters, make phone calls to your local, state, and federal officials and let them know your concerns and feelings. One voice, one vote alone may not make a difference but all of them together are a force not to be denied.

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